Soil-feeding termite diversity and abundance in a natural tropical humid forest (Tai National Park, Côte d'Ivoire)

Abstract

This study aimed at contributing to the soil-feeding termite knowledge in the primary, secondary and swampy forest inside Taï National Park (Côte d'Ivoire). The objective was to assess the diversity and abundance of soil-feeding termite species in these different habitats. With a standardized method, data were collected on soil-feeding termite from habitats. The results showed a significant variation of soil-feeding termite subfamilies between the habitat types. 45 soil feeding termites species and morpho species have been recorded and identified. They belong to the Termitidae family, 3 subfamilies (Apicotermitinae, Cubitermitinae, and Termitinae), 28 genera and 428 occurrences. The highest occurrence of species (70.60%) belongs to the Apicotermitinae subfamily followed by the Termitinae (16.14%) and the Cubitermitinae (13.25%). This study has identified some new species belonging to Apicotermitinae subfamily in the Tai National Park using the anatomy of the gut of workers. These new species will be described later.