Ocupação de ninhos de cupins epígeos e arbóreos em fragmento de caatinga hipoxerófila na cidade de Bom Jesus/PI.

The process of occupation in Northeast of Brazil started in the coast and internalized itself due to the development of extractive and agricultural production affecting caatinga biome. The expansion of land use, that accompanies the growth of human population, results in fragmentation of natural habitats with the formation of forest fragments of different sizes and shapes. Termites have fundamental importance in ecosystems due to their nesting and feeding behavior byexerting a strong influence on the processes of decomposition in nutrient cycling and on physical and chemical properties of soil. This study aimed to understand, to record and to supplement the understanding of the natural history of this group in Caatinga hypoxerophytic. The collection area comprises a hectare of preserved fragment, where collections were made straight across the area through the linear transect method, measurements of height, circumference, distance from the floor and girth in all nests of the hectare were taken. We identified 10 species belonging to 07 genera of the family Termitidae. They were distributed among the sub-families: Nasutitermitinae (Constrictotermes cyphergaster, Nasutitermes sp1, Nasutitermes sp2, Labiotermes longilabius, Armitermes sp., Syntermes wheeleri and Syntermes molestus) and Termitinae (Spinitermes sp., Inquilinitermes fur and Inquilinitermes microcerus). Regarding the dominance of species in sampled nests in the area, there were three species eudominantes C. cyphergaster, Nasutitermes sp1, S. wheeleri and a subdominant: Nasutitermes sp2. Among the food groups, xilófagous, humus feeding species, grass and litter feeding species and Intermediates have been found.Resumo - O processo de ocupação do Nordeste brasileiro iniciou-se a partir do litoral e interiorizou a partir do desenvolvimento das atividades extrativistas e da produção agrícola comprometendo o bioma caatinga. A expansão do uso da terra que acompanha o crescimento da população humana, resulta na fragmentação dos habitats naturais com a formação de fragmentos florestais de diferentes tamanhos e formas. Térmitas apresentam importância fundamental nos ecossistemas devido ao seu comportamento alimentar e de nidificação, exercendo forte influência nos processos de decomposição, na ciclagem de nutrientes e nas propriedades físicas e químicas do solo. O presente estudo teve como objetivo conhecer, registrar e complementar o entendimento sobre a historia natural deste grupo em área de caatinga hipoxerófila. A área de coleta compreende 1 hectare de fragmento preservado, onde foram realizadas coletas diretas em toda a área através do método do transecto linear, medições de altura, circunferência, distância do chão e circunferência do caule em todos os ninhos do hectare. Foram identificadas 10 espécies, pertencentes a 07 gêneros da família Termitidae. Distribuídos entre as sub-famílias: Nasutitermitinae (Constrictotermes cyphergaster, Nasutitermes sp1, Nasutitermes sp2, Labiotermes longilabius, Armitermes sp, Syntermes wheeleri e Syntermes molestus) e Termitinae (Spinitermes sp, Inquilinitermes fur e Inquilinitermes microcerus). Com relação a dominância de espécies em ninhos amostrados na área, foram verificadas 3 espécies eudominantes: C. cyphergaster, Nasutitermes sp1, S. wheeleri e 1 subdominante: Nasutitermes sp2. Dentre os grupos alimentares, foram encontrados: xilógafos, humívoros, comedores de grama e serapilheira e Intermediários. Occupation of termite epigeal and arborous nests in a fragment of hypoxerophyticCaatinga in Bom Jesus, Piaui State, Brazil AbstractThe process of occupation in Northeast of Brazil started in the coast and internalized itself dueto the development of extractive and agricultural production affecting caatinga biome. Theexpansion of land use, that accompanies the growth of human population, results in fragmentationof natural habitats with the formation of forest fragments of different sizes and shapes. Termiteshave fundamental importance in ecosystems due to their nesting and feeding behavior byexerting a strong influence on the processes of decomposition in nutrient cycling and on physicaland chemical properties of soil. This study aimed to understand, to record and to supplement theunderstanding of the natural history of this group in Caatinga hypoxerophytic. The collection areacomprises a hectare of preserved fragment, where collections were made straight across the areathrough the linear transect method, measurements of height, circumference, distance from thefloor and girth in all nests of the hectare were taken. We identified 10 species belonging to 07genera of the family Termitidae. They were distributed among the sub-families: Nasutitermitinae(Constrictotermes cyphergaster, Nasutitermes sp1, Nasutitermes sp2, Labiotermes longilabius,Armitermes sp., Syntermes wheeleri and Syntermes molestus) and Termitinae (Spinitermes sp.,Inquilinitermes fur and Inquilinitermes microcerus). Regarding the dominance of species in samplednests in the area, there were three species eudominantes C. cyphergaster, Nasutitermes sp1, S.wheeleri and a subdominant: Nasutitermes sp2. Among the food groups, xilófagous, humus feedingspecies, grass and litter feeding species and Intermediates have been found