Chapter 9 - Microbial diversity in termite gut ecosystem and their role in lignocellulosic degradation

Abstract

Termites are widely distributed in temperate, tropical, and subtropical areas, comprising more than 3000 species. Termites feed on specific substrates like soil matter, woody material, fungi, dung, etc., which are degraded by the complex interaction of gut microbiomes, consisting of a consortium of culturable and uncultured microorganisms in host and symbiont enzymes. These termite gut microbes play an important role in lignocellulosic degradation, nitrogen fixation and microbial defense. Termites are mainly classified as lower termites that digest wood with protozoa and cellulolytic bacteria, whereas higher termites contain hindgut microbes that harbor a symbiotic relationship with Basidiomycetes fungi. The complete absence of cellulolytic protozoans in higher termites due to evolution and acquiring new symbiotic bacteria in their gut have enhanced lignocellulosic degradation. In recent years, advanced metagenomic studies have been used to explore the microbial diversity in termite guts and detection of bacterial genes coding for biomass-degrading enzymes. This chapter highlights the diversity of gut microbes responsible for lignocellulosic degradation in lower and higher termites and their potential role in bioprospecting.