JOURNAL of Soil Biology and Ecology

The structure and chemical composition of the fungus combs from the mound-building termite Odontotermes obesus (Rambur).

Author:

T.G. AVINASH AND N.G. KUMAR

Abstract :

The mound-building termite Odontotermes obesus (Rambur) belongs to the subfamily Macrotermitinae, family Termitidae, and Order Isoptera. Termites are ecosystem engineers and involve bioturbation, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. O. obesus is widely distributed and considered a significant pest of agricultural and horticultural crops, forest plantations and woodworks. The colony inmates deposit the excretory pellets (partially digested cellulose and lignin) in the unilocular fungal chambers of the nest to cultivate the fungal garden (round or irregularly shaped) for further digestion. The combs are situated close to the base of the mounds. The mean weight of the fungal comb in a dissected mound was 3.68 ± 1.56 kg. The eggs, early developing nymphs, workers and soldiers were in the combs. The ratio of workers, soldiers and nymphs varies. The investigation revealed that the fungus comb, contains 44.65 % moisture with 4.99 pH and 0.56mmhos/cm EC. Further, comb possesses 11.53% organic carbon, 0.84 % total nitrogen, 0.03% of total phosphorus, 0.089% of total potassium, 85 meq/100g of exchangeable calcium, and 21 meq/100g of exchangeable magnesium.

Key words: Odontotermes obesus, faecal pellets, organic carbon, unilocular fungal combs

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