CELLULOSE METABOLISM OF THE SYMBIOTIC PROTOZOA IN TERMITE, COPTOTERMES-FORMOSANUS-SHIRAKI (ISOPTERA, RHINOTERMITIDAE) .2. SELECTIVE DEFAUNATION OF PROTOZOA AND ITS EFFECT ON CELLULOSE METABOLISM

The largest protozoa, Pseudotrichonympha grassii Koidzumi, in the work ers of Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki was selectively defaunated. The defaunated workers were employed in examining whether or not they coul d utilize cellulose substrates with large DP such as akamatsu (Pinus d ensiflora Sieb. et Zucc) wood meal and fibrous cellulose powder along with the other two protozoa, Holomastigotoides hartmanni Koidzumi and Spirotrichonympha leidyi Koidzumi. From the results on forced-feeding of the defaunated workers, H. hartmanni and S. leidyi were shown not t o utilize native greatly polymerized cellulose as their nutrients. The protozoa probably have their inherent roles in the metabolism of cell ulose.