Ultrastructal morphology of some prokaryotic microorganisms associated with the hindgut of cockroaches

Abstract

Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy have been used to visualize the morphology and ultrastructure of two types of microorganisms in the hindgut of the cockroach Blaberus posticus. Both organisms, designated as either short or long rods, are attached to chitinous projections from the gut wall. Micrographs suggest that the organisms are prokaryotic with a cell wall complex characteristic of gram-negative bacteria. However, certain differences were noted between the cell wall complex of the two types. Two forms of the long-rod type were noted, with one form appearing to be a "degenerate" or "transitional" cell. In the degenerate cells, vesicles are observed that often are contiguous with the cytoplasmic membrane. There are indications that the long-rod type may divide by longitudinal fission. Neither the short- nor long-rod type has been cultivated in its respective recognizable form.

In situ morphology of the gut microbiota of wood-eating termites [Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) and Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki]

“…Phoresis, or the colonization by a microbe of the surface of another macro-or microorganism, is common in nature (2), and the attach-ment of organisms to gut epithelial tissues has been well documented for a variety of animal hosts (6,15,35,39,41,(46)(47)(48), including insects other than termites (21). The present findings extend the generality of this phenomenon since phoresis was apparent not only at the epithelial surface (Fig.…”

The proventriculus of the carpenter bee, Xylocopa virginica virginica (L.), with special reference to bacteria‐containing luminal tunnels

“…It should be noted that these bacteria occur in sites removed from the food flow through the lumen of the proventriculus, which should help stabilize their residence there. Bacteria have been reported in the intestine of termites (Leidy 1881;Breznak & Pankratz 1977;Bignell et al 1980;Czolij et al 1985), cockroaches (Foglesong et al 1975;Bracke et al 1979), millipedes (Crawford et al 1983), and bees (Bailey 1963;Cruz-Landim 1972Clark 1977;Peng & Marston 1986;Gilliam et al 1988;Cruz-Landim & Moraes 1996).…”

“…For example, 13 morphotypes were found in the termite paunch and midgut (Breznak & Pankratz 1977), at least 27 morphotypes in the termite paunch (Czolij et al 1985), and filamentous and non-filamentous forms throughout the entire termite gut (Bignell et al 1980). Two types of microorganisms (gram-negative short and long rods) were reported in the cockroach hindgut (Foglesong et al 1975) and "a variety of bacteria in the colon" of the cockroach (Bracke et al 1979). "At least three bacterial morphotypes" were found in the hindgut of a desert millipede (Crawford et al 1983).…”

Action of Douglas Fir Tussock Moth Larvae and Their Microflora on Dietary Terpenes

“…Other relationships between insects and microbes have been demonstrated. For example, Foglesong et al (5) demonstrated that a variety of microorganisms are present in the hindguts of cockroaches. Barras (1) elucidated a symbiotic relationship between certain fungi and Southern pine beetles.…”