The Plasticity and Developmental Potential of Termites

Phenotypic plasticity provides organisms with the potential to adapt their environment and can drive evolutionary innovations. Developmental is environmentally induced variation in phenotypes during development that arise from a shared genomic background. Social insects are useful models for studying mechanisms of developmental plasticity, due phenotypic diversity they display form castes. However, literature has been biased toward study holometabolous social (i.e., bees, wasps, ants); hemimetabolous termites) have received less attention. Here, we review complexity termites as plasticity. We argue current terminology used define plastic does not capture these insects. suggest describe levels cellular potency could be helpful describing many termites. Accordingly, propose conceptual framework categorizing changes individuals express alternative through life stages compile an exemplar dataset on potencies expressed within between species across phylogeny use this illustrate how different described using framework. highlight help exploit rich address fundamental questions about evolution This contribution likely wider relevance other insects, such aphids gall-forming thrips, may even prove some which high caste polyphenism.