Consistent effects of eastern subterranean termites (Reticulitermes flavipes) on properties of a temperate forest soil

Neupane, Avishesh; Maynard, Daniel S.; Bradford, Mark A.

doi:10.1016/j.soilbio.2015.08.025

Cited by 17 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…While it is often assumed that subterranean termites are important for nutrient cycles, there is scant empirical evidence on how they affect soil properties in temperate systems (Neupane et al. ). Despite their cryptic lifestyle, the ecosystem services provided by saproxylic insects should not be overlooked but included in future nutrient cycling studies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Elemental concentrations in the frass of saproxylic insects suggest a role in micronutrient cycling

Chen

Forschler

2016

Ecosphere

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Concentrations of 22 elements in pinewood were compared with that in frass produced by insects representing the following taxa: Reticulitermes spp. (Rhinotermitidae), Zootermopsis nevadensis (Termopsidae), Incisitermes snyderi (Kalotermitidae), Hylotrupes spp. (Cerambycidae), Heterobostrychus spp. (Bostrichidae), Lyctus spp. (Bostrichidae), and representatives of the family Ptinidae (formerly Anobiidae). Twenty elements (Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Si, Sr, and Zn) were measured using inductively coupled plasma‐optical emission spectroscopy (ICP‐OES), whereas carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen percentages were measured using a CHN autoanalyzer. Chromium was the only element present at a statistically lower concentration in all frass types compared to pinewood. A comparison of pinewood to frass from those taxa that fed on pine revealed that Reticulitermes frass contained significantly higher levels of 15 elements, Zootermopsis 10, Ptinidae 5, Incisitermes 4, and Hylotrupes 1. Only Incisitermes frass showed a significantly higher percent carbon than pinewood and Reticulitermes, Zootermopsis, and Ptinidae showed significantly higher percent nitrogen. Examination of percent approximate digestibility (PAD) indicated that Reticulitermes frass had 14 elements that were ≥200% more concentrated than found in pinewood, whereas Zootermopsis had 6, Lyctus 5, ptinid 4, Hylotrupes and Heterobostrychus 3, and Incisitermes none. This survey of elements in frass indicates that saproxylic insects are, for the most part, not sequestrating but rather recycling (releasing) the store of micronutrients in wood biomass, with the greatest potential contribution to soil nutrient cycles attributable to subterranean termites.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Elemental concentrations in the frass of saproxylic insects suggest a role in micronutrient cycling

Chen

Forschler

2016

Ecosphere

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“…Published studies presenting effect of termites on soil properties are numerous (reviews by de Bruyn & Conacher, 1990;Robert, 2007;Neupane, 2015). However, little information is available in the literature on the quantitative description of Odontotermes formosanus (Shiraki) and Reticulitermes flaviceps (Oshima) affect soil pH.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Termites on Soil pH and Its Application for Termite Control in Zhejiang Province, China

et al. 2017

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Soil dwelling termites dig nests in the ground that have a significant impact on the soil environment. Activities of termites can result in accumulation of organic matter and enrichment of nutrients and minerals in the soil. Samples from the nest/surrounding soils of two termite species (Odontotermes formosanus (Shiraki) and Reticulitermes flaviceps (Oshima)) and termite non-invaded soils in the seawall of the Qiantang River, Zhejiang Province, China were collected and analysed for soil pH. The results show that the observed termites prefer an acidic environment and that their activities elevate the pH of termite mound soil compared with surrounding soil. Considering the differences in the distribution areas, termite species, and properties of termite mounds and surrounding soils, this paper also examines the literature concerning the effects of termites on soil pH. After summarizing the pH of the termite survival soil environment, the feasibility of termite control by modifying the soil pH is addressed. Finally, some topics for future research are discussed.

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“…The gut and nest microbial community associated with termites is of interest due to their role in degrading lignocellulose and contributing to carbon mineralization and recycling of nutrients [7,42,54,60]. However, for Syntermitinae the interaction with their associated microbiota is poorly understood.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbial Communities of the Gut and Nest of the Humus- and Litter-Feeding Termite Procornitermes araujoi (Syntermitinae)

et al. 2018

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The evolution of the symbiotic association with microbes allowed termites to decompose ingested lignocellulose from plant-derived substrates, including herbivore dung and soil humus. Representatives of the Syntermitinae (Termitidae) range in their feeding habits from wood and litter-feeding to humus-feeding species. However, only limited information is available about their feeding ecology and associated microbial communities. Here we conducted a study of the microbial communities associated to the termite Procornitermes araujoi using Illumina sequencing of the 16S and ITS rRNA genes. This species has been previously included in different feeding guilds. However, most aspects of its feeding ecology are unknown, especially those associated to its symbiotic microbiota. Our results showed that the microbial communities of termite guts and nest substrates of P. araujoi differed significantly for bacteria and fungi. Firmicutes dominated the bacterial gut community of both workers and soldiers, whereas Actinobacteria was found in higher prevalence in the nest walls. Sordariomycetes was the most abundant fungal class in both gut and nest samples and distinguish P. araujoi from the grass/litter feeding Cornitermes cumulans. Our results also showed that diversity of gut bacteria were higher in P. araujoi and Silvestritermes euamignathus than in the grass/litter feeders (C. cumulans and Syntermes dirus), that could indicate an adaptation of the microbial community of polyphagous termites to the higher complexity of their diets.

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Consistent effects of eastern subterranean termites (Reticulitermes flavipes) on properties of a temperate forest soil

Cited by 17 publications

References 56 publications

Elemental concentrations in the frass of saproxylic insects suggest a role in micronutrient cycling

Elemental concentrations in the frass of saproxylic insects suggest a role in micronutrient cycling

Effects of Termites on Soil pH and Its Application for Termite Control in Zhejiang Province, China

Microbial Communities of the Gut and Nest of the Humus- and Litter-Feeding Termite Procornitermes araujoi (Syntermitinae)

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