Richness of Termites and Ants in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil

Previous studies on the effects of environmental factors, such as altitude, latitude, temperature, deforestation, forest fragmentation, fire, and flood on the community structure of termites and ants were conducted in various regions of Brazil; few of them were carried out in the southernmost Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. Here we describe termites and ants diversity at different sites along the four geomorphologic units of this state. We recorded 16 taxa of termites, of which three are new state records, increasing to 19 the number of termite species known to occur in the state. Accordingly, we also found 73 species and 115 morphospecies of ants, of which only one was a new record, raising to 265 taxa the number of ant species known to occur in the state. As expected, we found a higher species richness of ants than termites. The low richness of both groups relative to other Brazilian regions could be a consequence of the subtropical to temperate climate in the state, since most portions of the state are below 30o latitude, the study areas be above 500 m altitude, and other environmental characteristics of each site. We suggest a positive relationship between species richness of termites and altitude, while ant richness indicated an inverse relationship. However, our data are not conclusive, due to the low number of replications in each altitude, particularly for termites. This study is unique in presenting an updated checklist of termites and ants in the state of Rio Grande do Sul

Table S-1

Previous studies on the effects of environmental factors, such as altitude, latitude, temperature, deforestation, forest fragmentation, fire, and flood on the community structure of termites and ants were conducted in various regions of Brazil; few of them were carried out in the southernmost Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. Here we describe termites and ants diversity at different sites along the four geomorphologic units of this state. We recorded 16 taxa of termites, of which three are new state records, increasing to 19 the number of termite species known to occur in the state. Accordingly, we also found 73 species and 115 morphospecies of ants, of which only one was a new record, raising to 265 taxa the number of ant species known to occur in the state. As expected, we found a higher species richness of ants than termites. The low richness of both groups relative to other Brazilian regions could be a consequence of the subtropical to temperate climate in the state, since most portions of the state are below 30o latitude, the study areas be above 500 m altitude, and other environmental characteristics of each site. We suggest a positive relationship between species richness of termites and altitude, while ant richness indicated an inverse relationship. However, our data are not conclusive, due to the low number of replications in each altitude, particularly for termites. This study is unique in presenting an updated checklist of termites and ants in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.</p

Termites (Insecta: Isoptera) occurring in Eucalyptus spp. plantations in the Forest Experimental Station of the University of São Paulo, in Anhembi, State of São Paulo, Brazil

Este trabalho teve por objetivo realizar levantamento das espécies de cupins presentes em quatro áreas de cultivo de Eucalyptus na Estação Experimental de Ciências Florestais de Anhembi (SP), ESALQ/USP. Para tanto, foram contadas as mudas atacadas por cupins nas áreas 1, 2 e 4, e utilizadas iscas Termitrap&#174; para a coleta de cupins subterrâneos nas quatro áreas de estudo. Na Área 3 foram amostrados manualmente indivíduos dos ninhos de montículo e sob a casca das árvores, utilizando a metodologia de linhas de transectos. Sistema de GPS, foi utilizado para mapear os locais com cupins e as áreas. Os cupins coletados foram armazenados no Laboratório de Entomologia Florestal, ESALQ/USP e identificados pelo Dr. Luiz Roberto Fontes. Na área 1 (E. saligna), com 11,08% de mudas mortas e 4,29% de iscas com cupins, foram coletados Embiratermes sp.; Comitermes sp. e Heterotermes tenuis. Na área 2 (E. urophylla x E. grandis) 9,15% das mudas morreram e 2,09% das iscas apresentaram cupins, sendo coletados indivíduos da subfamília Apicotermitinae, C. cumulans e H. tenuis. Na área 3 (E. pilularis), foram coletados manualmente Comitermes sp., C. bequaerti, C. cumulans, Diversitermes diversimilis e H. tenuis e, nas iscas, Araujotermes sp., D. diversimilis e H. tenuis. A área 4 (E. urophylla), com tratamento químico das mudas (deltametrina), não apresentou mudas mortas, porém ocorreram cupins em 3,11% das iscas, sendo coletados Comitermes sp., C. cumulans e H. tenuis. Sugere-se que as iscas de papelão não têm a mesma eficiência que se verifica nas áreas agrícolas, porque nos solos de reflorestamento ocorrem raízes, cascas, restos de madeiras, etc, que são mais atrativos para os cupins.This research deals with a survey of the termite species occurring in four areas of an Eucalyptus plantation in the Forest Experimental Station of University of São Paulo, Brazil. Seedlings attacked by termites in the areas 1, 2 and 4 were counted while Termitrap&#174; baits were used to collect subterranean in four areas selected. In the area 3 termites were manually sampled from mound colonies and under the bark of the trees, by using transect line methodology. GPS (Global Positional System) was used to map the areas and the sites with termites. The termites collected were stored at the Laboratory of Forest Entomology ("Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz" - University of São Paulo) and later identified by Dr. Luiz Roberto Fontes. The results were as follows: Area 1 (E. saligna) - 11,08% of dead seedlings and 4,29% of baits with termites species Embiratermes sp., Comitermes sp. and Heterotermes tenuis; Area 2 (E. urophylla x E. grandis) - 9,15% of dead seedlings and 2,09% of baits with no identified species of the subfamily Apicotermitinae, C. cumulans and H. tenuis; Area 3 (E. pilularis) - manually collected the species Comitermes sp., C. bequaerti, C. cumulans, Diversitermes diversimilis and H. tenuis, and collected by the baits the species Araujotermes sp., D. diversimilis and H. tenuis; Area 4 (E. urophylla) - no dead seedlings were found (seedling root system treated with deltametrin), but in 3,11% of the baits there were collected the species Comitermes sp., C. cumulans and H. tenuis. The data suggest that the efficiency of the baits (Termitrap&#174;) to survey termites in a forest area is lower than that observed in agricultural area, maybe due to the high amount of wooden residues present in the forest soil

Termites (Insecta: Isoptera) occurring in Eucalyptus spp. plantations in the Forest Experimental Station of the University of São Paulo, in Anhembi, State of São Paulo, Brazil

Este trabalho teve por objetivo realizar levantamento das espécies de cupins presentes em quatro áreas de cultivo de Eucalyptus na Estação Experimental de Ciências Florestais de Anhembi (SP), ESALQ/USP. Para tanto, foram contadas as mudas atacadas por cupins nas áreas 1, 2 e 4, e utilizadas iscas Termitrap&#174; para a coleta de cupins subterrâneos nas quatro áreas de estudo. Na Área 3 foram amostrados manualmente indivíduos dos ninhos de montículo e sob a casca das árvores, utilizando a metodologia de linhas de transectos. Sistema de GPS, foi utilizado para mapear os locais com cupins e as áreas. Os cupins coletados foram armazenados no Laboratório de Entomologia Florestal, ESALQ/USP e identificados pelo Dr. Luiz Roberto Fontes. Na área 1 (E. saligna), com 11,08% de mudas mortas e 4,29% de iscas com cupins, foram coletados Embiratermes sp.; Comitermes sp. e Heterotermes tenuis. Na área 2 (E. urophylla x E. grandis) 9,15% das mudas morreram e 2,09% das iscas apresentaram cupins, sendo coletados indivíduos da subfamília Apicotermitinae, C. cumulans e H. tenuis. Na área 3 (E. pilularis), foram coletados manualmente Comitermes sp., C. bequaerti, C. cumulans, Diversitermes diversimilis e H. tenuis e, nas iscas, Araujotermes sp., D. diversimilis e H. tenuis. A área 4 (E. urophylla), com tratamento químico das mudas (deltametrina), não apresentou mudas mortas, porém ocorreram cupins em 3,11% das iscas, sendo coletados Comitermes sp., C. cumulans e H. tenuis. Sugere-se que as iscas de papelão não têm a mesma eficiência que se verifica nas áreas agrícolas, porque nos solos de reflorestamento ocorrem raízes, cascas, restos de madeiras, etc, que são mais atrativos para os cupins.This research deals with a survey of the termite species occurring in four areas of an Eucalyptus plantation in the Forest Experimental Station of University of São Paulo, Brazil. Seedlings attacked by termites in the areas 1, 2 and 4 were counted while Termitrap&#174; baits were used to collect subterranean in four areas selected. In the area 3 termites were manually sampled from mound colonies and under the bark of the trees, by using transect line methodology. GPS (Global Positional System) was used to map the areas and the sites with termites. The termites collected were stored at the Laboratory of Forest Entomology ("Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz" - University of São Paulo) and later identified by Dr. Luiz Roberto Fontes. The results were as follows: Area 1 (E. saligna) - 11,08% of dead seedlings and 4,29% of baits with termites species Embiratermes sp., Comitermes sp. and Heterotermes tenuis; Area 2 (E. urophylla x E. grandis) - 9,15% of dead seedlings and 2,09% of baits with no identified species of the subfamily Apicotermitinae, C. cumulans and H. tenuis; Area 3 (E. pilularis) - manually collected the species Comitermes sp., C. bequaerti, C. cumulans, Diversitermes diversimilis and H. tenuis, and collected by the baits the species Araujotermes sp., D. diversimilis and H. tenuis; Area 4 (E. urophylla) - no dead seedlings were found (seedling root system treated with deltametrin), but in 3,11% of the baits there were collected the species Comitermes sp., C. cumulans and H. tenuis. The data suggest that the efficiency of the baits (Termitrap&#174;) to survey termites in a forest area is lower than that observed in agricultural area, maybe due to the high amount of wooden residues present in the forest soil

Diversity of termites in eucalypt crops and forest fragments at the university of São Paulo experimental station of forestry sciences in Anhembi, state of São Paulo, Brazil.

Este trabalho objetivou descrever as comunidades de térmitas em sete ambientes florestais, que incluíram florestas de eucalipto de diferentes idades, um fragmento florestal, e ambientes em processo de sucessão inicial e avançada em Anhembi, SP. Por ambiente, foram identificados os grupos taxonômicos de térmitas, determinando a riqueza e a abundância relativa das espécies. Para tanto, em cada ambiente foi traçado um transecto de 100 m x 5 m, dividido em dez setores intercalados cada um com 15 m2. Por setor, foram realizadas amostragens em serrapilheira, raízes e restos de madeira, em toras, sob galhos e troncos, em ninhos e demais micro-habitats, além de dez blocos de solo (1.000 cm3) e através de isca Termitrap®. Os dados foram submetidos a análise de variância (ANOVA) e análise faunística onde foram calculados, pelo programa ANAFAU, o índice de diversidade de Shannon-Wiaver (H'), o índice de abundância e o índice de eqüitabilidade. A similaridade entre as comunidades foi avaliada através da análise de Cluster. Foram obtidas 1.196 amostras de térmitas, distribuídas entre as famílias Kalotermitidae, Rhinotermitidae e Termitidae. A riqueza total foi de 17 espécies, variando de oito a treze por ambiente. Três morfo-espécies de Apicotermitinae, Heterotermes tenuis, Cornitermes sp., Diversitermes diversimiles e Embiratermes sp. apresentaram diferenças significativas quanto a abundância relativa entre os ambientes avaliados. As morfo-espécies de Apicotermitinae não tiveram sua riqueza e abundância reduzidas devido a implantação do eucalipto. Os calotermitídeos, Glyptotermes sp., Neotermes sp. e Rugitermes sp., mesmo com abundâncias relativas baixas, tiveram sua ocorrência vinculada a presença de madeira no solo. Os maiores índices de diversidade foram registrados para o fragmento florestal e o ambiente em processo de sucessão avançada, sugerindo que para os plantios de eucalipto o período mais crítico à redução da diversidade de térmitas seria o segundo ano da implantação da floresta.This paper describes the termite communities from seven forest environments, including different aged eucalypt forests, one forest fragment and areas of initial and advanced succession process, in Anhembi, State of São Paulo, Brazil. All the environments evaluated were identified for the taxonomic groups of termites and had their richness and relative abundance of termite species determined. For each environment one extended a transect (100 m x 5 m), divided into 10 sectors (15 square meters each) in-between. Samples were taken from litter, roots and wood remainings, logs, under branches and trunks, termite nests and other microhabitats, besides ten soil parcels (1,000 cubic centimeters each) and by using Termitrap® baits. The data were submitted to ANOVA and faunistic analysis using the ANAFAU program for calculating the diversity index of Shannon-Wiaver (H'), and the abundance and equitability indexes. The similarity among the communities was evaluated through the Cluster analysis. There were obtained a total of 1,196 samplings of termites belonging to the families Kalotermitidae, Rhinotermitidae and Termitidae. The total richness was 17 species, ranging from 8 to 13 in the different environments. Three morphospecies of Apicotermitinae, Heterotermes tenuis, Cornitermes sp., Diversitermes diversimiles and Embiratermes sp. presented significant differences as to relative abundance among the evaluated environments. The richness and abundance of the Apicotermitinae morphospecies were not reduced due to the eucalypt introduction. The occurrence of the Kalotermitidae, Glyptotermes sp., Neotermes sp. and Rugitermes sp., although presenting relatively low abundance, was observed to be due to the presence of wood in the soil. The highest diversity indexes were registered for the forest fragment and the advanced succession process areas. This suggests that, regarding the plantation of eucalypts, the most critical period for the reduction of termite diversity would be the second year after eucalypt introduction

The Metapleural Secretion of Acromyrmex laticeps (Forel) does not have Fungicide Effect on the Entomopathogenic Fungus Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill

The metapleural gland (MPG) is an exocrine structure, exclusive to formicids, being more developed in females and workers. This structure is stunted or nonexistent in males. Several possible functions for the secretion produced by this gland have been suggested, but a protection against entomopathogens is the most accepted hypothesis. To test this, we applied a suspension of spores (1.30 x 106) of Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. on the MPG and the antero-superior portion of the metathorax (ASM) of winged females of Acromyrmex laticeps (Forel). We only applied the suspension in the ASM of males, since they do not have the atrium characteristic in the MPG. Our results indicated that the metapleural secretion of females has no fungicidal effect on B. bassiana, and therefore both males and winged females are sensitive to this entomopathogenic fungusA glândula metapleural (GMP) é uma estrutura exógena, encontrada apenas nos formicídeos, sendo mais desenvolvida nas fêmeas e operárias, enquanto nos machos ou está atrofiada ou não existe. Tem sido sugerido várias possíveis funções para a secreção produzida por esta glândula, sendo a hipótese de efeito protetor contra entomopatógenos a mais estudada. Para testar esta hipótese, foi aplicada uma suspensão de conídios (1,30 x 106) de Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. nas GMP e na porção ântero-superior do metatórax (ASM) de fêmeas aladas de Acromyrmex laticeps (Forel), enquanto nos machos a suspensão foi aplicada apenas na porção ASM, pois estes não apresentam o átrio característico da GMP. Os resultados obtidos indicaram que a secreção metapleural das fêmeas desta espécie não possui efeito fungicida sobre B. bassiana, e que tanto os machos como as fêmeas alados são sensíveis a este fungo entomopatogênic

Absence of Relationship Among Termite (Insecta: Isoptera) Richness, Functional Groups and Environmental Variables in Southern Brazil

In the temperate zones, termites play a minor ecological role, while, in the tropics, they dominate among the decomposing invertebrates, corresponding to about 10% of the total animal biomass and up to 95% of the soil insect biomass. At the same time, the tropical zones have more productive environments, lower climatic variation, greater ecological stability, and are richer in species. In this study, we evaluated termite species richness, composition, and trophic groups in 14 sites at different altitudes distributed in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil from previous published surveys. We tested whether there would be a pattern linking those three variables to altitude and bioclimatic factors. We found no significant correlation between species richness and altitude. Bioclimatic variables did not explain the differences in species composition neither in functional group. However, species number, though not statistically different, and composition varied among sampling sites. We suggest that further surveys should be conducted along with greater collection effort and number of sampled sites as to provide a better understanding of the factors affecting the termite fauna of Southern Brazil. Ausência de Relação Entre Riqueza, Grupo Funcional e Variáveis Ambientais para Térmitas (Insecta: Isoptera) no Sul do Brasil Resumo. Nas zonas temperadas, os térmitas têm um papel ecológico reduzido, enquanto que, nos trópicos, dominam entre os invertebrados decompositores e correspondem a cerca de 10% do total da biomassa animal e quase 95% da biomassa de insetos de solo. Ao mesmo tempo, as zonas tropicais possuem ambientes mais produtivos, menor variação climática, maior estabilidade ecológica e riqueza de espécies. No presente trabalho, avaliamos a riqueza, composição e os grupos funcionais dos térmitas de 14 localidades em diferentes altitudes no Rio Grande do Sul, sul do Brasil, a partir de dados já publicados. Testamos se existiria um padrão relacionando essas três variáveis à altitude e aos fatores bioclimáticos. Os resultados não mostraram correlação significativa entre riqueza de espécies e altitude, assim como os fatores bioclimáticos não explicaram a variação na composição de espécies e dos grupos funcionais. No entanto, o número, embora não significativo, e a composição de espécies foram diferentes entre os locais de coleta. Sugerimos a ampliação dos levantamentos, com maior esforço amostral e maior número de pontos amostrados, para identificar os fatores ambientais que influenciam a termitofauna do sul do Brasil

Absence of Relationship Among Termite (Insecta: Isoptera) Richness, Functional Groups and Environmental Variables in Southern Brazil

In the temperate zones, termites play a minor ecological role, while, in the tropics, they dominate among the decomposing invertebrates, corresponding to about 10% of the total animal biomass and up to 95% of the soil insect biomass. At the same time, the tropical zones have more productive environments, lower climatic variation, greater ecological stability, and are richer in species. In this study, we evaluated termite species richness, composition, and trophic groups in 14 sites at different altitudes distributed in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil from previous published surveys. We tested whether there would be a pattern linking those three variables to altitude and bioclimatic factors. We found no significant correlation between species richness and altitude. Bioclimatic variables did not explain the differences in species composition neither in functional group. However, species number, though not statistically different, and composition varied among sampling sites. We suggest that further surveys should be conducted along with greater collection effort and number of sampled sites as to provide a better understanding of the factors affecting the termite fauna of Southern Brazil.Nas zonas temperadas, os térmitas têm um papel ecológico reduzido, enquanto que, nos trópicos, dominam entre os invertebrados decompositores e correspondem a cerca de 10% do total da biomassa animal e quase 95% da biomassa de insetos de solo. Ao mesmo tempo, as zonas tropicais possuem ambientes mais produtivos, menor variação climática, maior estabilidade ecológica e riqueza de espécies. No presente trabalho, avaliamos a riqueza, composição e os grupos funcionais dos térmitas de 14 localidades em diferentes altitudes no Rio Grande do Sul, sul do Brasil, a partir de dados já publicados. Testamos se existiria um padrão relacionando essas três variáveis à altitude e aos fatores bioclimáticos. Os resultados não mostraram correlação significativa entre riqueza de espécies e altitude, assim como os fatores bioclimáticos não explicaram a variação na composição de espécies e dos grupos funcionais. No entanto, o número, embora não significativo, e a composição de espécies foram diferentes entre os locais de coleta. Sugerimos a ampliação dos levantamentos, com maior esforço amostral e maior número de pontos amostrados, para identificar os fatores ambientais que influenciam a termitofauna do sul do Brasil

Termite Communities in Sugarcane Plantations in Southeastern Brazil: an Ecological Approach

Termites are key components of soil fauna, playing an essential role in organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling. However, they can cause significant economic losses in commercial plantations, such as sugar cane. Therefore, the correct identification of termite species is critical for pest control. Here, we evaluated the species richness, abundance and functional groups of termites in sugarcane plantations in 53 cities throughout the state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil. We also analyzed the influence of macroclimatic variables on termite species distribution and functional groups. We found 22 taxa of two families, of which the most frequent species were Termitidae (96.51%). Within this family, Apicotermitinae had the highest frequency of occurrence (37.12%), followed by Termitinae (30.57%), Syntermitinae (27.95%), and Nasutitermitinae (0.8 %). The other family, Rhinotermitidae, had the lowest frequency (3.5%), being represented only by Heterotermes sulcatus Mathews. We classified Neocapritermes opacus Hagen (29.26%), Apicotermitinae sp.2 (24.89%), Cornitermes cumulans Kollar (13.10%), and Apicotermitinae sp.1 (6.99%) as common taxa. The remaining 18 species were classified as rare. The most common functional group was humus-feeders (37%), followed by wood-feeders (34%), grass-litter feeders (25%), and intermediate feeders (4%). Climate influenced the distribution of common species, humus-feeders and grass-litter feeders. Regarding the pest status of termites in sugar cane plantations, we suggest that the exasperated use of pesticide in the last decades has reduced the abundance of species considered pests (e.g. Heterotermes) and reinforce the importance of ecological approaches for determining the best pest control method