Abstract
Because of their numbers and diet, termites are important potential producers of atmospheric methane. This methane production is due to the anaerobic degradation of plant material by a symbiotic microflora localized in the termite's hindgut. The bacterial population and the methane production are correlated to the termite's nutrition mode. The xylophageous termites possess primarily acetogenic bacteria and thus are low methane producers; on the other hand, the soil-feeding and some of the fungus-growing termites have numerous methanogenic bacteria in their guts and produce high quantities of methane but no acetate. It is, therefore, essential to take into account the distribution of the different termite alimentary groups before assessing their global annual methane production.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
