The Use of Mixed Colonies of Termites in the Study of Host-Symbiont Relations

Abstract

The normal behavior patterns of some primitive termites were modified by the use of refrigeration to permit the establishment of mixed colonies. Nine combinations of 2 spp. in the same colony, and one combination of 3 spp., lived successfully in laboratory colonies. Life in a mixed colony affords the opportunity for a recently molted termite to acquire protozoa naturally foreign to its species. Kalotermes jouteli demonstrated re-sistance to infection with protozoa from K. schwarzi. But the reciprocal cross succeeded, even in cases where the colony contained few K. jouteli and many K. schwarzi. The be-havior of the termites, rather than the resistance to trans-faunation, is considered to be the factor which tends to isolate the faunules of these spp. of termites.