Are nests of Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Isoptera, Termitidae) important in the C cycle in the driest area of semiarid caatinga in northeast Brazil?

Bezerra-Gusmão, Maria Avany; Barbosa, José Renato Chagas; Barbosa, Maria Regina de Vasconcellos; Bandeira, Adelmar Gomes; Sampaio, Everardo V. S. B.

doi:10.1016/j.apsoil.2010.11.003

Cited by 17 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…The role of the outer wall is to protect the mounds from rain and predators, while the inner wall has a defense function and is mostly inhabited by soldier termites (Rückamp et al, 2010). Moreover, there are reports on a higher content of organic matter in the interior of the termite mounds than in the surrounding soils (Peres Filho et al, 1990;Holt and Lepage, 2000;Sarcinelli et al, 2009;Bezerra-Gusmão et al, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Termite Mounds Effects on Soil Properties in the Atlantic Forest Biome

Lima

Pereira

et al. 2018

Rev. Bras. Ciênc. Solo

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ABSTRACT:Termites have peculiar activities in the soil, inducing significant changes in the soil properties. The objective of this study was to assess physical and chemical properties and soil organic matter to evaluate the effect of termite activity and termite mounds on the soil. Two toposequences were selected and divided in slope thirds (shoulder, backslope, and footslope). In each of these, four termite mounds were selected. Samples were taken from the soils and termite mounds (top, center, and base) along with a variety of termites for identification. Analyses were carried out for physical, soil texture, and chemical properties, as well as for particle size and chemical fractioning of organic matter. The species Cornitermes cumulans was found in all mounds. Soil with termite mound presented higher clay content, acidity, and Al 3+ content. Phosphorus contents differed considerably between mound material and soil. Sum of bases and cation exchange capacity of the soil were higher in mounds, and differed within the mounds, according to the sampling height. Total organic carbon and particulate carbon content were highest at the mound base. A marked disparity was observed between the contents of humic substances in the mounds and surrounding soil, with humin fraction differences in distinct topographic position. The high nutrient contents detected in the termite mounds confirm the importance of termites in concentrating nutrients.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Termite Mounds Effects on Soil Properties in the Atlantic Forest Biome

Lima

Pereira

et al. 2018

Rev. Bras. Ciênc. Solo

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“…Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Silvestri, 1901) was the most studied species (10 studies). Constrictotermes cyphergaster has been extensively studied in the ecosystems where it occurs, and studies citing "Mathews 1977" have regarded its interaction with other species residing the termite nest (Cunha & Brandão, 2000;Cunha et al, 2003;Cristaldo et al, 2012;Cristaldo et al, 2014), supplementary reproductives (Cunha & Brandão, 2002), eating habits (Moura et al, 2006a;Moura et al, 2006b), link between nest building and some plant species (Lima-Ribeiro et al, 2006;Silva et al, 2007;Bezerra-Gusmão et al, 2013), nest population and biomass (Vasconcellos et al, 2007), development of the caste system (Moura et al, 2011), and contribution to the carbon cycle (Bezerra-Gusmão et al, 2011).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bibliometrics on One of the Largest Termite Inventories in the Cerrado: "Studies on Termites From the Mato Grosso State, Brazil by Aga Mathews 1977"

Cunha¹,

Oliveira²,

Nabout³

2015

Pap. Avulsos Zool. (São Paulo)

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“…The mounds occupied by the termites of the genus Embiratermes had a homogeneous structure, which was denser than those occupied by Velocitermes; both mounds showed no central area and material Mean values (7 replicate) followed by the same letter within columns are not significantly different according to Bonferroni test (P < 0.05). Bezerra-Gusmão et al, 2011;Sarcinelli et al, 2009;Holt & Lepage, 2000;Lee & Wood, 1971), and also between the soil below and surrounding the mound (Rückamp et al, 2012).…”

Section: Total Organic Carbon and Grain-size Fractionation Of Soil Ormentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some types of termite mounds may reach high density (Lima-Ribeiro et al, 2006). The volume and the number of termite mounds vary considerably depending on the termite species and environmental conditions (Bezerra-Gusmão et al, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soil Physical and Chemical Properties in Epigeal Termite Mounds in Pastures

et al. 2018

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We characterized soil physical and chemical properties and soil organic matter in epigeal termite mounds in pastures to evaluate the changes promoted by termites in comparison to an adjacent area. We selected seven active epigeal termite mounds in the municipality of Seropédica, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Soil samples were collected from top, center and base positions of each mound, at 0.50 and 1.50 m distance from the base of the mound. We identified individuals of the genus Embiratermes, Velocitermes, and Orthognathotermes. The humin fraction predominated over the humic and fulvic acid fractions both in mounds and adjacent soil. The amount of organic matter and the mineral fractions (mineral-associated organic carbon -MOC) varied among builder species. The studied chemical attributes point to a higher concentration of nutrients in the mounds than in the adjacent soil.

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Are nests of Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Isoptera, Termitidae) important in the C cycle in the driest area of semiarid caatinga in northeast Brazil?

Cited by 17 publications

References 26 publications

Termite Mounds Effects on Soil Properties in the Atlantic Forest Biome

Termite Mounds Effects on Soil Properties in the Atlantic Forest Biome

Bibliometrics on One of the Largest Termite Inventories in the Cerrado: "Studies on Termites From the Mato Grosso State, Brazil by Aga Mathews 1977"

Soil Physical and Chemical Properties in Epigeal Termite Mounds in Pastures

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