Fruitful symbioses between termites and computers

TL;DR

This paper explores how computational tools and modeling can enhance the study of termite symbioses, offering new insights into ecological and evolutionary processes through interdisciplinary approaches.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of applying computing science to analyze complex biological symbioses in termites, highlighting novel analytical solutions.

Findings

Computational models reveal emergent phenomena in termite symbioses.

Interdisciplinary approaches open new research avenues in ecology.

Computing tools can simulate interspecific and intraspecific interactions.

Abstract

The living-together of distinct organisms in a single termite nest along with the termite builder colony, is emblematic in its ecological and evolutionary significance. On top of preserving biodiversity, these interspecific and intraspecific symbioses provide useful examples of interindividual associations thought to underly transitions in organic evolution. Being interindividual in nature, such processes may involve emergent phenomena and hence call for analytical solutions provided by computing tools and modelling, as opposed to classical biological methods of analysis. Here we provide selected examples of such solutions, showing that termite studies may profit from a symbiotic-like link with computing science to open up wide and new research avenues in ecology and evolution.