In:
Journal of Tropical Ecology, Cambridge University Press (CUP), Vol. 22, No. 5 ( 2006-09), p. 609-612
Abstract:
Termites are dominant invertebrates in tropical soils (Wood & Sands 1978) and are important mediators of decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems (Abe & Matsumoto 1979, Lawton et al . 1996, Lee & Wood 1971, Matsumoto & Abe 1979, Wood & Sands 1978, Yamada et al . 2005). Furthermore, these processes, such as carbon mineralization and nitrogen fixation, are dependent on the species assemblage structure of the termite community (Lawton et al . 1996, Yamada et al . 2005, 2006). Feeding habits of termites reflect their metabolic processes. The three major isopteran groups – wood-feeders, fungus-growers (fungus-growing wood/litter feeders), soil-feeders – appear to play very different roles in the decomposition process (Tayasu et al . 1997, Wood 1976, Wood & Sands 1978, Yamada et al . 2005). Consequently, the relative abundance of each feeding group provides useful information on the function of the termite assemblage in an ecosystem.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0266-4674
,
1469-7831
DOI:
10.1017/S0266467406003403
Language:
English
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Publication Date:
2006
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1466679-0
SSG:
12
SSG:
23
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