O presente trabalho trata da revisão taxonômica e análise filogenética do gênero Armitermes Wasman, 1897 (Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae), que até esta revisão contava com 12 espécies: A. armiger, A. cerradoensis, A. euamignathus, A. gnomus, A grandidens, A. holmgreni, A. lane, A. manni, A. minutus, A. peruanus, A. projectidens e A. teevani, ocorrendo em toda Região Neotropical. Nesse trabalho, além da proposta de quatro espécies novas e duas sinonímias (A. cerradoensis com A. euamignathus e A. projectidens com A. manni), também se realizou uma análise filogenética e o resultado corrobora a criação de quatro novos gêneros, propostos com base no estudo da morfologia. Todos os soldados foram descritos e ilustrados, além das mandíbulas e tubo digestivo do operário e da casta do alado, quando disponível. Também foram incluídas chaves dicotômicas, baseadas na casta do soldado, para identificação das espécies dos gêneros propostos, além de mapas com a distribuição geográfica das espécies. / The present work deals with the taxonomic revision of the genus Armitermes Wasman, 1897 (Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae), which counts 12 species at the moment: A. armiger, A. cerradoensis, A. euamignathus, A. gnomus, A. grandidens, A. holmgreni, A. lanei, A. manni, A. minutus, A. peruanus, A. projectidens and A. teevani, occurring in all Neotropics. In this work, besides the proposal of four new species and two new synonymies (A. cerradoensis with A. euamignathus and A. projectidens with A. manni), a phylogenetic analysis was accomplished and its results used to support the proposal of four new genera based on morphology. All soldiers were described and illustrated, the mandibles and digestive tract of the worker and the imago caste, when available. Dichotomous keys based on soldiers were also included, for identifying the species of the genera proposed, as well as maps with the geographical distribution of species.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-17T14:55:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ArquivoTotalAlexandre.pdf: 4361037 bytes, checksum: 30d0dbe76d670583e9a0738af171e654 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2003-12-18 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Communities of termites in the Atlantic forest of Northeast Brazil were studied at four forest remnants, northern of the River São Francisco, namely: Reserva Biológica de Pedra Talhada (RPT), State of Alagoas; Horto Dois Irmãos (HDI), State of Pernambuco; Reserva Biológica Guaribas (RBG) and Mata do Buraquinho (MAB), both in the State of Paraíba. Several aspects of the ecology and natural history of these insects were analysed, with emphases on (i) their taxonomic and functional structures and seasonal influence on the diversity and richness of species at all localities (RPT, HDI, RGB, MAB); (ii) the abundance and biomass of populations in the RPT, HDI, and MAB; (iii) the participation of three species of Nasutitermes on removal of wood from the necromass in the HDI and MAB; (iv) the seasonal effects on abundance and biomass of termites on leaf litter, wood, soil, and tree trunks in the RBG; and (v) the abundance and spatial distribution of conspicuous nests at two sites with different successional stages in the RBG. In total, 61 species of termites were found, most of them of the family Termitidae (78,7%), followed by the families Kalotermitidae (14,7%) and Rhinotermitidae (6,6%). Ten species are reported here for the first time as occurring in the Atlantic forest. Among the identified species, 23 also occur in the Amazonian forest, showing that both biomes have similar termite fauna. The taxonomic and functional structures of the communities collected throughout the dry and rain seasons were quite similar, suggesting that the survey protocolo of termite biodiversity can be applied at any period of the year without altering drastically the communities structure. The abundance varied from 4951 to 5663 termites/m2 and biomas varied from 8,05 to 10,64g (fresh weight)/ m2. The termites were found mainly in the soil, 0-20 cm depth, and in dead wood. Two species were most abundant, Embiratermes parvirostris and Nasutitermes corniger. The average of wood consumption in laboratory of N. corniger, N. ephratae and N. macrocephalus was 9,43 mg (dry weight)  g of termite (fresh weight) -1  day-1. These three species alone remove from the HDI and MAB areas ca.67 and 73 g of wood  ha-1  year-1, respectively, which mean 2,9% and 3,3% of the total animal production of dead wood, respectively. However, 25 species of termites in the MAB and 21 in the HDI utilize wood as their nutrient source, suggesting that termites participation on removal of wood could be higher than 15% of the annual production. The quantitative sampling performed in the leaf litter, nests, soil, and tree trunks revealed large xv abundance and biomass of specimens of the subfamily Nasutitermitinae and of individuals of humus feeding group. The seasonal influence on the fauna of termites was only perceptible in nests and tree trunks, which appears to be related to the effects of one season on the production of wringed brood, foraging activity, and production of plant necromass. Eight termite species are conspicuous nest-builders in the studied areas, noticeably the abundant constructions built Microcerotermes exiguus and N. corniger. The spatial distribution of nests by each species and feeding groups was in the most cases at random, suggesting that competition does not represent an important determining factor of the spatial distribution pattern of nests. The analyses of abundance, taxonomic composition, and feeding groups of nest-builders species showed to be an additional tool for the evaluation of the habitat quality, indicating a more mature stage in the successional process. / As comunidades de cupins de Mata Atlântica do Nordeste Brasileiro foram estudadas em quatroremanescentes localizados ao Norte do Rio São Francisco: Reserva Biológica de Pedra Talhada(RPT), Alagoas; Horto Dois Irmãos (HDI), Pernambuco; Reserva Biológica Guaribas (RBG),Paraíba e Mata do Buraquinho (MAB), Paraíba. Vários aspectos da ecologia e história naturaldestes insetos foram analisados, entre eles destacam-se: (i) as estruturas taxonômicas e funcionaise a influência da sazonalidade sobre a diversidade e riqueza de espécies na RPT, RBG, HDI eMAB; (ii) a abundância e biomassa das populações na RPT, HDI e MAB; (iii) a participação detrês espécies de Nasutitermes na remoção de madeira da necromassa no HDI e MAB; (iv) osefeitos estacionais sobre a abundância e biomassa de cupins do folhiço, madeira, solo e troncosna RBG; e (v) a abundância e distribuição espacial de ninhos conspícuos em duas áreas comdiferentes estádios de sucessão da vegetação na RBG. No total, 61 espécies de cupins foramencontradas, sendo a maioria da família Termitidae (78,7%), seguida pelas famíliasKalotermitidae (14,7) e Rhinotermitidae (6,6%). Dez espécies representaram novas ocorrênciaspara a Mata Atlântica. Entre as espécies identificadas, 23 também ocorrem na FlorestaAmazônica, evidenciando a similaridade da fauna de cupins desses biomas. As estruturastaxonômicas e funcionais das comunidades coletadas nas estações seca e chuvosa foram bastantesimilares, sugerindo que os protocolos de levantamento de biodiversidade termítica podem seraplicados em qualquer período do ano sem alterar drasticamente a estrutura da comunidade. Aabundância variou de 4950,9 a 5662,5 cupins/m2 e a biomassa de 8,05 a 10,64g (peso fresco)/m2.Os cupins foram encontrados principalmente no solo, entre 0-20cm de profundidade, e emmadeira morta. Duas espécies destacaram-se pela abundância: Embiratermes parvirostris eNasutitermes corniger. O consumo médio de madeiras em laboratório por Nasutitermes corniger,N. ephratae e N. macrocephalus foi 9,43 mg (peso seco)  g de cupim (peso fresco)-1  dia-1.Apenas essas três espécies removem no HDI e MAB 66,92 e 72,85 kg madeira  ha-1  ano-1,respectivamente, correspondendo a 2,9 e 3,3% do total da produção anual de madeira danecromassa. No entanto, 25 espécies de cupins na MAB e 21 no HDI utilizam a madeira comofonte de nutriente, sugerindo que a participação dos cupins na remoção de madeira pode sersuperior a 15% da produção anual. As amostragens quantitativas no folhiço, ninhos, solo etroncos revelam a grande abundância e biomassa da subfamília Nasutitermitinae e do grupoalimentar dos consumidores de húmus. A influência estacional sobre a fauna de cupins só foiperceptível nos ninhos e nos troncos, e esteve aparentemente relacionada com os efeitos dedeterminada estação sobre a produção da ninhada de alados, atividade de forrageamento eprodução da necromassa vegetal. Oito espécies de cupins são construtoras de ninhos conspícuosnas áreas estudadas, mas destacam-se, pela abundância de suas construções, Microcerotermesexiguus e N. corniger. A distribuição espacial dos ninhos por espécies e grupos alimentares foi,na maioria dos casos, aleatória, sugerindo que a competição não representa um fator importantena determinação do padrão de distribuição espacial dos ninhos. As análises de abundância,composição taxonômica e grupos alimentares das espécies construtoras de ninhos mostrou-secomo ferramenta adicional na avaliação da qualidade do habitat, indicando um estádio maismaturo no processo sucessional.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:10:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 WagnerFA.pdf: 949207 bytes, checksum: 1642a41f4438f386bacb7e23ce88b3a9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-06-26 / The composition of termite assemblages was analyzed at three Caatinga sites of the Serid? Ecological Station, located in the municipality of Serra Negra do Norte, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. These sites have been subjected to selective logging, and cleared for pasture and farming. A standardized sampling protocol for termite assemblages (30h/person/site) was conducted between September 2007 and February 2009. At each site we measured environmental variables, such as soil granulometry, pH and organic matter, necromass stock, vegetation height, tree density, stem diameter at ankle height (DAH) and the largest and the smallest crown width. Ten species of termites, belonging to eight genera and three families, were found at the three experimental sites. Four feeding-groups were sampled: wood-feeders, soil-feeders, wood-soil interface feeders and leaf-feeders. The wood-feeders were dominant in number of species and number of encounters at all sites. In general, the sites were not significantly different in relation to the environmental variables measured. The same pattern was observed for termite assemblages, where no significant differences in species richness, relative abundance and taxonomic and functional composition were observed between the three sites. The agreement between the composition of assemblages and environmental variables reinforces the potential of termites as biological indicators of habitat quality / A composi??o das taxocenoses de t?rmitas foi analisada em tr?s ?reas de Caatinga na Esta??o Ecol?gica do Serid?, localizada no munic?pio de Serra Negra do Norte, Estado do Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil. As tr?s ?reas sofreram cortes seletivos e foram utilizadas para atividades de pastagem e agricultura. No per?odo de setembro de 2007 a fevereiro de 2009 foi aplicado um protocolo padronizado de amostragem de t?rmitas e vari?veis ambientais foram mensuradas em cada ?rea, como granulometria, pH e mat?ria org?nica do solo, estoque de necromassa, altura da vegeta??o, densidade de ?rvores, di?metro dos caules ? altura do tornozelo (DAT) e comprimento maior e menor das copas. Foram encontradas 10 esp?cies de t?rmitas pertencentes a oito g?neros nas tr?s ?reas estudadas. Al?m disso, foram identificados quatro grupos alimentares: consumidores de madeira, consumidores de h?mus, consumidores de madeira/h?mus e consumidores de folhas. Os consumidores de madeira foram dominantes em todas as ?reas, tanto em n?mero de esp?cies quanto em n?mero de encontros. No geral, as ?reas n?o foram significativamente diferentes em rela??o ?s vari?veis ambientais mensuradas. O mesmo padr?o foi observado para as taxocenoses de t?rmitas, n?o havendo diferen?a significativa da riqueza de esp?cies, abund?ncia relativa e composi??o dos grupos alimentares e taxon?micos entre as tr?s ?reas. A sintonia entre a composi??o das taxocenoses e as vari?veis ambientais refor?a o potencial dos t?rmitas como indicadores biol?gicos de qualidade de habitat

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:33:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 HeitorBAS_DISSERT.pdf: 387151 bytes, checksum: a2b73fdba420696aff0ff91c7e9c1bd2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-23 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / Intending to explain the extraordinary lizard coexistence levels found in Australian deserts, Morton & James (1988) figured out a hypothesis which defends that the termite diversity would bring about lizard radiation. This study aims to verify the validation of that hypothesis in Caatinga lizard assemblages. This study also objectives verifying if the termite defense mechanisms influence their consuming levels by lizards and if this pattern differs between different lizard lineages. Termites were collected using a standardized sampling protocol of termites. Besides using haphazard sampling, we collect lizards with 108 pitfall traps in each area. Intending to check the linkage between the termite and lizard assemblages, the lizard stomach contents were analyzed and then a canonical correspondence analysis was performed. The presence of nonrandom patterns of diet overlap among the lizard species was also examined. Aiming to check if the defense mechanisms of termite influence their consuming pattern by lizards it was performed a laboratory experiment where termite with different defense mechanisms were offered to lizards of two different lineages. We verified that lizard assemblages do not consume termites according to termite abundance in ecosystems. Furthermore, mean niche overlap lizard species did not differ significantly from that expected by chance. We found that termite chemical defense mechanism does influence the termite s pattern consuming by lizards. These results do not corroborate premises which support Morton & James hypothesis (1988) and point out that lizard do not chose termites based on their abundance, but, trying to avoid consuming termites which exhibit chemical defense mechanisms. This defense mechanism, however, may not be the only explanation to patterns of termite s consuming by lizards. / Ao tentar explicar a extraordin?ria taxa de coexist?ncia de lagartos em desertos Australianos, Morton & James (1988) formularam uma hip?tese em que a diversidade de t?rmitas promoveria uma diversifica??o dos lagartos. O presente estudo visa verificar se essa hip?tese ? v?lida para as taxocenoses de lagartos da Caatinga. Objetiva-se tamb?m verificar se os mecanismos de defesa dos t?rmitas influenciam a taxa com que esses s?o consumidos pelos lagartos e se esse padr?o difere entre diferentes linhagens de lagartos. Para a coleta dos t?rmitas foi aplicado um protocolo padronizado de amostragem term?tica. Para a coleta dos lagartos, al?m da busca ativa, foram instaladas 108 armadilhas de queda em cada ?rea. Para verificar a rela??o entre as taxocenoses de lagartos e t?rmitas foi analisado o conte?do estomacal dos lagartos e, em seguida, foi realizada uma An?lise de Correspond?ncia Can?nica. Posteriormente realizou-se uma an?lise de sobreposi??o de nicho. Para verificar se o mecanismo de defesa dos t?rmitas influencia o seu padr?o de consumo pelos lagartos, realizou-se um experimento onde se ofertou t?rmitas com diferentes mecanismos de defesa para lagartos de duas linhagens diferentes. Verificou-se que a taxocenose de lagartos n?o consome os t?rmitas de acordo com a abund?ncia destes no ecossistema. Al?m disso, a sobreposi??o de nicho alimentar n?o foi menor do que o esperado ao acaso. Verificou-se que o mecanismo de defesa qu?mica influencia sim o padr?o de consumo dos t?rmitas pelos lagartos. Esses resultados n?o corroboram as premissas que alicer?am a hip?tese de Morton & James (1988) e indicam que os lagartos n?o selecionam os t?rmitas a serem consumidos devido ? sua abund?ncia, mas, sim, de modo a evitar t?rmitas que exibissem mecanismos de defesa qu?mica. A presen?a desse mecanismo de defesa, por?m, parece n?o ser a ?nica explica??o para o padr?o de consumo dos t?rmitas pelos lagartos.

The current application of low persistence pesticides is unreliable for protecting wooden structures from termite attack. These applications may also pose an environmental and public health risk. Consequently, there is a need for the development of alternative systems to protect wooden structures from termites. Investigated here is the interaction between Australian termites, Coptotermes acinaciformis Froggatt, and to a lesser extent, Mastotermes darwiniensis Froggatt and Schedorhinotermes seclusus Hill, and a barrier system for protection of wooden structures. The aim was to develop an improved barrier for the protection of wooden structures that maximizes protection and minimizes environmental and health risks. Specifically, the performance of a barrier to protect wood against termite attack that incorporates a synthetic pyrethroid into polyurethane formulations is investigated. This research was conducted in parallel with other project contributors focusing on material science aspects of the research goals. A fundamental problem in assessing the value of termite barrier strategies lies in developing and interpreting laboratory assays that can deliver reasonable predictions of performance in the field. This is particularly the case with respect to the behaviour of termites over much longer periods in the field than can be undertaken in the laboratory. The approach to laboratory trials presented here is to define individual termite capabilities and, in combination with behavioural studies, to develop an understanding of factors which affect termite performance. The key experimental approach involved various laboratory based assays to evaluate termite foraging behaviour and performance against a range of barrier materials, progressing to field trials with the best performing material. Various species of termites; M. darwiniensis (Mastotermitidae), Cryptotermes primus (Hill) (Kalotermitidae), C. acinaciformis , Coptotermes frenchi Hill and S. seclusus (Rhinotermitidae), Microcerotermes serratus (Froggatt), Microcerotermes turneri (Froggatt) and Nasutitermes walkeri (Hill) (Termitidae) and Porotermes adamsoni (Froggatt) (Termopsidae); were investigated to determine the force that they can develop at their mandible tips. Larger termites can generate higher pressures on their mandible tips than smaller termites. By quantifying the mandible strength of a termite it was possible to contrast the capabilities of various economic termite species. Damage caused by an individual termite biting on synthetic materials was measured using electron microscope generated three dimensional models of indentations caused to the material. This was successful in quantifying the immediate capabilities of individual termites of different species. Most species were found to inflict a similar amount of damage to high density polyethylene. However M. darwiniensis caused much more damage than other species examined. Micro hardness testing was utilized to determine the relative hardness of pest termite mandibles. Termites were found to have mandibles much harder than any tested synthetic material. It was therefore found to be unrealistic to aim to develop barrier technology based on “harder than termite mandible material”. Trials using groups of termites in the laboratory demonstrated large differences in the performance of termites against various synthetic materials. There was a tendency for harder materials to suffer less damage. Mechanical properties of the barrier alone were found to be insufficient to stop termite damage. The resistance of polyurethane formulations incorporating insecticides to termite attack in the laboratory demonstrated a potential suitability for termite barrier technology. In behaviour trials, persistence of termite attack at the barrier face was found to be due not only to deterrent chemicals, but also to physical characteristics. Softer materials are not only easier for termites to remove but termites attack softer materials with greater tenacity, more termites spend more time attacking softer materials. Laboratory toxicity trials confirmed the bioavailability of Bifenthrin when incorporated within the barrier material and enabled the establishment of expected concentrations for effective protection. Termites were found to require direct contact with the barrier for mortality to occur. Trials designed to quantify repellence of the Bifenthrin in the barrier found that termites did not escape mortality by avoiding contact with the barrier material. As such pure Bifenthrin is shown to protect the barrier material directly by causing mortality rather than by repelling live termites away from the barrier. Field trials were conducted in northern Queensland where colonies of economic termites could be directly targeted. Wooden blocks were coated in polyurethane containing a range of Bifenthrin concentrations and trialed over an eight month period. Combination of the pyrethroid Bifenthrin in a polyurethane barrier at concentrations as low as 0.07% proved successful in preventing damage by the economically important termites M. darwiniensis and C. acinaciformis under high pressure field conditions. Only very small amounts of Bifenthrin migrated into adjacent soil, concentrations reached were in the order of 100 µg/kg of soil. For comparison the MLR for Bifenthrin in bananas for human consumption is 100 µg/kg. Bifenthrin in a polyurethane barrier could be used for the protection of houses and other wooden structures in the same manner as existing barrier film technology in order to minimise environmental and health risks associated with direct pesticide application techniques.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:35:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2007-08-20Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:46:52Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 casarin_fe_dr_rcla.pdf: 759241 bytes, checksum: 803110f7a1a06bc31e843e1cad93a654 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O cupim exótico Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann, 1896) é a principal praga responsável por danos econômicos nas áreas urbanas da região sudeste do Brasil. No presente estudo foram realizados testes laboratoriais e de campo para avaliar a eficiência dos ingredientes ativos sulfluramida, hidrametilnona, ácido bórico, fipronil, piriproxifen e ciromazina para uso em iscas de controle desse cupim. Inicialmente, foram realizados experimentos em placas de Petri com o objetivo de selecionar as melhores concentrações de baixa toxicidade e que não fossem repelentes ou inibissem a alimentação dos cupins. As concentrações selecionadas foram usadas em uma segunda etapa de testes, nos quais foram utilizados um número maior de cupins. Os experimentos laboratoriais permitiram a seleção das seguintes concentrações para testes em campo: 0,01 ppm de sulfluramida; 200 ppm de hidrametilnona; entre 12.500 e 15.000 ppm de ciromazina; entre 1.000 e 12.500 ppm de piriproxifen; entre 3.000 e 2.000 ppm de ácido bórico. Somente, o ingrediente ativo fipronil não se mostrou adequado para uso em isca, devido à alta mortalidade obtida em todos os experimentos. Previamente aos testes de campo, foram estimados os territórios e as populações forrageiras das colônias de C. gestroi das áreas escolhidas. Os resultados de campo obtidos para C. gestroi nas áreas I (P.S.), II (L.U.) e III (S.O.R.) mostraram que não ocorreu nenhuma repelência ou inibição do consumo do papelão impregnado com os princípios ativos sulfluramida à 0,1 ppm, hidrametilnona à 400 ppm e ciromazina à 15.000 ppm. Contudo, o número de iscas e as concentrações utilizadas destes produtos não foram suficientes para eliminar nenhuma das colônias estudadas. Os resultados também sugerem que, em colônias naturais, as diferentes fontes alimentares exploradas pelos cupins subterrâneos e a competição... / The subterranean termite Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann, 1896) is a pest of major economic importance in the urban environments of southeastern Brazil. In this study, we performed laboratory and field experiments to evaluate the efficacy of sulfluramid, hydramethylnon, boric acid, fipronil, pyriproxyfen and cyromazine as active ingredients in bait. In the first experiment, we tested different concentrations of these active ingredients in Petri dishes, searching for the best slow-acting and non-repellent concentrations for this termite. Concentrations selected from the initial experiment were used in a second laboratory experiment using a large number of individuals. From the results of this second experiment we selected the following concentrations to be fieldtested: 0.01 ppm of sulfluramid; 200 ppm of hydramethylnon; between 12,500 and 15,000 ppm of cyromazine; between 1,000 and 12,500 ppm of pyriproxyfen; between 3,000 and 2,000 ppm of boric acid. The data displayed a fast mortality of termites exposed to fipronil, even in small concentrations, therefore demonstrating that it is not a suitable chemical to be used in baits against C. gestroi. For field experiments, we estimated population and territory size from three colonies of C. gestroi present at the experimental site. Field results showed no repellence for site I (P.S.), II (L.U.) and III (S.O.R.) using sulfluramid 0.1 ppm, hydramethylnon 400 ppm, and cyromazine 15,000 ppm. However, the number of baited used at the selected concentrations were not sufficient to totally eliminate the colonies. This result suggests that, in natural colonies of subterranean termites, different food resources and competition, in this case with the native species Heterotermes tenuis, could influence the success of the control programs.

Submitted by Luiza Helena Bueno da Silva null (bueno.luizah@gmail.com) on 2017-10-02T13:04:18Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação Luiza.pdf: 2492240 bytes, checksum: 760cbfcbde8b0aca71cdc95bd132254b (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Monique Sasaki (sayumi_sasaki@hotmail.com) on 2017-10-02T18:31:27Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 silva_lhb_me_rcla.pdf: 2492240 bytes, checksum: 760cbfcbde8b0aca71cdc95bd132254b (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-10-02T18:31:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 silva_lhb_me_rcla.pdf: 2492240 bytes, checksum: 760cbfcbde8b0aca71cdc95bd132254b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-08-03 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / A presença de cadáveres no interior dos ninhos dos insetos sociais pode propiciar a contaminação com patógenos e prejudicar a integridade da colônia. O comportamento higiênico frente a cadáveres é imprescindível na manutenção da homeostase do ninho, mas em cupins ainda é pouco conhecido. Assim, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi estudar o comportamento higiênico diante de cadáveres de diferentes origens em três espécies de cupins com distintos tipos de nidificação. O cupim de madeira seca Cryptotermes brevis vive no interior do próprio alimento, o cupim Cornitermes cumulans constrói ninhos epígeos e o cupim Coptotermes gestroi é subterrâneo e constrói ninhos polidômicos. Diferentes bioensaios foram realizados com colônias de C. brevis e C. cumulans, nas quais foram introduzidos cadáveres de operários da mesma colônia, de outra colônia e de outra espécie. Adicionalmente, bioensaios foram realizados com subcolônias de C. gestroi (grupos de 300 operários e 15 soldados), nas quais foram inseridos cadáveres de operários e soldados da mesma colônia, de outra colônia e de outra espécie mortos recentemente e há 24 horas. Os bioensaios foram filmados e as respostas comportamentais dos indivíduos próximos aos cadáveres foram registradas. O repertório comportamental de C. brevis diante de cadáveres incluiu antenação, agonismo, alarme, recuo, grooming e consumo dos mesmos. Ninfas e falsos-operários de C. brevis consumiram os cadáveres, independentemente, da origem dos mesmos, mas evitaram a ingestão das partes quitinosas da cabeça. Nesta espécie, o consumo de cadáveres, além de desempenhar função higiênica, parece ser uma estratégia de aquisição de nitrogênio e água. O casal real das colônias de C. brevis observadas não participou do comportamento higiênico. O repertório comportamental de C. cumulans incluiu diferentes atividades, tais como: antenação, agonismo, alarme, recuo, grooming, deposição de material fecal, enterro com solo e transporte do cadáver para o ninho. Nesta espécie, corpos de origem interespecífica e intercolonial foram cobertos com solo após grooming. Corpos de companheiros de ninho foram enterrados (60% das repetições), carregados para o ninho (30%) ou ignorados após serem submetidos ao grooming (10%), o que indica uma plasticidade comportamental em C. cumulans. Em subcolônias de C. gestroi o repertório comportamental incluiu atividades como: antenação, recuo, grooming, agonismo, alarme, deposição de solo e consumo integral ou parcial do cadáver. Soldados de grupos de C. gestroi não consumiram ou enterraram cadáveres. Corpos de operários de diferentes origens foram discriminados por subcolônias de C. gestroi, o que não aconteceu com cadáveres de soldados com tempo de post-mortem maior. Cadáveres de cupins de outras espécies e de outras colônias foram enterrados após grooming por grupos de C. gestroi, porém companheiros de ninho foram preferencialmente canibalizados. O caráter higiênico do comportamento de grooming em cadáveres juntamente com o isolamento físico por meio do enterro dos mesmos com solo colabora para a não dispersão de patógenos entre membros da colônia. Os resultados do presente trabalho mostram que os cupins realizam o comportamento higiênico em cadáveres de térmitas de diferentes origens, contudo este processo foi mais simples em C. brevis, cupim com nidificação do tipo “uma peça”. Nos cupins “múltiplas peças” tais como C. gestroi e C. cumulans, o comportamento higiênico foi mais complexo, com recrutamento de indivíduos, mostrando que o manejo de cadáveres é essencial para o desenvolvimento e homeostase destes ninhos. / The presence of dead individuals inside nests of social insects can be a risk of contamination with pathogens and damage the integrity of the colony. The hygienic behavior towards corpses is essential in maintaining nest homeostasis, but in termites it is still little known. Thus, the objective of the present study was to observe the hygienic behavior towards corpses from different origins in three species of termites with distinct types of nesting. The drywood termite Cryptotermes brevis lives inside its own food, Cornitermes cumulans builds mound nests and Coptotermes gestroi is a subterranean termite that builds polydomous nests. Different bioassays were performed with colonies of C. brevis and C. cumulans, in which corpses of workers of termites from the same colony, from another colony and from another species were introduced. Additionally, bioassays of subcolonies of C.gestroi were performed in which corpses of workers and soldiers from the same colony, from another colony and from another species freshly dead and dead for 24 hours were introduced. The bioassays were recorded and the behavioral responses from the different species were registered. The results showed that the behavioral repertoire of C. brevis towards corpses included: antenation, aggression, alarm, retreat, grooming and consumption. Nymphs and pseudergates of C. brevis consumed the corpses independently of their origin, but they avoided the chitinous parts of the head. In this species, consumption of dead individuals, besides performing a hygienic function, seems to be a strategy of nitrogen and water acquisition. The royal couple of C. brevis colonies observed did not participate of the hygienic behavior. The behavioral repertoire of C. cumulans towards corpses included activities, such as: antenation, agression, alarm, retreat, grooming, deposition of fecal material, entombment and transport of corpse to the nest. In this species, inter-specific and inter-colonial corpses were covered with soil after being groomed. Nestmate corpses were entombed (60% of replications), transported to the nest (30%) or ignored after being submitted to grooming (10%), which indicates the behavioral plasticity of the C. cumulans species. In subcolonies of C. gestroi the behavioral repertoire included activities such as: antenation, retreat, grooming, aggression, alarm, deposition of soil, integral or partial consumption of corpses. Soldiers of C. gestroi subcolonies never consumed or buried corpses. However, corpses of workers from different origins were discriminated by C. gestroi subcolonies, which did not occurred with corpses of soldiers with longer period of post-mortem. Termite corpses from another species or from another colony were buried after being groomed by C. gestroi groups, but nestmate corpses were preferably cannibalized. The hygienic character of grooming behavior in corpses along with the physical isolation through entombment with soil contributes to the non-dispersion of pathogens among colony members. The results of the present study indicate that termites perform hygienic behavior in termite corpses from different origins, however, this process was less elaborate in C. brevis, one-piece nesting termite. In multiple-pieces nesting termites, such as C. gestroi and C. cumulans, the hygienic behavior was more complex, with recruitment of individuals, showing that the management of corpses is essential for the development and homeostasis of the termite nests.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:30:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-06-03Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:40:01Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 laranjo_lt_me_rcla.pdf: 1444025 bytes, checksum: 5b1c2c601622479b8f8fb4e3845e2c28 (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Heterotermes tenuis é uma espécie de cupim nativa da região Neotropical, conhecida como praga agrícola e urbana. Essa espécie causa sérios danos econômicos em culturas de cana-de-açúcar e ataca madeiras e derivados celulósicos em cidades. H. tenuis apresenta hábitos subterrâneos e indivíduos de pequeno porte, com soldados dimórficos. A diferenciação de castas nos cupins é um processo complexo ainda não totalmente esclarecido. Em vista disso, o objetivo do presente estudo foi entender a diferenciação de soldados no cupim H. tenuis a partir de agrupamentos de operários. Para isso, no Capítulo I, foram apresentados os resultados dos bioensaios desenvolvidos para observar a influência de fatores extrínsecos e intrínsecos, entre eles, número de operários agrupados, temperatura, fontes alimentares e ingestão de diferentes concentrações de piriproxifen, um análogo de hormônio juvenil. Agrupamentos com 50, 100, 200 e 300 operários formaram uma baixa proporção de soldados. O uso de piriproxifen originou pré-soldados e também intercastas, sendo que a formação de pré-soldados foi maior na concentração de 10 ppm. Já no Capítulo II, o foco do estudo foram as mudanças morfológicas externas e internas ocorridas durante o processo de diferenciação de soldados. Para isso, operários, pré-soldados, soldados e intercastas foram submetidos à análise biométrica e histológica. Além disso, foi realizada a identificação do sexo dos soldados e a determinação da duração do ínstar de pré-soldado. Este ínstar durou cerca de 15 dias em temperatura ambiente e os pré-soldados diferiram biometricamente dos soldados, principalmente, pelo comprimento da cápsula cefálica e do tórax. As intercastas obtidas foram do tipo operário-soldado. Soldados menores de H. tenuis foram todos machos enquanto os soldados maiores apresentaram uma proporção de aproximadamente... / Heterotermes tenuis is a native species of termite, known as an agricultural and urban pest. This species causes serious economic damages on crops of sugar cane and attacks wood and cellulosic derivatives in cities. H. tenuis has subterranean habits and small individuals, with dimorphic soldiers. Differentiation of castes in termites is a complex process not yet fully understood. In this study we aimed to understand the differentiation of H. tenuis soldiers, originated from groups of workers. In Chapter I, we presented the results of bioassays developed to observe the influence of extrinsic and intrinsic factors, including, number of grouped workers, temperature, food sources and ingestion by the workers of different concentrations of pyriproxyfen, a juvenile hormone analog. Groups of 50, 100, 200 and 300 workers originated a low proportion of soldiers. The use of pyriproxyfen induced presoldiers and also intercastes. Presoldiers were produced in a large number in a concentration of 10 ppm. In Chapter II, the focus of the study was the external and internal morphological changes occurred during the process of differentiation of soldiers. For that, workers, presoldiers, soldiers and intercastas were histologically and morphometrically analyzed. In addition, we performed the sex identification of the soldiers and determined the duration of the presoldier instar. This instar lasted about 15 days at a variable temperature and the presoldiers biometrically differed from soldiers mainly by the length of head capsule and thorax. The intercastes obtained were from the worker-soldier type. Minor soldiers of H. tenuis were all males while the major soldiers had a ratio of approximately 1:1 between males and females. The exocrine glands of the individuals studied were compared and the histology showed that workers had greater development of the salivary, mandibular and sternal glands... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:30:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-01-15Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:40:03Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 albino_e_me_rcla.pdf: 1301680 bytes, checksum: 95d30ba766dc9edf4dd14372bf809fd7 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O forrageamento ou busca por alimento nos cupins subterrâneos envolve os operários, os soldados e em menor número as ninfas. O presente estudo foi realizado visando esclarecer aspectos da biologia do forrageamento de ninfas, o qual é pouco conhecido na espécie exótica Coptotermes gestroi. O monitoramento por meio de coletas periódicas em um período de 22 meses em 7 diferentes colônias mostrou que as ninfas forrageiras são produzidas durante todos os meses do ano. Provavelmente, devido à influência tanto de fatores externos como internos, cada colônia de Coptotermes gestroi possui uma dinâmica diferente de formação desses indivíduos. O estudo da biometria das ninfas forrageiras foi realizado para determinar os ínstares presentes nas colônias, sendo que as variáveis analisadas foram largura da cabeça, largura do pronoto, comprimento do broto alar, comprimento da tíbia, região de crescimento da antena e comprimento do corpo. Entretanto, as variáveis região de crescimento da antena e comprimento do corpo, inicialmente propostas, não se mostraram viáveis para a discriminação dos ínstares. Os dados foram submetidos à Análise dos Componentes Principais (ACP) e plotados em diagramas de dispersão para a discriminação dos ínstares. Das 533 ninfas forrageiras coletadas, 34 eram de 3° instar, 280 eram de 4° instar e 219 eram de 5° instar. Apesar de terem sido coletadas ninfas de 3° instar, provavelmente, estas não participam das atividades de forrageamento uma vez que foram coletadas em apenas uma colônia e em quantidade ínfima. O 5° instar ninfal foi coletado nas 8 colônias estudadas, contudo o 4° instar ninfal foi mais numeroso, mesmo tendo sido coletado em apenas 4 das colônias... / The foraging or search for food in subterranean termites involves workers, soldiers and in a small number nymphs. The present study was carried out aimed at clarifying aspects of the nymph foraging biology, which is little known in the exotic species Coptotermes gestroi. The monitoring through regular collections in 7 different colonies for a period of 22 months showed a production of forager nymphs all year round. Probably due to the influence of both internal and external factors each colony of Coptotermes gestroi has a different formation dynamic of these individuals. The biometric study of the forager nymphs was conducted to determine the instars present in the colonies, and the variables head width, pronotum width, wing bud length, right hind tibia length, antennal growing region and body length were measured. However, the variables antennal growing region and body length, originally proposed, were not feasible to instars discrimination. The data were submitted to the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and plotted on a scatter diagram to determine the instars. Of the 533 forager nymphs collected, 34 were from 3rd - instar, 280 were from 4th - instar and 219 were from 5th - instar. Although 3rd - instar nymphs have been collected, probably, they do not participate in the foraging activities since they were collected only in one colony and in small quantity. The 5th - nymphal instar was collected in 8 colonies, however the 4th - nymphal instar was more numerous, even being collected in only 4 of all colonies. In order to characterize the instars, the eye color and the number of antennal segments in the of forager nymphs were recorded. These individuals may have light brown or white eyes, the nymphs with white eyes appeared in larger number and were present in all colonies. The sex determination of male and female nymphs was conducted... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Submitted by (ana.araujo@ufrpe.br) on 2016-08-19T13:36:23Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Alane Ayana Vieira de Oliveira Couto.pdf: 841703 bytes, checksum: 40a17ecc5a22964a59d3686878068cf5 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-19T13:36:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Alane Ayana Vieira de Oliveira Couto.pdf: 841703 bytes, checksum: 40a17ecc5a22964a59d3686878068cf5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-02-27 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / 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. / As composições das taxocenoses de térmitas já foram estudadas em vários ecossistemas Neotropicais, de semiáridos a úmidos, porém sempre de forma isolada. Variações altitudinais bruscas existentes na região semiárida do nordeste brasileiro permite que em poucos quilômetros saiamos de uma vegetação sazonalmente seca para uma floresta úmida serrana. O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar e comparar as taxocenoses de térmitas em diferentes ecossistemas ao longo de um gradiente de umidade. As coletas foram realizadas em três áreas: (i) floresta serrana úmida; (ii) floresta de encosta utilizada para o cultivo de café sombreado (Coffea arabica L.); (iii) floresta sazonalmente seca (Caatinga). Em cada área um protocolo padronizado de coleta ativa foi aplicado no período chuvoso e seco. As espécies foram agrupadas em categorias de acordo com os habitats e hábitos alimentares. Para cada área, de acordo com o período, foram obtidos riqueza específica e número de encontros (utilizado como um indicativo da abundância). As taxocenoses nas diferentes áreas e períodos foram ordenadas através de escalonamento multidimensional não-métrico e comparadas através de análise de similaridade. O número de encontros por habitats e grupos alimentares foram comparados entre áreas e entre períodos dentro de cada uma das áreas utilizando o teste de Kruskal-wallis também utilizado para comparar as variáveis da vegetação entre áreas. Foram encontradas ao todo 45 espécies de térmitas, pertencentes a 20 gêneros e 3 famílias. A termitofauna da Caatinga apresentou-se tão rica e abundante quanto às áreas de florestas úmidas, todavia apresentou uma composição específica bastante singular. O regime de agroecossistema (café sombreado) foi capaz de manter grande parte da termitofauna existente na área de floresta serrana, além de espécies exclusivas. A fauna da Caatinga foi a mais alterada pelo período climático, apresentando uma abundância significativamente menor no período seco. No entanto, quando considerados conjuntamente, riqueza, abundância e composição específica, o período climático não afetou de forma significativa a termitofauna em nenhuma das áreas estudadas. O número de encontro por grupo alimentar e habitats explorados não diferiram entre áreas nem entre períodos climáticos. Mesmo se tratando de áreas adjacentes, características da vegetação são capazes de manter diferenças quanto à fauna. O regime de agroecossistema pode apresentar-se como uma boa alternativa às formas tradicionais de cultivo por ser capaz de conservar uma importante parte da biodiversidade existente no ambiente não modificado.