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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
Bacterial diversity in the intestinal tract of the fungus-cultivating termite Macrotermes michaelseni (Sjöstedt)
African Journal of Biotechnology, Volume 6, No. 6, Year 2007
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Description
Microorganisms in the intestinal tracts of termites play a crucial role in the nutritional physiology of termites. The bacterial diversity in the fungus-cultivating Macrotermes michaelseni was examined using both molecular and culture dependent methods. Total DNA was extracted from the gut of the termite and 16S rRNA genes were amplified using bacterial specific primers. Representatives from forty-one (41) RFLP patterns from a total of one hundred and two (102) clones were sequenced. Most of the clones were affiliated with 3 main groups of the domain Bacteria: Cytophaga-Flexibacter-Bacteriodes (73), Proteobacteria (13), and the low G+C content Gram-positive bacteria (9). Two RFLPs related to planctomycetes, but deeper branching than known members of the phylum, were detected. In addition, 1 and 2 RFLPs represented the spirochetes and TM7-OP11 groups, respectively. In studies using culture dependent techniques, most of the isolates obtained belonged to the Gram-positive bacteria with a high G+C content. However, only one of the clones represented Gram-positive bacteria with High G+C content. These results show a high bacterial diversity in the intestinal microbiota of M. michaelseni, which continues to escape cultivation. As is the case in other termites many of the clones represent previously uncultured bacteria. The fact that most of the clones clustered with clones from Macrotermes gilvus provides further support for the hypothesis that microorganisms in intestinal tracts of termites have co-evolved with their hosts. © 2007 Academic Journals.
Authors & Co-Authors
Mackenzie, Lucy M.
Kenya, Nairobi
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
Kenya, Nairobi
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
Muigai, Anne Wangari Thairu
Kenya, Nairobi
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
Osir, Ellie Onyango
Kenya, Nairobi
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
Lwande, Wilbert
Kenya, Nairobi
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
Keller, Martin
United States, San Diego
Verenium Corporation
Toledo, Gerardo
United States, San Diego
Verenium Corporation
Boga, Hamadi Iddi
Kenya, Nairobi
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
Statistics
Citations: 7
Authors: 7
Affiliations: 3
Identifiers
e-ISSN:
16845315
Research Areas
Genetics And Genomics