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Plant consumption by termites in the Kuwait desert ecosystem

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

Wasmia Al-Houty
Wasmia Al-Houty
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science University of Kuwait, P.O. Box 5969 Safat 13060, State of Kuwait, E-mail: biosc@kuniv.edu.kw
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Abstract

The termite species Psammotermes hybosloma Desneux and Anacanthotermes vagans (Hagen) foraging in the desert ecosystem of Kuwait preferred to consume dried leaves of Tamarix aphylla (L.) and Rhanterium epapposium Oliv. over the other plant species tested. This preference varied with season. The termites consumed more food during summer than winter, with the highest consumption being recorded in September, the time of the year when the food plants dry up and can be readily cut into fragments which are carried by workers to the underground nest. These results indicate that the contribution of termites to the removal of desert vegetation is less than that of other soil fauna.

Résumé

De toutes les espèces végétales testées pour leur préférence alimentaire par les termites, deux termites Psammotermes hybostoma Desneux et Anacantotermes vagans (Hagen) qui fouillent l'écosystème désertique du Koweit, préféraient consommer les feuilles sèches de Tamarix aphylla (L.) et celles de Rhanterium epapposium Oliv.; et cette préférence variait avec la saison. Les termites se nourrissaient plus en été qu'en hiver et la plus grande consommation était observée au mois de septembre. C'est au cours de cette période de l'année que les végétaux se desséchent et s'apprêtent le mieux être mis en menus morceaux qui sont emportés par les ouvriers dans galeries souterraines des termitières. Ces résultats indiquent que dans le désert, la contribution des termites dans la destruction des végétaux est minime, en comparaison avec celle effectuée par le reste de la faune terrestre.

Keywords

ecosystemdeserttermiteplant consumptionKuwaitécosystèmedéserttermiteconsommation végétaleKoweit
Type
Research Articles
Information
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science , Volume 19 , Issue 1 , March 1999 , pp. 37 - 42
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1999

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