A termite internal state model for elucidating caste differentiation

Eusocial insects form colony and adapt environmental fluctuations. Colony is maintained with caste differentiation, which is a self-organized task allocation. We researched termite caste differentiation. Termites have several specialized castes. The pseudergate, one of those, has some differentiation possibilities. It is suggested that juvenile hormone (JH) is concerned in termite caste differentiation. Our research emphasized focus on the relationship between the pseudergate caste differentiation and time evolution of JH titer. We built an termite internal state model through development for understanding of caste differentiation mechanism. This model was evaluated with mathematical analysis and computer simulation.