Données préliminaires sur le peuplement en termites

Abstract

Data are given on the distribution and. numbers of termites, their fungus gardens and nests, in the Lamto savannas in the Ivory Coast. The termite populations at Lamto are dominated by four subterranean Macrotermitinae species : Ancistrotermes cavithorax, Microtermes toumodiensis, Pseudacanthotermes militaris and Odontotermes pauperans and by two foraging, mound-construc ting Nasutitermitinae : Trinervitermes geminatus and T. togoensis. The poverty of humivorous species nests constitutes another salient feature of these populations. The density of termite colonies in Lamto depends on the water content of soils, soil texture and availability of food (cellulose)