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Mutualistic relation of termites with associated microbes for their harmonious survival

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Abstract

This article explores the symbiotic role of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi and protozoans) associated with xylophagous termites. Members of the subfamily Macrotermitinae belonging to the family Termitidae have evolved symbiosis with fungi, which belong to the genus Termitomyces. The function of Termitomyces varies for different termite groups depending on their feeding behaviour. In some termites, the primary function of Termitomyces fungi is the degradation of lignin to its simpler form and to make cellulose available to termites; however, these fungi also serve as nutrient rich food sources to other groups of termites. The subsequent breakdown of ingested cellulose in termite gut is further facilitated and controlled by the action of various groups of enzymes secreted by gut-borne microflora and micro-fauna. Understanding the function, significance and management of these diverse microbial symbionts associated with pestiferous higher termites may help in developing their effective bio-control.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the Director of Tocklai Tea Research Association, TRA, Jorhat, Assam for providing the necessary facilities and to the National Tea Research Foundation, NTRF, for the financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Entomology, Tocklai Tea Research Institute, Jorhat, Assam, 785008, India

    Sourajit Bayen & Somnath Roy

  2. Department of Genetics, University of Calcutta, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata, 700019, India

    Dipankar Chakraborti

  3. Entomology Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of North Bengal, Siliguri, Darjeeling, 734013, India

    Ananda Mukhopadhyay

  4. Assam Women’s University, Jamuguri, Rowriah, Jorhat, Assam, Pin: 785004, India

    Lakshmi Kanta Hazarika

  5. Tea Research Association, North Bengal Regional Research & Development Centre, Nagrakata, West Bengal, 735225, India

    Prabhat Pramanik

  6. Department of Biotechnology, Tocklai Tea Research Institute, Jorhat, Assam, 785008, India

    Sangeeta Borchetia

  7. National Tea Research Foundation, Tea Board, 14, B. T. M. Sarani, 9th Floor, Kolkata, 700001, India

    Sudipta Mukherjee

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Contributions

S.R. and D.C. conceived this study. S.B. and P.P. performed data extraction and analysis. S.B., S.R. and D.C drafted the manuscript. A.M, L.K.H. and S. M. commented, reviewed and upgraded the manuscript, P.P. revised the manuscript thoroughly to give the ms a final shape and all authors agreed with the final version.

This article does not contain any studies with human participants or experimental animals performed by any of the authors.

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Correspondence to Somnath Roy, Dipankar Chakraborti or Prabhat Pramanik.

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Key points

1. Mutualism between termite and termitophilic fungi Termitomyces.

2. Role of various microbial symbionts of termites in digestion of plant biomass.

3. Source and function of lignin and cellulose degrading enzyme in termite- fungi interaction.

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Bayen, S., Roy, S., Chakraborti, D. et al. Mutualistic relation of termites with associated microbes for their harmonious survival. Symbiosis 85, 145–161 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13199-021-00809-w

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