Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-dh8gc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-05T15:50:17.717Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Seasonal patterns in the activity and species richness of surface-foraging termites (Isoptera) at paper baits in a tropical Australian savanna

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2003

Tracy Dawes-Gromadzki
Affiliation:
CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, Tropical Ecosystems Research Centre, PMB 44 Winnellie, Darwin, NT 0822, Australia
Alister Spain
Affiliation:
CSIRO Land and Water, Davies Laboratory, CSIRO, Private Mail Bag, Aitkenvale Qld 4814, Australia

Abstract

The species present, and the frequencies and intensities of termite attack on 600 paper baits exposed at the soil surface were compared over three seasonal exposures and between two savanna sites of contrasting vegetation structure in northern Australia. Eleven species were recorded, with Microcerotermes nervosus and Schedorhinotermes actuosus comprising 43% and 27% of collections respectively. The most commonly sampled species nest underground or build epigeal mounds and are known to feed on sound and decaying wood. Changes in species dominance occurred between seasons and the two forest types. In both vegetation types, the number of species active and the frequency of attack increased with the duration of bait exposure and decreased in the order: transitional > wet > dry. Bait consumption was greater in the site with higher canopy cover, and did not differ significantly between seasons. No direct relationships were noted between rainfall recorded at the sites and species richness, frequency and intensity of attack on baits. We recommend exposure of paper baits for at least 2 mo during the transitional period as the optimal protocol for sampling at the time of greatest activity and diversity of those species within the guild of wood-feeding species regularly attracted to paper baits.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
2003 Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)