ABUNDANCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF MICROTERMES (ISOPTERA: TERMITIDAE: MACROTERMITINAE) IN CULTIVATED AND UNCULTIVATED AREAS AT MOKWA IN THE SOUTHERN GUINEA SAVANNA VEGETATION ZONE OF NIGERIA
Abstract
Population dynamics of Microtermes (Isoptera; Macrotermitinae) are investigated in the
Southern Guinea savanna vegetation zone of Nigeria. Study sites were primary
woodland, long-term maize and a randomised block experiment established from
secondary woodland with woodland, pasture, sweet potato, groundnuts, yam and maize.
The species assemblage Comprised of Microtermes allleo, Microtermes n.sp. c.,
Microtermes grassei, Microtermes /epidus, Microtermes subhyalinus.
2
Microtermes abundance and distribution (n/m2) to a soil depth of 1 metre are examined in
Chapter Four. Community structure differed with vegetation cover. Abundance was
generally higher in the wet compared to the dry season and abundance.was greatest in
long-term maize and higher in newly cleared and cultivated sites than in woodland. M
subhya/inus was the most abundant species in all vegetation types except long-term
cultivated maize where M /epidus was the most abundant species. Changes in crop alter
species abundance and Microtermes community structure.
Microtermes fungus comb abundance (n/m2), individual dry weight (g) and total dry
weight (g/m2) to a soil depth of 1 metre in primary and secondary woodland and short and
long-term maize are examined in Chapter Five. Vegetation cover had an influence on
seasonal changes in the abundance, individual and total dry weights of fungus combs. M
subhyalinus fungus combs showed the greatest seasonal changes, in secondary woodland
and short-term maize.
Microtermes foraging activity on softwood baits with season, species and vegetation is
examined in Chapter Six. Seasonal differences in foraging activity were recorded but
differences over time were more significant. Foraging activity differed with vegetation
and species. Percentage of baits attacked by species as a proportion of the total number
of baits attacked by all species was the best indicator of foraging activity. Non-random
foraging was identified for Microtermes with positive associations among M. subhya/inus,
M. aluco and M. lepidus.
Microtermes foraging activity on baits is compared with soil abundance in Chapter Seven
using diversity indices and simple linear regression analysis. Foraging activity can give a
more accurate indication of species richness than soil sampling. Foraging activity can be
correlated positively with soil abundance, most significantly with wet season assessments.
Authors
Black, Helaina I.J.Collections
- Theses [4201]