Termitomyces/Termite Interactions

Abstract

The efficiency of degradation of lignocellulose by fungus-growing termites is largely attributed to their symbiotic Termitomyces. These fungi provide a variety of functions that termites do not possess. Recently, the application of new technologies and molecular methods has greatly improved our knowledge of lignin degradation by both Macrotermitinae termites and Termitomyces fungi and on the co-evolution of the symbionts. However, there are still gaps in our knowledge on the adoption of a particular species of fungus by termites. As described above, the same fungus can be cultivated by several different termite species. A crucial and as-yet-unanswered question is: to what extent do the Macrotermitinae manage to reduce the genetic diversity of horizontally acquired symbionts to a single strain to prevent the evolution and appearance of non-cooperative symbiont traits?