Comparison of gut‐associated and nest‐associated microbial communities of a fungus‐growing termite (Odontotermes yunnanensis)

Abstract

The digestion of cellulose by fungus‐growing termites involves a complex of different organisms, such as the termites themselves, fungi and bacteria. To further investigate the symbiotic relationships of fungus‐growing termites, the microbial communities of the termite gut and fungus combs of Odontotermes yunnanensis were examined. The major fungus species was identified as Termitomyces sp. To compare the micro‐organism diversity between the digestive tract of termites and fungus combs, four polymerase chain reaction clone libraries were created (two fungus‐targeted internal transcribed spacer [ITS]– ribosomal DNA [rDNA] libraries and two bacteria‐targeted 16S rDNA libraries), and one library of each type was produced for the host termite gut and the symbiotic fungus comb. Results of the fungal clone libraries revealed that only Termitomyces sp. was detected on the fungus comb; no non‐Termitomyces fungi were detected. Meanwhile, the same fungus was also found in the termite gut. The bacterial clone libraries showed higher numbers and greater diversity of bacteria in the termite gut than in the fungus comb. Both bacterial clone libraries from the insect gut included Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Spirochaetes, Nitrospira, Deferribacteres, and Fibrobacteres, whereas the bacterial clone libraries from the fungal comb only contained Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Acidobacteris.

Microbial composition of spiny ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Polyrhachis) across their geographic range

“…Therefore Kellner et al [80] believe that Lactobacillus may serve an important role as defense pathogens in the M. smithii system. In another study involving termites, Lactobacillus was found in the insect feces where, in addition to this protection function, it can also serve as a substrate or fertilizer [82, 83]. …”

Effects of element complexes containing Fe, Zn and Mn on artificial morel’s biological characteristics and soil bacterial community structures

“…Chlorobacteria and Nitrospirae were also reported to be the dominant bacteria in activated sludge in wastewater treatment, which can degrade ammonia-nitrogen and organic chlorides [34–36]. Acidobacteria plays an important role in maintaining the pH value [37,38] and influences metal uptake activity [39,40]. Bacteroidetes is important for degrading cellulose and chitin [41–44].…”

Bacillus subtilis Subspecies virginiana, a New Subspecies of Antitermitic Compound-Producing Endophytic Bacteria Isolated From Juniperus virginiana

“…Termites not only attack living trees, but also degrade wood and other celluloses in the terrestrial environment (Long et al 2010). In fact, they can damage many other kinds of materials, from paper materials such as paper, fabrics, and wood structures to noncellulose materials such as asphalt, asbestos, bitumen, lead, and metal foils (Bultman et al 1979).…”