Termite Assemblage Pattern and Niche Partitioning in a Tropical Forest Ecosystem
Journal
Environmental Entomology
Journal Volume
44
Journal Issue
3
Pages
546-556
Date Issued
2015
Author(s)
Abstract
Termites are major plant decomposers in tropical forest ecosystems, but their cryptic nature poses an obstacle for studying their ecological roles in depth. In the current study, we quantified climatic and geographic information of 137 termite collection sites in the Kenting National Park, Taiwan, and described the ecological niches and assemblage patterns of 13 termite species of three families. Three major assemblage patterns are reported. First, the three termite families were found in most landcovering types with similar number of species, which indicated that each family played a unique role in the ecosystem. Second, average numbers of termite species were not different among collection sites, but the total number of termite species found in each landcovering type was different, which indicated that termite niche capacity in each small area was the same but some landcovering types were composed of diverse microhabitats to host more termite species. Third, termite species of every family showed distinct moisture preferences in their habitat choices. In addition to the three assemblage patterns, we found that niche size of the advanced termite family, Termitidae, was larger than that of the primitive termite families, Rhinotermitidae or Kalotermitidae. The broader choices of cellulosic materials as food sources may allow Termitidae to adapt to more diverse environments than exclusive wood feeders. Termite niche quantification could further be used to study termite pest adaption in urban areas, interspecific competition between native and invasive species, and plant decomposition processes. © The Authors 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved.
Subjects
congeneric competition; detritivore; geographic information system; niche segregation; niche size
SDGs
Other Subjects
cohort analysis; crypsis; decomposition; detritivory; forest ecosystem; GIS; habitat selection; interspecific competition; invasive species; land cover; microhabitat; native species; niche partitioning; pest species; termite; tropical forest; urban area; Kenting National Park; Taiwan; Isoptera; Kalotermitidae; Rhinotermitidae; Termitidae; animal; ecosystem; forest; geographic information system; Isoptera; physiology; Taiwan; tropic climate; Animals; Ecosystem; Forests; Geographic Information Systems; Isoptera; Taiwan; Tropical Climate
Type
journal article