Termites are known to influence soil nutrient cycle and decomposition processes, but its diversity and ecology in Colombian gallery forests have been little studied. Richness and relative abundance of termites found in gallery forest fragments protected within commercial forest plantations were quantified. Sampling was conducted at three sites surrounding the creeks Huerta La Grande, Claro and Los Micos, along 50 m long linear transects divided into five plots (10 × 2 m); in total, there were nine transects and 45 plots. Termite sampling involved the examination of fallen branches, pieces of wood in contact with the soil, arboreal termitaria, epigeal nests and soil samples of 20 cm deep (four per plot). Thirty-eight species, from the families Termitidae (Apicotermitinae, Termitinae, Nasutitermitinae, Syntermitinae) and Rhinotermitidae (Heterotermitinae), were found. No differences regarding termite species, abundance or feeding guilds were detected among sampling sites; neither, association between richness or termite abundance, and tree size, or accumulation depth of leaf litter on the soil or canopy light. The termite diversity found in fragments of gallery forest highlights the importance of maintaining this type of vegetation to preserve biodiversity and the ecosystem services derived from the biological activity of termites.
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