Observations on dynamics of foraging hole construction of two leaf-feeding, soil-inhabiting Syntermes species (insecta: Isoptera) in an Amazonian Rainforest, Brazil

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 Amazonian rain forest, was observed on consecutive nights for two weeks. Between 11 and 48 nest entrances per m2 were counted....

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Christopher MARTIUS, Matthias WELLER
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia 1998-09-01
Series:Acta Amazonica
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0044-59671998000300325&tlng=en
_version_ 1819284590572863488
author Christopher MARTIUS
Matthias WELLER
author_facet Christopher MARTIUS
Matthias WELLER
author_sort Christopher MARTIUS
collection DOAJ
description 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 Amazonian rain forest, was observed on consecutive nights for two weeks. Between 11 and 48 nest entrances per m2 were counted. Interaction between the two species was intense; some entrance holes were overtaken by the larger species during the observations; however, both species coexist in the area. A calculated minimum of 35 entrances/m2 is built every year by both species, emphasizing the importance of soil-burrowing termites for soil structure, aeration and water regime.
first_indexed 2024-12-24T01:49:48Z
format Article
id doaj.art-3a984f15178c455c90f77363e07abe6a
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 0044-5967
language English
last_indexed 2024-12-24T01:49:48Z
publishDate 1998-09-01
publisher Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia
record_format Article
series Acta Amazonica
spelling doaj.art-3a984f15178c455c90f77363e07abe6a2022-12-21T17:21:45ZengInstituto Nacional de Pesquisas da AmazôniaActa Amazonica0044-59671998-09-0128332532510.1590/1809-43921998283330Observations on dynamics of foraging hole construction of two leaf-feeding, soil-inhabiting Syntermes species (insecta: Isoptera) in an Amazonian Rainforest, BrazilChristopher MARTIUSMatthias WELLERThe intensity of construction of foraging access holes by two leaf-litter feeding, soil- inhabiting termite species, Syntermes molestus and Syntermes spinosus, in a Central Amazonian rain forest, was observed on consecutive nights for two weeks. Between 11 and 48 nest entrances per m2 were counted. Interaction between the two species was intense; some entrance holes were overtaken by the larger species during the observations; however, both species coexist in the area. A calculated minimum of 35 entrances/m2 is built every year by both species, emphasizing the importance of soil-burrowing termites for soil structure, aeration and water regime.http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0044-59671998000300325&tlng=enLeaf-litter feeding termitessoil-inhabiting termitesburrowing activitysoil density
spellingShingle Christopher MARTIUS
Matthias WELLER
Observations on dynamics of foraging hole construction of two leaf-feeding, soil-inhabiting Syntermes species (insecta: Isoptera) in an Amazonian Rainforest, Brazil
Acta Amazonica
Leaf-litter feeding termites
soil-inhabiting termites
burrowing activity
soil density
title Observations on dynamics of foraging hole construction of two leaf-feeding, soil-inhabiting Syntermes species (insecta: Isoptera) in an Amazonian Rainforest, Brazil
title_full Observations on dynamics of foraging hole construction of two leaf-feeding, soil-inhabiting Syntermes species (insecta: Isoptera) in an Amazonian Rainforest, Brazil
title_fullStr Observations on dynamics of foraging hole construction of two leaf-feeding, soil-inhabiting Syntermes species (insecta: Isoptera) in an Amazonian Rainforest, Brazil
title_full_unstemmed Observations on dynamics of foraging hole construction of two leaf-feeding, soil-inhabiting Syntermes species (insecta: Isoptera) in an Amazonian Rainforest, Brazil
title_short Observations on dynamics of foraging hole construction of two leaf-feeding, soil-inhabiting Syntermes species (insecta: Isoptera) in an Amazonian Rainforest, Brazil
title_sort observations on dynamics of foraging hole construction of two leaf feeding soil inhabiting syntermes species insecta isoptera in an amazonian rainforest brazil
topic Leaf-litter feeding termites
soil-inhabiting termites
burrowing activity
soil density
url http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0044-59671998000300325&tlng=en
work_keys_str_mv AT christophermartius observationsondynamicsofforagingholeconstructionoftwoleaffeedingsoilinhabitingsyntermesspeciesinsectaisopterainanamazonianrainforestbrazil
AT matthiasweller observationsondynamicsofforagingholeconstructionoftwoleaffeedingsoilinhabitingsyntermesspeciesinsectaisopterainanamazonianrainforestbrazil