Termitofauna (Insecta: Isoptera) em três fitofisionomias do agreste pernambucano, nordeste do Brasil

Abstract

The compositions of termite assemblages have been studied in several Neotropical ecosystems in semiarid to humid, but always in isolation. Abrupt altitudinal variations existing in the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil allows get out of a seasonally dry vegetation for a rainforest mountain in a few miles. The aim of this study was to characterize and compare the termite assemblages in different ecosystems along a humidity gradient. Collections were made in three areas: (i) wet mountain forests, (ii) hillside used for growing shade-grown coffee (Coffea arabica L.), (iii) seasonally dry forest (Caatinga). In each area a standardized protocol of active collecting was applied during the rainy season and dry. The species were grouped into categories according to the habitats and feeding habits. For each area, according to the period, were obtained species richness and number of meetings (used as an indicator of abundance). The assemblages in different areas and periods were ordered by non-metric multidimensional scaling and compared using analysis of similarity. The number of encounters by habitats and feeding groups were compared between areas and periods within each area using the Kruskal-Wallis also used to compare vegetation‘s variables between areas. We found a total of 45 species of termites, belonging to 20 genera and 3 families. The Caatinga‘s termite assemblage was so rich and abundant as to areas of rainforests, yet presented a specific composition quite unique. The agroecosystem (shaded coffee) was able to retain much of termite assemblage existing mountain in the forest area, and exclusive species. The Caatinga fauna was more modified by climatic period, showing a significantly lower abundance in the dry season. However, when taken together, wealth, abundance and species composition, the climatic period did not affect significantly the termitofauna in any of the areas studied. The number of encounter by feeding group and habitats explored did not differ between areas or between climatic periods. Even being adjacent areas, vegetation characteristics are able to maintain differences in fauna. The agroecosystem can be a good alternative to traditional forms of cultivation to be able to preserve an important part of the biodiversity in the environment unmodified.