Animals
Macrotermes gilvus
Soil Termite
Taxonomy
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Kingdom
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Phylum
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Class
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Order
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Family
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Genus
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Specific Epithetgilvus
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Common Name
- Soil Termite (English)
The taxonomic status is pending for approval
Description
Macrotermes gilvus, more commonly known as soil termite is a common mound building termite that attacks crops and wood products. It is larger than other termites like Coptotermes gestroi and will compete with and attack these species when they are encountered in wood. This mound-building termite builds its nest and lives in groups. Its nest or mound can reach up to 2 m high. The size of the nest mound varies with location due to availability of food. It is also known as the fungus growing termite subspecies that feeds on mushroom and constructs fungus garden its nests by using the plant matter. Of the fungus growing species, Macrotermes gilvus has one of the most advance and elaborate fungus comb structure comparable with those of Odontotermes which is the most species diverse of the fungus growers. Other than woods, it favours dry leaves, barks, twigs and other cellulose wood sources. This termite can be found in the lowland of altitude range up to 160 m above sea level (Tho, 1992). This species is widespread in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam and Philippines.
Location
by State Location
- Perak 1
- Sabah 1
Based on publications, specimens, and images
Biodiversity Experts
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Ahmad Firdaus Mohd Salleh (Mr.)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
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Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
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Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN)
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Azidah Abdul Aziz (Dr.)
University of Malaya (UM)
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Bakhtiar Effendi Yahya (Dr.)
Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)
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Chey Vun Khen (Dr.)
Sabah Forestry Department
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Fatimah Abang (Prof. Dr.)
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)
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Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)
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Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)
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Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
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Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
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Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)
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Maryati Mohamed (Prof. Datin Dr.)
Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM)
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University of Malaya (UM)
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Nada Badruddin (Dr.)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
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Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK)
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University of Malaya (UM)
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Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
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Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
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University of Malaya (UM)
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Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
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Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
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Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
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University of Malaya (UM)
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Shawn Cheng (Dr.)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
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Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
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Sze Huei Yek (Dr.)
Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)
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Tan Li Peng (Dr.)
Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK)
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Veronica Khoo Swee Imm (Ms.)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
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Wahizatul Afzan Azmi (Assoc. Prof.)
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT)
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Wee Suk Ling (Assoc. Prof. Dr.)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
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PM - Peninsular Malaysia; SBH - Sabah; SWK - Sarawak; SEA - Southeast Asia; W - World;
References
Book
- The Network of Protected Forests in Telupid, Sabah: Biodiversity & Conservation in the Heart of Borneo, 2014. Sabah Forestry Department, Sabah, Malaysia. pp. 155.
- Chung, A.Y.C., Paul, V., Ibrahim, N. A., Japir, R., Pang, K.K.N. & Anuar, M. (2021). Pengenalan kepada Serangga-serangga Perosak Ladang Hutan di Sabah. Sabah Forestry Department, Malaysia. pp. 160.
- Nik Ahmad Irwan Izzauddin, N. H., Suhaila, A.H. & Zarul, H.H. (2019). Royal Belum-Temengor Rainforest : The Hidden Treasure of Perak. Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia and Kementerian Air, Tanah dan Sumber Asli. pp. 300.
Related by Genus
Acknowledgements :- Ms. Norazah Binti Norddin, Mr. Tan Kok Kiat & Mr. Yasser Mohamed Arifin
Photo credit :- USM
Species Citation :- Macrotermes gilvus. Malaysia Biodiversity Information System (MyBIS). Accessed via https://www.mybis.gov.my/sp/61900. [Retrieved 25 April 2024].
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