Diversification of termites driven by the evolution of symbiosis and sociality

1白蚁的生物地理分布白蚁的分子系统发育表明，鼻白蚁科不是单生理发生的，而大白蚁科在高等白蚁中进化得最古老。并从共生原生动物的系统发育和生物地理学的角度对鼻白蚁科的分子系统发育进行了研究。基于对白蚁分布的动物区系研究的一种假说，认为高级白蚁不是在森林而是在稀树草原进化的从固氮能力和纤维素分解系统两个方面考察了从低级白蚁到高级白蚁的共生进化过程。低级白蚁自己产生纤维素酶，尽管共生原生动物也产生纤维素酶。2 .食木蚁固氮能力强，食土蚁固氮能力弱。白蚁在生态系统中的生态作用研究了不同种类白蚁的甲烷排放。以土食白蚁居多。关于共生和社会性进化驱动白蚁多样化的综合在Abe， T., Levin， S.& Higashi， M.（1996）主编的书中完成：生物多样性，bbb。

1 Biogeographical distribution of termitesThe molecular phylogeny of termites suggests that the Rhinotermitidae are not mono-phyogenetic, and that Macrotermitinae have evolved most anciently among higher termites. The molecular phylogeny of the Rhinotermitidae were also examined in relation to the phylogeny of symbiotic protozoa and biogeography. Based on the faunal study of the distribution of termites, an hypothesis that higher termites evolved not in the forest but in the savanna.2 Evolution of symbiosisThe evolutionary process of the symbiosis from lower termites to higher termites was examined in relation to nitrogen-fixing ability and cellulose decomposition system. The lower termites produce cellulase by themselves, although symbiotic protozoa also produce cellulase. The nitrogen fixing ability was high in the wood feeders of lower termites but low in soil-feeders of higher termites.3.Ecological role of termites in ecosystemThe methane emission by various species of termites was examined. The rate was very high in the soil feeding termites.4.SynthesisThe Synthesis on the diversification of termites driven by the evolution of symbiosis and sociality was done in the book edited by Abe, T., Levin, S.& Higashi, M.(1996) : Biodiversity, Springer.