Figure 5.

Model representation of possible functional roles for the D. colotermitum strain TAV2 in the hindgut of the termite R. flavipes. Strain TAV2 expressed genes and/or proteins associated with (1) hemicellulose degradation, (2) biological nitrogen fixation and (3) controlled oxygen consumption. Shaded area represents anoxic core and drawing is not to scale. Other important microbial groups are also represented in the hindgut ecosystem. For detailed morphological descriptions of microorganisms and the termite gut epithelium through transmission electron and scanning electron microscopy see Breznak and Pankratz (1977).