Redescriptions of Three<i>Nasutitermes</i>Species (Isoptera: Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae) Occurring in Taiwan

Liang, Wei-Ren; Li, Hou-Feng

doi:10.1093/aesa/saw029

Cited by 6 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…The identification of Na. takasagoensis was based on taxonomic description of Liang and Li (2016), and the identification of other termite species was carried out using the systematic key of termites in Thailand (Ahmad 1965, Sornnuwat et al 2004). The nest types were recorded for each termite species were recorded based on observations or reference (Table 1).…”

Section: Study Sites and Termitesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Desiccation tolerance of Termitidae termites in relation to their nest type

Wanthathaen,

Chiu,

Chiu

et al. 2023

Environmental Entomology

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The family Termitidae is renowned for its diverse nesting behaviors, with the evolution of epigeal and arboreal nests hypothesized to increase desiccation stress due to greater exposure to air. However, these nests may also alleviate desiccation stress through humidity regulation. To explore the implications of acquiring epigeal and arboreal nests, we investigated desiccation tolerance traits in 16 Termitidae termite species with varying nest types and analyzed trait correlations. Principal component analysis revealed that termites constructing epigeal and arboreal nests exhibited reduced water loss rates and enhanced survival under desiccated conditions. Furthermore, termites building arboreal nests displayed a notably higher water content. Redundancy analysis demonstrated that nest types accounted for a substantial portion (57.2%) of the observed variation in desiccation tolerance. These findings support the hypothesis that epigeal and arboreal nests in termites are associated with increased desiccation stress and increased desiccation tolerance. These findings highlight the role of nest type in influencing desiccation tolerance mechanisms and water regulation strategies in termites.

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Section: Study Sites and Termitesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Desiccation tolerance of Termitidae termites in relation to their nest type

Wanthathaen,

Chiu,

Chiu

et al. 2023

Environmental Entomology

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“…Montomery (Montgomery, 1985 ) and Lubin and Montgomery ( 1981 ) reported that Nasutitermes termites are an important part of the diets of both tamandua species. Nasutitermes parvonasutus are commonly found in suburban Taiwan (Liang & Li, 2016 ) and were the species of which the southern tamandua in this study consumed the most. Although N .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 65%

“… Note : * = major workers. References used: [a] Gallo et al, 2017 ; [b] Liang & Li, 2016 ; [c] Lubin et al, 1977 ; [d] Lubin & Montgomery, 1981 ; [e] Montgomery & Lubin, 1977 ; [f] Navarrete & Ortega, 2011 ; [g] Oyarzun et al, 1996 ; [h] Sandoval‐Gómez et al, 2012 . …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…N . parvonasutus does not build arboreal nests but build shelter tubes on tree trunks; mature colonies of this species may also build nests underground (Liang & Li, 2016 ). In addition, Nasutitermes soldiers are present in greater numbers in nests and in lower numbers in shelter tubes and decomposing wood; and the defense of soldiers is effective in repelling large vertebrate predators, such as tamanduas (Lubin & Montgomery, 1981 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…was observed in N . parvonasutus tunnels in decomposing wood by Liang and Li ( 2016 ) in Taiwan. The southern tamandua likely ingested the termitophilous beetles together with N. parvonasutus in shelter tubes and decomposing wood during foraging.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Diet composition of an escaped captive‐born southern tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla) in a nonnative habitat in Asia

Sun

Lin

Liang

et al. 2022

Ecology and Evolution

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Studies on the role of natural predatory instincts in captive‐born mammalian myrmecophagy are rare. Consequently, researchers rely extensively on case reports to learn more about the contexts in which predatory behavior occurs among such animals. In this study, we recorded an uncommon case of a captive‐born southern tamandua ( Tamandua tetradactyla ) that accidentally escaped from a zoo into a nonnative habitat in Asia. The southern tamandua was found alive 3 months later. Two fresh fecal samples were obtained, and the diet composition was examined. Three termite species (one family, three genera), and 14 ant species (four subfamilies, nine genera) were identified in the fecal samples. The studied southern tamandua preyed on terrestrial and arboreal ants and termites, as the wild populations of its species do. Ants of the subfamily Myrmicinae and termites of the subfamily Nasutitermitinae were the most abundant prey items in the samples, which is consistent with related reports on the wild populations. Soldier ants constituted <1% of the prey items in the fecal samples, suggesting that the southern tamandua likely avoided preying on ants of the soldier caste. Fungus‐growing termites Odontotermes (Isoptera: Macrotermitinae), which are not native to neotropical regions, were also ingested by the southern tamandua. This study provides information on how a captive‐born mammalian myrmecophagy applies its natural feeding instincts in nonnative natural settings.

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