Resilience that goes beyond prophylaxis: Benefits of faecal accumulation within termite nests

Abstract Nests of the termite Cornitermes cumulans (Isoptera: Termitidae) contain a surprising amount of their own faeces. Just as in non‐Termitidae termite species, our findings corroborate that the faeces of C. cumulans also have the prophylactic effect, reducing germination of entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium robertsii conidia. We also provide evidence that the benefits supplied by faeces extend beyond prophylaxis. Termites' own faeces increased the survival of individuals, even in the absence of infection, suggesting that faeces boost the colony's resilience. These findings add new significance to the widespread termite behaviour of maintaining intimate contact with their own faeces. Faeces are not only used as a building material or as a prophylactic substance: they may also boost termites' ability to endure challenges imposed by everyday life. Such an effect on termite resilience would stand as proximal causation for the coprophagic habit of termites. Simultaneously, it can also be thought of as an ultimate cause for the retention of coprophilic behaviour throughout termite diversification.