Microorganisms of the digestive tract of Brazilian termites (Isoptera, Termitidae)

ABSTRACT

The hundgut microbiota of the termites Armitermes euamignathus, Cornitermes cumulans and Anoplotermes sp. was examined using transmission electron microscopy. A great variety of bacterial forms were detected and they comprise bacillus, spirochetes and coccus. Negatively stained preparations of the hindgut content showed more than six different bacterial morphotypes including bacteria devoid of flagellum and flagellate. The number of flagella and their distribution in the bacterial surface is also variable.