Potential Impact of Climate Change on Termite Distribution in Africa

Abstract

Termites (Order: Isoptera) constitute an integral component of various ecosystems in Africa. Termites are also amongst the most difficult insects to study because of their cryptic behaviour and natural nesting habitat. There are around 2600 species of termites in 280 genera which have been described worldwide and about 39% of the total termite species are found in Africa. Termite identification is crucial to understanding termite distribution and their relationship to climate change. Some termite species are well known pests of agricultural crops, forest trees, wood products and timber-in-service causing considerable damage in Africa. This review paper attempts to collate information on African termite distribution and climate change and highlights some knowledge gaps. Africa is the origin of the termite family of Macrotermitinae. The paper focuses more on economically important termite species in Africa. The use of traditional identification methods coupled with molecular techniques in resolving some of the challenges in termite distribution with particular reference to climate change in Africa are discussed. There is scant information on published literature on the impact of climate change on

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“…This may explain why we found that other vegetation types such as light gaps, clearings and secondary vegetation were poorer in termite mounds in comparison to primary forest vegetation. However, depending on the termite species (Ahmed et al, 2011) many other environmental and biological factors can influence termite mounds distribution, such as soil composition, inter and intra‐species competition, and most importantly proximity to old termite mounds (Dangerfield, 1990).…”

“…However, depending on the termite species (Ahmed et al, 2011) many other environmental and biological factors can influence termite mounds distribution, such as soil composition, inter and intra-species competition, and most importantly proximity to old termite mounds (Dangerfield, 1990).…”

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“…Termites are grouped into seven families and 15 subfamilies [11], 281 genera [12], and over 3500 species identified worldwide [13]. Africa has the richest intercontinental diversity of termites with over 70% of all the identified species [14]. The family Termitidae alone comprises more than 664 African species grouped in four subfamilies: Apicotermitinae with 70 species [15], Termitinae with 272 species [16], Macrotermitinae with 165 African fungus-growing termites [17], and Nasutitermitinae with 56 species [18].…”

“…The family Termitidae alone comprises more than 664 African species grouped in four subfamilies: Apicotermitinae with 70 species [15], Termitinae with 272 species [16], Macrotermitinae with 165 African fungus-growing termites [17], and Nasutitermitinae with 56 species [18]. The total number of species of termites in the four subfamilies may surpass 90% of the world's known termite species [14]. These authors reported species richness and diversity (see below the formulas for their calculation) as a result of the friendly climatic conditions in Africa, and that, dry climate is a factor contributing for low numbers of termite species in some regions of the world.…”

“…These authors reported species richness and diversity (see below the formulas for their calculation) as a result of the friendly climatic conditions in Africa, and that, dry climate is a factor contributing for low numbers of termite species in some regions of the world. For example, termite species diversity is lower in Northern Africa compared to Eastern, Western, and Southern regions of the continent [14]. Kemabonta et al [19] also reported that termites are prominent in both tropical and subtropical ecosystems, but highest diversity is observed in tropical forests where they build very complex communities [16].…”