Role of termites in the process of regeneration of subtropical rain forest

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The role of termites in the process of regeneration of subtropical rain forest of Iriomote-jima was studied. Nine species of termites were found in the forest of Iriomote-jima. Two of them were soil feeders, while 7 species were dead wood feeders. Five species, Neotermes koshunensis, Cryptotermes domesticus, Glyptotermes fuscus, Coptotermes formosanus and Nasutitermes takasagoensis were found in the dead parts of living trees. Neotermes koshunensis was sometimes found in living parts of trees. Coptotermes formosanus and Neotermes koshunensis were found in the central parts of tree trunks which were blown down by typhoon. However, no evidence was got to show that the falling down of those trees was caused by the termites' attack as well as typhoon.Three permanent quadrants were set in the mangrove swamp of Iriomote-jima, and the process of decay of branches and falling down of standing trees were recorded with special reference to the activities of a dry wood termite, Neotermes Koshunensis. During the study period, many young mangrove trees died, but this was mainly due to insufficiency of light. Then many colonies of termites founded in the dead wood. Therefore, it seemed that termites did not play an important role on the death of branches and trees in the mangrove swamp.Protozoan communities in the gut of Reticulitermes speratus were analyzed within the framework of the present project. Eleven species of symbiotic protozoa were found in the guts of termites. Species composition of Protozoa was similar in workers and soldiers.