Termite Hospitalitermes bicolor (Haviland, 1898) (Isoptera: Termitidae) as a supplementary protein source for Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii) in the swamp forests of Sumatra
Munawira N. 1 , Rizki A. 1 , Sutekad D. 1 , Novita N. 2 , Fithri A. 1 , Syaukani S. 1
2 Department of Family Welfare Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia
Year: 2026, Number: 543, Pages: 1-9
The Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii Lesson, 1827) is an endemic and critically endangered primate. One important but less-studied component of its diet is termites, particularly the open-air processional species Hospitalitermes bicolor (Haviland, 1898). Results revealed that H. bicolor colonies were widely distributed in lowland peat swamp habitats, with a mean density of 3.4 colonies/ha. Foraging trails extended up to 28 m from the nest and termites were most active during the late afternoon (15:00–18:00). Orangutans consumed termites opportunistically, with 17 feeding events observed, suggesting that termites provide a supplementary protein source. The findings highlight the significance of termites in orangutan diets and provide new insights into the cross-taxa interactions between primates and termites in tropical forest ecosystems.
DOI: 10.25221/fee.543.1
Keywords: Termites, colony density, trail formation, temporal foraging activity, orangutan diets, Indonesia,
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