page_title: Amitermes atlanticus
section_title: Colony
hierarchical_section_title: Amitermes atlanticus / Colony
caption_attribution_description: English: An Amitermes atlanticus termite mound measuring about 15cm in height. Note the contrast between the white sand that is typical of the regions of the Western Cape where the termite is found and the black mound of the termite.
context_page_description: Amitermes atlanticus is a species of termite found in the Western Cape region of South Africa and are endemic to the region's fynbos ecosystem. They build distinctive black termite mounds that range in height from a few centimeters to 50 centimeters. The species is commonly found on sandy soil eroded from white Table Mountain sandstone at altitudes from a just under 100 meters up to 900 meters above sea level.
context_section_description: The mound is constructed from white sand and organic matter and are distinctively black in colour due to the cement excreted by the Atlanticus termites.  The exterior consists of irregular chambers that are interconnected with other cells through small circular openings.  The interior of the mounds have larger chambers with thinner walls.  There is no royal cell in the mound instead breading termites move freely though the network of cells at the centre of the mound.   The species is not a fungus grower and as such there are no fungus gardens in the mound.  The mounds tend to be as high as they are wide and can reach up to 50 centimeters in height and width.  
  Workers expand the size of the mound from the mound's interior by making small holes in the mound service from inside and pushing the building material up from the interior.
caption: An Amitermes atlanticus termite mound measuring about 15cm in height. Note the contrast between the white sand that is typical of the regions of the Western Cape where the termite is found and the distinctive black mound of the termite.
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