Termite Feeding and the Protozoa + =

Symbiotic Relationship Association of two dissimilar organisms in a beneficial relationship Spirotrichonympha leidyi Koidzumi Holomastigotoides hartmanni Pseudotrichonympha grassii Protozoa (Kingdom Protista) Formosan Subterranean Termites (Kingdom Animalia) +

The Benefits of the Symbiotic Relationship The Protozoan receives: A home (shelter) by living in the termite gut. Cellulose (food) from wood that the termite eats The cellulose is digested and acetate, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and methane are produced and released. The Termites receives/absorbs: Acetate produced by the Protozoa. The termites use the acetate as their energy source to carry out daily bodily functions.

The Transfer of Protozoa in a NEW colony The queen and the king are responsible for feeding and passing on the protozoa to the offspring in the new colony.

The Transfer of Protozoa in an OLDER Colony The workers are responsible for feeding and transferring the protozoa in an older colony. Stomadeal Feeding Passing partially digested food with the mouth to another termite. Proctodeal Feeding Receiving food from the anus.

External Anatomy of a Termite Identification of Body Sections head thorax abdomen 1. Head = The eyes, antennae, and mouthparts are on the head. 2. Thorax = The 3 pairs of legs are attached to the thorax. 3. Abdomen = The abdomen holds all reproductive organs.

Internal Anatomy of a Termite How wood is digested 1. Pieces of wood enters the mouth. 2. Wood is ground in the crop. 3. Wood particles enters the hind gut and are consumed by the protozoans, who release acetate, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and methane. 4. Acetate release by protozoa is absorbed by the termite 5. Digested material passed out of the anus to feed others or build carton

Consumers/Hetertrophs Energy Source Omnivore Carnivore SOIL BACTERIA (decomposers) Carnivore Producers Herbivore Consumers/Hetertrophs Termites are essential organisms in the environment. They are the largest group of insects adapted to feed on wood and dry plant matter. Termites perform a very important ecological function by decomposing (breaking down) cellulose (main component in plant cell walls) materials in natural forest settings. Without decomposers, such as termites, dead plant materials would pile up and it would take much longer for needed nutrients to be recycled back into the soil for use by other living plants. Overtime, this would result in infertile soil unable to support a healthy plant community, and a healthy plant community is the backbone of a diverse forest ecosystem. Termites are also an important food source for many amphibians, reptiles and birds, who help to keep the termite population in control. Predators attack the termites during swarming when they are exposed and easy to catch. In some parts of the world they are the main food source for specialized mammals that use modified mouths to burrow into termite colonies. Producer

Extracting Protozoa from Termite Gut: Materials 5-6 Formosan Subterranean Termites (workers) 2 Forceps 1 Light microscope 1Microscope slide 1 Cover slip 2 drops of saline solution 1 disposable pipette Kimwipes Slides 9 through 15 describes the laboratory procedure for removing the termite gut.

Extracting Protozoa from Termite Gut: Method/Procedure Place a drop of saline solution on a microscope slide. Microscope slide with a drop of saline solution Slides 9 through 15 describes the laboratory procedure for removing the termite gut.

Extracting Protozoa from Termite Gut: Method/Procedure 2. Gently grab the termite’s head and thorax with a forcep. head thorax abdomen Slides 9 through 15 describes the laboratory procedure for removing the termite gut.

Extracting Protozoa from Termite Gut: Method/Procedure 3. Locate the tip of the abdomen and the end of the termite’s gut. 4. With the second forcep, grab and pull out the termite’s gut. head thorax abdomen Slides 9 through 15 describes the laboratory procedure for removing the termite gut.

Extracting Protozoa from Termite Gut: Method/Procedure 5. Place the gut in the saline solution on the microscope slide. 6. Slowly lower a cover slip on to the sample and press down gently. Microscope slide with a drop of saline solution and termite intestine Cover slip Slides 9 through 15 describes the laboratory procedure for removing the termite gut.

Extracting Protozoa from Termite Gut: Method/Procedure 7. If there is extra saline solution on the microscope slide, use a paper towel to wipe the slide clean. Microscope slide with a drop of saline solution and termite gut Slides 9 through 15 describes the laboratory procedure for removing the termite gut.

Extracting Protozoa from Termite Gut: Method/Procedure 8. Observe the gut sample under the microscope and complete the laboratory worksheets. My laboratory Worksheet Slides 9 through 15 describes the laboratory procedure for removing the termite gut.