Impact of Microbial Symbionts on Fungus-Farming Termites and Their Derived Ecosystem Functions
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Book chapter › Research › peer-review
Standard
Impact of Microbial Symbionts on Fungus-Farming Termites and Their Derived Ecosystem Functions. / Murphy, Rob; Sinotte, Veronica Marie; Schmidt, Suzanne; Li, Guangshuo; Hamilton Renalias, Justinn; Koné, N'Golo A.; Poulsen, Michael.
Assessing the Microbiological Health of Ecosystems. ed. / Christon J. Hurst. Wiley, 2023. p. 185-203.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Book chapter › Research › peer-review
Harvard
APA
Vancouver
Author
Bibtex
}
RIS
TY - CHAP
T1 - Impact of Microbial Symbionts on Fungus-Farming Termites and Their Derived Ecosystem Functions
AU - Murphy, Rob
AU - Sinotte, Veronica Marie
AU - Schmidt, Suzanne
AU - Li, Guangshuo
AU - Hamilton Renalias, Justinn
AU - Koné, N'Golo A.
AU - Poulsen, Michael
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - Fungus-farming termites are dominant decomposers and important ecosystem engineers in their natural sub-Sahara African and Southeast Asian ecosystems. This is accomplished through integrated behavioral management of complex communities of fungal and bacterial symbionts by the termite host that facilitate plant biomass decomposition and production of defensive antimicrobial compounds. The extensive, near-complete turnover of plant biomass, which is sustained for several years due to their disease-free lifestyle, pivotally shapes ecosystems. The termites impact their immediate environment through enrichment of water and nutrients, which seep from the mound, and help sustain plant and animal communities, particularly in dry savannah ecosystems. Here, we summarize our understanding of the role microbial symbionts play in fungus-farming termites and the implications of these processes for ecosystem services and impacts on humans.
AB - Fungus-farming termites are dominant decomposers and important ecosystem engineers in their natural sub-Sahara African and Southeast Asian ecosystems. This is accomplished through integrated behavioral management of complex communities of fungal and bacterial symbionts by the termite host that facilitate plant biomass decomposition and production of defensive antimicrobial compounds. The extensive, near-complete turnover of plant biomass, which is sustained for several years due to their disease-free lifestyle, pivotally shapes ecosystems. The termites impact their immediate environment through enrichment of water and nutrients, which seep from the mound, and help sustain plant and animal communities, particularly in dry savannah ecosystems. Here, we summarize our understanding of the role microbial symbionts play in fungus-farming termites and the implications of these processes for ecosystem services and impacts on humans.
M3 - Book chapter
SN - 9781119678298
SP - 185
EP - 203
BT - Assessing the Microbiological Health of Ecosystems
A2 - Hurst, Christon J.
PB - Wiley
ER -
ID: 326680765