Termite Diversity along an Amazon-Andes Elevation Gradient, Peru

Palin, Olivia F.; Eggleton, Paul; Malhi, Yadvinder; Girardin, Cécile; Rozas‐Davila, Angela; Parr, Catherine L.

doi:10.1111/j.1744-7429.2010.00650.x

Cited by 85 publications

(63 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Distinct levels of tolerance in relation to temperature and humidity is commonly reported for termite species. Temperature has been considered a determinant factor for termite's occurrence at local, regional or global scale (Davies et al, 2003;Palin et al, 2011). Along a latitudinal gradient in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest, temperature is the main driver of termite species composition and richness (Cancello et al, 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of edge effect on termite community (Blattodea: Isoptera) in fragments of Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest

et al. 2016

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Habitat fragmentation is considered to be one of the biggest threats to tropical ecosystem functioning. In this region, termites perform an important ecological role as decomposers and ecosystem engineers. In the present study, we tested whether termite community is negatively affected by edge effects on three fragments of Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest. Termite abundance and vegetation structure were sampled in 10 transects (15 × 2 m), while termite richness, activity, and soil litter biomass were measured in 16 quadrants (5 × 2 m) at forest edge and interior of each fragment. Habitat structure (i.e. number of tree, diameter at breast height and soil litter biomass) did not differ between forest edge and interior of fragments. Termite richness, abundance and activity were not affected by edge effect. However, differences were observed in the β diversity between forest edge and interior as well as in the fragments sampled. The β diversity partitioning indicates that species turnover is the determinant process of termite community composition under edge effect. Our results suggest that conservation strategies should be based on the selection of several distinct sites instead of few rich sites (e.g. nesting).Keywords: β diversity, habitat fragmentation, Termitoidea, species turnover.O impacto do efeito de borda na comunidade de cupins (Blattodea: Isoptera) em fragmentos de florestas da Mata Atlântica ResumoA fragmentação do habitat é considerada uma das maiores ameaças para o funcionamento do ecossistema tropical. Nesta região, os cupins desempenham um papel ecológico importante como decompositores e engenheiros do ecossistema. No presente estudo, testamos se comunidades de cupins são negativamente afetadas pelo efeito de borda em três fragmentos de Mata Atlântica. Para isso, foram amostrados a abundância de cupins e a estrutura da vegetação em 10 transectos (15 × 2 m), enquanto a riqueza, abundância de cupins e biomassa da serrapilheira foram amostrados em 16 parcelas (5 × 2 m) na borda e no interior de cada um dos três fragmentos. A estrutura do habitat (número de árvores, diâmetro à altura do peito e biomassa da serrapilheira) não diferiu entre a borda e o interior dos fragmentos. A riqueza, abundância e atividade dos cupins também não foram afetados pelo efeito de borda. No entanto, foram observadas diferenças na diversidade β entre borda e interior dos fragmentos, bem como nos fragmentos amostrados. O particionamento da diversidade β indicou que a substituição de espécies ("turnover") é o processo determinante da composição da comunidade de cupins sob efeito de borda. Nossos resultados sugerem que as estratégias de conservação devem ser baseadas na seleção de locais distintos em vez de poucos locais (via processo de aninhamento -"nesting").Palavras-chave: diversidade β, fragmentação de habitat, Termitoidea, substituição de espécies (turnover).

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of edge effect on termite community (Blattodea: Isoptera) in fragments of Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest

et al. 2016

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“…Studies conducted on species composition of termites in Malawi in the African continent, over an altitudinal gradient, have inferred that the structure of the assemblages was clearly due to a mixture of altitudinal and site history factors (Donovan and Eggleton, 2002). A study by Palin et al (2011) along an Amazon -Andes elevation gradient in Peru suggests that key drivers of the elevation pattern of termite diversity are reduced temperature with altitude and mid-elevation peaks in soil water content.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diversity and distribution of termite assemblages in montane forests in the Knuckles Region, Sri Lanka

Hemachandra

Edirisinghe

Karunaratne

et al. 2014

Int. J. Trop. Insect Sci.

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This study was conducted in the Knuckles Forest Region in central Sri Lanka, and investigated how termite species richness, abundance and functional group diversity vary in different montane forest types and identified the likely causes of this pattern. Termite diversity declined with increased elevation, with upper montane forests recording a single endemic species, Postelectrotermes militaris Desneux. Transect sampling in lower montane forests yielded 26 species, with a higher number from dry forests (22 species) than from wet forests (15 species). Species specificity also was high in dry forests (11 species) compared with wet forests (four species). Termite abundance did not show a distinct trend in dry and wet forests. Live-wood termites were present only in upper montane and high-altitude lower montane dry forests. Wet forests had a higher relative abundance (78%) but not species richness (40%) of soil and soil -wood interface feeders. In dry forests, both species richness (82%) and abundance (88%) of fungus-growing wood feeders were higher. The study suggests that key drivers of the species distribution pattern are low temperature and differing forest floor conditions. In the upper montane forest floor where earthworms dominate, wet soil and damp, woody litter riddled with beetles are not favourable for termites. In lower montane wet forests, moist, thick decomposing leaf litter and in dry forests, drier, relatively undecomposed leaf litter with many dry sticks and branches support species with specific food habits.

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“…Another study (PaLin et al 2011) along an Amazon-Andes altitudinal gradient in Peru found that the diversity declined with increased elevation. However, functional groups responded differently to the upper distribution limit.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Termite Communities in Sugarcane Plantations in Southeastern Brazil: an Ecological Approach

2015

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Abstract.Termites are key components of soil fauna, playing an essential role in organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling. However, they can cause significant economic losses in commercial plantations, such as sugar cane. Therefore, the correct identification of termite species is critical for pest control. Here, we evaluated the species richness, abundance and functional groups of termites in sugarcane plantations in 53 cities throughout the state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil. We also analyzed the influence of macroclimatic variables on termite species distribution and functional groups. We found 22 taxa of two families, of which the most frequent species were Termitidae (96.51%). Within this family, Apicotermitinae had the highest frequency of occurrence (37.12%), followed by Termitinae (30.57%), Syntermitinae (27.95%), and Nasutitermitinae (0.8 %). The other family, Rhinotermitidae, had the lowest frequency (3.5%), being represented only by Heterotermes sulcatus Mathews. We classified Neocapritermes opacus Hagen (29.26%), Apicotermitinae sp.2 (24.89%), Cornitermes cumulans Kollar (13.10%), and Apicotermitinae sp.1 (6.99%) as common taxa. The remaining 18 species were classified as rare. The most common functional group was humus-feeders (37%), followed by wood-feeders (34%), grasslitter feeders (25%), and intermediate feeders (4%). Climate influenced the distribution of common species, humus-feeders and grass-litter feeders.Regarding the pest status of termites in sugar cane plantations, we suggest that the exasperated use of pesticide in the last decades has reduced the abundance of species considered pests (e.g. Heterotermes) and reinforce the importance of ecological approaches for determining the best pest control methods.Keywords: Functional groups; Heterotermes sp.; Isoptera. Comunidades de Cupins em Cultivos de Cana-de-Açúcar no Estado de São Paulo: Uma Abordagem EcológicaResumo. Os cupins são importantes componentes da fauna de solo, atuando na decomposição da matéria orgânica e ciclagem de nutrientes. Porém, em cultivos de cana-de-açúcar, podem provocar perdas econômicas significativas. A correta identificação das espécies de cupins é um ponto crítico para o controle daquelas que adquiriram e/ou que podem atingir o status de praga. Este trabalho objetivou identificar a riqueza, a abundância e os grupos funcionais destes insetos em canaviais de 53 municípios do estado de São Paulo. Paralelamente, avaliou se as variáveis macroclimáticas influenciam a distribuição das comunidades de cupins e dos grupos funcionais. A riqueza obtida foi de 22 táxons. Da família Termitidae (96,51%), a maior frequência de ocorrência foi da subfamília Apicotermitinae (37,12%), seguindo-se Termitinae (30,57%), Syntermitinae (27,95%) e Nasutitermitinae (0,8%). A família Rhinotermitidae (3,5%) esteve representada apenas por Heterotermes sulcatus Mathews. Quatro táxons foram considerados comuns em canaviais, Neocapritermes opacus Hagen (29,26%), Apicotermitinae sp.2 (24,89%), Cornitermes cumulans Kollar (13,10%) e ...

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Termite Diversity along an Amazon-Andes Elevation Gradient, Peru

Cited by 85 publications

References 28 publications

The impact of edge effect on termite community (Blattodea: Isoptera) in fragments of Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest

The impact of edge effect on termite community (Blattodea: Isoptera) in fragments of Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest

Diversity and distribution of termite assemblages in montane forests in the Knuckles Region, Sri Lanka

Termite Communities in Sugarcane Plantations in Southeastern Brazil: an Ecological Approach

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