On the elevated intestinal pH of higher termites (Isoptera: Termitidae) |
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| Authors: | D E Bignell P Eggleton |
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| Institution: | (1) School of Biological Sciences, Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London, Mile End Road, E1 4NS London, UK;(2) Biodiversity Division, Department of Entomology, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD London, UK |
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| Abstract: | Summary The pH of the gut contents was measured in 52 species of higher termites (Termitidae), representing 36 genera in all four subfamilies. A statistically significant trend was shown from lower termites with low mean gut pH through to the Termitinae with higher mean gut pHs. Elevation of the pH occurred principally in the first and third proctodaeal segments, reaching values as high as 10.5 in 8 soil-feeding genera and 1 wood-feeding genus of Termitinae. Elevation of gut pH within the Termitidae appears to be independent of the general nature of the feeding substrate. |
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| Keywords: | Hindgut alkalinity evolution symbionts gut morphology |
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