Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

SPECIES DIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY COMPOSITION OF TERMITES (ISOPTERA) IN SOUTHERN HARYANA, INDIA

Bhanupriya, Nidhi Kakkar and Sanjeev K. Gupta

Abstract

A capturing-identification survey was undertaken to evaluate the termite’sspecies richness and diversity in different study areas (Mahendragarh, Rewari, Nuh, Gurugram, Palwal, and Faridabad) of Southern Haryana, India. A total of 187 samples were collected and identified into 23 species that belong to three families (Termitidae, Rhinotermitidae, Kalotermidae) and four subfamilies viz., Macrotermitinae, Termitinae, Amitermitinae, Coptotermitinae. Species richness varied in respective study areas, i.e., 14, 22, 32, 35. 39 and 45 species were recorded in Faridabad, Rewari, Palwal, Gurugram, Mahendragarh and Nuh respectively. Different diversity indices (Shannon diversity, Simpson diversity, Menhinick diversity, Margalef diversity, Jaccard and Sorensen similarity index) were used to explain diversity of termite fauna. Results reveal that Shannon, Simpson and Margalef Indices were found to be highest in Nuh district and lowest in Faridabad, whereas, Menhinick diversity was highest in Palwal and minimum in Faridabad. However, according to Jaccard and Sorensen similarity Indices, highest species similarity was noticed between Mahendragarh and Rewari showed (0.67, 0.8), while minimum in Faridabad with Gurugram district (0.29, 0.44). Species diversity was also calculated and found to be highest in the month of June, July, August and September in relation to favorable climatic factors as termite required for their survival.