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Classification of Termites Based on Gut Microorganisms

Termites can be classified into two main groups according to the microorganisms found in their digestive systems:

• Lower Termites: These termites primarily feed on wood and rely on protozoa residing in their guts to digest cellulose.
• Higher Termites: These termites consume soil, organic debris, lichens, and fungi. They have evolved further to survive in dry or nutrient-poor environments by relying on bacteria and fungi in their guts to produce digestive enzymes. Some bacteria can even fix atmospheric nitrogen into amino acids for the termite's use or help degrade environmental toxins.

Symbiosis Between Termites and Microorganisms

Termites consume cellulose as a primary energy source. The energy released when burning wood demonstrates how rich in energy cellulose is.

Lower termites digest wood with the help of protozoa such as Trichonympha, which live in the ileum part of the hindgut. This relationship is a classic example of symbiosis, where both termites and protozoa benefit.

Only worker termites can digest wood and they share the digested food with larvae, soldiers, and reproductives through a process known as trophallaxis — transferring gut microorganisms from generation to generation.

Higher termites (family Termitidae) can produce their own cellulase enzymes, but their digestive systems still house symbiotic bacteria and partially digested material.

Some termites cultivate fungal gardens, especially fungi in the genus Termitomyces, using fecal pellets and plant debris as a growing medium. These fungi serve as a vital food source for the colony. In addition to wood, some termite species feed on soil, organic matter, and lichens.

Termite Nest Building

Termites are master architects, building complex structures for survival. They construct nests:

• Inside dead tree trunks
• Above ground as mounds
• Underground networks with extensive tunnels

The nests are made from soil, saliva, and feces, resulting in remarkably strong structures. Some African termite mounds can reach 9 meters (30 feet) in height — proportionally equivalent to a human structure over 3 kilometers tall. Nests maintain:

• Moisture from decomposing materials
• Ventilation through tunnels
• Stable internal temperatures within a 1°C range daily
• Oxygen and carbon dioxide balance, allowing survival even in extreme conditions like deserts.

Interestingly, termite activity can also lead to the discovery of mineral deposits such as gold, thanks to their deep soil excavation.

The Benefits and Detriments of Termites

Benefits:

• Decomposition of dead plants, animals, bones, and organic matter, enriching the soil.
• Traditional uses in Africa: termite soldiers for treating wounds, royal termites as aphrodisiacs, and termite mound soil for medicinal applications.

Detriments:

• About 10% of known termite species are major economic pests.
• Termites can severely damage trees, timber, wooden products, and building structures.
• Termite mounds contribute to the release of methane gas, a potent greenhouse gas.

Evolutionary History

Termites are closely related to cockroaches and mantises, all grouped under the superorder Dictyoptera. It is believed that termites evolved from wood-eating, social cockroach ancestors during the Paleozoic era. Supporting evidence includes:

• Certain cockroach species that digest decayed wood using protozoa.
• Similarities in gut microorganisms (protozoa and bacteria) between cockroaches like Cryptocercus and ancient termites.
• Morphological traits and early forms of social behavior observed in cockroach relatives.

Conclusion

Termites, often misunderstood as mere pests, play critical roles in ecosystem balance, nutrient recycling, and soil formation. Their complex social structures, evolutionary history, and symbiotic relationships highlight their ecological importance beyond the damages they cause.