Diversity of nitrogen fixation genes in the symbiotic intestinal microflora of the termite Reticulitermes speratus

Article Abstract:

Phylogenic analysis of nifH genes clonally isolated from the DNA of the mixed microbial population of Reticulitermes speratus demonstrates diverse N2 fixation genes within microbial population. While many of the nifH sequences are closely related to those of a firmicute, a few are related to either the gamma subclass of proteobacteria or a sequence of Desulfovibrio gigas. Such diversity may be a result of the presence of alternative nitrogenase genes and several copies of nifH in the N2-fixing microorganism.

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Symbiotic fungi produce laccases potentially involved in phenol degradation in fungus combs of fungus-growing termites in Thailand

Article Abstract:

The phenol-oxidizing enzymes in symbiotic fungi and fungus combs from termites belonging to the genera Macrotermes, Odontotermes, and Microtermes in Thailand are investigated. Laccase was the only detectable phenol-oxidizing enzyme and laccase cDNA sequences were identified from the fungus combs, showing the distribution and diversity of laccase genes in symbiotic fungi.

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The motility symbiont of the termite gut flagellate Caduceia versatilis is a member of the "Synergists" group

Article Abstract:

The ectosymbionts were identified by a combination of clone analyses and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analyses of 16SrRNA. Results concluded that motility ectosymbiont evolved from a free-living, gut bacterium within this termite-specific cluster.

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