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(Reference retrieved automatically from SciELO through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Nest plasticity of Cornitermes silvestrii (Isoptera, Termitidae, Syntermitinae) in response to flood pulse in the Pantanal, Mato Grosso, Brazil

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Author(s):
Tarik G. D. Plaza [1, 2] ; Tiago F. Carrijo [1] ; Eliana M. Cancello [1]
Total Authors: 3
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Museu Zool, BR-04263000 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[2] Univ Estado Mato Grosso UNEMAT, BR-78690000 Nova Xavantina, MT - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Journal article
Source: Revista Brasileira de Entomologia; v. 58, n. 1, p. 66-70, 2014-03-00.
Abstract

Nest plasticity of Cornitermes silvestrii (Isoptera, Termitidae, Syntermitinae) in response to flood pulse in the Pantanal, Mato Grosso, Brazil. The Pantanal is one of the largest wetlands in the world. Since many areas in Pantanal are flooded during part of the year, it is expected that plants and animals would have mechanisms for their survival during the flooded period. This study investigated the existence of differences in nest shape and inquilines of Cornitermes silvestrii in areas influenced by the flood pulse. We measured the volume, height, width, and height/width ratio of 32 nests in flooded areas and 27 in dry areas, and performed an one-way-Anova with the quasi-Poisson distribution to determine if there were differences in the nest measurements between the points. To analyze the relationship of nest inquilines to flood pulse and nest shape, we performed a regression with a Poisson distribution with the inquiline richness and flood pulse, and the above measurements. The nests of C. silvestrii in flooded areas were significantly higher than nests in dry areas, and had a larger height/width ratio. Colonies in periodically flooded areas would probably make a larger effort to extend their nests vertically, to maintain at least some portion of the structure out of the water and prevent the entire colony from being submerged. Neither the size of the nest nor the flood pulses influenced the assemblage of 11 species found in nests of C. silvestrii. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 13/03767-0 - Phylogeography of the Heterotermes tenuis (Hagen, 1858) species complex (Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae)
Grantee:Tiago Fernandes Carrijo
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral