Termite Feeding and the Protozoa

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Symbiotic RelationshipAssociation of two dissimilar organisms in a

beneficial relationship

Formosan Subterranean Termites

(Kingdom Animalia)

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Spirotrichonympha leidyi Koidzumi

Holomastigotoides hartmanni Koidzumi

Pseudotrichonympha grassiiKoidzumi

Protozoa(Kingdom Protista)

The Benefits of the Symbiotic Relationship

The Protozoan receives:1. A home (shelter) by living in the

termite gut.2. Cellulose (food) from wood that the

termite eats

The cellulose is digested and acetate, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and methane are produced and released.

The Termites receives/absorbs:1. Acetate produced by the Protozoa. The termites use the acetate as their energy source to carry out daily bodily functions.

The Transfer of Protozoa in a NEW colony

The queen and the king are responsible for feeding and passing on the protozoa to the offspring in the new colony.

The Transfer of Protozoa in an OLDER Colony

The workers are responsible for feeding and transferring the protozoa in an older colony.

Stomadeal Feeding•Passing partially digested food with the mouth to another termite.

Proctodeal Feeding•Receiving food from the anus.

External Anatomy of a TermiteIdentification of Body Sections

head

thorax

abdomen

2. Thorax = The 3 pairs of legs are attached to the thorax.

3. Abdomen = The abdomen holds all reproductive organs.

1. Head = The eyes, antennae, and mouthparts are on the head.

Internal Anatomy of a TermiteHow wood is digested

4. Acetate release by protozoa is absorbed by the termite

1. Pieces of wood enters the mouth.

2. Wood is ground in the crop.

3. Wood particles enters the hind gut and are consumed by the protozoans, who release acetate, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and methane.

5. Digested material passed out of the anus to feed others or build carton

Herbivore

Energy Source

Consumers/Hetertrophs Producers

Carnivore

Omnivore

Producer

Carnivore

SOIL BACTERIA(decomposers)

Extracting Protozoa from Termite Gut: Materials

• 5-6 Formosan Subterranean Termites (workers)• 2 Forceps• 1 Light microscope• 1Microscope slide• 1 Cover slip• 2 drops of saline solution• 1 disposable pipette• Kimwipes

Extracting Protozoa from Termite Gut: Method/Procedure

1. Place a drop of saline solution on a microscope slide.

Microscope slide with a dropof saline solution

Extracting Protozoa from Termite Gut: Method/Procedure

2. Gently grab the termite’s head and thorax with a forcep.

head

thorax

abdomen

Extracting Protozoa from Termite Gut: Method/Procedure

3. Locate the tip of the abdomen and the end of the termite’s gut.

4. With the second forcep, grab and pull out the termite’s gut.

head

thorax

abdomen

Extracting Protozoa from Termite Gut: Method/Procedure

5. Place the gut in the saline solution on the microscope slide.

6. Slowly lower a cover slip on to the sample and press down gently.

Microscope slide with a dropof saline solution and termite intestine

Cover slip

Extracting Protozoa from Termite Gut: Method/Procedure

7. If there is extra saline solution on the microscope slide, use a paper towel to wipe the slide clean.

Microscope slide with a dropof saline solution and termite gut

Extracting Protozoa from Termite Gut: Method/Procedure

8. Observe the gut sample under the microscope and complete the laboratory worksheets.

My laboratory Worksheet