The Termitaria of Cornitermes cumulans (Isoptera, Termitidae) and Their Role in Determining a Potential Keystone Species

Abstract

The role of the termitaria of Cornitermes cumulans in the ecology of the Brazilian cewado was examined. The mounds of C. cumulans were studied to determine density per hectare, rate of mound abandonment, structure, and other inhabitants, and were compared with four other sympatric mound-building termite species. Predation on Cornitermes was also examined. The average termitaria density for all five mound-building species was 323 per hectare. C, cumulans mounds averaged 55 per hectare. In comparison with the mounds of other termites, a higher proportion of those built by Cornitermes were inhabited by the moundbuilding species. The large size and unique bipartite structure of C, cumulans mounds make them excellent nesting locations for ant and termite inquilines. At least 17 species of termites and 10 species of ants were found nesting in different Cornitermes mounds. Only one percent of the mounds were found uninhabited by any ant or termite species. Armadillos had attacked 36 percent of the mounds; there was a strong correlation between such attacks and the absence of a Cornitermes colony. The frequency with which the large and abundant Cornitermes mounds are inhabited by inquilines and used by other animals gives these structures an important part in the ecology of the Brazilian cewado and contributes to the role of their builders as a keystone species. RESUMO0 papel dos termiteiros de Cornitermes cumulans na ecologia do cerrado brasileiro foi examinado neste estudo. 0 s termiteiros de C, cumulans foram estudados para determinar densidade por hectare, taxa de abandonamento de ninhos, estrutura e habitantes adicionais, e foram comparados com outras quatro especies que constroem ninhos de barro. Foi tambkm examinada a predasHo sobre Cornitermes. A densidade mkdia de cupinzeiros, para todas as cinco espkcies, foi de 323 por hectare. Ninhos de C. cumulans foram econtrados com uma mkdia de 55 por hectare. Em comparaGo com ninhos de outras espkies, uma proporslo maior dos contruidos por Cornitermes estavam habitados pela mesma espkcie que construiu o ninho. 0 tamanho grande e a estrutura bipartida dos termiteiros de C. cumulans fazem deles excelentes ninhos para formigas e outros cupins. Pelo menos 17 espkcies de cupins e 10 espkcies de formigas foram encontradas nidificando em diferentes termiteiros de Cornitermes. Em somente um porcento dos ninhos, nHo foi detectada a presenp de formigas e outras espiries de cupins. Trinta e seis porcento dos termiteiros foram atacados por tatus. Foi encontrada uma forte correlaGo entre ataques por tatbs e ausencia da colbnia de Cornitermes. A frequhcia com que os grandes e abundantes ninhos de Cornitermes sHo habitados por inquilinos e utilizados por outros animais faz com que estas estruturas tenham um papel importante na ecologia do cerrado brasileiro, e atravks delas, contribui para que Cornitermes seja considerada uma espkcie-chave. TERMITE MOUND DENSITIES AVERAGE 323 PER HECTARE inthe open vegetation formations of central Brazil. This abundance suggests that the termi...

Bird-termite interactions in Brazil: A review with perspectives for future studies

“…The Campo Miner perchs on mound in the cerrado to sing and to perform a wing display which is related to territoriality and attraction of sexual partners (Remsen Jr. 2003). Similar behavior has been recorded for the Red-legged Seriema (Cariama cristata), which perchs on top of mounds of Cornitermes cumulans to vocalize its territorial song (Redford 1984).…”

“…In some cases, these mounds are marked by manure of birds that use them (Fontes 1998a: 218). Thus termitaria provide for birds of prey, such as the Southern Caracara (Caracara plancus) and the Burrowing Owl, strategic points to search for preys in the open landscapes of Brazil, represented the various grassland and savannah natural physiognomies of the cerrado region and man-made pastures (Cunha 1961, Redford 1984, Develey & Endrigo 2004, Silva e Silva 2004MFV pers. obs.).…”

Relação entre a presença de cupinzeiros e a degradação de pastagens

“…De acordo com Redford (1984), essa é uma das espécies mais comuns em áreas de pastagens no Cerrado e é considerada espécie chave na região, pois seus ninhos podem abrigar uma série de outras espécies de cupins e apresentam teor de nutrientes superior ao do solo adjacente. Embora seja muito comum encontrar outras espécies de cupins em ninhos de Cornitermes, isso não foi observado no presente trabalho.…”

Commercial gouache as a dye for termites in laboratory assays

“…are Neotropical termite species occurring in several habitats, including forests, "cerrados" (Brazilian savannas) and man-modified habitats, such as pastures or even gardens within cities, where they feed on living and dead grass and herbs (Cancello, 1989). Several species of this genus (among them C. cumulans) build large epigeous nests which are simultaneously inhabited by inquilines, such as other termite genera, ants, beetles, birds, snakes, etc (Redford, 1984). We tested two distinct null hypotheses: (i) time spent till death would not differ between termites marked externally and those not marked; and (ii) for the same brand of dye, different opaque pigments do not promote differential mortality on termites.…”