Termites (Isoptera) in Kibale Forest National Park, Western Uganda

Abstract

A survey in medium altitude primary forest yielded eleven species of termites in three families. At least three species are mainly West African. Low levels of termite consumption were observed in woody litter on the forest floor, but relatively high levels of attack on standing wood in the canopy were inferred. The chimpanzees are not known to eat termites at Kibale, but this is probably because no suitable species are present. Land that had been cleared of forest had a very different termite fauna.

Journal of East African Natural History Vol. 86 (1&2) 1997: pp. 51-59