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Updated: Jan 5, 2026
15:27
Extracting DNA from the Gut Microbes of the Termite Zootermopsis Angusticollis and Visualizing Gut Microbes
Published on: May 28, 2007
15.9K
Evolution of Termite Symbiosis Informed by Transcriptome-Based Phylogenies
Ales Bucek1, Jan Šobotník2, Shulin He3
1Okinawa Institute of Science & Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan; Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamycka 129, 16521 Prague, Czech Republic; Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10 Prague, Czech Repubic.
Current Biology : CB
|October 22, 2019
Summary
Termite evolution shows comb building is a derived trait, not the cause of losing gut protozoa. Instead, prokaryotic symbionts and diet shifts likely drove this major symbiotic transition in termites.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Symbiosis research
- Insect ecology
Background:
- Termites (Termitidae) are key decomposers, with ~80% of species.
- Major evolutionary events include loss of gut protozoa and gain of fungal symbionts in Macrotermitinae.
- The role of comb building in these symbiotic transitions is debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To reconstruct the phylogeny of Termitidae using genomic data.
- To investigate the evolutionary origins of comb building in termites.
- To understand the drivers behind the loss of gut protozoa in termite evolution.
Main Methods:
- Sequencing genomes and transcriptomes of 55 termite species.
- Reconstructing phylogenetic trees using up to 4,065 orthologous genes from 68 species.
- Comparative genomic and phylogenetic analyses.
Main Results:
- Strong support for a sister-group relationship between Sphaerotermitinae (bacterial combs) and Macrotermitinae (fungal combs).
- Comb building is identified as a derived trait within Termitidae.
- The hypothesis that comb building drove the loss of protozoa is challenged.
Conclusions:
- Comb building likely evolved independently in Sphaerotermitinae and Macrotermitinae.
- The loss of gut protozoa may be linked to associations with prokaryotic symbionts and dietary shifts.
- The study provides a phylogenetic framework for future termite symbiosis research.
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