Thermal regulatory mechanisms of termites from two different savannah ecosystems

Aiki, I.P.; Pirk, Christian Walter Werner; Yusuf, Abdullahi Ahmed

doi:10.1016/j.jtherbio.2019.102418

Cited by 9 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…Aiki et al. (2019) observed up to 80% of Macrotermes mounds associated with trees, and in our study, 56% of all mounds were associated with at least one tree. Nonetheless, our results also suggest that the spatial patterns of long‐term active and large mounds are determined by intraspecific competition and not by favorable partner trees.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 74%

“…Similarly, mounds of M. bellicosus and Macrotermes subhyalinus were found to be predominantly (˜80%) linked to the shade in a Sahel and a Sudan savanna (Aiki et al. 2019). Large trees with central shade indeed lower the temperature of Macrotermes mounds in savanna ecosystems and thus mitigate against the extreme temperatures and drought (Joseph et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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A beneficial relationship: associated trees facilitate termite colonies (Macrotermes michaelseni) in Namibia

2021

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In many tropical ecosystems, termites are important ecosystem engineers. Mound-building termite species often contribute to topographical landscape heterogeneity, and the associated accumulation of soil moisture and nutrients affects the spatial distribution of plant communities. Plants that grow next to the termite mound are known to benefit from the provided nutrients and water storage. The other way around, protection against erosion and cooling effects on the microclimate of the mounds imposed by associated trees have been described. However, little is known regarding the influence of tree parameters and the long-term effects on colony development. In an interval of 12 yr, we studied all Macrotermes michaelseni mounds occurring within one square kilometer of Namibian thornbush savanna in terms of morphology, life history, and associated plants, with a focus on the role of associated trees which grow directly adjacent to the termite mounds. Here, we present the results of a combined analysis of the character states recorded at the termite mound and the associated trees. More than 50% of all 345 recorded termite mounds were associated with a tree. Mounds with associated trees showed increased activity, growth, and height. Mound growth within the study period was correlated positively with the canopy coverage by the associated tree, while total mound heights were correlated non-linear with medium canopy coverage of about 40%. Mounds with a tree covering the sun's average zenith (north) were taller, grew most within 12 yr, and were more likely to be active than those with no northern canopy coverage. Mounds associated with the evergreen Boscia albitrunca attained highest average height (195.06 AE 11.76 cm). We conclude that vital parameters like growth, size, and activity of the termite colonies are facilitated by shading associated trees. These benefits were shown to take significant effect within the span of 12 yr. This indicates a proper longterm mutualism, not a loose alliance and not an obligative eu-symbiosis. Therefore, we propose to use the term "partner tree" for trees associated with M. michaelseni mounds.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 74%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

A beneficial relationship: associated trees facilitate termite colonies (Macrotermes michaelseni) in Namibia

2021

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“…In the tropics, average and very high temperature have direct and indirect relationships with termite species richness ( Cerezer et al., 2020 ). For Trinervitermes spp., temperature is important in providing ideal conditions in the nest that allow decomposition of plant material and survival of termites ( Aiki et al., 2019 ). Foraging activity of fungus-cultivating termites increases during the wet season ( Schuurman, 2006 ) and in some species, such as M. gilvus , flight is positively correlated with rainfall ( Neoh and Lee, 2009 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Land use effects on termite assemblages in Kenya

Kanyi

Karuri

Nyasani

et al. 2021

Heliyon

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Termites perform key ecological functions and they also cause crop damage. Land use change resulting from agricultural intensification can result in changes in termite species diversity and abundance. Termite species occurring in natural vegetation, maize monocrop and maize-beans intercrop macrohabitats were investigated in Embu and Machakos Counties, Kenya. Influence of soil properties and seasons was also evaluated. Across the two Counties, seven termite species were recorded with Machakos County having the highest number. Additive diversity partitioning of species richness and Simpson diversity showed that, α component contributed to 98.3% and 99.1% of the total diversity, respectively. Population densities of three termite species significantly varied between land use types in Machakos County but there were no differences in termite species abundance in Embu County. In addition, there were no significant differences in species richness between macrohabitats within each County. In Embu, season significantly influenced the abundance of Macrotermes subhyalinus , M. herus , and Coptotermes formosanus which occurred in greater numbers during the wet season. There was a significant influence of land use on Trinervitermes gratiosus and C. formosanus in Machakos with both species occurring in higher numbers in natural vegetation. Trinervitermes gratiosus was negatively associated with Mn and positively correlated to pH and sand. Macrotermes subhyalinus and M. herus showed a positive association with P and silt while C. formosanus was positively correlated to Ca and Mg. These findings provide an insight into the effects of land use change from natural vegetation to maize agro-ecosystems on termite diversity. It also provides a baseline for further studies on termite diversity in Kenya and their ecological significance.

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“…With regards to mound thermoregulation in T. trinervoides , mound size is negatively correlated with monthly temperature variability; alates and brood are kept at the core of the mound where temperatures for growth are ideal and most stable (Field & Duncan 2013). Amitermes and Trinervitermes species are particularly good thermoregulators in certain African savannas (Aiki et al 2019), although little information is available about the relationship between mound size and thermoregulation in Amitermes species.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are larger termite mounds more resistant to fire? A study of two southern African termites (Isoptera: Termitidae)

de la Fontaine,

Edwards

2024

Austral Entomology

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Termites are resistant to fire, a common disturbance in the world's savannas, but most explanations for how termites resist fire are speculative. Some researchers have suggested that the mounds of some termite species can serve as a structural defence against direct fire mortality. Because mound structure is related to thermoregulation, and larger mounds have more stable internal temperatures, larger mounds may confer greater fire resistance. Fire also causes indirect mortality to termites by removing food sources, which may give an advantage to larger mounds as they have superior food provisioning and storage ability. Using natural fires, we measured mound size and colony survival of two southern African termite species (Trinervitermes trinervoides and Amitermes sp.) in plots recently burnt (<4 months after fire), recovering from fire (1–2 years after fire), or unburnt (>3 years after fire). Burn status and mound size were each significant factors in colony survival. Recent fire was associated with the lowest survival, and larger mounds with greater survival. There is some evidence that larger mounds are generally more resistant to fire, especially the long term, indirect effects, but sample sizes were not adequate to confirm this.

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Thermal regulatory mechanisms of termites from two different savannah ecosystems

Cited by 9 publications

References 48 publications

A beneficial relationship: associated trees facilitate termite colonies (Macrotermes michaelseni) in Namibia

A beneficial relationship: associated trees facilitate termite colonies (Macrotermes michaelseni) in Namibia

Land use effects on termite assemblages in Kenya

Are larger termite mounds more resistant to fire? A study of two southern African termites (Isoptera: Termitidae)

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