Termite species diversity and conservation in a vegetation-rich region of Northeastern Puducherry, India

Abstract

A systematic survey of termite species in Northeastern Puducherry which is part of peninsular India,
was carried out. As there is no pre-existing report on the richness or diversity of termifauna in this
region, the present work aims to fill this major knowledge gap. The findings are discussed in the
context of the quantitative studies on termifauna carried out across the world, as also in terms of the
defining traits of the species identified in the survey vis a vis their possible use in biodegrading
ligninous biowaste. The latter aspect is particularly relevant to the controlled use of termites by the
process named ‘termigradation’, which denotes termite-based biodegradation of waste.