Diversity of termites (Order: Blattodea) in Hutan Lipur Bukit Bakar, Machang, Kelantan

Hutan Lipur Bukit Bakar is rich in biodiversity that consists of flora and fauna. However, the research on insects is still lacking in the area. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the diversity of termite in Hutan Lipur Bukit Bakar, Machang, Kelantan. The objective of this study is to determine the diversity of termites based on their morphology and taxonomy. Standardized line transect method with 100m x 2m and divided into 20 sections used in order to collect termite samples. The size of each section is 5m × 2m. Termites sample were collected by two peoples within 30 minutes in each section. Termites were collected manually using forceps and preserved in 80% of ethanol. The study was conducted from July until August 2018. A total of 156 hits comprising of 25 species of termites from two families (Rhinotermitidae and Termitidae) and five sub-families (Coptotermitinae, Termitinae, Rhinotermitinae, Macrotermitinae and Nasutitermitinae) were collected in this study. There are ecological factors affected the diversity of termite in the area such as soil pH, soil temperature, canopy cover, light intensity, and elevation. Hutan Lipur Bukit Bakar has high diversity of termite which is H’=2.707. This value was obtained by using Shannon-Wiener Index, and had complete evenness which is 0.841. Termite species that dominant are Odontotermes sp. Litter-foragers and epigeal mound builder are have the higher termite diversity. Meanwhile, soil-feeding group and hypogeal or subterranean nester have the lowest termite diversity. In a nutshell, Hutan Lipur Bukit Bakar has high diversity of termite and there is still more termite species await to be collect because of the accelerating graph on species accumulative curve. Therefore, further studies and research on termite diversity are required in order to determine the species richness on this particular areas.