Soldier influences on candidate primer pheromone levels, gene expression and caste differentiation in workers of R. flavipes termites

Traditionally the role of soldier termites has been that of defense only. The soldiers large mandibles, and in some species defensive chemicals, display a clear indication of their potential role in colony defense. Recent observations indicate that soldiers may also play a role in nestmate caste differentiation. The goal of this research was to investigate the potential impact soldier termites have on nestmate caste differentiation. Specifically, studies were conducted to understand the influence of soldier head chemicals on nestmate worker caste differentiation. Our results indicate that the chemicals produced by soldiers influence phenotype and gene expression of nearby workers, and the responsive genes that show differential expression are likely to play a role in caste differentiation. As a result, this research has provides a more complete understanding of the role semiochemicals produced by soldiers play in worker caste differentiation, and the impacts that JH, soldier head chemicals, JH+soldier head chemicals, and live soldiers have on nestmate gene expression. But most importantly this research builds upon past research and reinforces the idea that soldiers are influencing nestmate caste differentiation.