Magnetite biomineralization in termites

Experimental evidence exists for magnetoreception in termites, a major component of the soil macrofauna in many tropical countries. This preliminary study identifies, probably for the first time, the presence of biogenic ferrimagnets (magnetite?) in two species of termite (Nasutitermes exitiosus and Amitermes meridionalis), based on magnetic measurements of whole termite specimens and individual body sections, and analysis by electron microscopy of magnetically extracted grains. The magnetic measurements indicate the presence of very small concentrations of magnetic material, with more magnetic grains in the thorax and abdomen region compared with the head. Magnetic interaction, due to clustering of grains, is also identified by the measurements. Analysis of magnetic extracts by transmission electron microscopy identifies the presence of uniquely ultrafine (10 nm) and unidimensional grains of ferrimagnetic material, unequivocally distinct from any possible extraneous magnetite sources, such as ingested soil. Hence, this provides firm evidence for biogenic formation of this magnetic material by these two termite species. Such ultrafine grains would be superparamagnetic, i.e. incapable of carrying a permanent magnetic moment, unless they were sited in clusters of interacting grains, when some remanence–carrying ability—and hence magnetotaxis—would be possible.