Dietary Resilience of Termite Gut Microbiota and Enzymatic Function Reflects Feeding Strategy

Termites are major decomposers in tropical ecosystems, relying on complex gut microbiomes to digest lignocellulosic substrates. In this study, we compared the gut microbiota composition and enzymatic responses to dietary shifts in two neotropical termite species with contrasting feeding strategies: the polyphagousSilvestritermes euamignathusand the litter-feeding specialistCornitermes cumulans. High-throughput sequencing and enzymatic assays revealed thatS. euamignathusmaintained stable microbial communities and enzymatic profiles across diverse diets, including artificial and fiber-rich substrates. In contrast,C. cumulansexhibited significant shifts in bacterial abundance and reduced enzymatic activity under altered diets, particularly those differing from its natural litter-based diet. Functional gene predictions further indicated broader metabolic potential inS. euamignathus, particularly in response to complex substrates, whileC. cumulansshowed transcriptional suppression of polysaccharide-degrading enzymes. These results suggest thatS. euamignathusbenefits from a more flexible and functionally resilient gut symbiosis, enabling adaptation to heterogeneous or disturbed environments. In contrast, the narrower metabolic scope ofC. cumulansmay limit its capacity to respond to dietary change. Our findings highlight how feeding ecology shapes microbiome plasticity and digestive function in termites, with implications for understanding their adaptability under environmental stress and climate-driven shifts in resource availability.