Occurrence of termites (isoptera) in natural and anthropized sand dunes areas in southern Brazil with biological notes on the species

The knowledge about termites in restinga (sand dunes and adjacent areas) is incipient in Santa Catarina (SC) State coast, southern Brazil. Aiming to verifiy the diversity of the termitofauna, the presence of possible exotic species as well as aspects of the biology of the existing species, a survey was done in a natural and in an anthropized portion of restinga, from May to December 2009, during 90 hours. Termites were searched visually on different substrates at both places, sampled and conserved for identification. Nests were also searched, opened and studied. There were done 42 samplings that captured 84 individuals, from three species of Kalotermitidae (Cryptotermes brevis, Glyptotermes canellae, Tauritermes vitulus) and five species of Termitidae (Anoplotermes ater, A. pacificus, Nasutitermes ehrhardti, N. itapocuensis, N. jaraguae). All species are described for SC except Anoplotermes ater that represents a new occurrence for the State. Cryptotermes brevis is an exotic species into the region, introduced as a wood structural and furniture pest. Nasutitermes represented 83% of the total sampled. The greater occurrence of termites was of native xylophagous species. The found species appear to have no harmful expression in the urbanized areas, besides as opportunistic pests.