Diversity of termites at oil palm plantation, Felda Kemahang, Tanah Merah, Kelantan

Termite diversity was studied at oil palm plantation area in Felda Kemahang, Tanah Merah, Kelantan. The research on termites in oil palm plantation is still lacking in Kelantan. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the diversity of termites in oil palm plantation at Felda Kemahang, Tanah Merah, Kelantan in July 2019. The type of sampling method used was standardized line transect with 100m x 2m and are divided into 20 sections (5m x 2m). Two people were sampled at each section for 30 minutes at three transects conducted at the study area which are Transect 1 (Felda Kemahang 1), Transect 2 (Felda Kemahang 2) and Transect 3 (Felda Kemahang 3). The termite sample were collected manually by using forceps and preserved in glass vial with 70% ethanol. A total of 133 hits comprising of 15 termite species were successfully collected in this study. The total termite species are representing of two families (Rhinotermitidae and Termitidae) and five sub-families (Rhinotermitinae, Coptotermitinae, Termitinae, Macrotermitinae and Nasutitermitinae). There are ecological factors affected the diversity of termite in the area such as soil pH, soil moisture, soil temperature, depth of leaf litter and canopy cover. This study has high diversity of termite which is H'= 2.220. This value was obtained by using Shannon-Wiener Index, and had complete evenness which is 0.820. Termite species that dominant are Globitermes sulphureus. Litter-foragers (65%) and epigeal mound builder (88%) have the highest termite diversity. Meanwhile, wood-feeding group (12%) wood nester (3%) and hypogeal or subterranean nester (3%) have the lowest termite diversity. In a nutshell, oil palm plantation at Felda Kemahang, Tanah Merah, Kelantan has high diversity of termite. Based on species accumulation curve, termite sampling already have adequate sampling data. This study provides information on the status of termite species in oil palm plantation areas. Such information may be useful in future planning strategies by the plantation management.