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Termite functional diversity along an elevational gradient in the Cerrado of Mato Grosso do Sul

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Abstract

Termites are dominant invertebrates in tropical environments and are important intermediate species of decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems. The study aimed to characterize how termite richness and feeding group diversity vary along an elevational gradient in the Brazilian savanna. Termites were sampled within a standardized 100 × 2 m transect at undisturbed Cerrado sites along an elevational gradient from 210 to 600 m asl. Termite diversity declined with the increase in elevation in the Serra de Maracaju, with an elevation range of 400 m and strong undulated relief. Higher elevations cause a significant decrease in the number of grass-litter-feeding species and Syntermitinae species, associated with more acidic soils with lower saturation by exchangeable bases. Beta and, especially, alpha diversity at plot level were responsible for the observed diversity of almost all groups, except for wood-feeders. Our results suggest a greater change in termite taxonomic and functional diversities at a lower elevational gradient than at high elevations. Finally, this study gives some insights that even in a rockier physiognomy, probably with fewer resources to be explored the termite diversities was still higher than in a pasture area at lower elevations.

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Acknowledgements

HFC is supported by productivity fellowship of Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq).

Funding

HFC is supported by productivity fellowship of Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq Process n. 302198/2015-6).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Recursos Naturais do Cerrado, Universidade Estadual de Goiás, Anápolis, Goiás, Brazil

    Hélida F. Cunha

  2. Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso, Nova Xavantina, Mato Grosso, Brazil

    Diogo A. Costa

  3. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Agronomia, Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, Aquidauana, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

    Ana Paula T. Silva & Alfredo R. Abot

  4. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Entomologia e Conservação da Biodiversidade, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

    José Nicacio

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  1. Hélida F. Cunha
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  2. Diogo A. Costa
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  3. Ana Paula T. Silva
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  5. Alfredo R. Abot
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HFC and DAC analyzed the data and wrote the manuscript. APTS, JN and ARA collected the data.

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Correspondence to Hélida F. Cunha.

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Fig. S1

Venn diagrams (overlapping number of species) for the three areas (pasture, savanna and rocky outcrops) of taxonomic diversity (subfamilies) and functional diversity (feeding groups). (DOC 600 KB)

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Cunha, H.F., Costa, D.A., Silva, A.P.T. et al. Termite functional diversity along an elevational gradient in the Cerrado of Mato Grosso do Sul. Int J Trop Insect Sci 41, 555–562 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-020-00240-6

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