| Autor: |
Aiman Hanis, J., Abu Hassan, A., Nurita, A. T., Che Salmah, M. R. |
| Předmět: |
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| Zdroj: |
Raffles Bulletin of Zoology; 2/21/2014, Vol. 62, p3-11, 9p |
| Abstrakt: |
Termites are the major decomposers of organic matter in tropical rainforests. The distribution of termite species in a hill dipterocarp forest and effect of forest clearance for ecotourism development on termite diversity were investigated at the Belum-Temengor Forest Complex (BTFC) of Perak, Malaysia. Standardised belt-transect protocol was used in this study, with some additional casual sampling of pest species. A total of 40 species of termites, comprising 19 genera from five subfamilies (Coptotermitinae, Rhinotermitinae, Macrotermitinae, Termitinae, and Nasutitermitinae) were identified. Nasutitermitinae was found to be the major subfamily of termites in BTFC. The natural forest areas within the BTFC recorded 32 species of termites, while the disturbed forest areas were only represented by 21 species of termites. Dissimilarity of species diversity between these two areas, calculated based on Whittaker's beta diversity, was valued at âW: 0.51. The wood feeders group (27 species) makes up about 67.5% of the overall termite fauna found. High number of representatives from this feeding group increases the risk of infestation on wooden man-made structures. Most of the wooden structures within the disturbed areas were found to be infested and damaged by termites. At least 12 species (30%) from the total termite found in BTFC were designated as pest species. Subfamily Macrotermitinae were represented by seven pest species making it the most important with Odontotermes sarawakensis and Ancistrotermes pakistanicus being the most common. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Databáze: |
Complementary Index |
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