The construction of terrestrial mounds and arboreal nests by termites – A micromorphological approach for species from Katanga, DR Congo

Abstract

Micromorphological features of structures created by termites have the potential of recording some aspects of the building practices that are involved in their development. This was assessed for terrestrial mounds and arboreal nests of various termite species that are common in the southern part of Katanga, DR Congo. The three main feeding-strategy groups that are significant for this region are covered, namely fungus-growing, soil-feeding and wood-feeding species. In the large mounds of the main fungus-growing species (Macrotermes), bucal pellets are the basic building blocks, but these are only recognized for recent infillings and for local occurrences of contrasting materials in massive parts of the mounds. Mound construction by the main soil-feeding species (Cubitermes) is done by deposition of faecal matter, with limited occurrence of depositional features due to lack of contrast or to post-depositional uniformization, but components that were added by other types of transport are present as well. Arboreal nests of the most common wood-feeding species (Microcerotermes) consists of finely comminuted plant remains, with a clear difference in type of deposition of faecal matter between initial and later stages of septa construction. Overall, this study illustrates that recognition of depositional features requires favourable conditions (e.g. soil heterogeneity, lack of disturbance), and that identification of type of deposition can need to be based on various criteria (e.g. pellet forms, particle size).