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Foraging by fungus-growing termites (Isoptera: Termitidae, Macrotermitinae) in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 November 2000

J. Mark Dangerfield
Affiliation:
Centre for Biodiversity and Bioresources, School of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
Gregor Schuurman
Affiliation:
Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA Department of Zoology, University of Washington, 24 Kincaid Hall, Seattle, WA 98195–1800, USA.

Abstract

Observations were made of foraging frequency and food selection by species of Macrotermitinae in a savanna habitat in the distal reaches of the Okavango Delta, Botswana. A removal experiment in the field was also conducted. Observable foraging showed seasonal peaks in frequency, related to temperature in Macrotermes michaelseni and to moisture in sympatric soil nesting Termitidae. Foraging was mostly on woody litter of the dominant canopy trees and mammalian dung. There was considerable overlap in the selection of food items between species but M. michaelseni were seen more frequently on items of woody litter greater than 6 mm in diameter. In Petri-dish trials Microtermes spp. workers were aggressive towards M. michaelseni individuals and in the field they foraged more frequently and effectively when M. michaelseni numbers were experimentally reduced. Macrotermes michaelseni appeared to avoid competition with other fungus-growing species by spatial separation within the habitat and some limited separation in food selection, but intense competition is probably rare as space and food resources may rarely be limiting.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
2000 Cambridge University Press

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