The intestinal flagellates of termites produce cellulases that contribute to cellulose digestion of their host termites. However, 75% of all termite species do not harbour the cellulolytic flagellates; the endogenous cellulase secreted from the midgut tissue has been considered a sole source of cellulases in these termites. Using the xylophagous flagellate-free termites Nasutitermes takasagoens...

Termites occur in many ecosystems throughout tropical and subtropical areas. Their distribution is driven by several factors, including landscape some soil characteristics. This study aims to determine organic matter’s role on termites’ diversity a shrubby savanna park. were sampled across transects 3 sites of Galangashi park (northern part Togo). The which termites harvested was analyzed check...

Laboratory studies were conducted to determine factors that affect the tunneling behavior of the western subterranean termite (Reticulitermes hesperus Banks). Soil particle sizes between 2.36 and 0.84 mm prevented tunneling. Exposure to solid layers of calcium, magnesium, or zinc borate did not repel workers, but produced >87 percent kill within 10 d. No tunneling occurred in soils treated with...

BACKGROUND Undertaking behavior is a significant adaptation to social life in enclosed nests. Workers are known to remove dead colony members from the nest. Such behavior prevents the spread of pathogens that may be detrimental to a colony. To date, little is known about the ethological aspects of how termites deal with carcasses. METHODOLOGY AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS In this study, we tested th...

The mutualism between fungus-growing termites (Macrotermitinae) and their mutualistic fungi (Termitomyces) began in Africa. The fungus-growing termites have secondarily colonized Madagascar and only a subset of the genera found in Africa is found on this isolated island. Successful long-distance colonization may have been severely constrained by the obligate interaction of the termites with fun...

The escaping behavior of termites has been documented under laboratory conditions; however, no study has been conducted in a field setting due to the difficulty of observing natural behaviors inside wood or structures (e.g., nests, tunnels, etc.). The black-winged termite, Odontotermes formosanus (Shiraki), is a subterranean macrotermitine species which builds extensive mud tubes on tree trunks...

Recent research has shown that low genetic variation in individuals can increase susceptibility to infection and group living may exacerbate pathogen transmission. In the eusocial diploid termites, cycles of outbreeding and inbreeding characterizing basal species can reduce genetic variation within nestmates during the life of a colony, but the relationship of genetic heterogeneity to disease r...

Coevolution of the symbiotic systems of termites is investigated by comparing the phylogeny of the gut microorganisms among diverse termites. Some major constituents of the gut community, such as Treponema-like spirochetes and the Bacteroides group, showed complex evolutionary history due to their multiple phylogenetic positions. Groups of methanogenic archaea in the guts are distinct between l...

BACKGROUND Although termites are considered as agricultural pests, they play an important role in maintaining the ecosystem. Therefore, it matters to investigate the farmers' perception of the impacts of the termites on the agriculture and their indigenous utilization. METHODS A semi-structured questionnaire was used to interview 94 farmers through 10 villages of Atacora department, in the no...

The majority of termites and termite species on the planet belong to the phylogenetically ‘higher’ termite family Termitidae. Higher termites thrive on diverse lignocellulosic substrates with the aid of symbiotic gut microbiota. H2 consuming CO2 reductive acetogenic bacteria are an important group of symbionts that produce a significant fraction of the acetate used by their insect host as its p...