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Refuge in architecture: mounds and diversity of termite species from a Sahel and Sudan savannah

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Abstract

Mounds are prominent architectural features found in savannah ecosystems, where they play important roles. Although constant in form for many species, the appearance and type of mound can vary with environmental conditions such as rainfall, temperature, vegetation and locality. However, variability between mounds of same species in different habitats like savannah is not well studied. Here we compared the densities and architectural designs of mounds built by seven species of mound building termites found in two different savannah habitats. A low diversity (Shannon diversity index) was obtained for the Sahel compared to the Sudan region. Simpson’s diversity shows 64% and 67% chances of encountering any two of the species from Sahel and Sudan savannah respectively. Within species, there were no main difference in height, basal circumference and width of mounds except for the mounds of Macrotermes bellicosus. Commonly built mounds by the species were cathedral, cone, dome and mushroom shapes. The differential response to the two savannah types by the termite’s species suggest varying ability to respond to environmental selection pressures. Fungus growing termite, like Odontotermes, might have to trade mound modifications due to the environmental condition against mound structure beneficial to fungus growth.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Prof. Robin Crewe, Jannette Mitchell and colleagues from the Social Insects Research Group (SIRG) for their valid discussions and contributions to this work. We also thank Prof. Judith Korb and Prof. Guy Josens for providing the keys used for the identification of Macrotermes and Cubitermes to species level. Funding for this research was provided in part by: The University of Pretoria, The South African National Research Foundation (NRF) Incentive Funding for Rated Researchers (IFRR) to CWWP and AAY, Y-Rated Research Grant and Alexander von Humboldt’s Georg Foster HERMES Experienced Research Fellowship (grant nos. 3.4-NGA-1164298, ZAF-1164298 –GFHERMES-E) to AAY. IPA was supported by University of Pretoria Postgraduate Bursary and the Nigerian Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Social Insects Research Group (SIRG), Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X 20, Hatfield, 0028, Republic of South Africa

    I. P. Aiki, A. A. Yusuf & C. W. W. Pirk

  2. Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X 20, Hatfield, 0083, Republic of South Africa

    A. A. Yusuf & C. W. W. Pirk

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  1. I. P. Aiki
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Correspondence to I. P. Aiki.

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Aiki, I.P., Yusuf, A.A. & Pirk, C.W.W. Refuge in architecture: mounds and diversity of termite species from a Sahel and Sudan savannah. Int J Trop Insect Sci 41, 1365–1371 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-020-00330-5

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