Termite antimicrobial defense through interaction with symbiotic microorganisms in nest materials.

ABSTRACT: Social insects build robust nests to physically defend their colonies against attacks by predators and the intrusion of parasites and pathogens. While many previous studies on termite nests have focused on their physical defense functions, their nests also harbor various microorganisms that play a role in maintaining the colony's hygienic environment. In this study, we report a dynamic defense mechanism of termite nests, where termites bury pathogen-infected corpses into the nest material, enhancing the antimicrobial defense provided by symbiotic bacteria inhabiting the nest. Termites buried pathogen-infected corpses, which could pose a high pathogenic risk, into the nest material, while they cannibalized corpses that were non-infected. In nest material where corpses were buried, the abund

SUBMITTER: Nakashima M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12222720 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature