Topic
Macrotermitinae
About: Macrotermitinae is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 223 publications have been published within this topic receiving 7832 citations.
Papers published on a yearly basis
Papers
More filters
01 Jan 2000
TL;DR: In this article, a range of abundance and biomass of termites in major ecosystems and biogeographical regions is discussed, and representative data are tabulated; transect methods are recommended for biodiversity surveys as they are efficient and have acceptable accuracy.
Abstract: Termite assemblages are considered as complex systems containing species with several modes of feeding and nesting, which have a major though not necessarily dominant role in decomposition and C mineralization processes, and which influence soil properties and structure. Sampling methods for species richness, abundance and biomass and the estimation of food consumption rates are reviewed; transect methods are recommended for biodiversity surveys as they are efficient and have acceptable accuracy. Biases introduced by sampling methods which focus on mounds only and by consumption assays based on baits lead to underestimates of assemblage diversity, abundance and ecological impact. The range of abundance and biomass of termites in major ecosystems and biogeographical regions is discussed and representative data are tabulated. In savanna systems, the turnover of organic matter by termites is roughly comparable to that of mammalian herbivores and bush fires, and as much as 20% of C mineralization may be directly attributed to termites. In forests, absolute C fluxes through populations are generally larger, owing to higher termite biomass, but the relative contribution to C turnover is less. Functional group heterogeneity rather than species richness per se is considered the key link between termite biodiversity and ecosystem functions.
433 citations
TL;DR: This study shows that the symbiosis has a single African origin and that secondary domestication of other fungi or reversal of mutualistic fungi to a free-living state has not occurred, and identifies common characteristics of fungus-farming evolution in termites and ants, which apply despite the major differences between these two insect agricultural systems.
Abstract: We have estimated phylogenies of fungus-growing termites and their associated mutualistic fungi of the genus Termitomyces using Bayesian analyses of DNA sequences. Our study shows that the symbiosis has a single African origin and that secondary domestication of other fungi or reversal of mutualistic fungi to a free-living state has not occurred. Host switching has been frequent, especially at the lower taxonomic levels, and nests of single termite species can have different symbionts. Data are consistent with horizontal transmission of fungal symbionts in both the ancestral state of the mutualism and most of the extant taxa. Clonal vertical transmission of fungi, previously shown to be common in the genus Microtermes (via females) and in the species Macrotermes bellicosus (via males) [Johnson, R. A., Thomas, R. J., Wood, T. G. & Swift, M. J. (1981) J. Nat. Hist. 15, 751-756], is derived with two independent origins. Despite repeated host switching, statistical tests taking phylogenetic uncertainty into account show a significant congruence between the termite and fungal phylogenies, because mutualistic interactions at higher taxonomic levels show considerable specificity. We identify common characteristics of fungus-farming evolution in termites and ants, which apply despite the major differences between these two insect agricultural systems. We hypothesize that biparental colony founding may have constrained the evolution of vertical symbiont transmission in termites but not in ants where males die after mating.
378 citations
01 Jan 2000
TL;DR: In this paper, a review of the advances made in our knowledge of the effects of termites on the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils is presented, particularly those that explore new concepts in the ecology of termite and soils.
Abstract: This chapter reviews the advances made in our knowledge of the effects of termites on the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils. Emphasis has been placed on more recent contributions, particularly those that explore new concepts in the ecology of termites and soils. There are sections dealing with the effects of termite activity on soil profile development, soil physical properties, soil chemical properties, soil microbiology and plant growth. The physical effects of termites on soils range from micromorphological to soil profile evolution and structure. Recent evidence points to the substantial positive influence of termites on soil hydraulic conductivity and infiltration rates. Their influence on organic matter decomposition and nutrient recycling rates are well recognized and in some landscapes termite mounds act as foci for nutrient redistribution. New information on the microbiology of termite mounds suggests that most are sites of diverse bacterial and fungal activity. Furthermore, the association between mound-building termites and the microbial population present in the structures has a synergistic effect on organic matter decomposition and hence nutrient cycling and availability. Examination of the effects of termite activity on plant production generally indicates a positive influence.
300 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors sequenced the mitochondrial genomes of 48 termite species and combined them with 18 previously sequenced termite mitochondrial genomes for phylogenetic and molecular clock analyses using multiple fossil calibrations.
Abstract: Termites have colonized many habitats and are among the most abundant animals in tropical ecosystems, which they modify considerably through their actions. The timing of their rise in abundance and of the dispersal events that gave rise to modern termite lineages is not well understood. To shed light on termite origins and diversification, we sequenced the mitochondrial genome of 48 termite species and combined them with 18 previously sequenced termite mitochondrial genomes for phylogenetic and molecular clock analyses using multiple fossil calibrations. The 66 genomes represent most major clades of termites. Unlike previous phylogenetic studies based on fewer molecular data, our phylogenetic tree is fully resolved for the lower termites. The phylogenetic positions of Macrotermitinae and Apicotermitinae are also resolved as the basal groups in the higher termites, but in the crown termitid groups, including Termitinae + Syntermitinae + Nasutitermitinae + Cubitermitinae, the position of some nodes remains uncertain. Our molecular clock tree indicates that the lineages leading to termites and Cryptocercus roaches diverged 170 Ma (153-196 Ma 95% confidence interval [CI]), that modern Termitidae arose 54 Ma (46-66 Ma 95% CI), and that the crown termitid group arose 40 Ma (35-49 Ma 95% CI). This indicates that the distribution of basal termite clades was influenced by the final stages of the breakup of Pangaea. Our inference of ancestral geographic ranges shows that the Termitidae, which includes more than 75% of extant termite species, most likely originated in Africa or Asia, and acquired their pantropical distribution after a series of dispersal and subsequent diversification events.
232 citations