Symbiotic nitrogen fixation in the New Zealand dampwood termite (Stolotermes ruficeps)
This study investigates symbiotic microorganisms in the New Zealand dampwood termite Stolotermes ruficeps using culture-independent techniques to describe the diversity of nitrogen-fixing organisms within this termite. Phylogenetic analysis of a portion of the nifH gene (encoding dinitrogenase reductase) revealed 19 phylotypes (>98% sequence identity) with 77–86% similarity to published nucleotide sequences from uncultured microorganisms described from termite guts.