Jouquet Pascal auteur aut IRD Guilleux N. auteur aut IRD Chintakunta S. auteur aut IRD Mendez-Millan Mercedes auteur aut IRD Subramanian S. auteur aut IRD Shanbhag R. R. auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf born digital access Fungus-growing termites are involved in many ecological processes and play a central role in influencing soil dynamics in the tropics. The physical and chemical properties of their nest structures have been largely described; however less information is available concerning the relatively temporary structures made above-ground to access food items and protect the foraging space (the soil 'sheetings'). This study investigated whether the soil physical and chemical properties of these constructions are constant or if they vary depending on the type of food they cover. Soil samples and soil sheetings were collected in a forest in India, from leaves on the ground (LEAF), fallen branches (WOOD), and vertical soil sheetings covering the bark of trees (TREE). In this environment, termite diversity was dominated by Odontotermes species, and especially Odontotermes feae and Odontotermes obesus. However, there was no clear niche differentiation and, for example, O. feae termites were found on all the materials. Compared with the putative parent soil (control), TREE sheetings showed the greatest (and most significant) differences (higher clay content and smaller clay particle sizes, lower C and N content and smaller delta C-13 and delta N-15), while LEAF sheetings were the least modified, though still significantly different than the control soil. We suggest that the termite diversity is a less important driver of potential soil modification than sheeting diversity. Further, there is evidence that construction properties are adapted to their prospective life-span, with relatively long-lasting structures being most different from the parent soil. specialized Bioturbation Clay Ecological niches Fungus-growing termites India Soil sheeting Soil translocation INDE 074 068 69 74-78 2015 1164-5563 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010064839 10.1016/j.ejsobi.2015.05.007 1164-5563 [F B010064839] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010064839 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/intranet/publi/2015/08/010064839.pdf Accès réservé (Intranet de l'IRD) IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2015-09-04 2017-08-23 fdi:010064839 fre