Abstract
Arboreal termites are wood decaying organisms that play an important role in the first stages of C cycling in mangrove systems. The chemical composition of Rhizophora mangle, Avicennia germinans, and Laguncularia racemosa leaf, stem, and pneumatophore tissues as well as associated sediments was compared to that of nests of the termite Nasutitermes acajutlae. Nests gave δ13C values of −26.1 to −27.2‰ (±0.1) and C/N of 43.3 (±2.0) to 98.6 (±16.2) which were similar to all stem and pneumatophores but distinct from mangrove leaves or sediments. Organic matter processed by termites yielded lignin phenol concentrations (Λ, lambda) that were 2–4 times higher than stem or pneumatophores and 10–20 times higher than that of leaves or sediments, suggesting that the nests were more resistant to biodegradation than the mangrove vegetation source. 13C NMR revealed that polysaccharide content of mangrove tissues (50–69% C) was higher than that of the nests (46–51% C). Conversely, lignin accounted for 16.2–19.6% C of nest material, a threefold increase relative to living mangrove tissues; a similar increase in aromatic methoxyl content was also observed in the nests. Lipids (aliphatic and paraffinic moieties) were also important but rather variable chemical components of all three mangrove species, representing between 13.5 and 28.3% of the C content. Termite nests contained 3.14 Mg C ha−1 which represents approximately 2% of above ground C storage in mangroves, a value that is likely to increase upon burial due to their refractory chemical composition.
Highlights
Degradation of mangrove tissues by arboreal termites (Nasutitermes acajutlae) and their role in the mangrove C cycle (Puerto Rico): Chemical characterization and organic matter provenance using bulk δ13C, C/N, alkaline CuO oxidation‐gas chromatography/mass-spectrometry (GC/MS), and solid‐state 13C NMR
Organic matter processed by termites yielded lignin phenol concentrations (Ã, lambda) that were 2–4 times higher than stem or pneumatophores and 10–20 times higher than that of leaves or sediments, suggesting that the nests were more resistant to biodegradation than the mangrove vegetation source. 13C NMR revealed that polysaccharide content of mangrove tissues (50–69% C) was higher than that of the nests (46–51% C)
Given the paucity of research regarding the cycling of organic carbon by insects in mangrove forests and the clear succession of red (Rhizophora mangle), black (Avicennia germinans), and white (Laguncularia racemosa) mangroves hosting N. acajutlaea nests, we aim to elucidate (1) the chemical transformations caused by termite digestion and (2) provenance the sources of mangrove litter utilized by N. acajutlaea and (3) understand the sources and processes affecting organic matter (OM) accumulation in mangrove sediments using the bulk geochemical methods of C/N ratios and stable C isotopes and molecular methods such as alkaline CuO oxidation as well as solidstate 13C NMR
Summary
Degradation of mangrove tissues by arboreal termites (Nasutitermes acajutlae) and their role in the mangrove C cycle (Puerto Rico): Chemical characterization and organic matter provenance using bulk δ13C, C/N, alkaline CuO oxidation‐GC/MS, and solid‐state 13C NMR. Degradation of mangrove tissues by arboreal termites (Nasutitermes acajutlae) and their role in the mangrove C cycle (Puerto Rico): Chemical characterization and organic matter provenance using bulk d13C, C/N, alkaline CuO oxidationGC/MS, and solid-state 13C NMR. The chemical composition of Rhizophora mangle, Avicennia germinans, and Laguncularia racemosa leaf, stem, and pneumatophore tissues as well as associated sediments was compared to that of nests of the termite Nasutitermes acajutlae. Organic matter processed by termites yielded lignin phenol concentrations (Ã, lambda) that were 2–4 times higher than stem or pneumatophores and 10–20 times higher than that of leaves or sediments, suggesting that the nests were more resistant to biodegradation than the mangrove vegetation source. A recent review emphasized the fact that 99% of symbiotic microflora in the gut of termites are difficult to culture using traditional techniques, substantiating the view that more molecular level microbiological studies are required [Kudo, 2009]
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