Termites that build conspicuous nests in two areas of Atlantic forest under different levels of anthropogenic disturbance

The effects of selective logging on termite assemblages that build conspicuous nests were studied in two areas of semideciduous Atlantic Forest, located in the Reserva Biologica Guaribas, Northeastern Brazil. The two study areas went through selective logging until 1985 (A 17) and 1972 (A30). In 2002, termite nests were studied in two plots of I ha (100 x 100 m), being one plot in each area. The nests were placed in each plot and the species were categorized in feeding groups. The structure of the study assemblages was different between the two areas. Diversity and richness of builder species were greater in the A30 area. Species that consume humus were more sensitive to selective logging. Nest abundance of humus feeding species was significantly higher in the A30 area, whereas nests of wood feeding species were significantly more abundant in the area A 17. Nest ratio between humus and wood feeding species was 1:3 in the A30 area and 1: 12 in the A17 area. Nests with greater volume were observed in the area A30, whereas abundance of inactive nests was significantly higher in A 17. The time for habitat resilience after the selective logging influenced patterns of assemblage structure of termites in similar ways as described in other studies in tropical forests.