TAXONOMY, DISTRIBUTION AND DIVERSITY OF TERMITE (ISOPTERA) FAUNA OF WESTERN GHATS
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Date
2017-03-17
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University of Agricultural & Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga
Abstract
Western Ghats is one of the important biodiversity hot spots in the world, rich in flora and fauna including insects. The diversity of termites from this region has been poorly described. Studies were made to identify the species diversity existing in Western Ghats with their distribution pattern. A total of 42 termite species belonging to 13 genera and six subfamilies under two families viz., Rhinotermitidae and Termitidae were recorded. Termitidae was the most dominant family which represented 97.99 per cent with 37 species in eleven genera. Among the subfamilies, Macrotermitinae contributed the highest (81.11%) followed by Amitermitinae (7.36%), Nasutitermitinae (6.68%), Termitinae (2.84%), Coptotermitinae (1.34%) and Heterotermitinae (0.67%) in the overall collections. Highest number of species (18) collected belongs to two genera, namely Microtermesand Odontotermes of the subfamily Macrotermitinae. An illustrated identification key was developed for the termite species collected in the study area. The morphological identification is consistent with the molecular findings. Statistically distinct 16S rRNA profiles were observed in Amitermitinae, Macrotermitinae, Nasutitermitinae and Rhinoterminae. Species diversity and richness varied across three habitats. The forest habitat had more number of species (12) than plantation habitat (10) and pasture habitat (7). Distribution maps were developed for all collected species, however, the following species recorded in only one locality which includes Coptotermeskishori, C. heimi, Heterotermesbalwanti, Eurytermesbuddha, E. assmuthiassmuthi,O. bhagwatii, O. globicola, O. horni, O. peshawarensis, Nasutitermesgardneri, Trinervitermesnigrirostris, Angulitermesfletcheriand Dicuspiditermesincola. All the collected specimens were deposited in Department of Entomology, UAHS, Shivamogga.