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The Termite-Symbionts System

Research Project

Project/Area Number 05044129
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for international Scientific Research

Allocation TypeSingle-year Grants
SectionJoint Research
Research InstitutionKyoto University

Principal Investigator

ABE Takuya  Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, Professor, 生態学研究センター, 教授 (00045030)

Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) KIRTIBUTR Nit  Faculty of Agriculture Kasetsart University, Thailand, Associate Professor, カセサート大学, 助教授
MYLES Timothy g.  Faculty of Forestry, University of Tronoto, Canada, Associate Professor, Toronto大学, 助教授
BURNS Thomas p.  Environmental Compliance Group, USA,Scientist, OakRidge国立研, 研究員
BIGNELL David e.  Queen Mary & Westfield College, University of London, UK.Associate Professor, London大学, 教授
SLAYTOR M.  豪, Sydney大学, 助教授
HOLT Jhon  豪, CSIRO, 主任教授
SUGIMOTO Atsuko  Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University Lecturer, 生態学研究センター, 助手 (50235892)
HIGASHI Masahiko  Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University Professor, 生態学研究センター, 教授 (40183917)
TAKEDA Hiroshi  Faculty of Agriculture, Kyoto University Assocaite Professor, 農学部, 助教授 (60109048)
YAMAMURA Norio  Saga Medical School, Associate Professor, 助教授 (70124815)
YAMAOKA Ryohei  Kyoto Institute of Technology, Associate Professor, 繊維学, 教授 (00111948)
YAMAOKA Ikuo  Faculty of Science, Yamaguchi University, Professor, 理学部, 教授 (30034705)
MATSUMOTO Tadao  College of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Professor, 教養学部, 教授 (90106609)
SLAYTOR Michael  Department of Biochemistry, The University of Sydney, Australia, Associate Profe
HOLT John a.  Senior Scientist CSIRO,Division of Soils, Australia
WOOD T.G.  英, NRI, 主任研究員
VIJARSORN P.  タイ国, 国土開発局, 主任研究員
MYLES T.G.  カナダ, Toronto大学, 助教授
BURNS T.P.  米, Oak Ridge国立研究所, 研究員
HOLT J.  豪, CSIRO, 主任教授
Project Period (FY) 1993 – 1994
Project Status Completed (Fiscal Year 1994)
Budget Amount *help
¥10,000,000 (Direct Cost: ¥10,000,000)
Fiscal Year 1994: ¥5,000,000 (Direct Cost: ¥5,000,000)
Fiscal Year 1993: ¥5,000,000 (Direct Cost: ¥5,000,000)
KeywordsTermite-symbionts system / Cellulose decomposition / C / N balance Nitrogen fixation / Macroevolution / 大進化 / バイオ・リサイクル / シロアリ-共生者系 / 空中窒素の固定 / 社会性進化 / 種分化 / 地理分布
Research Abstract

The termites, who have symbiotic relationship with bacteria, protozoa and fungi, have succeeded in utilizing cell-wall component of dead plants, which contains cellulose, the most abundant organic matter on the earth, but contains only a little nitrogen.
The present international cooperative research project intends to clarify the "Termite-Symbionts System" with special reference to (1) cellulose decomposition process and nitogen acquisition, (2) environmental factors and ecological traits of termites promoting the macroevolution in termites from lower to higher termites, and (3) the role of termites in nitrogen flow of terrestrial ecosystems in Thailand, Australia and Japan. Most important questions and answers are as follows.
1) Why are xylophagous termites able to subsist on a diet containing very little nitrogen? Thirty to fifty percent of nitrogen of bodies of a xylophagous termite (Neotermes koshunensis, Kalotermitidae) come from atmospheric nitrogen.
2) Who produce cellulases? In lower termites (Reticulitermes speratus) cellulases are produced by protozoa (in hind gut) and by themselves (in salivary gland and midgut), while in higher termites cellulases are produced by themselves (in midgut).
3) Who decompose hemicellulose? In a lower termite (Reticulitermes speratus), enzymes to decompose hemicellulose are produced by protozoa and termites themselves.
4) What kind of factors have promoted the macroevolution in termites? Based on comparative studies on biology of termites in reinforests and adjacent Eucalyptus savanna in Australia, 'Lignin cover hypothesis' was proposed, suggesting the importance of climatic change in Cretaceous period (moist to dry) as well as the change in nest site and food of termites.

Report

(2 results)
  • 1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • 1993 Annual Research Report
  • Research Products

    (28 results)

All Other

All Publications (28 results)

  • [Publications] Tayasu,I.Sugimoto,A.Wada,E & Abe,T.: "Xylophagous termitis depencling on atmospherie nutrigen" Natunwissenchaften. 81. 229-231 (1994)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Higashi,M.& Yamamura,N: "Resolution of evolutionary conflict" Researches on Population Ecology. 36. 15-22 (1994)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Tsuji N.& Yamamura,N.: "A mathematical modelon wing dimorphinm in male Cardiocondyla ants" J.Ethology. 12. 19-24 (1994)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Takora,M.,Takahashi,M.& Yamaoka,R.: "(2.E.E)-Dudecatrien-1 ol;A minor Component of trail pherimcne of termite" J.Chemical Ecology. 20. 199-215 (1994)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Shinzato,N.,Yamagishi,A.,Oshima,T.& Yamaoka,I.: "16srRNA seguences of methanogemic symbeant in termite" Zoologial Science. 11. 15-22 (1994)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Takeda,H.: "A 5 year study of lieten decomposi the in chomcy apin ohtuse forest" Ecological Research. 10(in press). (1995)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Abe,T.: "Structure and function of soil communition" Kyoto Univ Press (in press), (1995)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] 高林純示,西田律夫,山岡亮平: "共進化の謎に迫る" 平凡社, 300 (1995)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] 山岡亮平: "アリはなぜ一列に歩くか" 大修館書店, 194 (1995)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Tayasu I., Sugimoto, A., Wada, E.& Abe, T.: "Xylophagous termites depending on atmospheric mitrogen" Naturwissenschaften. 81. 229-231 (1994)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Higashi, M & Yamamura, N.: "Resolution of evolutionary conflict" Researches on Population Ecology. 36. 15-22 (1994)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Tsuji N.& Yamamura, N.: "A mathematical model on wing dimorphism in male Cardiacondyla ants" J.Ethology. 12. 19-24 (1994)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Tokoro, M.Takahashi, M.& Yamaoka, R.: "(Z.E,E J-Dodecatrien-1-ol) A minor componant of trail pheromone of termite" J.Chemical Ecology. 20. 199-215 (1994)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Shinzato, N,Yanagishi, A., Oshima, T.& Yamaoka, I.: "16S rRNA seguences of methanogenie symbiont in termite" Zool.Sii.11. 15-22 (1994)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Takeda, H.: "A 5 year study of litter decemposition process in chomse cyaprin obtuse forest" Ecological Resarch. 10(in press). (1995)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Abe, T.: Kyoto Univ.Press. Structwe and fanction of soil comunities, (1995)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Yamaoka, R.: Heibonsha. Coevolution-ecosystem from Chemistry (in Japanese), 103-198 (1995)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Yamaoka, R.: Drshir kan. Why are ants walking strant? (in Japanese), 1-194 (1995)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1994 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] ABE,Takuya: "Gross difference in community structure between forests and grasslad" Biology International. specil29. 19-25 (1993)

    • Related Report
      1993 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] ABE,Takuya: "Faune and nesting haluts of hernug.in the peat swap forest and rubber plantatur" Island.Studies in Okinawa. 11. 43-54 (1993)

    • Related Report
      1993 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] 安部琢哉: "空中窒素を食べるシロアリ" 科学. 63. 781-788 (1993)

    • Related Report
      1993 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] KITADE,O: "Cluster anabyran on sympiotic protozoan fauna of tern to and a woh-jeedy cochrach Cryitoceran" Endo cytabiology. 5. 155-159 (1993)

    • Related Report
      1993 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] OGINO,K: "Juverile hormac analage S-31183.cause a high lavel indectes of preildin differintict in the Japanese Damp Wood termita" Zoolical Science. 10. 361-366 (1993)

    • Related Report
      1993 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] KITADE,O: "Symbiolit protistan fauna of Reticulitirmen(Isoptera)in the Japan.Archipelago" (準備中).

    • Related Report
      1993 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] SUGIMOTO,A: "Carbon isotopic composition of bacterial methane in a soil incuibmtor experiment:conbretutin of acetate and CO_2/H_2" Geochimica et Gasmochimica Acta. 57. (1993)

    • Related Report
      1993 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] YAMAMURA,N: "Vertical transmisson and evolution of muterlion from parasitism" Theoretical Populaton Biology. 43. (1993)

    • Related Report
      1993 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] HOLT,J.A: "Numbers and bcomass of mound-bulog termiter(Isopteror)in a semi-asid tmpil wood lod nean chaters Towers,North Queenslad,Australia" Sociohcalogy. 21. 281-288 (1993)

    • Related Report
      1993 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] HIGASHI,M: "Produoin-decomporser matching in a simple model ecoryelin:a network corvobutinry approch to ecoryelin organization" Proceedings of a joint U.S.Japan Saminar in the Environmental Suencen. 4124 (to be publiced). 131-145 (1993)

    • Related Report
      1993 Annual Research Report

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Published: 1993-04-01   Modified: 2016-04-21  

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