Termite Gut Microbiome

Maurice, Navodita and Erdei, László (2018) Termite Gut Microbiome. In: TERMITES AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT: VOL 1 - BIOLOGY, SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AND ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE. Springer, pp. 69-99. ISBN 9783319721101 ; 9783319721095

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Abstract

Termites depend on their gut microbes for digestion of complex polysaccharides of wood into simpler molecules. Cellulose is a major polymeric carbohydrate present in the wood which is broken down to simpler byproducts through metabolic steps by the hindgut microbes. Termite gut microbes also produce gases during the cellulose degradation process, of which methane is the major product. Gut microbes belong to three major groups, namely, bacteria, archaea and protozoa. They show a mutualistic relationship and typically convert 95% of cellulose into simple sugars within 24 h. More than 200 species of microbes form this community, producing different types of wood-busting enzymes, mainly cellulases, cellubiases, hemicellulases, glucosidases and gluconases, during wood degradation. Studies suggest that lower termites utilize both endogenous and protozoal enzymes for cellulose digestion, while higher termites acquire enzymes from their diet instead of protozoal enzymes. Some termite species change their feeding habits with seasonal variations. These affect gut microbes population and therefore are responsible for enhancing their survival under changed environmental conditions.

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