Ecologia de cupins (Insecta: Isoptera) da Amazônia Central: efeitos do desmatamento sobre as populações

Abstract

Distribution and diversity of termites were studied in areas of primary forest, capoeira (secondary forest) and pasture in Central Amazonia, near Manaus, Amazonas State Soil humidity, soil compactation (infiltration rate of water in the soil), and soil and air temperatures were measured to establish relationships with the termite distribution. With approximately the same amount of collecting in each of the three habitats, it was found that most of the genera were distributed in the three environments. Some genera were sorted into species. Nasutitermes was the most common genus, with the greatest number of species, and was most frequent in pasture. The total number of nests was also higher in the pasture than in the primary forest. Termites in the soil can reach almost a meter in depth and their abundance was greatest in capoeira, fallowed by pasture and lastly primary forest. The infiltration of water in the soil and the soil humidity diminished with deforestation. The diurnal range of soil and air temperatures was greater in pasture than in primary forest. The lack of vegetation and its effects on the microclimate could be responsible for the distribution of some Isoptera groups. Several species of ants were found to be predators of termites, mainly when nests were opened for collecting.