Papers by maria avany bezerra-gusmao
There is a large diversity of fungi associated with termites. However, there are few studies on t... more There is a large diversity of fungi associated with termites. However, there are few studies on this subject, especially for South America. This work analyzed the community of fungi associated with nests of Nasutitermes corniger in urban environments of four cites (Pocinhos, Campina Grande, Areia, Bananeiras) with different climates (brejo de altitude and caatinga) in a semiarid region of northeastern Brazil. Successive dilutions, to 10-4 g/ml, were made with material from external and internal parts of 20 N. corniger nests. A solution was prepared with 1g of each nest, and 100 μl of each dilution (in five replicates) was placed in a Petri dish with potato dextrose agar medium (BDA). Twenty-three morphotypes distributed in eight genera were recorded, and the greatest richness, diversity and abundance of colonies were from the brejo de altitude nests. Penicillium sp.1, Cladosporium sp., Aspergillus flavus and A. niger were the most abundant in both regions studied.
Journal of Insect Behavior, May 1, 2021
This study combines information on the differences in foraging behavior and morphological dimorph... more This study combines information on the differences in foraging behavior and morphological dimorphism for workers of the termite Constrictotermes cyphergaster. We observed through morphological analyzes that the workers of this species are dimorphic. Through comparisons between major and minor workers signal emissions, we can assume that each of these groups of workers performs different foraging tasks. The crop volumes of minor and major workers were measured, noting it are statistically different and this can be associated to differences in food collection. This study also provides information that during the foraging the major workers may be mistaken for soldiers by having a similar posture and coloring, which reduces their predation and enables a quick predator detection due to their position on the trails’ edges.
Acta Brasiliensis, Sep 30, 2022
Termites are known as wood consumers, although some species eat other substrates. Assessing resou... more Termites are known as wood consumers, although some species eat other substrates. Assessing resource selection is important to understanding their biology. The present study provides information on the foraging behavior of Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Blattaria, Termitidae) in a dry forest area of Caatinga in Brazil. We aimed to verify the frequency of resource exploitation by termites as a function of environmental and soil temperatures. We found no significant differences in resource exploitation as a function of temperature, which is interesting because this variable is often reported as modulating foraging activity in some other termite species. This species forages on open trails at high temperatures in the Brazilian semiarid zone. Environmental changes may affect the dynamics of their behavior and, consequently, the ecosystem, since C. cyphergaster influences the carbon cycle and can modify the soil. Our study provides a basis for future research intending to understand the adaptations of this termite to live in the drylands.
Sociobiology, Apr 25, 2019
Richness of Lichens Consumed by Constrictotermes cyphergaster in the Semi-arid Region of Brazil I... more Richness of Lichens Consumed by Constrictotermes cyphergaster in the Semi-arid Region of Brazil Introduction Termites are eusocial insects and the most important decomposers in tropical forest, savanna, and desert ecosystems (Lo & Eggleton, 2011). In a remarkable display of adaptive radiation of feeding habits, termite diets include, among different species, necromasses in different stages of decomposition, herbaceous plants, litter, fungi, termite nests or mound materials, animal excrement, carcasses, soil organic material (humus), and lichens (
Journal of Vector Ecology, May 27, 2016
The mosquito Aedes aegypti is the primary vector of dengue and is common throughout tropical and ... more The mosquito Aedes aegypti is the primary vector of dengue and is common throughout tropical and subtropical regions. Its distribution is modulated by environmental factors, such as temperature. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of temperature on the life cycle and expansion of Ae. aegypti populations in the cities of Campina Grande, João Pessoa, and Patos. Samples of Ae. aegypti were collected in the three cities and raised in the laboratory. We assessed the life cycles of the three Ae. aegypti populations under six constant temperatures (16, 22, 28, 33, 36, and 39° C), selected on the basis of historical temperature tendencies of each city. We also used existing climate data to calculate projected temperature increases for all three areas. Our results suggest that Campina Grande, João Pessoa, and Patos will experience, respectively, maximum temperature increases of 0.030° C/year, 0.069° C/year, and 0.061° C/year, and minimum temperature increases of 0.019° C/year,-0.047° C/year, and-0.086° C/year. These projected increases will result in temperatures favorable to the Ae. aegypti life cycle, causing rapid population growth. Therefore, Ae. aegypti populations are likely to expand in the mesoregions represented by these cities.
Journal of Insect Behavior, Apr 28, 2023
Insects, Aug 5, 2022
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Neotropical Entomology, Feb 16, 2022
Dry forests in the Caatinga biome of Brazil are seasonal ecosystems where diversity is driven by ... more Dry forests in the Caatinga biome of Brazil are seasonal ecosystems where diversity is driven by water availability. Understanding how the distribution of communities is driven by temporal climate changes has intrigued researchers for decades. However, temporal diversity patterns should be more evident in dry environments, since seasonality is characterized by being highly limiting to insect activities. Cerambycid beetles are considered good ecological indicators because they respond well to impacts of environmental changes. Thus, we asked two questions: (i) How do climatic changes affect the diversity of these insects across seasons? (ii) Are diversity components correlated with increasing air humidity, rainfall, and temperature? Our results showed a marked seasonality of cerambycid beetles, with higher abundance and richness in the wet season. The mean temperature and relative humidity were predictors of the composition of beetle assemblages. However, the variation of cerambycid assemblages between seasons is related mainly to species turnover. Our study demonstrates that the combined effect of temperature and humidity drives the temporal distribution of the cerambycids in dry forests. Although thermal sensitivity was low, the decrease in air moisture during the dry season was the limiting factor for these insects. Species turnover increased continuously with air moisture and temperature rise, creating temporal segregation among cerambycid species and maintaining the stability of the assemblage. Thus, our results are consistent with mechanisms invoking activity patterns, desiccation resistance, and physiologic constraints that predict a decrease in richness and abundance of the cerambycids from warmer and moister to colder and drier conditions.
Zoomorphology, Sep 30, 2022
Zootaxa, Oct 29, 2019
Physogastric rove beetles are usually studied in an aspect of the physogastry concept, which is d... more Physogastric rove beetles are usually studied in an aspect of the physogastry concept, which is defined as the enlargement of membranous parts of abdomen. This feature along with lack of the secondary sclerotization is used to differentiate physogastric from stenogastric individuals. Charles H. Seevers was the first author to record that the differences between physogastric and stenogastric rove beetles represent more than merely body size difference and that the secondary sclerotization, which occurs during the post-imaginal growth, leads to differences beyond that matter. Herein, we record the first stenogastric Corotoca specimen, and the morphological and behavioral differences of physogastric individuals are discussed. It is concluded that stenogastric individuals have features that may have useful implications for phylogenetic and taxonomic studies.
Iheringia. Série Zoologia
The variation in altitude drives the richness and density of species in tropical ecosystems. The ... more The variation in altitude drives the richness and density of species in tropical ecosystems. The diversity and richness of termites are influenced by the variations in temperature, humidity, and soil properties according to altitude elevation. This is well known for rainy forests and little information is found for semiarid areas of Brazil. In this study, we aimed to identify species richness and encounters density of termites in a hill inserted in the Caatinga Brazilian forest. We found variation in the composition of species as a function of altitude (in a comparison of top and foot of the hill) and in periods of the wet and dry, with an increase in the season wet. The increase the diversity in this period and altitude elevations can be explained by the increases in humidity after rainfalls and maintenance of temperature enabled by the conditions in the hill’s top. Our findings provide valuable information regarding termite diversity in semiarid areas as a function of elevation an...
Annales Zoologici Fennici, 2021
Termite nests act as shelters for a wide variety of invertebrates. We studied the Corotocini term... more Termite nests act as shelters for a wide variety of invertebrates. We studied the Corotocini termitophile fauna (Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae) in nine Nasutitermes corniger nests and nine N. ephratae nests to test the resource size (larger nests should host more social-parasite species than smaller ones) and resource concentration (nests occurring closer to each other should host a greater richness and variety of social parasites) hypotheses. In total, we found 358 Corotocini individuals. Regression analysis did not reveal a relationship between species richness or population size of termitophiles and nest volume. Thus, we rejected the resource size hypotheses as a driver of termitophile diversity. Neither did distance between nests explain the richness of their fauna; thus, the resource concentration hypothesis was also rejected. In conclusion, we suggest that biological aspects, such as dispersal dynamics and species traits likely explain the diversity of termitophiles.
Sociobiology, 2018
Corotoca (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) beetles are known for their close integration in the nests o... more Corotoca (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) beetles are known for their close integration in the nests of the termite Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae). Although this relationship is regarded as ancient, many details are still obscure, such as their reproduction and the processes that lead to the dispersal of new beetles. We observed the use of termite foraging trails by Staphylinidae females to deposit and disperse their larvae. We recorded the deposition of larvae of C. melantho, C. fontesi, and C. sp. n. on the dorsal surfaces of termite host workers. The workers continue to follow the foraging trail until the newborn larvae freed themselves and fell into the leaf litter, subsequently burrowing into the ground. Information regarding the life stages of those Staphylinidae larvae outside the termite nest is important to understanding their full lifecycle as those taxa have strong relationships with the nest environment but also require dispersal strategies.
Sociobiology, 2009
This study evaluates the existence of polycalism in nests of Constrictotermes cyphergaster and th... more This study evaluates the existence of polycalism in nests of Constrictotermes cyphergaster and the levels of aggression between individuals from polycalic and non-polycalic nests in the semi-arid region of Brazil. Field observations were performed during the wet season in 2007 ...
Journal of Arid Environments, 2013
We evaluated growth, abandonment, decay and emergence of new nests of the Neotropical termite Con... more We evaluated growth, abandonment, decay and emergence of new nests of the Neotropical termite Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Termitidae) and its association with the supporting vegetation in an area of caatinga (arid thorn scrub in the state of Paraíba, northeastern Brazil). In an area of 1 ha, a total of 272 nests were observed monthly, from March 2005 to March 2007. Of these, 245 nests were small, 9 were of medium size, and 18 were large nests. During the rainy season (from June to February), nests grew 94.2 L, whereas during the dry season (MarcheMay), their total growth was 23 L. The number of abandoned nests was positively correlated with rainfall. Decomposition of nests was greater during the rainy season. The pattern of nest distribution was associated with the distribution of the primary supporting plants. Rainfall appears to be one of the most important factors in the dynamics of growth of nests of C. cyphergaster in the caatinga.
Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia, 2019
Viviparity is characterized by the retention of fertilized eggs in reproductive tract of the fema... more Viviparity is characterized by the retention of fertilized eggs in reproductive tract of the female. This condition is very common in vertebrates, but relatively rare in invertebrates, including insects. The present work presents a review on viviparity in Staphylinidae, with special attention on genus Corotoca Schiødte, 1853. The genus is composed by six termitophilous species with neotropical distribution, and together with Spirachtha Schiødte, 1853 are only two genera with species confirmed as viviparous in the family. Some other cases are only supposition. Also, it is presented information and discussion on the life cycle of Corotoca species based on dissection of females in laboratory and field observations. During the dissection of females of four species of Corotoca it was observed that each female carries three eggs at the same time. The embryos present asynchronous development: when one is located at apex of abdomen, the other two are at IV segment, on abdomen curvature. The...
Fungal Ecology, 2016
Abstract Termite nests are microenvironments rich in organic matter and fauna, and are home to se... more Abstract Termite nests are microenvironments rich in organic matter and fauna, and are home to several groups of organisms such as lichens and fungi. Termite species from the genus Inquilinitermes live in the nests of Constrictotermes cyphergaster and feed on the feces of their host, which is a dark material (black mass) rich in lignin and cellulose. This study assessed the richness of lignocellulosic fungi associated with the black mass from the nests and the food content of C. cyphergaster and the inquilinous Inquilinitermes fur . The black mass of the nests and their adjacent soils, in addition to the food content from 100 workers of each termite species, were submitted to serial dilutions of up to 10 −4 g ml −1 . Ten species of fungi were recorded. The analysis of similarity revealed two groups (soil and black mass versus food content of termites) that were 84% dissimilar. For I. fur , fungal richness was higher in the paunch, while for C. cyphergaster , the richness was higher in the crop. The mycobiota consisted of ascomycetes known for their potential to decompose cellulose and lignin.
Applied Soil Ecology, 2011
Termites play an important role in the carbon cycling of several ecosystems. Part of this C is di... more Termites play an important role in the carbon cycling of several ecosystems. Part of this C is directed to the formation of nests or mounds, but few published estimations have been made of the proportions of this C in relation to those in the vegetation and/or in the litter. The dynamics of C of Constrictotermes cyphergaster nests, in the driest part of caatinga, in semiarid northeast Brazil, was calculated considering all present, formed and abandoned nests in 1 ha, for two years. Carbon concentrations were determined from samples taken from the core and the external layer of nests. Total aboveground biomasses of trees and shrubs in the 1 ha were estimated by allometric equations. C concentrations were lower in the external layer (24-33 g kg -1 ) than in the nest cores (38-76 g kg -1 ). The stock of C in the nests of the sampled ha was 61.5 kg, which represents about 0.6% of that in the plant aboveground biomass (10.25 Mg C ha -1 ). The C in the annual formation and abandonment of nests (10.2 kg ha -1 year -1 ) corresponded to 16% of the stock of C in the nests, 1.1% of the carbon in the annual litter production (925 kg C ha -1 year -1 ) and 3.1% of the non-leaf litter. Although lower than the few values reported for more humid areas, these proportions indicate that C. cyphergaster nest formation contributes to C cycling in this very dry semiarid caatinga site.
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Papers by maria avany bezerra-gusmao