Diversity of Termitomyces in Kodagu and Need for Conservation

Authors

  • Abolfazl Pahlevanlo Mycology and Plant Pathology Laboratory, Department of Studies in Botany, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore–570 006, Karnataka, India.
  • G. R. Janardhana Mycology and Plant Pathology Laboratory, Department of Studies in Botany, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore–570 006, Karnataka, India.

Keywords:

Termitomyces, Diversity, Termites, Conservation

Abstract

Termites of the subfamily of Macrotermitinae have established an obligate symbiosis with the basidiomycete Termitomyces on substrate called a fungus garden or fungus comb inside the nest. An extensive exploration carried out during May 2009 to September 2010 at a different geographical location of Kodagu District, Karnataka. Eight different species of Termitomyces namely T. microcarpus, T. indicus, T. clypeatus, T. cylindricus, T. globulus, T. eurhizus, T. heimii and T. mammiformis were identified. The ecological significance of Termites and Termitomyces in Kodagu region of Karnataka and its role as a food for local communities has been discussed. All hotspot diversity of all species well recorded. Some strategy also recommended for conserving one of the rear examples of symbiosis on the earth. This is the first report on the occurrence and diversity of Termitomyces species in the Kodagu region of Karnataka.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Smith, B.D. (1995). The Emergence of Agriculture. Scientific American Library, distributed by W.H. Freeman & Co. Ltd, New York and Oxford, 231 pp.

Aanen, D.K. & Eggleton, P. (2005). Fungus-Growing Termites Originated in African Rain Forest. Curr. Biol., 15(9): 851–855. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2005.03.043.

Mueller, U.G., Gerardo, N.M., Aanen, D.K., Six, D.L. & Schultz, T.R. (2005). The Evolution of Agriculture in Insects. Annu. Rev. Ecol. Evol. Syst., 36(1): 563–595. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.36.102003.152626.

Batra, L.R. & Batra, S.W.T. (1966). Fungus-Growing Termites of Tropical India and Associated Fungi. J. Kans. Entomol. Soc., 39(4): 725-738.

Aanen, D.K., Eggleton, P., Rouland-Lefevre, C., Guldberg-Froslev, T., Rosendahl, S. & Boomsma, J.J. (2002). The evolution of fungus-growing termites and their mutualistic fungal symbionts. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA., 99(23): 14887–14892. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.222313099.

Pegler, D. & Vanhaecke, M. (1994). Termitomyces of Southeast Asia. Kew Bulletin, 49(4): 717-736. https://doi.org/10.2307/4118066.

Kabasa, J.D., Olila, D., Okethwangu, D., Munishi, P.K.T. & Kisovi, L. (2006). Nutritive and nutriceutic potential of indigenous Bubaala mushrooms Termitomyces microcarpus from the Lake Victoria Basin. Afr. J. Anim. Biomed. Sci., 1(1): 92-96.

Jones, J.A. (1990). Termites, soil fertility and carbon cycling in dry tropical Africa: a hypothesis. J. Trop. Ecol., 6: 291–305.

Matsumoto, T. (1976). The role of termites in an equatorial rain forest ecosystem of West Malaysia : I. Population density, biomass, carbon, nitrogen and calorific content and respiration rate. Oecologia, 22(2): 153–178. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00344714.

Wood, T.G. & Sands, W.A. (1978). The role of termites in ecosystems. In: Brian, M.V. (ed.), Production ecology of ants and termites. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, pp 245–292.

Downloads

Abstract views: 30 / PDF downloads: 20

Published

2012-04-01

How to Cite

Pahlevanlo, A., & Janardhana, G. R. (2012). Diversity of Termitomyces in Kodagu and Need for Conservation. Advances in BioScience, 3(2), 54–57. Retrieved from https://journals.sospublication.co.in/ab/article/view/79

Issue

Section

Articles