Effect of diet on the bacterial diversity of termite guts (Termitidae)

• Grant number: 18/22839-6
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: September 01, 2019
• End date: August 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biology
• Principal Investigator: Alberto José Arab Olavarrieta
• Grantee: Alberto José Arab Olavarrieta
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Santo André , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: Santo André
• Associated researchers: Ana Maria Costa-Leonardo ; Douglas Antonio Alvaredo Paixão ; Fábio Márcio Squina ; Gabriela Felix Persinoti ; Hélida Ferreira da Cunha ; Ives Haifig ; João Paulo Lourenço Franco Cairo ; Maria Avany Bezerra Gusmão ; Maria Teresa Pedrosa Silva Clerici ; Tiago Fernandes Carrijo

Abstract

The evolution of the symbiotic association with microbes allowed termites to decompose ingested lignocellulose from plant derived substrates, including herbivore dung and soil humus. However, some aspects of lignocelulose digestion of higher termites remain unknown. Representatives of Termitidae range in their feeding habits from wood and litter-feeding to humus-feeding species. These insects constitute an excellent group to evaluate questions about lignocellulose digestion in the context of evolution and adaptation to the environments. However, only limited information is available about the feeding ecology of neotropical higher termites. The main objective of this research project is to investigate aspects of lignocellulose digestion and symbiont community in the gut of termites through enzymatic bioassays and Illumina sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and transcriptomics. We will determine i) the bacterial community, enzymatic activity and transcriptome of the facultative lichen-feeder termite Constrictotermes cyphergaster and ii) the functional composition of gut microbiota of the humus-litter feeders Procornitermes araujoi e Silvestritermes euamignathus, after feeding with different components of the lignocellulose. We expect that lichen ingestion affect the composition and functionality of the microbiota of C. cyphergaster. In addition, we expect that intermediate feeders could modulate their gut microbiota and digestive capability after diet variation more efficiently because their higher gut bacteria diversity. The results of this research project will be important to the understanding of relationship of higher termites and their gut symbionts. (AU)

Scientific publications

(6)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

ALVES, FREDERICO R.; AGUILERA-OLIVARES, DANIEL; ROCHA, MAURICIO MARTINS; ARAB, ALBERTO. Termites are the main dung removals in a degraded landscape in Brazil. FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION, v. 10, p. 8-pg., 2022-09-15. (15/21497-6, 18/22839-6)

CARRIJO, T. F.; ENGEL, M. S.; CHOUVENC, T.; GILE, G. H.; MIKAELYAN, A.; DEDEINE, F.; WARE, J. L.; HAIFIG, I.; ARAB, A.; CONSTANTINI, J. P.; et al. A call to termitologists: it is time to abandon the use of "lower" and "higher" termites. Insectes Sociaux, v. N/A, p. 5-pg., 2023-08-23. (20/06041-4, 18/22839-6, 20/08121-5, 14/11982-1, 17/11768-8)

MOREIRA, EDIMAR A.; PERSINOTI, GABRIELA F.; MENEZES, LETICIA R.; PAIXAO, DOUGLAS A. A.; ALVAREZ, THABATA M.; CAIRO, JOAO P. L. FRANCO; SQUINA, FABIO M.; COSTA-LEONARDO, ANA MARIA; RODRIGUES, ANDRE; SILLAM-DUSSES, DAVID; et al. Complementary Contribution of Fungi and Bacteria to Lignocellulose Digestion in the Food Stored by a Neotropical Higher Termite. FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION, v. 09, APR 26 2021. (15/21497-6, 16/09950-0, 18/22839-6, 15/50590-4)

AGUILERA-OLIVARES, DANIEL; ISSA, SOLANGE; ARAB, ALBERTO. Editorial: Advances in the evolutionary ecology of termites, volume II. FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION, v. 11, p. 3-pg., 2023-07-11. (18/22839-6, 15/21497-6)

ARAB, ALBERTO; PAULINO, LUCIANA CAMPOS; ROLIM, MARIA SOCORRO LACERDA; DE MENEZES, LETICIA RAMOS; DE OLIVEIRA, MARIO HERCULANO; DOS SANTOS, RENATO AUGUSTO CORREA; CAIRO, JOAO PAULO LOURENCO FRANCO; BEZERRA-GUSMAO, MARIA AVANY; COSTA-LEONARDO, ANA MARIA; CUNHA, HELIDA; et al. The Gut Microbiome and Lignocellulose Digestion in Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae): A Termite Incorporating Lichen into Its Diet. DIVERSITY-BASEL, v. 16, n. 10, p. 14-pg., 2024-10-01. (18/22839-6, 15/21497-6)

MENEZES, LETICIA R.; CAIRO, JOAO PAULO L. F.; COSTA-LEONARDO, ANA MARIA; CLERICI, MARIA TERESA PEDROSA SILVA; DA COSTA BARRETO, ISABELA; DOS SANTOS, BIANCA SURIANO FRANCISCO; ARAB, ALBERTO. Dietary resilience of termite gut microbiota and enzymatic function reflects feeding strategy. FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION, v. 13, p. 9-pg., 2025-08-01. (18/22839-6, 15/21497-6)