Few studies have examined the ecological factors that shape the social life histories of termites, a taxon important for comparison with other cooperatively living animals. The dampwood termite, Zootermopsis nevadensis, is a model organism for studies on nest-founding, biparental care, foraging and offspring production. Much of a colony's nesting and feeding activity, up to the 2nd year, can be observed on the log's surface, just under the bark. These characteristics serve to facilitate studies of the ecological pressures influencing Zootermopsis. This study on incipient colonies of Zootermopsis nevadensis will show how limited nitrogen availability, intraspecific competition, and predation influence 1) mate choice and/or competition for mates and 2) survivorship of breeding adults, territory size and offspring production. 3) The advantages of biparental care under various ecological conditions will also be assessed, by comparing uniparental colonies with biparental colonies. An estimated 900 field colonies will be sampled over a one year period. Experimental manipulations that serve to increase and decrease potential ecological pressures on colonies, coupled with information obtained from undisturbed colonies under assessed ecological conditions, will provide a comprehensive and quantitative view of the factors hypothesized to be important in the social life history of Zootermopsis.
