Abstract
Information on the role of termites in the tropical rain forest ecosystem is very scarce in comparison with that in the savannah ecosystem. Richness in the number and biomass of soil feeders seems to be one of the most important characteristics of the termites in the tropical rain forest. The role of fungi cultivated by other species on their fungus combs was discussed in relation to the nutrition of termites and decomposition of leaf litter with special reference to their nitrogen metabolism by T. Matsumoto. The fact that soil-feeding termites are most numerous in the tropical rain forest among various habitats of termites is interesting from this viewpoint. In Pasoh Forest about 65% of termites are fungus-growers in biomass and most of them carry much soil into wood. To estimate the consumption rate of leaf litter by termites, newly fallen leaves were marked and distributed on the forest floor. The loss of leaf area due to termites was determined photometrically.
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