Phylogenetic diversity of symbiotic methanogens living in the hindgut of the lower termite Reticulitermes speratus analyzed by PCR and in situ hybridization

Research was conducted to examine the phylogenetic diversity of methanogens in Reticulitermes speratus termites collected in the Japan archipelago using the PCR approach. The sequencing of 60 clones of archaeal small-subunit rRNA genes amplified from the termite showed that majority, 56 clones, clustered in the genus Methanobrevibacter. Results indicate that Methanobrevibacter-related methanogens were the main species colonizing the hindgut of the R. speratus.