Association between Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Silvestri, 1901) (Isoptera: Termitidae) with Pilosocereus gounellei (Weber ex Schum) Byles & Rowley (Cactaceae) at the Northeastern Brazil

Abstract

Termites are important components of tropical ecosystems, as decomposers and for their outstanding role in feeding guilds. There are about 2,800 species of termites in terrestrial ecosystems, organized into seven families. Factors that determine abundance in termite colonies are soil type, quality of microhabitat, humidity, and availability of food resources. The species Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Silvestri, 1901) belongs to the Family Termitidae and to the Subfamily Nasutitermitinae. Termites in this taxon are characterized by building their nests in arboreal environments and rocks. Ecological interactions of termites and cactaceans are still scarcely studied. The research was done during the year of 2014, at the Experimental Station of the Federal University of Paraíba, located in the Municipality of São João do Cariri, State of Paraíba, Brazil. A quadrant with a total area of 2,500 m2 was delimited. Fifteen random samples of Pilosocereus gounellei (Weber ex Schum) Byles & Rowley containg termites, and 15 random samples without termites, were chosen. We report a previously unreported relationship between these organisms, and analize the relationship existing between the size of the cactaceans and the occurrence of termite mounds. We conclude that the relationship between the cactacean P. gounellei and the termite C. cyphergaster is one of herbivory of the later over the former. After consuming all the living tissues of the plants, the termites abandon the plant, because these cactaceans no longer provides the necessary conditions for the survival of termites. Xique-xique associated with termite mounds show visual signs of suffocating debilitation, leading to the total collapse of the cactaceans.