Distinctiveness of termite assemblages in two fragmented forest types in Hantane hills in the Kandy District of Sri Lanka

Research reveals distinct termite assemblages between natural and secondary forests in the Hantane hills, Sri Lanka. While nine species were recorded in secondary forest, only two—Ceylonitermellus hantanae and Dicuspiditermes incola—were exclusive to natural forest at higher elevations. Natural forest termites were exclusively true soil feeders, whereas secondary forest species were predominantly wood feeders, including eight fungus-growing types. The study highlights how elevation, climate, vegetation, ground cover, and human interference shape these differences, contributing to our understanding of biodiversity in fragmented tropical ecosystems.

Hemachandra, I., Edirisinghe, J., Karunaratne, W., & Gunatilleke, C. (2010). Distinctiveness of termite assemblages in two fragmented forest types in Hantane hills in the Kandy District of Sri Lanka. Ceylon Journal of Science (Biological Sciences), 39(1), 11–19. https://doi.org/10.4038/cjsbs.v39i1.2349