Analysis of Termite Microbiome and Biodegradation of Various Phenolic Compounds by a Bacterium Isolated from the Termite gut in Louisiana, USA

Dexter, Seth Van; Boopathy, Ramaraj

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-39137-9_8

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

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“…Similarly, the composition of microbial flora in a termite gut has been believed to be colony specific ( Matsuura 2001 , Boucias et al 2013 ). The composition of major bacterial phyla of wood feeding termites were found stable even though variation in relative abundance occurred with their diet ( Van Dexter and Boopathy 2020 ). Interestingly, the overall functions within a termite gut apparently were not disturbed which indicates the occurrence of metabolic overlap; an important feature in microbial ecology ( Van Dexter and Boopathy 2020 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The composition of major bacterial phyla of wood feeding termites were found stable even though variation in relative abundance occurred with their diet ( Van Dexter and Boopathy 2020 ). Interestingly, the overall functions within a termite gut apparently were not disturbed which indicates the occurrence of metabolic overlap; an important feature in microbial ecology ( Van Dexter and Boopathy 2020 ). Furthering to these prior studies, our study suggests that differences in gut bacterial structure among colonies are inevitable despite similar rearing conditions in the laboratory.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Intercolony Comparisons of Gut Microbiome Composition From Lab Reared Eastern Subterranean Termites (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae)

Sapkota

Scharf

2022

Journal of Insect Science

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Termites are social insects living in colonies composed of worker, soldier, and reproductive castes. Termite hindguts are inhabited by all three domains of life- Eukarya (protists), Bacteria, and Archaea. These gut microorganisms are horizontally and vertically transferred by nestmates and reproductives, respectively. Prior evidence suggests that every colony potentially has a different gut microbiome that was transferred vertically and horizontally over time. However, we do not know if different colonies reared in the laboratory on the same diet will ultimately demonstrate similar microbial composition and structure. Therefore, we looked at gut bacteria in Eastern subterranean termite (Reticulitermes flavipes) colonies that were reared in the laboratory with identical diets and rearing conditions. Based on16S rRNA gene sequencing, the observed features, and Shannon’s diversity were significantly different between the colonies while differences in Pielou evenness and Faith phylogenetic diversity were not statistically significant. In addition, the microbial community structures were significantly different between colonies. Based on ANCOM (Analysis of Composition of Microbiomes), the taxa Elizabethkingia (Bacteroidetes: Flavobacteriales) and Chryseobacterium (Bacteroidetes: Flavobacteriales) were differentially abundant between the colonies. These results suggest that providing the exact same diet and rearing environment for >2 yr cannot result in identical gut microbiomes between termite colonies.

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