Termitarium morphological and microclimatic variations in an agricultural landscape

Emerole, Promise Akudo; Onyenweaku, Levi Ndubuisi; Edum, Ngozi Peace; Egu, Ebenezer Chinomso; Nwankwo, Emmanuel Chibuike

doi:10.1007/s42690-023-01019-1

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…Given the significance of termitaria for tropical ecosystems, encompassing both biotic (e.g., shelter, food availability, thermoregulatory sites, plant establishment, dead wood decomposition) and abiotic processes (e.g., soil formation, nutrient cycling, soil water regulation, microclimate regulation) (Ashton et al., 2019; Emerole et al., 2023; Griffiths et al., 2019; Joseph et al., 2016; Konaté et al., 1999; Salick et al., 1983), there is an urgent need for studies focusing on their ecology and conservation in the Cerrado. While we did not provide specific identification for the Actinobolus beetles observed in the field, our observations contribute to the understanding of the genus's natural history and shed light on a poorly understood yet widespread ecological interaction in the Cerrado.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The termitaria terminator: Can Actinobolus beetles affect the relationships between termitaria and related fauna in the Brazilian Cerrado?

de Lima,

Brandão

2024

Austral Ecology

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Termites are key components of tropical ecosystems, particularly in the Cerrado biome, where they dominate animal biomass and play crucial roles in nutrient cycling and soil formation. Their abundance and nutritional value make them primary food sources for various Cerrado animals, influencing predator diversity and several ecological interactions. Additionally, termite mounds serve as essential shelters for a wide range of fauna, aiding in thermoregulation and providing refuge from harsh environmental conditions, including wildfires. In this scenario, termitaria survival, diversity, and availability have several effects on the Cerrado fauna ecology. We present novel insights into the interaction between Actinobolus beetles and epigeous termite mounds in the Cerrado. Our field observations revealed Actinobolus beetles utilizing termite mounds for feeding and reproduction in several localities of Cerrado. These beetles access the inner portion of the termitaria, where the colony nest is located and protected by the termitaria's harder external layer and their larvae consume the termite nest structure. Actinobolus attack leads to partial or complete destruction of the colony and the creation of large hollows inside the mounds, causing deep changes in its structure. Despite the defensive mechanisms of termites, Actinobolus larvae thrive within the nest and likely ingest termites’ eggs, nymphae and adults. Furthermore, we found that the Actinobolus capsule are made of faecal pellets, instead of termitaria debris. We suggest that the interaction between Actinobolus beetles and epigeous termitaria impacts the role of termitaria in providing microclimate regulation, food and shelter for Cerrado fauna, likely having poorly understood effects on the conservation and management of Cerrado ecosystems.

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