THERMODYNAMIC IN TERMITE MOUND: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VENTILATORY STRUCTURES AND MOUND SIZE

Termite mounds are good examples of a well regulated ecosystem structure. These social insects are ecosystem engineers that are capable of building mounds of various sizes. Macrotermes mounds are equipped with several openings at various positions to mitigate thermoregulation and ventilation. One possible means of understanding the thermoregulatory pattern and ventilation strategies within a Macrotermes mound is to assess the relationships between its respiratory structures and geometry. Here, correlation test were done to test the level of significant relationships between the mound geometry and ventilatory structures. Results showed that the ventilatory structures above the base of Macrotermes mound is significantly (p<0.05) related to Its overall size (height, column, width) with correlation coefficient of 0.7323142, 0.668158 and 0.6531674 but had no relationship with the depth and perimeter of a Macrotermes mound. However, the ventilatory structure at the basal portion was significantly related to the depth with correlation coefficient of 0.7428268 and not necessarily the size of a mound. The temperature of a mound surrounding is also related to the internal temperature R=0.7074602, p=0.0004, R2=0.5005), and also deterministic factor in assessing the temperature flow within a Macrotermes mound. This ventilatory structures coupled with temperature are typical strategies used by termites to create a well thermoregulated and ventilated structures. The implications of these findings are that Macrotermes bellicossus mounds can be employed by humans in the construction of buildings, such that a time we come where there will be little or no need for
artificial ventilators like Air conditioners.