Intestinal Microorganisms of Termites And Other Invertebrates

by Konig, Helmut; Varma, Ajit; Dettner, Konrad

• ISBN13: 9783540281801
• ISBN10: 3540281800
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-01-15
• Publisher: Springer Verlag

Summary

Soil microorganisms play a major role in the degradation and recycling of organic material. Microbes are involved in the food web and strongly contribute to soil fertility. In the past, attention was mainly directed towards free-living or particle-bound microorganisms, while the role of intestinal microbes of soil animals has been neglected. For the first time, "Intestinal Microorganisms of Termites and Other Invertebrates" focuses on the microbes in gut systems of soil animals. It starts with a profound overview of the biology of soil invertebrates. A major part deals with the gut microbiota of termites, the best investigated gut system of invertebrates. Termites are important soil processors in tropical and subtropical regions. Insight is given into the intestinal microbiota of further relevant primary litter decomposers, such as earthworms, springtails, millipeds, and woodlice. Novel techniques for studying intestinal microbes complete the volume.

Table of Contents

Part I Soil Invertebrates
Biology of Soil Invertebrates	3	(52)
Gerhard Eisenbeis
Introduction	3	(5)
The Microfauna	8	(4)
Protozoa	8	(2)
Nematoda -- Roundworms, Eelworms	10	(2)
The Mesofauna	12	(14)
Pseudoscorpionida -- False Scorpions, Book Scorpions	13	(1)
Acari -- Mites	14	(3)
Symphyla	17	(2)
Pauropoda	19	(1)
Collembola -- Springtails	19	(4)
Protura	23	(2)
Diplura -- Double Tails	25	(1)
The Macrofauna	26	(17)
Araneida -- Spiders	27	(2)
Opiliones -- Harvestmen	29	(1)
Terrestrial Isopoda (Oniscoidea) -- Woodlice	30	(3)
Chilopoda -- Centipedes	33	(2)
Diplopoda -- Millipedes	35	(2)
Enchytraeidae - Whiteworms, Potworms	37	(2)
Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae - Earthworms	39	(2)
Terrestrial Gastropoda - Slugs and Snails	41	(1)
Insecta - Pterygote Insects (Short Comments About the Role of Selected Groups of Higher Insects)	42	(1)
Conclusions	43	(12)
References	47	(8)
Interactions Between Bacteria and Nematodes	55	(10)
Leo Eberl
David J. Clarke
Introduction	55	(1)
Pathogenic Interactions	55	(2)
Symbiotic Interactions	57	(5)
Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus	57	(5)
Conclusions	62	(3)
References	62	(3)
Earthworm Gut Microbial Biomes: Their Importance to Soil Microorganisms, Denitrification, and the Terrestrial Production of the Greenhouse Gas N2O	65	(24)
Harold L. Drake
Andreas Schramm
Marcus A. Horn
Introduction	65	(1)
The Earthworm Gut as a Transient Microbial Habitat	65	(1)
In Vivo and In Situ Emissions of the Greenhouse Gas N2O by Earthworms	66	(3)
Microenvironment of the Earthworm Gut	69	(3)
The Digestive System of the Earthworm	69	(1)
Physicochemical Parameters of the Gut that Stimulate Ingested Microbes	70	(2)
Microbial Processes in the Earthworm Gut	72	(4)
Processes Associated with the Production of N2O	72	(3)
Fermentative and Other Microbial Processes	75	(1)
Microbial Populations in the Earthworm Gut	76	(4)
Quantitative Population Changes During Gut Passage	77	(1)
Qualitative Population Changes Upon Gut Passage	78	(1)
The Quest for an Earthworm-Specific Microbial Population	79	(1)
Conclusions	80	(9)
References	82	(7)
Intestinal Microbiota of Millipedes	89	(26)
Boris A. Byzov
Introduction	89	(1)
Structure and Function of the Digestive Tract	90	(2)
Physiological Conditions in the Gut	92	(1)
Microscope Studies of Intestinal Microbiota	93	(2)
Bacteria	93	(2)
Yeasts	95	(1)
Mycelial Fungi	95	(1)
Taxonomic Studies of Intestinal Microbiota	95	(9)
Bacteria	101	(2)
Fungi	103	(1)
Functions of the Intestinal Microbiota	104	(5)
Digestive Functions of Gut Microorganisms	104	(3)
Intestinal Microbiota as a Food for Millipedes	107	(1)
Resistance to Colonization	107	(1)
Intestinal Microbiota as a Pathogenic Agent	108	(1)
Digestion of Microorganisms by Millipedes	109	(2)
Killing Activity of the Midgut Fluid	109	(1)
Killing Effect	109	(1)
Properties of the Killing Compound(s)	110	(1)
Induced Autolysis	110	(1)
Assimilation of Microorganisms	110	(1)
Conclusions	111	(4)
References	112	(3)
Intestinal Microbiota of Terrestrial Isopods	115	(18)
Rok Kostanjsek
Jasna Strus
Ales Lapanje
Gorazd Avgustin
Maja Rupnik
Damjana Drobne
Introduction	115	(1)
Structure and Function of the Digestive System	116	(3)
The Microbiota of the Digestive System	119	(6)
Bacteria in the Gut	119	(3)
Fungi and Protozoa in the Gut	122	(1)
Bacteria in the Midgut Glands	123	(1)
Infections of the Digestive System	124	(1)
Conclusions	125	(8)
References	126	(7)
Collembola as a Habitat for Microorganisms	133	(22)
Christoph C. Tebbe
Alice B. Czarnetzki
Torsten Thimm
Introduction -- Diversity and Activity of Collembola	133	(3)
The Gut of Folsomia Candida -- an Unusual Microbial Habitat That Is Affected by Moulting	136	(3)
Feeding Preferences of Folsomia Candida and Fate of Ingested Bacterial Cells	139	(2)
The Gut of Collembola: a Hot Spot for Conjugative Gene Transfer Between Bacteria	141	(3)
Diversity of Microorganisms in the Gut of F. Candida and Other Collembola	144	(2)
Collembola Can Harbour the Reproduction Parasite Wolbachia and Other Intracellular Bacteria	146	(3)
Conclusions	149	(6)
References	150	(5)
Methane Production by Terrestrial Arthropods	155	(28)
Johannes H. P. Hackstein
Theo A. van Alen
Jorg Rosenberg
Introduction	155	(1)
Symbiotic Methanogens and Terrestrial Arthropods	156	(3)
Why Do Certain Arthropods Make Methane and Others Not?	159	(8)
``Small Is Beautiful'': The Elusive Co-Existence of Aerobes and Anaerobes in Arthropod Guts	167	(5)
Longitudinal Differentiation of the Intestinal Tract of Methanogenic Arthropods	172	(1)
Intercompartment Hydrogen Transfer	172	(1)
Differentiations of the Intestinal Tract to Host Methanogenic Archaea (and Other Prokaryotes)	173	(2)
Biodiversity of Intestinal and Endosymbiotic Methanogens	175	(1)
Conclusions	176	(7)
References	177	(6)
Part II Termites as Model Organisms
Termites as Soil Engineers and Soil Processors	183	(38)
David E. Bignell
Introduction	183	(2)
Current State of Termite Science	185	(5)
Termite Biology and Evolution	190	(3)
Soil Ecosystem Engineers: Is This a Valid Concept?	193	(5)
Microbial Processing During Gut Transit	198	(3)
The Special Case of Fungus-Growing Termites	201	(2)
The Fate of Termite Faeces	203	(2)
Evidence of the Role of Termites in Pedogenesis and Soil Properties	205	(5)
Soil Profile Development	206	(1)
Bulk Density and Structural Stability of Mound Materials	207	(1)
Permeability to Water	208	(1)
Soil Chemistry	209	(1)
Organic Matter Decomposition	209	(1)
Conclusions	210	(11)
References	212	(9)
Cellulose Digestion in the Termite Gut	221	(22)
Li Li
Jurgen Frohlich
Helmut Konig
Introduction	221	(2)
Termite's Cellulases	223	(2)
Microbial Cellulases in the Hindgut	225	(3)
Cellulose Digestion in the Termite Mastotermes darwiniensis	228	(8)
Termites' and Flagellates' Cellulases	228	(1)
Comparison of Termite's Cellulases	229	(6)
Comparison of Archaezoan Cellulases	235	(1)
Conclusions	236	(7)
References	238	(5)
Symbiotic Protozoa of Termites	243	(28)
Guy Brugerolle
Renate Radek
Introduction	243	(1)
Diversity, Cytology and Phylogeny of Symbiotic Protozoa in Lower Termites	243	(10)
Cell Organisation in Oxymonad and Parabasalid Termite Flagellates	244	(9)
Biology of Termite Flagellates	253	(11)
Relationships Between Flagellates and Host	253	(3)
Populations of Flagellates	256	(1)
Nutrition	257	(2)
Energy Metabolism/Hydrogenosomes	259	(1)
Motility	260	(2)
Associations with Bacteria	262	(2)
Conclusion	264	(7)
References	264	(7)
Diversity and Lignocellulolytic Activities of Cultured Microorganisms	271	(32)
Helmut Konig
Jurgen Frohlich
Horst Hertel
Introduction	271	(1)
Flagellates	272	(1)
Bacteria	272	(1)
Archaea	273	(1)
Yeasts and Fungi	273	(8)
Microhabitats	281	(3)
Lignocellulose Degradation	284	(8)
The Hydrolytic Stage of Lignocellulose Degradation	284	(6)
The Oxidative/Fermentative Stage of Lignocellulose Degradation	290	(1)
The Methanogenic/Acetogenic Stage of the Lignocellulose Degradation	290	(2)
Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria	292	(1)
Intracellular Symbiosis	293	(1)
Conclusions	293	(10)
References	294	(9)
Diversity and Molecular Analyses of Yet-Uncultivated Microorganisms	303	(16)
Moriya Ohkuma
Yuichi Hongoh
Toshiaki Kudo
Introduction	303	(1)
Phylogenetic Identification of Symbiotic Protists	304	(1)
Methanogenic Archaea	305	(1)
Diversity of Eubacteria	305	(4)
Spatial Organization of Gut Community	309	(2)
Toward the Function of Gut Symbionts	311	(2)
Conclusions	313	(6)
References	314	(5)
The Intestinal Yeasts	319	(16)
Hansjorg Prillinger
Helmut Konig
Introduction	319	(1)
Morphological Characterization	319	(3)
Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization	322	(1)
Cellulose and Hemicellulose-Degrading Yeasts	323	(3)
Evolutionary Considerations	326	(4)
Conclusions	330	(5)
References	331	(4)
Termitomyces/Termite Interactions	335	(16)
Corinne Rouland-Lefevre
Tetsushi Inoue
Toru Johjima
Introduction	335	(1)
Phylogeny and Co-Evolution of Fungus-Growing Termites and Termitomyces	336	(2)
The Symbionts	336	(1)
Evolution of Fungus-Growing Termites and Termitomyces	337	(1)
The Role of Termitomyces in Mutualistic Symbiosis	338	(9)
Nature, Structure and Dynamics of the Fungus Comb	338	(2)
Role of Termitomyces in the Digestive Metabolism of Termites	340	(7)
Conclusions	347	(4)
References	347	(4)
Microbiology of Termite Hill (Mound) and Soil	351	(22)
Rina Kumari
Minu Sachdev
Shweta Sharma
Ram Prasad
Pham Huong Giang
Amar P. Garg
Ajit Varma
Introduction	351	(1)
Features Distinguishing Termites from Other Insects	352	(1)
Current Taxonomic Status	352	(2)
Ecophysiological Distribution	354	(1)
Termite Colonies and Castes	354	(4)
Life Cycle	358	(1)
Topography of the Termite Hill (Mound) and Nest	358	(1)
Microorganism from the Termite Soil	359	(4)
Soil-Feeding Termites	363	(1)
Fungus-Growing Termites	364	(1)
Chemical Nature of Lignocellulose	365	(3)
Cellulose	365	(1)
Hemicellulose	366	(1)
Lignin	367	(1)
Biodegradation of Biomass	368	(1)
Conclusions	369	(4)
References	369	(4)
The Termite Gut Habitat: Its Evolution and Co-Evolution	373	(34)
Paul Eggleton
Introduction	373	(1)
Background: Some Definitions	373	(4)
Termite Biology	373	(1)
Which Environments?	374	(1)
Community Ecology Definitions	375	(2)
Biodiversity of Termite Guts	377	(5)
The Termite Gut Habitat and its Evolution	382	(2)
Acquisition of Symbionts in Basal Dicytopterans	384	(2)
Evolution of Key Enzyme Systems: Endoglucanases and Nitrogenases	386	(1)
Blattabacterium	387	(1)
Parabasalids	388	(4)
Termitomyces	392	(1)
Spirochetes	393	(1)
Clostridiales	394	(1)
Archaea	395	(3)
Conclusions	398	(9)
References	400	(7)
Part III Modern Methods for Studying Intestinal Methods
The Microbial Soil Flora: Novel Approaches for Accessing the Phylogenetic and Physiological Diversity of Prokaryotes	407	(18)
Alexander H. Treusch
Christa Schleper
Introduction	407	(1)
The Modern Classical Approach	408	(1)
How Many Prokaryotic Species Live in Soil?	409	(2)
Molecular Approaches to Describe Microbial Diversity	411	(2)
The Current Picture of Prokaryotic Diversity in Soil	413	(2)
Studying Physiological Diversity	415	(2)
Environmental Genomic Studies	417	(2)
Conclusions	419	(6)
References	420	(5)
Micromanipulation Techniques for the Isolation of Single Microorganisms	425	(14)
Jurgen Frohlich
Helmut Konig
Introduction	425	(1)
Micromanipulation Techniques	426	(3)
Historical Perspective	426	(1)
Modern Equipment	427	(2)
Isolation Techniques	429	(4)
Bactotip Method	429	(2)
Membrane Method	431	(1)
Efficiency of the Cloning Procedure	431	(1)
Described Applications	432	(1)
Laser Micromanipulation Systems	433	(1)
Optical Tweezers	433	(1)
Laser Microdissection	434	(1)
Conclusions	434	(5)
References	435	(4)
Localization and Visualization of Microbial Community Structure and Activity in Soil Microhabitats	439	(24)
Michael Schmid
Drazenka Selesi
Michael Rothballer
Michael Schloter
Natuschka Lee
Ellen Kandeler
Anton Hartmann
Introduction	439	(1)
Localization and Microvisualization Approaches	440	(2)
In Situ Composition Analysis of Bacterial Communities	442	(7)
The Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization (FISH) Technique	442	(2)
Recent Developments Towards Improved FISH Techniques	444	(4)
Immunological Techniques	448	(1)
In Situ Activity of Microbial Communities	449	(6)
In Situ Assessment of General and Specific Enzymatic Activities of Cells	449	(1)
Isotope Tracer Techniques	450	(4)
Specific Fluorescence Labelling/Tagging Techniques	454	(1)
Conclusions	455	(8)
References	455	(8)
Microsensors for the Study of Microenvironments and Processes in the Intestine of Invertebrates	463	(12)
Andreas Schramm
Introduction	463	(1)
Microsensors Available	463	(3)
Microsensors in the Study of Invertebrate Guts	466	(2)
Practical Considerations	468	(2)
Construction and Purchase of Sensors and Equipment	468	(1)
Fixation of Animals, Gut Preparation and Measuring Conditions	468	(2)
Conclusions	470	(5)
References	471	(4)
Subject Index	475