High termite richness in an urban fragment of Atlantic Forest in northeastern Brazil

Abstract

Termites are very abundant in tropical ecosystems and have active roles in nutrient cycling and soil formation, but few studies of their assemblages have been undertaken in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The present study analyzed the composition of termite assemblages in a fragment of Atlantic Forest embedded within an urban matrix in northeastern Brazil. Five standardized sampling protocols of termites were applied, with a total sampling effort of 1500m2. We encountered 45 species of termites belonging to 25 genera and three families. The soil-feeders group demonstrated the greatest species richness, while wood-feeders species were the most abundant. The species richness of termite in the study area was the greatest yet recorded for an Atlantic forest site in Brazil, indicating the importance of urban fragments for conserving tropical biodiversity.

Effects of habitat loss on the genetic diversity of Embiratermes neotenicus (Isoptera) in a fragmented landscape of the Atlantic Forest, Brazil

“…Among soil-feeding species, Embiratermes neotenicus (Holmgren, 1906) is widely distributed and abundant in rainforests and has been frequently recorded in the Atlantic Forest (Cancello et al 2014;Ernesto et al 2014;Souza, Alves & Vasconcellos 2012). This species constructs well-defined epigeal nests, and colonies are initiated by a pair of primary reproductives (king and queen).…”