Observations on dynamics of foraging hole construction of two leaf-feeding, soil-inhabiting Syntermes species (insecta: Isoptera) in an Amazonian Rainforest, Brazil
Abstract:-The intensity of construction of foraging access holes by two leaf-litter feeding, soil-inhabiting termite species, Syntermes molestus and Syntermes spinosus, in a Central were overtaken by the larger species during the observations; however, both species coexist in the area. A calculated minimum of 35 entrances/m 2 is built every year by both species, emphasizing the importance of soil-burrowing termites for soil structure, aeration and water regime.
“…mean production litter and leaf consumption (kg ha 71 year 71 ) (kg dry weight ha 71 ) a earthworms b Based on estimations by ¢eld observations in the Alto Rio Padamo of ten colonies per hectare, and a living biomass of 70 kg ha 71 . These quantities are lower than the evaluations made near Manaus(Martius 1998;Martius & Weller 1998).…”
mentioning
confidence: 55%
“…These quantities are lower than the evaluations made near Manaus (Martius 1998;Martius & Weller 1998). d Based on estimations by di¡erent researchers (Pimentel 1988).…”
At least 32 Amerindian groups in the Amazon basin use terrestrial invertebrates as food. Leaf-and litterconsuming invertebrates provide the more important, underestimated food sources for many Amerindian groups. Further, litter-consuming earthworms are also an important food resource for the Ye'Kuana (also known as Makiritare) in the Alto Orinoco (Amazonas, Venezuela). By selecting these small invertebrates the Amerindians are choosing their animal food from those food webs in the rainforest which have the highest energy £ow and which constitute the greatest renewable stock of readily available nutrients. Here we show that the consumption of leaf-and litter-feeding invertebrates as a means of recovering protein, fat and vitamins by the forest-living peoples o¡ers a new perspective for the development of sustainable animal food production within the paradigm of biodiversity maintenance.
“…mean production litter and leaf consumption (kg ha 71 year 71 ) (kg dry weight ha 71 ) a earthworms b Based on estimations by ¢eld observations in the Alto Rio Padamo of ten colonies per hectare, and a living biomass of 70 kg ha 71 . These quantities are lower than the evaluations made near Manaus(Martius 1998;Martius & Weller 1998).…”
mentioning
confidence: 55%
“…These quantities are lower than the evaluations made near Manaus (Martius 1998;Martius & Weller 1998). d Based on estimations by di¡erent researchers (Pimentel 1988).…”
At least 32 Amerindian groups in the Amazon basin use terrestrial invertebrates as food. Leaf-and litterconsuming invertebrates provide the more important, underestimated food sources for many Amerindian groups. Further, litter-consuming earthworms are also an important food resource for the Ye'Kuana (also known as Makiritare) in the Alto Orinoco (Amazonas, Venezuela). By selecting these small invertebrates the Amerindians are choosing their animal food from those food webs in the rainforest which have the highest energy £ow and which constitute the greatest renewable stock of readily available nutrients. Here we show that the consumption of leaf-and litter-feeding invertebrates as a means of recovering protein, fat and vitamins by the forest-living peoples o¡ers a new perspective for the development of sustainable animal food production within the paradigm of biodiversity maintenance.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.