What feeding aid do subterranean termites utilize to digest wood?

Subterranean termites rely on protozoa as a crucial feeding aid in their digestion of wood. These single-celled organisms inhabit the gut of the termites and play an essential role in breaking down cellulose, a major component of wood. Termites consume wood, which is primarily made up of cellulose, but they lack the necessary enzymes to effectively break this complex carbohydrate down into digestible nutrients. The protozoa present in their intestines produce the necessary enzymes to facilitate this breakdown, allowing termites to access the nutrients locked within the wood.

While bacteria and fungi also play roles in wood decomposition within various ecosystems, the specific relationship between subterranean termites and protozoa is what enables them to thrive on wood-based diets. Thus, understanding this symbiotic relationship helps to clarify why protozoa are identified as the primary digestive aid for subterranean termites.