Stable isotope rations and uric acid preservation in termites belonging to three feeding habits in Thailand

Nitrogen and carbon stable isotope ratios and uric acid concentrations in termites sampled from a dry evergreen forest in Thailand, were determined across three kinds of feeding habits. Feeding habits of Microcerotermes crassus, which is an abundant woodfeeder, and Dicuspiditermes makhamensis, a common soil-feeding termite, were confirmed by isotopic signatures. Lichen feeding termites (Hospitalitermes birmanicus, H. bicolor and H. ataramensis) were characterized by low δ¹⁵N values, suggesting that they assimilated nitrogen deposited from the atmosphere. There was also a significant difference in uric acid concentrations between termites representing different feeding habits. No significant relationships were found between uric acid concentrations and δ¹⁵N or δ¹³C in Hospitalitermes. However, δ¹⁵N values were correlated with C/N ratios in H. birmanicus, except in one colony of H. ataramensis. δ¹³C values in both species were negatively correlated with C/N ratios.