DOCSLIB.ORG

Archaeal Diversity and Community Structure in the Compartmented Gut of Higher Termites

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Archaeal Diversity and Community Structure in the Compartmented Gut of Higher Termites Archaeal diversity and community structure in the compartmented gut of higher termites Doctoral thesis submitted in partial fulfillment for the award of a doctoral degree “Doktorgrad der Naturwissenschaften (Dr. rer. nat.)” to the Faculty of Biology, Philipps-Universität Marburg by James Oluoch Nonoh from Siaya County, Kenya Marburg/Lahn 2013 II This thesis was part of the major project on “Environmental drivers of methanogenic community structure in termite guts” and was funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) under the topic Sonderforschungsbereich (SFB 987). The theme of my study was developed by Prof. Dr. Andreas Brune, the Group leader and main supervisor. The work described in this thesis was carried out in the Laboratory of Prof. Dr. Andreas Brune, at the Department of Biogeochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany, between October 2009 and March 2013, under the direct supervision of Prof. Dr. Andreas Brune. The thesis was submitted to the Dean, Faculty of Biology, Philipps-Universität, Marburg, on: 08.04.2013 First reviewer Prof. Dr. Andreas Brune Second reviewer Prof. Dr. Ralf Conrad Date of oral examination 21.05.2013 III Declaration I do hereby certify that my doctoral thesis titled: “Archaeal diversity and community structure in the compartmented gut of higher termites” was carried out with legally and professionally authorized scientific methods and devices. All samples were legally and procedurally obtained from Kenya by myself, with permission from the Kenya National Council of Science and Technology (NCST) and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), and with due approval from all the other relevant government authorizing agencies in Kenya. Unless specifically indicated, the experimental work described in this thesis was executed by me. Information obtained from published work is appropriately acknowledged, both in the text and in references therein appended. This thesis is the culmination of my original work and the contents herein, either in full or in part, have not been previously submitted for examination to any university for any award. Marburg/Lahn, April 2013 James O. Nonoh IV Acknowledgements With sincerity, I would like to thank my supervisor Prof. Dr. Andreas Brune for his support during my doctoral work. I sincerely thank the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for the PhD fellowship. Your support, including the many trainings and capacity building workshops organized for the DAAD scholarship holders ensured that I had a focused but smooth stay in Germany and strengthened my resolve to participate effectively in nation building upon completion of my studies. I am grateful to IMPRS for organizing numerous trainings and support in workshops that all complemented very well with my research work. I am grateful to the Kenya National Council for Science and Technology (NCST) for facilitating my PhD study by granting me research permit to get samples from Kenya. On the same strength, I acknowledge the support from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) for giving me permission to collect samples from Kenya for my research study. Your policy in promoting capacity building in science through the numerous fees waivers on my student research permit is highly commendable. I acknowledge the support of Harrison Kibogo and David Wainaina (both of ICIPE) during sampling, without which this work would not have been possible. On numerous occasions, Harrison Kibogo accepted to use his personal car to take me to the field for sampling upon request, despite the difficulty in accessing some sampling sites due to bad weather. David Wainaina, of Molecular Biology Department (ICIPE), always devoted his time, way outside his official commitments, to prepare and package the samples for shipment to our laboratories. I would like to thank all my colleagues in the “Termite Group” for their immense support during my stay at MPI. Many thanks to all of you for lending me a helping hand whenever I was in need, either during actual experimental work, or through the numerous V discussions. Special thanks to Roey Angel, Kristof Brenzinger and Franziska Brandt (Department of Biogeochemistry) for their support in qPCR analysis. I am deeply indebted to my late loving parents for all the support they gave me and for laying in me a good foundation that has no doubt contributed immensely to my successful achievements not only in academics, but in all aspects of my life. Thank you Dad and Mum for inculcating in me strong values that continues to shape and motivate my opinions in life. You always reminded me to work hard, but objectively, to believe strongly in myself despite contrary views and to trust none but myself and above all, to always take good care of all that I have worked so hard to achieve, for in the end, it will benefit not only myself, but all in need. These are the ideals that I strongly hold to date. With pleasure, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my loving wife Lilian, and my sons Joshua and Emmanuel for their prayers, endless love and overwhelming support throughout my PhD work. It was not an easy decision to stay away from the people I love so dearly in my life, for such a long period of time. Your strength and understanding, and your commitment to support me at whatever cost, always made me to be even stronger, and in the end, it ensured that the only reason I sacrificed everything to be away from you, is well accomplished. VI The following manuscripts were published, submitted or in preparation by the date of submission of this thesis Published Paul, K., Nonoh, J.O., Mikulski, L., Brune, A. (2012). “Methanoplasmatales,” Thermoplasmatales-related archaea in termite guts and other environments, are the seventh order of methanogens. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 78: 8245–8253. In preparation Nonoh, J.O., Paul, K., Boga, H.I., Köhler, T., Meuser, K., Kamanda, D.K. and Brune, A. Diversity and community structure of archaeal populations in the gut of higher termites (Blattodea: Termitidae). Nonoh, J.O., Dietrich, C., and Brune, A. Distribution of archaeal populations and methanogenic potentials in the highly compartmented gut of soil-feeding termites (Cubitermes ugandensis and Ophiotermes sp.). Nonoh, J.O., Dietrich, C., and Brune, A. Microenvironment and community structure of Archaea and Bacteria in the highly compartmented gut of Amitermes sp. (Isoptera: Termitidae). VII Table of contents Declaration .............................................................................................................................. iii Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................ iv Table of contents ................................................................................................................... vii Chapter One ..............................................................................................................................1 General introduction .................................................................................................................1 Ecological importance of termites.......................................................................................1 Higher termite phylogeny and feeding behavior ................................................................1 Methanogenesis in higher termites ......................................................................................5 Substrate range of methanogenic archaea ...........................................................................6 Methanogenic substrates utilized by termite gut methanogens .........................................7 Methane emission rates in termites ...................................................................................12 Community composition of archaea in higher termites ...................................................16 Objectives of the study ...........................................................................................................20 References ...............................................................................................................................22 Chapter Two ...........................................................................................................................31 Diversity and community structure of archaeal populations in the gut of higher termites (Blattodea: Termitidae) ..........................................................................................................31 Abstract ...................................................................................................................................32 Introduction .............................................................................................................................33 Methods ...................................................................................................................................34 Termites ..............................................................................................................................34 DNA extraction and purification .......................................................................................35 Amplification of archaeal SSU 16S rRNA genes ............................................................36 Generation of clone libraries .............................................................................................37 Phylogenetic analysis of sequence data ............................................................................38
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Regeneration of Unconventional Natural Gas by Methanogens Co
    www.nature.com/scientificreports OPEN Regeneration of unconventional natural gas by methanogens co‑existing with sulfate‑reducing prokaryotes in deep shale wells in China Yimeng Zhang1,2,3, Zhisheng Yu1*, Yiming Zhang4 & Hongxun Zhang1 Biogenic methane in shallow shale reservoirs has been proven to contribute to economic recovery of unconventional natural gas. However, whether the microbes inhabiting the deeper shale reservoirs at an average depth of 4.1 km and even co-occurring with sulfate-reducing prokaryote (SRP) have the potential to produce biomethane is still unclear. Stable isotopic technique with culture‑dependent and independent approaches were employed to investigate the microbial and functional diversity related to methanogenic pathways and explore the relationship between SRP and methanogens in the shales in the Sichuan Basin, China. Although stable isotopic ratios of the gas implied a thermogenic origin for methane, the decreased trend of stable carbon and hydrogen isotope value provided clues for increasing microbial activities along with sustained gas production in these wells. These deep shale-gas wells harbored high abundance of methanogens (17.2%) with ability of utilizing various substrates for methanogenesis, which co-existed with SRP (6.7%). All genes required for performing methylotrophic, hydrogenotrophic and acetoclastic methanogenesis were present. Methane production experiments of produced water, with and without additional available substrates for methanogens, further confrmed biomethane production via all three methanogenic pathways. Statistical analysis and incubation tests revealed the partnership between SRP and methanogens under in situ sulfate concentration (~ 9 mg/L). These results suggest that biomethane could be produced with more fexible stimulation strategies for unconventional natural gas recovery even at the higher depths and at the presence of SRP.
    [Show full text]
  • Application to Develop Low Risk Gmos
    NO3P Develop in containment a project of low risk genetically ER-AF-NO3P-3 modified organisms by rapid assessment 12/07 Application title: Identification and characterization of Potential Methane Mitigation Technologies Applicant organisation: AgResearch Ltd Considered by: IBSC ERMA Please clearly identify any confidential information and attach as a separate appendix. Please complete the following before submitting your application: All sections completed Yes Appendices enclosed Yes/NA Confidential information identified and enclosed separately Yes/NA Copies of references attached Yes/NA Application signed and dated Yes Electronic copy of application e-mailed to ERMA New Yes Zealand Signed: Date: 9 May 2011 20 Customhouse Quay Cnr Waring Taylor and Customhouse Quay PO Box 131, Wellington Phone: 04 916 2426 Fax: 04 914 0433 Email: [email protected] Website: www.ermanz.govt.nz Develop in containment a project of low risk genetically modified organisms by rapid assessment 1. An associated User Guide NO3P is available for this form and we strongly advise that you read this User Guide before filling out this application form. If you need guidance in completing this form please contact ERMA New Zealand or your IBSC. 2. This application form only covers the development of low-risk genetically modified organisms that meet Category A and/or B experiments as defined in the HSNO (Low-Risk Genetic Modification) Regulations 2003. 3. If you are making an application that includes not low-risk genetic modification experiments, as described in the HSNO (Low-Risk Genetic Modification) Regulations 2003, then you should complete form NO3O instead. 4. This form replaces all previous versions of Form NO3P.
    [Show full text]
  • Taxon Abundance, Diversity, Co-Occurrence and Network Analysis of the Ruminal Microbiota in Response to Dietary Changes in Dairy Cows
    RESEARCH ARTICLE Taxon abundance, diversity, co-occurrence and network analysis of the ruminal microbiota in response to dietary changes in dairy cows Ilma Tapio1*, Daniel Fischer1, Lucia Blasco2, Miika Tapio1, R. John Wallace3, Ali R. Bayat1, Laura Ventto1, Minna Kahala2, Enyew Negussie1, Kevin J. Shingfield1,4², Johanna Vilkki1 1 Green Technology, Natural Resources Institute Finland, Jokioinen, Finland, 2 Bio-based business and a1111111111 industry, Natural Resources Institute Finland, Jokioinen, Finland, 3 Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom, 4 Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural a1111111111 Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom a1111111111 a1111111111 ² Deceased. a1111111111 * [email protected] Abstract OPEN ACCESS The ruminal microbiome, comprising large numbers of bacteria, ciliate protozoa, archaea Citation: Tapio I, Fischer D, Blasco L, Tapio M, and fungi, responds to diet and dietary additives in a complex way. The aim of this study Wallace RJ, Bayat AR, et al. (2017) Taxon was to investigate the benefits of increasing the depth of the community analysis in describ- abundance, diversity, co-occurrence and network ing and explaining responses to dietary changes. Quantitative PCR, ssu rRNA amplicon analysis of the ruminal microbiota in response to dietary changes in dairy cows. PLoS ONE 12(7): based taxa composition, diversity and co-occurrence network analyses were applied to e0180260. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal. ruminal digesta samples obtained from four multiparous Nordic Red dairy cows fitted with pone.0180260 rumen cannulae. The cows received diets with forage:concentrate ratio either 35:65 (diet H) Editor: Hauke Smidt, Wageningen University, or 65:35 (L), supplemented or not with sunflower oil (SO) (0 or 50 g/kg diet dry matter), sup- NETHERLANDS plied in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments and four Received: January 20, 2017 35-day periods.
    [Show full text]
  • Phylogenomic Analysis of 589 Metagenome-Assembled Genomes Encompassing All Major Prokaryotic Lineages from the Gut of Higher Termites
    Phylogenomic analysis of 589 metagenome-assembled genomes encompassing all major prokaryotic lineages from the gut of higher termites Vincent Hervé1, Pengfei Liu1, Carsten Dietrich1, David Sillam-Dussès2, Petr Stiblik3, Jan Šobotník3 and Andreas Brune1 1 Research Group Insect Gut Microbiology and Symbiosis, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany 2 Laboratory of Experimental and Comparative Ethology EA 4443, Université Paris 13, Villetaneuse, France 3 Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic ABSTRACT “Higher” termites have been able to colonize all tropical and subtropical regions because of their ability to digest lignocellulose with the aid of their prokaryotic gut microbiota. Over the last decade, numerous studies based on 16S rRNA gene amplicon libraries have largely described both the taxonomy and structure of the prokaryotic communities associated with termite guts. Host diet and microenvironmental conditions have emerged as the main factors structuring the microbial assemblages in the different gut compartments. Additionally, these molecular inventories have revealed the existence of termite-specific clusters that indicate coevolutionary processes in numerous prokaryotic lineages. However, for lack of representative isolates, the functional role of most lineages remains unclear. We reconstructed 589 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) from the different Submitted 29 August 2019 gut compartments of eight higher termite species that encompass 17 prokaryotic
    [Show full text]
  • Effect of Increased Soil Moisture and Reduced Soil Temperature on a Desert Soil Arthropod Community
    Effect of Increased Soil Moisture and Reduced Soil Temperature on a Desert Soil Arthropod Community WILLIAM P. MACKAY, SOLANGE SILVA, DAVID C. LIGHTFOOT, MARIA INEZ PAGANI and WALTER G. WHITFORD' Department of Biology, Box 3AFJ New Mexico State University, Las Cruces 88003 ABSTRACT: The effects of soil moisture and temperature on arthropod communi- ties were experimentally examined in the northern Chihuahuan Desert of New Mex- ico. Shaded plots were established which lowered the soil temperature several degrees; some plots received artificial rainfall to increase soil moisture. Shading reduced soil temperature at 5-cm depth 7-10 C. Soil moisture at 5 cm accounted for most of the variation in surface activity of subterranean termites (r values between 0.3 and 0.7). Termites did not respond to temperature differences. When all soils were at field capacity, there was no difference in termite activity in shaded and unshaded plots. There were higher densities of mi- croarthropods in litter bags on the shaded plots than on the unshaded plots. Numbers of microarthropods were an order of magnitude larger in litter bags on watered and shaded plots than on other plots. Lower litter temperatures apparently affect litter ar- thropods more than increased soil moisture. Shade had no effect on ant colonies but there were fewer colonies on the watered plots. There was between 40 to 50% mass loss from creosotebush leaf litter after 7 months on all plots. Water and soil temperature had no effect on decomposition rates. INTRODUCTION Temperature extremes and water availability are considered to be the most impor- tant factors limiting production, activity of desert organisms and ecosystem processes in deserts (Noy-Meir, 1973, 1974; Whitford et al., 1981, Whitford et al., 1983).
    [Show full text]
  • Nitrate Decreases Ruminal Methane Production with Slight Changes To
    Zhao et al. BMC Microbiology (2018) 18:21 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-018-1164-1 RESEARCH ARTICLE Open Access Nitrate decreases ruminal methane production with slight changes to ruminal methanogen composition of nitrate- adapted steers Liping Zhao, Qingxiang Meng, Yan Li, Hao Wu, Yunlong Huo, Xinzhuang Zhang and Zhenming Zhou* Abstract Background: This study was conducted to examine effects of nitrate on ruminal methane production, methanogen abundance, and composition. Six rumen-fistulated Limousin×Jinnan steers were fed diets supplemented with either 0% (0NR), 1% (1NR), or 2% (2NR) nitrate (dry matter basis) regimens in succession. Rumen fluid was taken after two-week adaptation for evaluation of in vitro methane production, methanogen abundance, and composition measurements. Results: Results showed that nitrate significantly decreased in vitro ruminal methane production at 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h (P < 0.01; P < 0.01; P = 0.01). The 1NR and 2NR regimens numerically reduced the methanogen population by 4.47% and 25.82% respectively. However, there was no significant difference observed between treatments. The alpha and beta diversity of the methanogen community was not significantly changed by nitrate either. However, the relative abundance of the methanogen genera was greatly changed. Methanosphaera (PL = 0.0033) and Methanimicrococcus (PL = 0.0113) abundance increased linearly commensurate with increasing nitration levels, while Methanoplanus abundance was significantly decreased (PL = 0.0013). The population of Methanoculleus, the least frequently identified genus in this study, exhibited quadratic growth from 0% to 2% when nitrate was added (PQ = 0.0140). Conclusions: Correlation analysis found that methane reduction was significantly related to Methanobrevibacter and Methanoplanus abundance, and negatively correlated with Methanosphaera and Methanimicrococcus abundance.
    [Show full text]
  • Biodiversity and Composition of Methanogenic Populations in The
    RESEARCH ARTICLE Biodiversity and composition of methanogenic populations in the rumen of cows fed alfalfa hay or triticale straw Yunhong Kong1,2, Yun Xia2, Robert Seviour3, Robert Forster2 & Tim A. McAllister2 1Department of Biological Science and Technology, Kunming University, Kunming, China; 2Lethbridge Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, AB, Canada; and 3Biotechnology Research Centre, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Vic., Australia Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/femsec/article/84/2/302/478402 by guest on 01 October 2021 Correspondence: Tim A. McAllister, Abstract Lethbridge Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 5403 1st Avenue South, It is clear that methanogens are responsible for ruminal methane emissions, Lethbridge, AB, Canada. but quantitative information about the composition of the methanogenic com- Tel.: +1 403 3172240; munity in the bovine rumen is still limited. The diversity and composition of fax: +1 403 3823156; rumen methanogens in cows fed either alfalfa hay or triticale straw were exam- e-mail: [email protected] ined using a full-cycle rRNA approach. Quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization undertaken applying oligonucleotide probes designed here identi- Received 4 October 2012; revised 6 December 2012; accepted 12 December fied five major methanogenic populations or groups in these animals: the Met- 2012. hanobrevibacter TMS group (consisting of Methanobrevibacter thaueri, Final version published online 8 January Methanobrevibacter millerae and Methanobrevibacter smithii), Methanbrevibacter 2013. ruminantium-, Methanosphaera stadtmanae-, Methanomicrobium mobile-, and Methanimicrococcus-related methanogens. The TMS- and M. ruminantium- DOI: 10.1111/1574-6941.12062 related methanogens accounted for on average 46% and 41% of the total meth- anogenic cells in liquid (Liq) and solid (Sol) phases of the rumen contents, Editor: Julian Marchesi respectively.
    [Show full text]
  • New Steady-State Microbial Community Compositions and Process
    Luo et al. Biotechnology for Biofuels (2015) 8:3 DOI 10.1186/s13068-014-0182-y RESEARCH ARTICLE Open Access New steady-state microbial community compositions and process performances in biogas reactors induced by temperature disturbances Gang Luo1, Davide De Francisci2, Panagiotis G Kougias2, Treu Laura2, Xinyu Zhu2 and Irini Angelidaki2* Abstract Background: The microbial community in a biogas reactor greatly influences the process performance. However, only the effects of deterministic factors (such as temperature and hydraulic retention time (HRT)) on the microbial community and performance have been investigated in biogas reactors. Little is known about the manner in which stochastic factors (for example, stochastic birth, death, colonization, and extinction) and disturbance affect the stable-state microbial community and reactor performances. Results: In the present study, three replicate biogas reactors treating cattle manure were run to examine the role of stochastic factors and disturbance in shaping microbial communities. In the triplicate biogas reactors with the same inoculum and operational conditions, similar process performances and microbial community profiles were observed under steady-state conditions. This indicated that stochastic factors had a minor role in shaping the profile of the microbial community composition and activity in biogas reactors. On the contrary, temperature disturbance was found to play an important role in the microbial community composition as well as process performance for biogas reactors. Although three different temperature disturbances were applied to each biogas reactor, the increased methane yields (around 10% higher) and decreased volatile fatty acids (VFAs) concentrations at steady state were found in all three reactors after the temperature disturbances. After the temperature disturbance, the biogas reactors were brought back to the original operational conditions; however, new steady-state microbial community profiles were observed in all the biogas reactors.
    [Show full text]
  • Appraisal of the Economic Activities of Termites: a Review
    Bajopas Volume 5 Number 1 June, 2012 http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bajopas.v5i1.16 Bayero Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences, 5(1): 84 – 89 Received: October 2011 Accepted: April 2012 ISSN 2006 – 6996 APPRAISAL OF THE ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES OF TERMITES: A REVIEW *Ibrahim, B. U. and Adebote, D. A. Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, kaduna state *Correspondence author: [email protected] ABSTRACT Termites can be found through out the world largely in the tropical and sub-tropical countries. They are social insects, feeding on cellulosic materials and live in colonies. Termites comprise the Order Isoptera with six families, 170 genera and 2600 species, of which six species are present in Nigeria. The most striking aspects of termites is their destructive tendency. They feed on wood indiscriminately, and tend to destroy timber and other wooden materials of importance to man, and this brought them into direct competition with man. However, their beneficial aspect to man is very significant. In most countries, where termites exist in abundance they are edible. Their burrowing within the soil increases the rate of percolation of water into the soil, thereby promoting water absorbent of the soil. Their feeding habit includes decomposition of dead trees, and incorporation into the soil, mineral nutrients of these trees. Man in response to the destructive activities of termites, developed various controlled methods towards them, which include the use of pesticides such as DDT ( Dichloro Diphenyl Trichloroethane), BHC ( Benzene Hexachloride ), Aldrin, Dieldrin, soil barrier termiticides, treated zone termiticides, dust and fumigant, and, non chemical control methods such as mud tube removal, debris removal, pathogenic fungi, mechanical barriers, heat, high voltage electricity or electrocution and wood replacement.
    [Show full text]
  • Obliqatelv Anaerobic Alkaliphiles from Kenya Soda Lake Sediments
    Obliqatelv Anaerobic Alkaliphiles from Kenya Soda Lake Sediments Thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Leicester by Gerald G. Owenson B.Sc. (Dundee) Department of Microbiology and Immunology University of Leicester February, 1997. UMI Number: U087829 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Dissertation Publishing UMI U087829 Published by ProQuest LLC 2013. Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest LLC 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Statement The work in this thesis was carried out by the author during the period October 1992 to March 1996, under the supervision of Prof. W.D. Grant in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Leicester. This thesis is submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Leicester, and has not been submitted in full or part for any other degree. This thesis may be made available for consultation, photocopying and for use through other lending libraries, either directly of through the British Lending Library. Gerald G. Owenson Obligately anaerobic alkaliphiles from Kenya soda lake sediments Gerald Owenson During the month of December 1992, an expedition was undertaken to collect anaerobic sediment samples from the alkaline lakes of the East African Rift Valley in Kenya.
    [Show full text]
  • Sociobiology 67(1): 94-105 (March, 2020) DOI: 10.13102/Sociobiology.V67i1.4459
    Sociobiology 67(1): 94-105 (March, 2020) DOI: 10.13102/sociobiology.v67i1.4459 Sociobiology An international journal on social insects RESEARCH ARTICLE - TERMITES Field Distance Effects of Fipronil and Chlorfenapyr as Soil Termiticides Against the Desert Subterranean Termite, Heterotermes aureus (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) PB Baker, JG Miguelena Department of Entomology, University of Arizona. Tucson, Arizona, USA Article History Abstract A desirable trait of termiticides is that they suppress termite activity at a distance Edited by from the site of application. Fipronil and chlorfenapyr are two non-repellent Og DeSouza, UFV, Brazil Paulo Cristaldo, UFRPE, Brazil termiticides that display delayed toxicity and are therefore good candidates for Thomas Chouvenc, UFL, United States yielding distance effects. We assessed their effects as soil-applied termiticides Received 10 April 2019 for the management of the desert subterranean termite, Heterotermes aureus Initial acceptance 10 July 2019 (Snyder), under field conditions in southern Arizona. Our approach involved Final acceptance 20 September 2019 recording termite activity within field experimental grids consisting of termite- Publication date 18 April 2020 monitoring stations at selected distances from a termiticide application perimeter. Keywords Fipronil-treated plots experienced large and significant reductions in termite Termidor, Phantom, termite management, presence and abundance relative to controls in stations immediately adjacent to insecticide treated soil. However, there was no evidence of reductions in termite activity in stations further away from the soil treatment. In contrast, termite abundance and Corresponding author presence in stations decreased relatively to controls after chlorfenapyr application Paul B. Baker Department of Entomology in whole experimental grids and in several grid sections spatially separated from University of Arizona treated soil.
    [Show full text]
  • The Biology and Community Structure of CO2-Reducing
    The Biology and Community Structure of CO2-Reducing Acetogens in the Termite Hindgut Thesis by Elizabeth Ann Ottesen In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy California Institute of Technology Pasadena, California 2009 (Defended September 25, 2008) i i © 2009 Elizabeth Ottesen All Rights Reserved ii i Acknowledgements Much of the scientist I have become, I owe to the fantastic biology program at Grinnell College, and my mentor Leslie Gregg-Jolly. It was in her molecular biology class that I was introduced to microbiology, and made my first attempt at designing degenerate PCR primers. The year I spent working in her laboratory taught me a lot about science, and about persistence in the face of experimental challenges. At Caltech, I have been surrounded by wonderful mentors and colleagues. The greatest debt of gratitude, of course, goes to my advisor Jared Leadbetter. His guidance has shaped much of how I think about microbes and how they affect the world around us. And through all the ups and downs of these past six years, Jared’s enthusiasm for microbiology—up to and including the occasional microscope session spent exploring a particularly interesting puddle—has always reminded me why I became a scientist in the first place. The Leadbetter Lab has been a fantastic group of people. In the early days, Amy Wu taught me how much about anaerobic culture work and working with termites. These last few years, Eric Matson has been a wonderful mentor, endlessly patient about reading drafts and discussing experiments. Xinning Zhang also read and helped edit much of this work.
    [Show full text]