Global diversification of termite-Its pattern and causal mechanism

研究了全球白蚁多样性的格局和成因机制。(1)白蚁向土壤取食的适应性辐射：在澳大利亚通过肠道内容物观察、稳定同位素分析、纤维素酶活性测定和线粒体DNA分析研究了白蚁取食习性的进化，表明白蚁向土壤取食的进化发生了一次。本研究揭示了在Termes存在具有纤维素酶活性的变形虫。(2)从低级白蚁到高级白蚁的进化过程：将澳大利亚昆士兰高原雨林中的白蚁动物群与第三纪形成的邻近稀树草原的白蚁动物群进行了比较。前者以低等白蚁为主，后者以高等白蚁为主。高等白蚁似乎不是在森林中进化的，而是在稀树草原上进化的。(3)白蚁-共生体系统的进化：全球白蚁多样化与白蚁-共生体系统进化和社会性的关系（t.a abe， S.A.Levin & m.g hiashi等，生物多样性）。施普林格,1997)。(4)白蚁在生态系统中的生态作用：研究了泰国干燥常绿森林中真菌白蚁的分布及其甲烷使命。(5)白蚁的系统发育与生物地理：研究了日本列岛白蚁科的系统发育与共生原生动物的变化及其生物地理的关系。(6)白蚁全球多样化讲习班：1997年3月在京都举行了白蚁生物学教科书的出版讲习班。大约20名外国白蚁研究人员参加了会议。

The global diversification of termites was studied with reference to its pattern and causal mechanism as follows.(1) Adaptive radiation of Termes into soil-feeders : The evolution of feeding habits in Termes were studied by gut contents observation, stable isotope analysis, measurement of cellulase activities, and mitochondria DNA analysis in Australia, suggesting that the evolution into soil-feeding occurred once in Termes. The present study revealed the presence of amoeba with cellulase activity in Termes.(2) Evolutionary process from lower termites to higher termites : Termite fauna in the upland rainforest of Queensland of Australia, where Gondwana mesic forests have persisted since Cretaceous time, was compared with that in adjacent savanna formed in the Tertiary period. The former was dominated by lower termites, while the latter was dominated by higher termites. The higher termites seem to have evolved not in the forest but savanna.(3) Evolution of termite-symbiont system : Global diversification of termites was examined in relation to the evolution of termite-symbiont system and the sociality (T.Abe, S.A.Levin & M.Higashi eds, Biodiversity.Springer, 1997).(4) Ecological role of termites in ecosystem : The distribution of fungus-growing termites was examined together with their methane mission in the dry evergreen forest of Thailand.(5) Phylogeny of termites and biogeography : Phylogeny of Rhinotermitidae was examined in relation to their change in the symbiotic protozoa and their biogeography in the Japanese islands.(6) Workshop on the global diversification of termites : The workshop was held at Kyoto in March, 1997 to publish a textbook of the biology of termites. About 20 foreign termite researchers attended the meeting.