Chemical composition and variability of the defensive secretion in Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky, 1885) in urban area in the Brazilian semiarid region

Abstract

We analyzed the composition and chemical variability of the defensive secretion in Nasutitermes corniger in an urban area. We selected two environments with characteristics of Caatinga, and two surrounded by a semideciduous forest, in northeastern Brazil. Eighteen compounds were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Cluster analysis classified the populations into two main groups: group I, seasonal forest, with α-pinene, β-pinene, 2-hexanol and 3-hexanol as major compounds, whereas group II, Caatinga, showed a lower percentage for α-pinene, β-pinene and limonene. It is suggested that climatic factors, geographical distance, and likely genetic differences between populations influence the chemical composition of the secretion of soldiers resulting in the possible formation of two ecotypes.