The Gut Microbiome and Lignocellulose Digestion in Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae): A Termite Incorporating Lichen into Its Diet
Lichen-feeding termites occupy a distinctive ecological niche. This feeding behavior underscores a complex interplay between the termites’ digestive abilities and the biochemical properties of lichens, known for their resilience and production of secondary metabolites. Understanding the dietary preferences and digestive mechanisms of these termites offers insights into their ecological roles and the evolutionary adaptations that enable them to exploit such a specialized food source. We conducted experiments with Constrictotermes cyphergaster, feeding it with different combinations of its natural food sources: wood bark and lichen from host trees. Gut microbial communities were analyzed through 16S rRNA sequencing and shotgun metagenomics. Our results revealed that a diet containing lichens induces a shift in microbiota composition and increases the abundance of genes encoding an AA3 enzyme with a role in lignin digestion. This study emphasizes the potential role of lichens in enhancing the digestive capabilities of termites, highlighting the intricate relationships between diet, gut microbiota, and enzymatic activity in Termitidae.
Authors
- Renato Santos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0826-5479)
- David Sillam‐Dussès (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5027-8703)
- João Paulo L. Franco Cairo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4744-3111)
- Maria Avany Bezerra‐Gusmão (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1227-3167)
- Ana Maria Costa–Leonardo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8874-5538)
- Luciana Campos Paulino (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2421-5236)
- Letícia Ramos de Menezes
- Hélida Ferreira da Cunha (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2821-3986)
- Mário Herculano de Oliveira (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7015-4350)
- Alberto Arab (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0009-6658)
- Maria Socorro Lacerda Rolim
Institutions
- Universidade Estadual da Paraíba (BR)
- Universidade Federal de Viçosa (BR)
- Universidade de São Paulo (BR)
- Universidade Estadual de Goiás (BR)
- Université Sorbonne Paris Nord (FR)
- Laboratoire d’Ethologie Expérimentale et Comparée (FR)
- University of York (GB)
- Universidade Federal do ABC (BR)
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp) (BR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Diversity
- Published
- 2024-10-08
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/d16100623
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.55
Funders
- Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
- Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais
- Laboratório Nacional de Biorrenováveis