Fungi associated with nests of Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky) (Isoptera: Nasutitermitinae) in a semiarid region of Brazil

Abstract

There is a large diversity of fungi associated with termites. However, there are few studies on this subject, especially for South America. This work analyzed the community of fungi associated with nests of Nasutitermes corniger in urban environments of four cites (Pocinhos, Campina Grande, Areia, Bananeiras) with different climates (brejo de altitude and caatinga) in a semiarid region of northeastern Brazil. Successive dilutions, to 10-4 g/ml, were made with material from external and internal parts of 20 N. corniger nests. A solution was prepared with 1g of each nest, and 100 μl of each dilution (in five replicates) was placed in a Petri dish with potato dextrose agar medium (BDA). Twenty-three morphotypes distributed in eight genera were recorded, and the greatest richness, diversity and abundance of colonies were from the brejo de altitude nests. Penicillium sp.1, Cladosporium sp., Aspergillus flavus and A. niger were the most abundant in both regions studied.