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Termite mounds like this one bulit by Amitermes
laurensis can be a few metres tall
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Australia’s tropical savannas are home to an enormous
number of invertebrates — animals without
backbones — and we’re not just talking about flies
and mosquitoes. Ants and termites, for example, are very abundant
in northern Australia and play a significant role in ecosystems.
Termites are probably the most conspicuous insects in northern
Australia building countless earthern mounds or 'anthills' that can
dominate the appearance of some landscapes in the tropical
savannas. These insects are also important decomposers as they can
consume dead grass and wood throughout the harsh dry season when
many other decomposing organisms struggle to survive.
To read more about termites click on the menu at the
left.
