A Study on the origin of Termitomyces spp.in the new nest of Odontotermes formosanus Shiraki
GONG Yuegang
LI Wuhan
MO Jianchu
Abstract：Objective This study aims to explore the source of the key symbiotic fungus Termitomyces spp.in the nest of Odontotermes formosanus Shiraki,and to provide scientific basis for the prevention and control of O.formosanus.Methods O.formosanus were caught during their mating flight period in the wild,and make their marriage match.They were divided into four groups(soil with and without fungus,and termite surface was washed with distilled water or not)and raised under indoor conditions.After 130 days,these nests were opened to inspect the construction of the combs and termites growth inside the nest.Results The O.formosanus captured during the separate flight period successfully established the comb with Termitomyces spp.in the indoor conditions without foreign fungi species.The proportion of these new nests accounted for 20％-22％of the total number of pairs.Repeated rinsing of the reproductive termite surface with distilled water did not affect the proportion of new nests with Termitomyces spp.in the comb(20％);the proportion of O.formosanus which cultured in non sterilized soil to establish a comb was significantly increased,reaching 33％.Conclusion The transmission mode of Termitomyces spp.on the new nest of O.formosanus is vertical transmission,and the Termitomyces spp.on the new nest comes from the intestinal system of the reproductive termites.However,the worker-priest can also collect fungal spores to their nests in the natural environment,construct a comb with Termitomyces spp.,and improve the survival rate of newly built nests.
Keywords：Odontotermes formosanuscultivating termitessymbiotic fungusTermitomyces spp.source of fungus
Publication Date：2024-06-20
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：6( 281-285,300 )