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Fauna associated with Cubitermes testaceus mounds (Isoptera: Termitidae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

Mary J. N. Okwakol
Mary J. N. Okwakol
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
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Abstract

Observations on the fauna that live in close association with mounds constructed by Cubitermes testaceus (Isoptera: Termitidae) were made in a grassland area of Uganda. Termite nests were systematically excavated and dissected and a careful record of the fauna associated with each was made.

Arthropods belonging to three different classes were recorded in mounds of C. testaceus and with varying degrees of occurrence. They included insects (93%), chilopods (5%) and diplopods (2%). Ants were found to be the commonest insects in the mounds followed by other termites (21%) Coleoptera (9%) and Dictyoptera (1%).

In view of the carnivorous nature of most of the ants recorded, and considering the feeding behaviour observed in the field, it is suggested that they can have considerable effect on C. testaceus populations in the grassland ecosystem at Kaazi.

Résumé

Les observations ont été faites de la faune vivant en association des fermitières construites par les Cubitermes testaceus dans une région de savanne en Ouganda. Des tunnels des termites ont été systématiquement excavés et découpés et un rapport détaille fait de la faune s'y associant.

On a constaté la présence des arthropodes de 3 catégories différentes à l'inteneur des monticutes C. testaceus ayant des degrés différents d'occurrence. Ceci inclu les insectes (93%), les chilopodes (5%) et les diplopodes (2%). Les fourmis blanches se sont averées le plus nombreuses à l'interieur des monticules suiri par d'autres termites (21%), Coleoptera 9% et les Dictyoptera (1%).

Vu la nature carnivore de la plupart de termites relevées, et considérant le comportement alimentaire sur le terrain, il est suggéré que ces deux ont un effet signifiant sur les populations de C. testaceus dans l'écosystème de la savanne de Kaazi.

Keywords

Cubitermes testaceusassociated fauna
Type
Part I: Symposium on Integrated Pest Management and Environmental Conservation: Ecology, Biology and Bionomics
Information
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science , Volume 12 , Special Issue 5-6: Aspects of Pest Management in Relation to Agricultural Production and Environmental Conservation in Africa , December 1991 , pp. 511 - 514
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1991

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References

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