You have full text access to this OnlineOpen article

Seasonal patterns of nitrogen fixation in termites

  1. A. D. Curtis,
  2. D. A. Waller

Article first published online: 28 MAR 2002

DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2435.1998.00248.x

Issue

Functional Ecology

Functional Ecology

Volume 12, Issue 5, pages 803–807, October 1998

Additional Information

How to Cite

Curtis, A. D. and Waller, D. A. (1998), Seasonal patterns of nitrogen fixation in termites. Functional Ecology, 12: 803–807. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2435.1998.00248.x

Author Information

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 28 MAR 2002
  2. Article first published online: 28 MAR 2002

SEARCH

SEARCH BY CITATION

ARTICLE TOOLS

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (346K)

Keywords:

  • Biogeochemical cycling;
  • ecology;
  • entomology;
  • forest ecosystems;
  • Reticulitermes

1. Termite nitrogenase activity was highest in autumn and spring (≈ 3 μg N2 fixed termite fresh mass (g)–1 day–1) and lowest in winter and summer (≈ 0·8 μg N2 fixed termite fresh mass (g)–1 day–1).

2. The nitrogenase activity of worker termites was significantly higher than all other castes (1·58 ± 0·27 μg N2 fixed termite fresh mass (g)–1 day–1).

3. Worker termites constituted the largest proportion of all the castes throughout the study period (≈ 90%).

4. The localized input of fixed nitrogen by termites may reach 15·3 mg N log–1 day–1 and 5·6 g N log–1 year–1.

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (346K)