Trap response and genetic structure of eastern subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in Point Pelee National Park, Ontario, Canada

2011 ◽  
Vol 143 (3) ◽  
pp. 263-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Raffoul ◽  
Stephen J. Hecnar ◽  
Stephanie Prezioso ◽  
Darlene R. Hecnar ◽  
Graham J. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Lake Erie ◽  
Dna Analysis ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Reticulitermes Flavipes ◽  
Subterranean Termites ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Point Pelee ◽  
Eastern Subterranean Termite ◽  
Point Pelee National Park

AbstractReticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) is best known throughout southwestern counties of Ontario, Canada, as an urban pest. Little is known, however, of the presence of this termite in nonurban settings in Ontario. In this study, we confirmed the existence of a population of R. flavipes on the shores of Lake Erie within Point Pelee National Park. A systematic trap survey conducted along the park's semi-vegetated west beach revealed several zones of termite activity. An analysis of trap response at one location indicated an association between termite activity and smaller sized, moderately decayed woody debris. Further, microsatellite DNA analysis suggested the presence of at least three genetically distinct colonies, each likely headed by multiple inbred reproductives. Together these data suggest that termite activity is linked to food quality, and that single colonies are potentially long-lived through multiple generations of inbreeding. Assuming it is derived from a population reported from Point Pelee in 1929, the study population is the oldest known eastern subterranean termite population in Ontario.

Nest distribution, site selection, and brooding in the five-lined skink (Eumeces fasciatus)

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (8) ◽  
pp. 1510-1516 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen J. Hecnar
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Site Selection ◽  
National Park ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Physical Factor ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Nest Distribution ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Point Pelee ◽  
Point Pelee National Park

I studied nest site selection and brooding behaviour in a population of Eumeces fasciatus at Point Pelee National Park, Ontario, Canada, in 1990, 1991, and 1992. Females preferred large, moderately decayed logs as nest sites. Multiple and communal nests were common in all years even though suitable nest sites were not limited. Soil moisture appeared to be an important physical factor. Soil moisture was higher at nests than at other sites or in the ambient environment. Females varied brooding position according to the moisture level. Brooding positions with high body to egg contact were observed with lower moisture levels, and low-contact positions were observed with higher moisture levels. Females did not space eggs or vary cavity size to control moisture, but they may have moved nests vertically. The woody debris that female skinks select as nest sites provide a relatively constant microclimate for egg development. The aggregated pattern of nest distribution suggests a possible response to predation pressures.

Termite Behavior: Measuring the Postanoxic Consumption Rates of Landscape Mulches by Eastern Subterranean Termites

2013 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-45
Author(s):  
D. Parks Collins
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Reticulitermes Flavipes ◽  
Statistical Test ◽  
Subterranean Termite ◽  
Subterranean Termites ◽  
Eastern United States ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Consumption Rates ◽  
Petri Dishes ◽  
Eastern Subterranean Termite

Populations of the Eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes, are widespread throughout most of the eastern United States. Subterranean termites have the ability to survive flooding conditions by lowering their metabolism. This lesson investigates the connection between the ability of termites to lower their metabolism to survive floods and their feeding behavior. Using an incubator, Petri dishes, and different types of mulch, termite consumption can be measured and compared. These results can be analyzed with a simple statistical test to look for significance.

scholarly journals Native Subterranean Termites: Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar), Reticulitermes virginicus (Banks), Reticulitermes hageni Banks (Insecta: Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

EDIS ◽  
1969 ◽  
Vol 2004 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nan-Yao Su ◽  
Rudolf H. Scheffrahn ◽  
Brian Cabrera
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Reticulitermes Flavipes ◽  
Subterranean Termite ◽  
Subterranean Termites ◽  
Eastern Region ◽  
Pest Species ◽  
University Of Florida ◽  
Reticulitermes Virginicus ◽  
Eastern Subterranean Termite ◽  
Reticulitermes Hageni

Most pest species of subterranean termites in North America belong to the endemic genus Reticulitermes. Reticulitermes species are found in every state in the continental United States except Alaska, but are most common in the warm and humid southeastern region. The eastern subterranean termite, R. flavipes is the most widely distributed and is found in the entire eastern region of North America as far north as Ontario, Canada, and south to Key Largo, Florida. Its counterpart, the western subterranean termite, R. hesperus Banks, is found along the entire Pacific Coast ranging from southern California to British Columbia. Reticulitermes tibialis occurs in the inter-mountain region of the West. In addition to R. flavipes, two other Reticulitermes occur in Florida, R. virginicus, and R. hageni. This document is EENY-212, one of a series of Featured Creatures from the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published: May 2001. EENY-212/IN369: Native Subterranean Termites: Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar), Reticulitermes virginicus (Banks), Reticulitermes hageni Banks (Insecta: Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) (ufl.edu)

scholarly journals Breeding Birds of Mature Woodlands of Point Pelee National Park Prior to Infestation by Emerald Ash Borer, Agrilus planipennis

2009 ◽  
Vol 123 (2) ◽  
pp. 99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Holly D. Dodds ◽  
Gard W. Otis
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Emerald Ash Borer ◽  
Breeding Birds ◽  
Agrilus Planipennis ◽  
Forest Communities ◽  
Breeding Bird ◽  
Animal Diversity ◽  
Ash Trees ◽  
Point Pelee ◽  
Point Pelee National Park

The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a wood-boring beetle native to Asia that now infests and kills ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) in North America. Many ecological communities will be dramatically altered by the mortality of ash trees caused by this invasive insect. The EAB recently colonized Point Pelee National Park of Canada in extreme southwestern Ontario, Canada, a site famous for its unusual plant and animal diversity as well as its extraordinary bird migrations. We conducted a census of breeding birds in two ash-rich mature forests at Point Pelee in order to obtain baseline data on the breeding bird communities prior to changes in forest communities that are likely to be caused by the EAB. Here we report the results of the bird census and review possible changes to the breeding bird fauna of Point Pelee that may result from ash tree mortality and the associated disruption of forest communities.

Field tests of competitive interference for space among temperate-zone rodents

1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (7) ◽  
pp. 1517-1523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas W. Morris
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammal ◽  
National Park ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Temperate Zone ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Competitive Interference ◽  
Point Pelee ◽  
Mammal Faunas ◽  
Point Pelee National Park ◽  
Small Mammal Species

Within-habitat distributions of common rodent species in two temperate-zone small mammal faunas were analyzed by a series of interaction tests to evaluate the hypothesis that the distribution and abundance of these animals is determined by competitive interference for space. In the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Peromyscus maniculatus and Clethrionomys gapperi were independently distributed and there was no consistent relationship between the densities of the two species over a broad range of habitats. At Point Pelee National Park in Ontario, Peromyscus leucopus and Microtus pennsylvanicus distributions were also independent of one another, and again there was no relationship between the densities of these rodents across habitats. These field tests favour rejection of the hypothesis of competitive interference for space among temperate-zone small mammal species.

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