Richness of Lichens Consumed by Constrictotermes cyphergaster in the Semi-arid Region of Brazil

Abstract

The consumption of lichens by Constrictotermes cyphergaster termites is suggested in the literature, but not yet with concrete evidence. We examined the use and richness of lichens consumed by C. cyphergaster during both the dry and rainy seasons in a semiarid environment in northeastern Brazil by monitoring the foraging of five termite colonies for ten consecutive days during each period. Twenty-nine species of corticolous lichens were consumed by C. cyphergaster, with seasonal variations in the richness of their ingestion. Chrysothrix xanthine, Pertusaria flavens, and Dirinaria confluens were the lichen species most consumed. TLC analyzes of termite gut contents revealed twelve secondary lichen compounds ingested in both seasons, while staining showed fragments of fungal hyphae, green algae, and typical lichen spores. This study represents the first systematic survey of the abundances of lichens that compose the diet of C. cyphergaster and indicates the seasonal selectivity of that resource related to the chemical compositions of the lichen stalks.

Consumption Rate of Lichens by Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Isoptera): Effects of C, N, and P Contents and Ratios

“…There are no records foliose or fruticose lichens being consumed by termites, suggesting that these insects are adapted to consuming crustose lichens. The species recorded as consumed in the present this study are common in the Caatinga environment, and 11 of them were have been previously recorded on the diet of C. cyphergaster in Brazilian semi-arid areas [44,63]. The lichens Arthothelium sp., Haematomma persoonii , and Physcia integrata represent new records for consumption by C. cyphergaster .…”

“…Species of Hospitalitermes , Grallatotermes , Longipeditermes and Constrictotermes have added lichens to their diet, which are suggested to represent an extra source of N for termites, and they are also good retainers of phosphorus and other nutrients [28,40,41,42,43,44,45]. According to Collins [40], Hospitalitermes umbrinus can consume up to 50 kg of lichens and mosses/ha/year.…”

“…In the Neotropical region, the termite Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae) is distributed in Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay, and the semi-arid region of Brazil, where it is notable for the abundance of nests (59 active nests/ha) and the consumption of plant necromass [46,47]. The food items consumed by this termite at night on open trails include 29 species of crustose lichens [44,48]. However, the effect of the nutritional composition of lichens on the termite diet remains unknown.…”

Fungolândia: jogo educativo de tabuleiro sobre a diversidade e importância dos fungos da Caatinga

“…Nessas associações, os fungos recebem os nutrientes fornecidos pelas algas; em troca, proporcionam a elas um ambiente protegido, com acesso a minerais e água necessários para o seu desenvolvimento (SPIELMANN, 2006). Eles são considerados seres pioneiros, pois são os primeiros a se instalar em alguns ambientes, como sobre rochas (BARBOSA-SILVA et al 2019). São considerados bioindicadores de qualidade ambiental e parâmetro de diversidade, pois absorvem determinadas substâncias como dióxido de carbono e as retêm, por isso sua ausência indica que o ambiente está poluído (LUCHETA et al 2018;SPIELMANN, 2006).…”

Interações ecológicas na Caatinga: uma proposta de sequência didática utilizando seminários e o aplicativo Kahoot

“…Além disso, podem estabelecer relações simbiônticas ou harmônicas com outros componentes dos ecossistemas, e cumprir outras funções além da decomposição (ESPOSITO; AZEVEDO, 2010;LIMA et al, 2013;MAIA, 2014). As bactérias também podem tanto atuar, juntamente com os fungos, para o processo de decomposição e mineralização da matéria orgânica quanto pode também estabelecer relações com animais (ruminantes), plantas (leguminosas e gramíneas) ou fungos (liquenícolas) e prestar serviços ecossistêmicos importantes nessas interações (FIGUEIREDO, et al, 2013;BARBOSA-SILVA, et al 2019).…”