Termite (Isoptera) Diversity in a Gallery Forests Relict in the Colombian Eastern Plains

Maira Beltran,Loren Baquero,Olga Patricia Pinzon Florian

doi:10.13102/sociobiology.v64i1.1184

Abstract

Termites are a key group for the dynamics of gallery forests in the Colombian Orinoco region, but have been little studied. Richness and relative abundance of termites found in protected gallery forest fragments within commercial forest plantations were quantified. Sampling was conducted at three sites surrounding the creeks “Huerta La Grande”, “Caño Claro” and “Caño Los Micos”, along linear transects 50 m long and divided into five 5 × 2 m plots; there were nine transects and 45 plots. Termite sampling involved the examination of fallen branches, pieces of wood in contact with the soil, arboreal termitaria, epigeal nests and soil samples 20 cm deep (four per plot). Thirty morphospecies, mostly xylophages from the families Termitidae (Apicotermitinae, Termitinae, Nasutitermitinae, Syntermitinae) and Rhinotermitidae (Heterotermitinae), were found. No association was found between richness or termite abundance and tree size, soil pH, soil organic carbon content or accumulation depth of leaf litter on the soil. The termite diversity and abundance found in fragments of gallery forest highlights the importance of maintaining this type of vegetation to preserve the ecosystem services derived from the biological activity of termites. Keywords: Heterotermes convexinotatus, Microcerotermes, Conservation, Orinoquia, Species richness

Highlights

Gallery forests along streams and rivers are important elements of the complex natural savanna ecosystems found in the Colombian Orinoco region
The available studies comprise a comparison of the density of soil macrofauna, including termites, in landscapes with different degrees of intensification (Decaëns et al, 1994), and an analysis of the spatial distribution of nutrients in epigeal termite mounds of Nasutitermes in a gallery forest (Jiménez & Decaëns, 2006)
Termites are the most abundant organisms in the soil macrofauna of natural ecosystems and semi-cultivated and cultivated areas in the Eastern Plains of Colombia, where they can form more than 50% of the total abundance (Decaëns et al, 1994; Lavelle et al, 2014)

Summary

Introduction

Gallery forests along streams and rivers are important elements of the complex natural savanna ecosystems found in the Colombian Orinoco region. Termites are sensitive to habitat fragmentation and changes in soil use (Bandeira & Vasconcellos, 2003; Constantino & Schlemmermeyer, 2000; Ackerman et al., 2009; Moura et al, 2009). Their diversity may serve as an indicator of conservation status, for example in forest fragments (Alves et al, 2011, Oliveira et al, 2013, Almeida et al, 2016). Termites are the most abundant organisms in the soil macrofauna of natural ecosystems and semi-cultivated and cultivated areas in the Eastern Plains of Colombia, where they can form more than 50% of the total abundance (Decaëns et al, 1994; Lavelle et al, 2014). Termite activity influences the physical, chemical and biological activity of soils in this region (Galvis et al, 1978; Decaëns et al, 1994; Jiménez & Decaëns, 2006)

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