Termite assemblage structure on Grazing lands in Semi-arid Nakasongola

Abstract

Termites are regarded as the primary cause of vegetation denudation in semi-arid Nakasongola, Uganda. Despite their damage to ecosystem functioning, there have been little efforts devoted to the description of the termite assemblage structure in the area. The study therefore intended to describe the termite assem5lage structure with the intension to develop sustainable termite management strategies. The survey yielded 16 termite species from eight genera, three sub-families and one family. Species from the sub-family Macrotermitinae constituted 69% of the total number of species sampled. Members from the genus Macrotermes were the dominant species and constituted 38% of the total number of species sampled. The assemblage comprised of two feeding groups namely Group ll and Group lV, with most of the species belonging to Group lI Most of the species were noted to nest in epigeal and hypogeal nests *itf, a few species nesting in wood. Vegetation cover categories were noted to influence species richness. Highest species richness (14 species) occurred in sparse vegetation category followed by dense category (1'1) and the least (B species) occurring on bare ground. The termite assemblage of Nakasongola was dominated by Macrotermes species which largely forage on litter and nest in epigeal mounds.