Confirmation of Soil-Feeding Termites (Isoptera; Termitidae; Termitinae) in Australia Using Stable Isotope Ratios

• Published in: Functional ecology 1998-08, Vol.12 (4), p.536-542
• Main Authors: Tayasu, I., Inoue, T., Miller, L. R., Sugimoto, A., Takeichi, S., Abe, T.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Biological taxonomies; Carbon; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Human ecology; Humification; Insect colonies; Isoptera; isotope effect; Isotope ratios; Isotopes; Nitrogen; nitrogen fixation; Nitrogen isotopes; phylogeny; Soil ecology; Synecology; Termites; Termitidae; Terrestrial ecosystems; wood‐feeding
• ISSN: 0269-8463; 1365-2435
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2435.1998.00220.x

1. Carbon (δ 13C) and nitrogen (δ 15N) stable isotope ratios of termites (Isoptera) were examined in Darwin, northern Australia. It is suggested that the stable isotope technique, together with phylogenetics, is a useful tool to understand the evolution of functional groups in detritivores. 2. A high δ 15N value was observed in the Termes-Capritermes branch of the subfamily Termitinae and the genus Amitermes, two distinct taxonomic groups that evolved from wood-feeding to soil-feeding in Australia. Among eight Termes-Capritermes branch species, only two species (Xylochomitermes melvillensis and Ephelotermes melachoma) were discernible as wood/soil interface feeders, the remaining six species analysed were soil-feeders, where the diet preference was identified by using δ 15N of workers. 3. The Termes-Capritermes group in Australia contains both wood/soil interface feeders and soil-feeders, whereas wood/soil interface feeders in Cameroon are from the Termes-Capritermes branch while soil-feeders are from Cubitermes group. The result confirmed that soil-feeding forms evolved both in Australia and Africa, but from different phylogenetic groups.