Stable Isotope Ratios and Uric Acid Preservation in Termites Belonging to Three Feeding Habits in Thailand |
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| Authors: | I Tayasu F Hyodo Y Takematsu A Sugimoto T Inoue N Kirtibutr |
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| Institution: | 1. Laboratory of Forest Ecology, Division of Environmental Science and Technology , Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University , Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan;2. Center for Ecological Research , Kyoto University , Kamitanakami-Hiranocho, Otsu, 520-2113, Japan;3. Chemical Ecology Laboratory, Department of Applied Biology , Kyoto Institute of Technology , Matsugasaki, Kyoto, 606-8585, Japan;4. JST Bio-Recycle Project Kasetsart University Research and Development Institute , Bangkok, 10900, Thailand;5. Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture , Kasetsart University , Bangkok, Thailand |
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| Abstract: | Abstract Nitrogen and carbon stable isotope ratios and uric acid concentrations in termites sampled from a dry evergreen forest in Thailand, were determined across three kinds of feeding habits. Feeding habits of Microcerotermes crassus, which is an abundant woodfeeder, and Dicuspiditermes makhamensis, a common soil-feeding termite, were confirmed by isotopic signatures. Lichen feeding termites (Hospitalitermes birmanicus, H. bicolor and H. ataramensis) were characterized by low δ15N values, suggesting that they assimilated nitrogen deposited from the atmosphere. There was also a significant difference in uric acid concentrations between termites representing different feeding habits. No significant relationships were found between uric acid concentrations and δ15N or δ13C in Hospitalitermes. However, δ15N values were correlated with C/N ratios in H. birmanicus, except in one colony of H. ataramensis. δ13C values in both species were negatively correlated with C/N ratios. |
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| Keywords: | annual effective dose indoor exposure ionogenic radiation exposure lung cancer risk natural radioactivity radon-222 Romania |
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