ABUNDANCE AND DIVERSITY OF TERMITES (INSECTA, ISOPTERA) IN 2 SITES OF PRIMARY RAIN-FOREST IN BRAZILIAN AMAZONIA

An analysis of termite fauna from two sites of primary forest in Brazilian Amazonia is presented, based on 0.25 ha plot sampling. Species lists are presented for these areas and for three other sites in Brazilian Amazonia. Sixty-four species of termites were found in a primary terra firme forest and 11 in a primary swamp ("varzea") forest in Western Brazilian Amazonia. Twenty-seven species were found in a terra firme forest in Eastern Brazilian Amazonia. The Nasutitermitinae, especially the genus Nasutitermes, were the dominant group both in number of species and abundance. Only six species in the terra firme and none in the swamp forest built epigeal nests. In terra firme forest, many species were found associated with termitaria built by other species. The majority of the species were wood-feeders, many of them restricted to rotten wood. The humus-feeders were the second group in number of species. The termite fauna of the terra firme and of the swamp forest were distinct, as shown by the low similarity index. The species composition and diversity were highly variable among different sites, apparently without correlation to climate or vegetation type.