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An integrative approach towards the evolutionary origin of termite collective building — NSF Award to Auburn University (AL, $1,00

This project investigates the evolutionary origin of collective building behaviors in termites over approximately 150 million years of evolution. Termites exhibit a remarkable diversity in nest construction: some species are simple wood-dwellers, while others build large mounds connected by extensive underground foragi

Award titleAn integrative approach towards the evolutionary origin of termite collective building
Award ID2611846
AwardeeAuburn University
CityAUBURN
StateAL
Amount obligated$1,000,000
Principal investigatorNobuaki Mizumoto
ProgramEvo Patterns & Processes
Start date10/01/2026
AbstractThis project investigates the evolutionary origin of collective building behaviors in termites over approximately 150 million years of evolution. Termites exhibit a remarkable diversity in nest construction: some species are simple wood-dwellers, while others build large mounds connected by extensive underground foraging tunnel networks. This addresses a fundamental question in biology, how do complex behavioral traits evolve from simpler ones. Focusing on underground tunneling behaviors, the pr
SourceNSF Awards

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