How Termite Mounds Get Their Shape

February 12, 2019
Cheetahs stalk around a meters-high termite mound in Namibia Courtesy of Harvard SEAS

How the centimeter-sized termite is able to build meter-sized structures all over the world has long puzzled scientists. In a new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Prof. Mahadevan and PhD student, Alexander Heyde, developed a simple model that shows how differences in the environment lead to the distinct morphologies of termite mounds in Asia, Australia, Africa, and South America. The model not only demonstrates the link between environmental physics and animal behavior to create complex structures in nature, but also sheds light on the question of swarm intelligence, and may assist with designing more sustainable human architecture. Harvard SEAS News featuring a video.

 

Image: Cheetahs stalk around a meters-high termite mound in Namibia Courtesy of Harvard SEAS