Impact of Microbial Symbionts on Fungus-Farming Termites and Their Derived Ecosystem Functions

Fungus-farming termites are dominant decomposers and important ecosystem engineers in their natural sub-Sahara African and Southeast Asian ecosystems. This is accomplished through integrated behavioral management of complex communities of fungal and bacterial symbionts by the termite host that facilitate plant biomass decomposition and production of defensive antimicrobial compounds. The extensive, near-complete turnover of plant biomass, which is sustained for several years due to their disease-free lifestyle, pivotally shapes ecosystems. The termites impact their immediate environment through enrichment of water and nutrients, which seep from the mound, and help sustain plant and animal communities, particularly in dry savannah ecosystems. Here, we summarize our understanding of the role microbial symbionts play in fungus-farming termites and the implications of these processes for ecosystem services and impacts on humans.