Symbiosis and microbiome in termite guts: A unique quadripartite system

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-27-2023

Abstract

A prominent feature of the biology of lower termites is the multilayered Russian doll-like symbiosis with gut microbes featuring "bugs in bugs in bugs. " Lower termites harbor a diverse community of microorganisms in their guts spanning the three domains of life: Eukaryota (Protists), Archaea, and Bacteria. Most termite gut microorganisms belong to obligate functional groups contributing to energy and nutrient production and benefit the termite host directly or indirectly as ecto-and endosymbionts of the protists. Advances in-omics technologies have recently enabled researchers to shed light on spatial and phylogenetic distribution of the gut microbiota, their co-diversification with various hosts, and to make predictions about physiological functions and trophic interactions even though most gut symbionts remain uncultured. Although still fragmentary, this knowledge makes termite gut microbes excellent models for investigating the complex interactions in gut ecology and function but also makes these microbes tools and targets for controlling invasive termite pest species.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Biology and Management of the Formosan Subterranean Termite and Related Species

First Page

144

Last Page

170

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