Nest dynamics of Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Termitidae,Nasutitermitinae) and its association with the supporting vegetation in a semiarid area,northeast, Brazil |
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| Institution: | 1. CONICET – Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”, División Paleoinvertebrados, Av. Ángel Gallardo 470 (C1405DJR), Buenos Aires, Argentina;2. CONICET − Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”, División Paleontología de Vertebrados, Av. Ángel Gallardo 470 (C1405DJR), Buenos Aires, Argentina;1. Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China;2. Agricultural University of Anhui, Hefei 230036, China |
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| Abstract: | We evaluated growth, abandonment, decay and emergence of new nests of the Neotropical termite Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Termitidae) and its association with the supporting vegetation in an area of caatinga (arid thorn scrub in the state of Paraíba, northeastern Brazil). In an area of 1 ha, a total of 272 nests were observed monthly, from March 2005 to March 2007. Of these, 245 nests were small, 9 were of medium size, and 18 were large nests. During the rainy season (from June to February), nests grew 94.2 L, whereas during the dry season (March–May), their total growth was 23 L. The number of abandoned nests was positively correlated with rainfall. Decomposition of nests was greater during the rainy season. The pattern of nest distribution was associated with the distribution of the primary supporting plants. Rainfall appears to be one of the most important factors in the dynamics of growth of nests of C. cyphergaster in the caatinga. |
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