The role of high termitaria in the composition and structure of the termite assemblage in Miombo woodlands of southern Burundi

Abstract

Miombo woodlands cover extensive areas in southern and southeastern Africa, but are under high anthropogenic pressure. A conspicuous feature of this ecosystem is the presence of high termitaria (>2 m high) built by fungus‐growing termites (Macrotermitinae). Despite the fundamental role of termites in African ecosystems, miombo termite communities remain poorly known. We suspected high termitaria to play a structuring role for the whole termite assemblage of miombo woodlands in southern Burundi. In a formerly cleared area, in regeneration since 2009, we expected the termite assemblage to be highly impoverished. The newly growing termitaria of fungus growers might provide suitable bases for recolonisation by soil‐feeding species. We recorded 25 species from more than 1000 termite samples. Fungus growers were abundant everywhere. In preserved miombo, high termitaria were home to secondary soil‐feeding termite species, seldom encountered in the matrix between mounds. Bushes growing on termitaria also sustained wood‐feeding species. The most remarkable feature of the assemblage was the high frequency and diversity of soil‐feeding soldierless Apicotermitinae, especially in the matrix. Besides scarce Coptotermes wood feeders, Macrotermitinae were the sole inhabitants of the regenerating area. Our results emphasize the importance of high termitaria for particular soil‐feeding species and wood feeders associated with the vegetation growing on termitaria. They raise the question of the ecological factors allowing the coexistence of a rich assemblage of soldierless Apicotermitinae species in the nutrient‐poor matrix between mounds. The observations from regenerating miombo confirm the vulnerability of soil‐feeding termites to habitat degradation and provide baseline data for future studies of ecosystem restoration.

What factors influence the occurrence of Cubitermes pallidiceps in miombo woodlands in southwestern Burundi?

“…A second hypothesis is that the four spatial variables influencing the distribution of C. pallidiceps corresponds to spatial patterns related to dispersal capacities of C. pallidiceps or to the effects of biotic interactions (territoriality, competition or predation with other species) (Legendre, 1993;Pinto and MacDougall, 2010). Nduwarugira et al (2017) observed that at the local (quadrat of 5 m²) scale, the interactions between termite species were almost non-significant in the Rumonge Forest, which indicates that species do not defend permanent territories against each other. Nevertheless, colony mosaics, the behavioural mechanisms of territoriality and the ecological consequences of exclusive use of foraging space in termites may be analogous to those found in ants (Adams and Levings, 1987).…”

“…Aggressive interactions have been described in the field in some termite species (Leponce et al, 1997;Traniello and Leuthold, 2000). Soil-feeding termites, mainly Apicotermitinae, were found to be highly diversified and abundant in the poor soil of Rumonge Forest (Nduwarugira et al, 2017) unlike C. pallidiceps, which seems to occur in limited areas of the ecosystem. Our results suggest that the distribution of Cubitermes genera in the area is mainly due to soil heterogeneity conditions and not to competition with Apicotermitinae.…”

Crop-gizzard content and volume variations among afrotropical Apicotermitinae (Blattodea, Termitidae)

“…Gisagara and Rumonge-Vyanda Reserve. These four places have been impacted by human activities for a long time, but preserved or regenerated forests are currently under protection by conservation organisations (Nduwarugira et al 2017).…”

Molecular phylogeny and historical biogeography of Apicotermitinae (Blattodea: Termitidae)

“…Soldierless species are very abundant in Africa and the Neotropics, where they can locally make up more than 30% of the termite species diversity (Eggleton et al ., 1995, 2002; Bourguignon et al ., 2011, 2016b; Dahlsjö et al ., 2015, 2020; Nduwarugira et al ., 2017). This makes the Apicotermitinae one of the most diverse subfamilies of Termitidae.…”