Termite mounds contain soil-derived methanotroph communities kinetically adapted to elevated methane concentrations

摘要

Samples are grouped according to termite species (a–c) and sampling location (d–f). a, d show total bacterial cells estimated from 16S rRNA gene qPCR, assuming on average 4.2 16S rRNA gene copies per cell. b, e show methanotroph cells estimated from pmoA qPCR, assuming 2 pmoA copies per cell. c, f show methanotroph abundance estimated from 16S rRNA gene qPCR, using the ratio of identified methanotrophs to total 16S rRNA gene copies. Different letters denote significant differences in abundance between sample groups (p < 0.05, Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn test). Mn Microcerotermes nervosus mounds, Ms Macrognathotermes sunteri mounds, Tp Tumulitermes pastinator mounds, core termite mound core, periphery termite mound periphery, beneath soil beneath mound, surrounding soil surrounding mound, MOB methane-oxidising bacteria.