ECOLOGICAL STUDIES ON TILE SYMBIOSIS OF TER ITOMYCES ...

Qnly, a restricted, jrAnge of *rUani8M3 can MQtA1)0l1zQ, t11Q Intact
lionin molecule (SWift. et al, 1979), Lignin is at least, partially
degraded by both thl higher and lower termites (La PaGe and Nutting
323*
1978)o Some species ot termites are able tog at least partiallyg degrade
and assimilate lignin units by the, action of symbiotic bacteria and
protozoa in the Cut (French and Bland 1975, Lee and Wood 1971)o
Nasutitermen exitioxuas when fed radio-active ligninji produced radio.,
active C021 sho%finq it could demethylate and depolyme-rine natural lignin.
Butler and Duckertleld (1979) suggested the lignin was partially
degraded In the out to small units which could pass into protozoan
cells or through the out epithelium to an aerobic environment where
oxidation to C02 could take place* Other species, such as the
Ternopsidae and Rhinotermitidae. usually Infest wood already decayed
by fungi (Datra and 11atra, 1979), The Macrotermitinao generally feed
on sound woodt manY species also feeding on plant debrial and socne on
leavese Their food therefore contains et laroe, aMount of lignin (T.
'bje
7*3-I)t andg as they lack symbiotic protozoaq it Is generally considered
that Termltorycps breaks this down (Grasse land N01rot 1957,19581 Heim
1977; 14o and Wood 1971 and Sands 1969)9
Wood inhabitlngýmicroorganisms can be divided into,
(1), moulds and blue stain funaL
but do not enzymatically degrade lignified cell walls
-which exhau3t dead call contents
(KRIrik 1974)-
(2) organisms capable of enzymatically degrading lionified call
walls but with a lWtcd degradation capability
(a) bacteria* They cause only slow cell wall disintegrationg
mainly attacldno parenchy= cello of the rays (Kaa"rik 1974). The
ability of any true bacteria to substantially dec(mpose lignin has
not been shown (La Page and MuttInO 1978).