ECOLOGICAL STUDIES ON TILE SYMBIOSIS OF TER ITOMYCES ...

Experiment (2). Uliole termifte extracts: - although the extract
of whole termites in water decreases the m=ber of -spores developing
by- 19% this In not significant
(Table 5--7-5), # but the decreases of 56%
and 4TA by the methanol and benzene extracts respectively, are both
significantly different (0,1% level)*
Gut extractst- extract of Cuts In water decreasea the germination
by 13% (not sionificant), but thera In a nignificant differenco of 51%
and 4(Y4 (Del% level) vith extracts in methanol and benzene re3pectively.
Ilead and thormx extractal- there in no significant differe=e in
tho numbers of fungi growing after treatment with any of the extracts*
In general thexe results indicate there In a substance, or
substanceal Present in the system preventing germination of tho spores
Which are Present theree This Substance appears to be most, soluble
In methanol* The differing solubility of the substances In the solvents
has not been Investigated. The large effect of tho methanol extract of
foodstore, agrees with the observAtions on the lack of fungi developing
from the foodstore even when removed from the nest system
263*
(5.6.1).. An
the foodstore consists solely of freshly macerated food the effectiVO
substances my be derived from the termites saliVas. IlowevOri methanol
and benzene extracts of termito3 indicated that effective substances
were present In the abdominal region and not In the head And thorax
region where worker salivary glands are situated*
Utracts of whole termitea In both methanol-and benzene reduce
germinatl6nj showing there Is acne fActor'-prea4bilt, in the termites
reducing the germinatLono -, This would OPPear to be present in the Out
rather than In the bead wW thorax region.