Intergeneric comparative analyses of ecological and behavioral traits of termitidae (Isoptera)

Thirty-two genera of the family Termitidae (Isoptera) were analyzed by comp aring phylogenetic distances with similarity in terms of species diversity, diet, habitat, geographical location, defense mode and chemical substance of defense, using single and multiple Mantel tests. The 21 values of Pearso n matrix correlation obtained were submitted to a sequential Bonferroni cor rection in order to adjust the significance level. Diversity of species and diet did not show significant relationship to each other nor with the othe r matrices. Partial correlations, controlling for the effect of the phyloge ny, showed that the changes in the habitat are conditioned by the changes i n the geographic location. Also, changes in the defense mode and in the che mical substances of defense did not show covariation independent with the p hylogeny. This suggests that phylogenetic inertia at the subfamily level su bstantially constrains adaptative variation within the Termitidae.