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Predation by Megaponera foetens (Fabr.) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on termites in the Nigerian southern Guinea Savanna

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Summary

At Mokwa, in the Nigerian southern Guinea Savanna, Macrotermitinae are the only recorded prey of the obligate termite predator, Megaponera foetens. The main prey species is Macrotermes bellicosus (141 termites m-2 a-1) followed by Odontotermes spp. (42 termites m-2 a-1). Predation on other species, Ancistrotermes cavithorax, Macrotermes subhyalinus and Microtermes spp., amounts to only 10 termites m-2 a-1. Macrotermes bellicosus is not the most abundant termite in the primary savanna. It is concluded that factors including termite abundance, termite foraging regimes and seasonality, termite biomass and the reactions of the ants to the termites and their products are involved in successful predation of termites by Megaponera.

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Author notes

  1. C. Longhurst

    Present address: Chemical Entomology Unit, Department of Biology, Departments of Biology and Chemistry, Southampton University, Southampton, United Kingdom

  2. R. A. Johnson

    Present address: Agricultural Research Station, Mokwa, Nigeria

  3. T. G. Wood

    Present address: Centre for Overseas Pest Research, College House, Wrights Lane, W8 5SJ, London, United Kingdom

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Termite Research Project, Agricultural Research Station, via Jebba, Mokwa, Nigeria

    C. Longhurst, R. A. Johnson & T. G. Wood

Authors
  1. C. Longhurst
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  2. R. A. Johnson
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  3. T. G. Wood
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Longhurst, C., Johnson, R.A. & Wood, T.G. Predation by Megaponera foetens (Fabr.) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on termites in the Nigerian southern Guinea Savanna. Oecologia 32, 101–107 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00344694

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00344694

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