Carbon—nitrogen balance and termite ecology

Higashi, Masahiko; Abe, Takuya; Burns, Thomas P.

doi:10.1098/rspb.1992.0119

Cited by 96 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…As Higashi et al (1992) outline, termites generally feed on dead plant material that has a carbon to nitrogen ratio much higher than their own tissues and have to balance their C and N inputs. The same authors list two classes of such C-N balancing mechanisms: adding N to inputs or selectively eliminating C, both achieved with the aid of microbial symbionts.…”

Section: Nutritionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The importance of termites (Isoptera) for the recycling of herbivore dung in tropical ecosystems: a review

Freymann¹,

Buitenwerf²,

DeSouza³

et al. 2008

Eur. J. Entomol.

105

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Abstract. While the key role of termites in the decomposition of litter in the tropics has been acknowledged for a long time, much less information exists on their importance in the recycling of dung of primary consumers, especially herbivores. A review of published studies shows that a diverse group of termites (at least 126 species) has been reported to feed on a wide range of mammalian dung (18 species). Predominantly, wood-feeding and polyphagous wood-litter feeding species were found to feed also frequently on dung. Moreover, we found that termites can quickly remove large amounts of mammalian dung, especially in the dry season, when on average about 1/3 of the dung deposited in a given habitat is removed by termites within one month (with the highest rates observed in savannas). No distinctive preference for mammalian dung over other organic food sources was observed for fungusgrowing termites (Macrotermitinae), whereas the majority of the non-fungus growing taxa studied prefer dung over other food. As termites bring large quantities of dung below the soil surface, disturb and enrich soils with nutrients, dung feeding by termites appears to be a previously underestimated process important in the functioning of tropical ecosystems.

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Section: Nutritionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The importance of termites (Isoptera) for the recycling of herbivore dung in tropical ecosystems: a review

Freymann¹,

Buitenwerf²,

DeSouza³

et al. 2008

Eur. J. Entomol.

105

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“…A ecologia nutricional dos cupins é considerada fundamental para o princípio da eussocialidade e influencia de maneira bastante consistente e penetrante em virtualmente todos os aspectos da gênese de diversificação desse grupo e da evolução da eussocialidade (Abe 1987, Noirot 1992, Higashi et al 1992, Bignell 1994, Nalepa 1994, Thorne 1997. A dieta de madeira dos cupins demandou uma dependência coevolutiva de simbiontes do trato digestivo e de suas habilidades celulolíticas (Cleveland et al 1934), que "fizeram com que a sobreposição de gerações se tornasse uma necessidade" (Thorne 1997).…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

Recursos alimentares explorados pelos cupins (Insecta: Isoptera)

Lima

Costa–Leonardo

2007

Biota Neotrop.

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Termites are social insects belonging to the order Isoptera and constitute one of the dominant groups of invertebrates in terrestrial environments of the tropical region. Currently, there are around 2,900 species described in seven families: Mastotermitidae, Kalotermitidae, Termopsidae, Hodotermitidae, Serritermitidae, Rhinotermitidae and Termitidae. The Neotropical region contains 537 species, and from these, approximately 300 occur in Brazil and belong to the families Kalotermitidae, Rhinotermitidae, Serritermitidae and Termitidae. Although the Isoptera has been known by their potential as pest, the ecological role of the termites in the environment is primordial since they play a role as primary consumers and/or decomposers in natural ecosystems. These insects participate actively in the crushing, decomposition, humus production and mineralization of a variety of cellulose-based resources. A great diversity of organic material, in several stages of decomposition, may serve as food for termites, including wood (sound or decayed), grass, herbaceous plants, litter, fungi, nests built by other termite species, dung and carrion, lichen and even organic material present in the soil (humus). This vast range of food sources allowed the termites to occupy almost all the tropical and temperate regions of the Earth, occurring practically in all the terrestrial environments, natural or modified by the human species. Therefore, termites are found in the tropical and temperate forests, cerrados, savannas, caatingas, shallow places, mangrove regions, low vegetation stems, crops, pastures and urban environments.Keywords: feeding habits, nourishment, food behavior, types of food, feeding-preference. Os cupins são insetos sociais pertencentes à ordem Isoptera e constituem um dos grupos de invertebrados dominantes em ambientes terrestres tropicais. Atualmente, existem cerca de 2.900 espécies descritas, que estão distribuídas em sete famílias: Mastotermitidae, Kalotermitidae, Termopsidae, Hodotermitidae, Serritermitidae, Rhinotermitidae e Termitidae. A região neotropical engloba 537 espécies, e dessas, aproximadamente 300 ocorrem no Brasil e pertencem às famílias Kalotermitidae, Rhinotermitidae, Serritermitidae e Termitidae. Apesar dos isópteros serem bastante conhecidos pelo seu potencial como praga, o papel ecológico dos térmitas no ambiente é primordial, visto que desempenham o papel de consumidores primários e/ou decompositores nos ecossistemas naturais. Esses insetos participam ativamente na trituração, decomposição, humificação e mineralização de uma variedade de recursos celulósicos. Uma grande diversidade de material orgânico, em vários estágios de decomposição, pode servir de alimento para os cupins, incluindo madeira (viva ou morta), gramíneas, plantas herbáceas, serapilheira, fungos, ninhos construídos por outras espécies de cupins, excrementos e carcaças de animais, liquens e até mesmo material orgânico presente no solo (húmus). Essa vasta gama de fontes alimentares permitiu aos cupins ocuparem quase todas as regiões...

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“…2) includes the extinct trilobites, the insects, the myriapods (millipedes, centipedes, and relatives), the crustaceans (e.g., crabs, lobsters, shrimp), and the chelicerates (arachnids, such as spiders, scorpions and mites, and horseshoe crabs). Their abundance makes arthropods ecologically vital; for example, myriapods are important processors of leaf litter in forests, and termites consume large quantities of cellulose (Crawford 1992;Higashi et al 1992). Without arthropods, the life and ecosystems of the Earth would be radically different.…”

Section: Terrestrial Palaeozoic Lifementioning

confidence: 99%

Early Terrestrial Animals, Evolution, and Uncertainty

Garwood

Edgecombe

2011

Evo Edu Outreach

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Early terrestrial ecosystems record a fascinating transition in the history of life. Animals and plants had previously lived only in the oceans, but, starting approximately 470 million years ago, began to colonize the previously barren continents. This paper provides an introduction to this period in life's history, first presenting background information, before focusing on one animal group, the arthropods. It gives examples of the organisms living in early terrestrial communities and then outlines a suite of adaptations necessary for survival in harsh terrestrial environments. Emphasis is placed on the role of uncertainty in science; this is an integral part of the scientific process, yet is often seized upon by god-of-thegaps creationist arguments. We hope to illustrate the importance of both uncertainty and scientists' freedom to express doubt while a consensus is being built.

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Carbon—nitrogen balance and termite ecology

Cited by 96 publications

References 5 publications

The importance of termites (Isoptera) for the recycling of herbivore dung in tropical ecosystems: a review

The importance of termites (Isoptera) for the recycling of herbivore dung in tropical ecosystems: a review

Recursos alimentares explorados pelos cupins (Insecta: Isoptera)

Early Terrestrial Animals, Evolution, and Uncertainty

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