Termite assemblages, forest disturbance and greenhouse gas fluxes in Sabah, East Malaysia

A synthesis is presented of sampling work conducted under a UK government-funded Darwin Initiative grant undertaken predominantly within the Danum Valley Conservation Area (DVCA), Sabah, East Malaysia. The project concerned the assemblage structure, gas physiology and landscape gas fluxes of termites in pristine and two ages of secondary, dipterocarp forest. The DVCA termite fauna is typical of the Sunda region, dominated by Termes-group soil-feeders and Nasutitermitinae. Selective logging appears to have relatively little effect on termite assemblages, although soil-feeding termites may be moderately affected by this level of disturbance. Species composition changes, but to a small extent when considered against the background level of compositional differences within the Sunda region. Physiologically the assemblage is very like others that have been studied, although there are some species that do not fit on the expected body size-metabolic rate curve. As elsewhere, soil-feeders and soil-wood interface-feeders tend to produce more methane. As with the termite assemblage characteristics, gross gas and energy fluxes do not differ significantly between logged and unlogged sites. Although gross methane fluxes are high, all the soils at DVCA were methane sinks, suggesting that methane oxidation by methanotrophic bacteria was a more important process than methane production by gut archaea. This implies that methane production by termites in South-East Asia is not contributing significantly to the observed increase in levels of methane production worldwide. Biomass density, species richness, clade complement and energy flow were much lower at DVCA than at a directly comparable site in southern Cameroon. This is probably due to the different biogeographical histories of the areas.     

Vertical stratification of the termite assemblage in a neotropical rainforest

The importance of termites as decomposers in tropical forests has long been recognized. Studies on the richness and diversity of termite species and their ecological function have flourished in more recent times, but these have been mostly conducted in a thin stratum within a standing man’s reach. Our aims were to evaluate the specific richness and composition of the termite assemblage in the canopy of a tropical rainforest and to determine its originality with respect to the sympatric ground-level fauna. We conducted systematic searches for canopy termites, together with conventional sampling of the sympatric ground-level fauna, in the San Lorenzo forest, Panama. We hypothesized that (1) the canopy accommodates two categories of wood-feeding termites (long-distance foragers and small-colony “one-piece” species) and possibly soil-feeders in suspended soil-like habitats; (2) due to the abundance of soil-feeders, the overall diversity of the ground fauna is higher than that of the canopy; (3) differences in microclimate and resource accessibility favour vertical stratification among wood-feeders. Sixty-three canopy samples yielded ten species of termites, all wood-feeders. Five of these were not found at ground level, although a total of 243 ground samples were collected, representing 29 species. In addition to long-distance foragers (Microcerotermes and Nasutitermes spp.) and small-colony termites (mostly Kalotermitidae), the canopy fauna included Termes hispaniolae, a wood-feeding Termitidae from an allegedly soil-feeding genus, living in large dead branches. Soil-feeders were absent from the canopy, probably because large epiphytes were scarce. As predicted, the ground fauna was much richer than that of the canopy, but the species richness of both habitats was similar when only wood-feeders were considered. Vertical stratification was strongly marked among wood-feeders, as all common species, apart from the arboreal-nesting Microcerotermes arboreus, could unequivocally be assigned to either a ground or a canopy group. The canopy, therefore, contributes significantly to the total species richness of the termite assemblage, and the diversity, abundance and ecological importance of canopy termites in tropical rainforests may be higher than previously recognized.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available to authorized users in the online version of this article at .     

河北唐山西域山晚寒武世长山组的树形笔石

本文对东秦岭南部湖北郧西地区早石炭世四射珊瑚进行了研究,系统描述了11科中的24属和39种,其中包含2新属和21新种。本区早石炭世四射珊瑚拟划分为4个组合带:范家坪组上部Palaeosmilia-Lithostrotion组合带,下部Yuanophyllum组合带。袁家沟组上部Shennongia majus组合带,下部Zaphrentoides组合带。范家坪组是新建的组名。文中也讨论了Cystophrentis的分布时限,及其与Shennongia的亲缘关系。此外,Neoclisiophyllum在本区与岩关期的Shennongia共生,出现的时间早于华南各地。     

Evolution of termite functional diversity: analysis and synthesis of local ecological and regional influences on local species richness

Aim To (1) describe termite functional diversity patterns across five tropical regions using local species richness sampling of standardized areas of habitat; (2) assess the relative importance of environmental factors operating at different spatial and temporal scales in influencing variation in species representation within feeding groups and functional taxonomic groups across the tropics; (3) achieve a synthesis to explain the observed patterns of convergence and divergence in termite functional diversity that draws on termite ecological and biogeographical evidence to‐date, as well as the latest evidence for the evolutionary and distributional history of tropical rain forests. Location Pantropical. Methods A pantropical termite species richness data set was obtained through sampling of eighty‐seven standardized local termite diversity transects from twenty‐nine locations across five tropical regions. Local‐scale, intermediate‐scale and large‐scale environmental data were collected for each transect. Standardized termite assemblage and environmental data were analysed at the levels of whole assemblages and feeding groups (using components of variance analysis) and at the level of functional taxonomic groups (using correspondence analysis and canonical correspondence analysis). Results Overall species richness of local assemblages showed a greater component of variation attributable to local habitat disturbance level than to region. However, an analysis accounting for species richness across termite feeding groups indicated a much larger component of variation attributable to region. Mean local assemblage body size also showed the greater overall significance of region compared with habitat type in influencing variation. Ordination of functional taxonomic group data revealed a primary gradient of variation corresponding to rank order of species richness within sites and to mean local species richness within regions. The latter was in the order: Africa > south America > south‐east Asia > Madagascar > Australia. This primary gradient of species richness decrease can be explained by a decrease in species richness of less dispersive functional taxonomic groups feeding on more humified food substrates such as soil. Hence, the transects from more depauperate sites/regions were dominated by more dispersive functional taxonomic groups feeding on less humified food substrates such as dead wood. Direct gradient analysis indicated that ‘region’ and other large‐scale factors were the most important in explaining patterns of local termite functional diversity followed by intermediate‐scale geographical and site variables and, finally, local‐scale ecological variables. Synthesis and main conclusions Within regions, centres of termite functional diversity lie in lowland equatorial closed canopy tropical forests. Soil feeding termite evolution further down food substrate humification gradients is therefore more likely to have depended on the long‐term presence of this habitat. Known ecological and energetic constraints upon contemporary soil feeders lend support for this hypothesis. We propose further that the anomalous distribution of termite soil feeder species richness is partly explained by their generally very poor dispersal abilities across oceans. Evolution, radiation and dispersal of soil feeder diversity appears to have been largely restricted to what are now the African and south American regions. The inter‐regional differences in contemporary local patterns of termite species richness revealed by the global data set point to the possibility of large differences in consequent ecosystem processes in apparently similar habitats on different continents.     

Describing termite assemblage structure in a Peruvian lowland tropical rain forest: a comparison of two alternative methods

Termites are frequently dominant invertebrate decomposers and bioturbators in lowland tropical forests and therefore strongly influence ecosystem processes favouring soil stability, porosity and nutrient retention. In this study, we provide the first spatially replicated dataset on termite assemblage composition, abundance and biomass in a Peruvian rainforest by sampling six separate plots. In addition, two alternative sampling methods (transect method-TM and quadrat method-QM), providing termite species density data, were compared among the plots. The relationships between a range of environmental and spatial variables and species composition were examined using canonical correspondence analysis variation partitioning. We found that the TM captured a higher proportion of the known species in the site (82 %) compared with the QM (66 %). In addition, 56 % of the species sampled by TM were common between the plots while only 18 % of species overlapped using the QM. The QM may therefore potentially have undersampled the species pool. Environmental variables were shown to explain a larger proportion of the species patterns than the spatial variables with elevation, soil temperature and distance to the river being the most important. We discuss the impacts of the environmental and spatial variables on termite species composition.     

Termites (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae,Rhinotermitidae, Termitidae) of Ecuador

Termites are an abundant and diverse group in the Neotropics with about 500 species representing 83 genera. The paucity of the termite fauna recorded from Ecuador is due, in part, to a lack of deliberate surveys. We revise the termite fauna of Ecuador and raise the number of species from 25 species to 72 based on our recent termite surveys. Of the 72 species, 18 could not be conclusively identified and are likely new species. Given the limited area that has been covered in surveys of the Ecuadorian termite fauna, there are undoubtedly many more species to be recorded for Ecuador, primarily in the eastern lowland areas, cloud forests on both the eastern and western slopes of the Andes, and the Amazonian lowland forests.     

Termite (Insecta: Isoptera) Species Composition in a Primary Rain Forest and Agroforests in Central Amazonia

Termites play important roles in organic matter decomposition, nutrient cycling, and soil structure in tropical rain forests. When forests are replaced by agriculture, termite species richness, abundance, and function often decline. We compared the termite assemblage of a primary forest site with that of a low plant diversity, palm-based agroforest (five plant species) and a high plant diversity, home-garden agroforest (10 plant species) using a rapid biodiversity assessment protocol. In comparing the primary forest termite species composition to previously published studies, we found soil feeders and the Apicotermitinae to be more dominant than previously reported in Amazonia. Thirty percent of the species belonged to the Apicotermitinae, and an unusually high percentage (57%) of species were soil feeders. Unexpectedly, the palm-based agroforest, despite its lower plant diversity, was closer to primary forest in termite species composition, rate of species accumulation, and proportions of species in taxonomic and functional classes than was the home-garden agroforest. This suggests that particular plant attributes may better determine the termite assemblage than plant diversity alone in these agroecosystems. Unlike other agroecosystems reported in the literature, Apicotermitinae and soil feeders were proportionally more abundant in these agroforests than in primary forest. The ability of agroforests to support populations of soil feeders has a potentially positive effect on soil fertility in these agroecosystems; insomuch as feeding guild is a proxy for function, these closed-canopy agroforests may be able to sustain the same termite-mediated functions as primary forest.     

西藏晚白垩世晚Campanian期至早Maastrichtian期菊石群——中国最年轻的菊石群

记述产自西藏南部仲巴县的一个中国目前所知最年轻的菊石群 ,含 2科 4属 6种 ,其中 4新种。据菊石群面貌和它们所产出的层位可以划分出上、下两个组合带 :上部Pachydiscuscf.hidakaensis Libycoceraszhongbaense组合带 ;下部Manambolitescujiangdingensis M .pivaeteaui组合带。产菊石的曲贝亚组的下段和上段的中、下部(82F5 0及其以下层位 )为晚Campanian期 ,上段上部 (即 82F5 2及其以上层位 )为早Maastrichtian期。     

Inferring biome associations of recent mammals from samples of temperate and tropical faunas: Paleoecological considerations

Reconstruction of past faunal assemblages is of primary concern to paleontologists because it yields important information concerning patterns of community structure, biogeography, and paleoclimatology. Unfortunately, the process of fossilization is serendipitous at best, resulting in fossil beds that only contain a sample of the extant fauna that existed at the time of fossilization. Herein, we examine the degree to which incomplete sampling of four well‐known small mammal faunas gives rise to uncertainty concerning the biome association of each site using neontological data from two tropical (Brazilian Cerrado and Gallery Forest) and two temperate (Kansas Prairie and Kentucky Mixed Deciduous‐coniferous Forest) areas. Two simulation approaches (variable and fixed sample sizes) were applied to each set of data to ascertain what proportion of the mammal fauna must be sampled before inferring the correct biome to which the fauna pertained. In the variable sample size approach, species were selected at random from the species pool until the sample correctly identified the biome from which the sample was obtained; this was repeated 200 times for each of the 4 sites. In the fixed sample size approach, a series of simulations were conducted in which each simulation had a fixed number of species, beginning at 2 and increasing at regular intervals until the entire fauna was included in the sample. The number of species required to correctly associate a site with the proper biome was highly variable for three of the four sites. As a result, the number of species required in a sample to be 95% certain of the biome association of Mixed Deciduous‐coniferous Forest, Prairie, and Gallery Forest sites represented a large proportion of the fauna in each case (78%, 88%, and 89%, respectively). In contrast, only 23% of the fauna needed to be sampled from the Cerrado site to obtain the same level of confidence. Adjusting the Cerrado analysis for the effect of endemic species only resulted in an inflation of this value to 33%. The effects of endemics in reducing the certainty of biome associations are only pronounced when sample sizes are small compared to the total species pool. The accuracy of estimating the correct biome association of a fauna is predicated upon the proportion of the fauna in the sample as well as the particular distributional patterns of the species that compose the fauna. Caution should be exercised when inferring the biome association of fossil sites because neither of these features of the sample are usually known. Moreover, even when these features are know, as in the neontological analyses, a large proportion of the fauna frequently is required to be confident of the correct biome association of the fauna. Results indicate that the body size of species found in a fossil assemblage or their ordinal taxonomic affinities can affect the probability of accurately deducing paleoenvironments. Smaller species, and members of the orders Rodentia or Insectivora, are more stenotopic than larger species, or members of the orders Artiodactyla and Carnivora. Fossil assemblages containing only members of the latter groups will consist of wide‐ranging species of broad habitat tolerance. Thus the paleoenvironment of such a fossil assemblage will be difficult to discern.     

Effects of damming on the biological integrity of fish assemblages in the middle Lancang-Mekong River basin

The Lancang-Mekong River basin contains a diverse assemblage of freshwater fish species; however, their populations are threatened by current and planned dam construction along the river. Fish assemblages are sensitive indicators of environmental degradation and can be used to assess aquatic ecosystem health. This research compared the fish fauna at the Xiaowan hydropower dam located on the middle reaches of the Lancang-Mekong River at three time periods: in 2008 (before impoundment), 2010 (water storage) and 2011 (full operation). A modified fish index of biological integrity (modified F-IBI) was developed and it synthesized information on the taxonomic composition, trophic guilds, and tolerance levels of the fish and habitat diversity to quantitatively assess the condition of fish populations before and after damming. This index also was used to assess the longitudinal diversity of the fish fauna along the river channel and could assess the barrier effect associated with the dam. Jaccard's index of similarity was used as a feasible tool to assess fish diversity loss and biotic homogenization. The analysis clearly showed a homogenization of the fish communities after damming, and the reservoir impoundment region showed much more serious homogenization than the downstream region. The Xiaowan dam had an immediate and profound effect on the fish fauna in this region of the Lancang-Mekong River. A total of eight cascading dams are planned for development in this region, and, unless conservation mitigation efforts are considered, the results could be devastating on the native fish populations of middle reaches of the Lancang-Mekong River basin.     

Changes in the termite assemblage across a sequence of land-use systems in the rural area around Lamto Reserve in central Côte d’Ivoire

Termites are major decomposers in tropical regions and play an important role in soil processes. This study investigated the termite assemblage structure across a sequence of differing land-use systems. With a standardized method, data were collected on termites from the following habitats: semi-deciduous forest, teak plantation, cocoa plantation, Jatropha plantation, food crop field and 4-years old fallow. Termite species richness declined from the semi-deciduous forest to 4-years old fallow through teak plantation, food crop field, cocoa plantation and Jatropha plantation. The relative abundance of fungus-growers was the highest in all land-use types while that of soil-feeders steeply declined in all man-modified sites. The wood-feeding species showed clear responses to disturbance, with low abundances in monospecific- and modified sites without high trees. Comparisons with other studies suggest that changes in the termite assemblage structure result from forest conversion to agricultural systems. To help mitigate the loss of termites when forests are disturbed or cleared, we recommend to: (1) promote the association of cropping and silvicultural systems that reduces changes in microclimate and maintains the original termite assemblage with the associated ecosystem services; (2) leave dead wood on the ground after forest disturbance to accelerate the recovery of the termite assemblage; and (3) increase forest and silvicultural patch size and reduce length of forest edges to sustain the survival of forest-dependent species.     

Native and exotic freshwater fishes in Spanish river basins

1. The degree to which fish faunas have been invaded by exotic species is quantified on the basis of river basins. 2. Nineteen exotic species are now established in Spanish fresh waters. Alburnus alburnus (L., 1758) is reported here for the first time. 3. The native/total fish ratio varies from 0.71 in Galicia, the best preserved fish fauna, to 0.41 in Douro, the most modified fish assemblage. The national average ratio (0.63) is similar to that reported for Portugal (0.65), but higher than that in Italy (0.56) and much lower than that in Greece (0.88). 4. Exotic fishes have sometimes become successfully established over wide areas in a short time.     

Springtails (Collembola) in the Subpolar Landscapes of the Northern Hemisphere

An overview of previously published and new information on the collembolan fauna and assemblage structure in the polar desert zone is presented. So far, 71 springtail species from 37 genera and 11 families have been reliably recorded within the zone. Eleven species are added to the previously known fauna of Franz Josef Land, and the very north of Novaya Zemlya has been surveyed for the first time. Even the much better known fauna of Bolshevik Island, Severnaya Zemlya is enriched by 3 species. The known species richness of springtails of Ellef Ringnes Island, Canadian Arctic Archipelago, is also increased from 8 to 13 species. Most genera except Folsomia and Hypogastrura include only 1, more rarely 2 species in each study region of the polar desert zone. Species with circumpolar distribution patterns comprise more than 60% of the total list, but only 10 species are common to all the three provinces; this obviously indicates a certain regional specificity. Besides, the faunas of different provinces (and regions within a province) vary markedly in the proportion of species with more southern distribution patterns. Nevertheless, the collembolan assemblages in all the three provinces of the polar desert zone are rather similar at the structural level, this being a direct consequence of the general depletion of the complexes against the background of high total abundance and less pronounced habitat specificity of the common species.     

Large Mammals in an Agroforestry Mosaic in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

The forest‐like characteristics of agroforestry systems create a unique opportunity to combine agricultural production with biodiversity conservation in human‐modified tropical landscapes. The cacao‐growing region in southern Bahia, Brazil, encompasses Atlantic forest remnants and large extensions of agroforests, locally known as cabrucas, and harbors several endemic large mammals. Based on the differences between cabrucas and forests, we hypothesized that: (1) non‐native and non‐arboreal mammals are more frequent, whereas exclusively arboreal and hunted mammals are less frequent in cabrucas than forests; (2) the two systems differ in mammal assemblage structure, but not in species richness; and (3) mammal assemblage structure is more variable among cabrucas than forests. We used camera‐traps to sample mammals in nine pairs of cabruca‐forest sites. The high conservation value of agroforests was supported by the presence of species of conservation concern in cabrucas, and similar species richness and composition between forests and cabrucas. Arboreal species were less frequently recorded, however, and a non‐native and a terrestrial species adapted to open environments (Cerdocyon thous) were more frequently recorded in cabrucas. Factors that may overestimate the conservation value of cabrucas are: the high proportion of total forest cover in the study landscape, the impoverishment of large mammal fauna in forest, and uncertainty about the long‐term maintenance of agroforestry systems. Our results highlight the importance of agroforests and forest remnants for providing connectivity in human‐modified tropical forest landscapes, and the importance of controlling hunting and dogs to increase the value of agroforestry mosaics.     

青海柴达木盆地晚中新世深沟小哺乳动物群

描述了2002-2005年间在青海德令哈深沟上油砂山组采集的小哺乳动物化石。化石共有16种,隶属食虫目、啮齿目和兔形目的12科,代表了迄今青藏高原发现种类最多、材料最丰富的小哺乳动物群。深沟动物群的组成与陕西蓝田灞河组下部层位发现的小哺乳动物组合最为接近,两者有相似的群体结构,共有Sciurotamias,Lophocricetus,Protalactaga,Myocricetodon,Nannocricetua,Pararhizomys和Ochotona 7属。但由于深沟动物群含有略进步的属、种,其时代似乎稍晚,很可能属晚中新世早期,或者中国陆生哺乳动物时代的保德期早期,与欧洲MN10上部或MN11下部的时代相当。深沟动物群指示了一个温带开阔干旱草原为主体的景观。晚中新世柴达木盆地的气候似乎没有现在这样干燥,在草原中尚有一些灌丛甚至林地。动物群的组成及所指示的生态环境都表明,青藏高原在中新世以后有过较大幅度的上升。深沟动物群中含有一鼠科新种——细弱许氏鼠(Huerzelerimys extguus sp.nov.)。Huerzele—rimys属过去只发现于欧洲,新种为该属在亚洲的首次发现。其特征为:与现知最小种H.minor相比,其臼齿更小,M1中t1的位置相对靠后,c6和t9间有超过50%的标本具一弱脊连接,m1和m2的唇侧齿带狭窄、附尖弱小。Ochotonoma primitiva(Zheng & Li,1982)是动物群中较为多见的一种鼠兔。该种最先发现于甘肃天祝,并作为Ochotona属描述。正型地点的标本不多,但尺寸和形态完全落入深沟标本的变异范围,因此认为同属一种。该种的特征增订为:中等大小的鼠兔。P2冠面长三角形,舌侧长度明显大。p3的下前边尖宽大,一般具有两个前褶或凹槽,而且至少有一褶具水泥质充填物;连接前边尖和后边尖间的齿桥(dentine isthmus)宽;前褶(paraflexis)比O.anatolica的短而狭窄,向后延伸没有O.csarnotana的那样明显。     

Termite Diversity along an Amazon–Andes Elevation Gradient,Peru

Through their role as ‘ecosystem engineers’, termites provide a range of ecosystem services including decomposition, and carbon and nitrogen cycling. Although termite diversity levels differ between regions as a result of variation in regional species pool size, in general, termite diversity is thought to decline with elevation. This study (1) investigated how termite species density, abundance, functional group diversity and termite attack on dead wood vary with altitude along an Amazon–Andes altitudinal gradient in Peru; (2) identified likely environmental causes of this pattern; and (3) explored the implications of termite presence for ecosystem functioning (notably for decomposition). Termites were sampled with a standardized 100 × 2 m straight‐belt transect at five undisturbed forest sites along a gradient 190 to 3025 m, as were environmental variables and termite and fungus attack on dead wood. Termite diversity was similar to that found at comparable sites in South America, and there was little turnover of assemblage composition with elevation suggesting that montane specialists are not present. Termite diversity declined with increased elevation, though the upper distribution limit for termites was at a lower elevation than anticipated. We suggest that key drivers of this elevation pattern are reduced temperature with altitude and mid‐elevation peaks in soil water content. Also, attack on dead wood diminished with decreasing termite indirect absolute abundance, while the depth of the soil humic layer increased. We hypothesize that termite abundance is a major accelerant of decomposition rates (and associated mineralization) in Amazonian forests.     

A regional perspective on the effects of human disturbance on the termites of Sundaland

The remains of the rainforests of Sundaland are threatened by logging,burning and conversion to agriculture. In this study theeffects of different levels of disturbance and recovery on termites wereexamined. This was carried out on a regional scale and incorporated sixdifferent disturbance effects. Termites were found to be strongly effected bydisturbance, particularly by complete removal of the forest canopy. Recoveryfrom severe disturbance is discussed and we find that completely cleared andfarmed land, when left fallow near to a source area of primary forest for over50 years, can completely recover its termite assemblage andassociated ecosystem services. Over larger areas termites do not recover fromdisturbance events for millennia. The conservation implications of our findingsare discussed, with reference to both the conservation of species and ofecosystem services. We propose that most Sundan termite species can be conservedin a relatively small area. However, termite composition and ecosystem processesthroughout the region may be altered forever, if current widespread rainforestdestruction is not halted.     

CONCHOSTRACAN ASSEMBLAGE FROM BOTTOM OF ERMAYIN FORMATION, SHAANXI

This paper deals with characteristics of the conchostracan assemblage and describes some new species of fossil conchostracan collected from the bottom of the Ermayin Formation near Changjiayan of Wupu County, Shaanxi in 1983.After studying and comparing this conchostracan assemblage, the writer here suggests that (1) this assemblage is characterized by leading members of Protomonocarina and Euestheria, rare but very important members of Xiangxiella and many members of Palaeolimnadiopsis and Diaplexa; (2) this fossil fauna has a close relation to that of the Heshanggou Formation, but itis more different from that of the Tongchuan Formation.It is of great significance to compare the regional stratigraphical sequence, because the strata containing this conchostracan fauna are more stable in North China.This fossil fauna may be called the Protomonocarina-Euesteria fauna, representing the conchostracan fauna of early Middle Triassic in North China and resembling the Xiangxiella fauna in South China.     

Taxonomic Notes on Nasutitermes and Bulbitermes (Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae) from the Sunda region of Southeast Asia based on morphological and molecular characters

The Sunda region of Southeastern Asia is rich in termite fauna, but termites from this region have been poorly described. In this study, we described eight species from two diverse genera from this region, and from the family Termitidae. We describe Bulbitermes 4 spp. and Nasutitermes 4 spp. from new field collections. Where possible we examine original holotype specimens, and describe the essential morphological characters for soldier and worker castes. We devise two new bifurcating keys to guide the field identification of each species. In addition, we develop a nucleotide sequence profile for the COI gene. From this molecular character matrix, we use Neighbour-Joining analysis to test the monophyly of each morphospecies and genus. We find that the morphological and molecular characters are highly concordant, whereby all taxa appear to represent distinct molecular clades. For termites, there is therefore agreement between the morphological taxonomic characters used to sort species from a bifurcating key and the molecular taxonomic characters used to sort species on a bifurcating tree. This joint analysis suggests that DNA barcoding holds considerable promise for termite taxonomy, especially for diverse clades like Bulbitermes and Nasutitermes for which a global morphological key would be intractable.     

Morphological,molecular identification and phylogenetic analysis of termites from western Ghats of Karnataka,India

Western Ghats of Karnataka, an important biodiversity hot spot in the world, rich in insect fauna including termites. Diversity of termites from this region poorly understood. In the present study, we have redescribed 12 species and termites belonging to two families viz., Rhinotermitidae and termitidae based on morphological and molecular differences employing mitochondrial 16s rRNA. Further we have employed Bayesian inference in order to understand phylogenetic relationships among different termite species studied. The integrative taxonomic approach was successful in delimiting the species studied in the present investigation.