NEST-BUILDING TERMITE ASSEMBLAGES IN A WHITE-SAND AMAZONIAN FOREST FRAGMENT, LORETO- PERU

Termites are ecosystem engineers whose nest-building activities alter soil structure and nutrient cycling. In this study, we assessed the characteristics and diversity of nest-building termite assemblages in a white-sand forest fragment near Iquitos, Loreto, Peru. We surveyed ten 30 × 30 m plots in the forest to quantify nest density, taxonomic composition, nest-type, botanical substrates, nest coloration, and spatial variation in nest abundance. A total of 156 nests were recorded, representing five genera: Nasutitermes, Embiratermes, Coptotermes, Constrictotermes, and Termes. The most common botanical substrates associated with nest building belonged to the families Euphorbiaceae, Moraceae, and Fabaceae, particularly Alchornea triplinervia. Most nests were arboreal (58,0%) and dark brown in color (57,05%). Nest abundance increased significantly with greater distance from the road. In conclusion, despite the low nutrient availability, the white-sand forest fragment supports a dense and diverse assemblage of nest-building termites.

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Publication Details

Journal
Folia Amazónica
Published
2025-06-30
DOI
https://doi.org/10.24841/fa.v34i1.808
Primary Topic
Plant and animal studies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

NEST-BUILDING TERMITE ASSEMBLAGES IN A WHITE-SAND AMAZONIAN FOREST FRAGMENT, LORETO- PERU

Y. Corona Sánchez, Renato Almeida de Azevedo, Carol Sánchez, C. R. B. et al.
Folia Amazónica
Plant and animal studies
article

NEST-BUILDING TERMITE ASSEMBLAGES IN A WHITE-SAND AMAZONIAN FOREST FRAGMENT, LORETO- PERU

Y. Corona Sánchez, Renato Almeida de Azevedo, Carol Sánchez, C. R. B., Roberto Pezo-Díaz, Carlos ARANGO-MORA, Raul Bismarck Pinedo-Garcia, Rommel R. Rojas, Javier Del Águila Chávez, Rayssa ALMEIDA-AZEVEDO, Adan ANGULO-CAINAMARI, Marlon AÑAPE, Cristina RÍOS TUISIMA
article en

Abstract

Termites are ecosystem engineers whose nest-building activities alter soil structure and nutrient cycling. In this study, we assessed the characteristics and diversity of nest-building termite assemblages in a white-sand forest fragment near Iquitos, Loreto, Peru. We surveyed ten 30 × 30 m plots in the forest to quantify nest density, taxonomic composition, nest-type, botanical substrates, nest coloration, and spatial variation in nest abundance. A total of 156 nests were recorded, representing five genera: Nasutitermes, Embiratermes, Coptotermes, Constrictotermes, and Termes. The most common botanical substrates associated with nest building belonged to the families Euphorbiaceae, Moraceae, and Fabaceae, particularly Alchornea triplinervia. Most nests were arboreal (58,0%) and dark brown in color (57,05%). Nest abundance increased significantly with greater distance from the road. In conclusion, despite the low nutrient availability, the white-sand forest fragment supports a dense and diverse assemblage of nest-building termites.

Folia AmazónicaVol. 34(1)
Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (BR), Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana (PE), Asociación para la Conservación de la Cuenca Amazónica (PE)
Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Amazonas, Universidad Arturo Prat
Openalex Percentile: Top 77%
Plant and animal studies
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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