Ciodiversity. I. Studies on Termites of Northern Areas of Pakistan

Abstract

Survey of northern area for termites under Pakistan Science Foundation research project has revealed some interesting findings. Out of the 49 species of termites described from different ecological zones of Pakistan (Akhtar, 1972), none has extended its range of distribution upto Gilgit. Most probably, arid conditions of the area, high mountains ranges extending for several miles, and lack of vegetation on these mountain ranges may be some of the important limiting factors in the dispersal of termites. In the present study, 6 species of termites are given and they are all new records for swat and its suburbs. Archotermopsis Wroughtoni (Desneux) is a Palaearctic element and has been recorded from Roringar, Swat. This termite is found in a climate where pine trees are available. According to the present author (Principal Investigator) it is a threatened species of termite in Pakistan, because this species breeds in decaying logs lying on grounds in pine trees forests. These days because of increase of human population around such localities the felled logs are immediately collected by local people for fuel requirement, and A. Wroughtoni cannot easily get breeding sites. The other five species that have invaded swat suburbs are Heterotermes indicola, Odontotermes guptai, O. Obesus, O. Parvidens and Microtermes obesi. All these species were frequently collected in southern areas of Swat. There was scarcity of termites with increase in altitude. Heterotermes indicola and Odontotermes parvidens were recorded damaging wood work in the building. In Swat termites were not recorded damaging wheat crop during the intitial stages of growth and soil samples taken from wheat field’s soil were negative. Termites were recorded when wheat crop was reaching maturity and the main forages in agriculture fields were M. Obesi, O. guptai and O. parvidens. Many species of trees, however, were harbouring termites. Olea species was mostly infested by termites in Mingora Proper. Termite diversity during 1998 on Simpson index and Shannon scale was 54% and 52% respectively. Amongst the species recorded from Swat, Odontotermes parvidens was more abundant and dominant, contributing a value of 0.4981 of the Simpson index. During 1999, however, Heterotermes indicola was more dominant. Termite diversity during 1999 at Simpson scales Shannon scale was 67% and 90% respectively.