Autocoprophagy is a precursor of proctodeal trophallaxis in cocktoaches and termites [Russian]

摘要

While feeding on powdered grain products, cocktoaches produce pellets differed in color (white and black) and the degree of starch digestion. The, proportion of these pellets depends on the food quality and quantity. Black pellets contains both food residues, numerous microorganisms, major digestive enzymes, Protista cysts and eggs of Nematoda living in the hindgut lumen of cockroaches. White pellets mainly consist of partially digested starch grains. Cockroaches eat various fecal pellets (autocoprophagy), but-prefer white ones. In cockroach aggregations in shelters, autocoprophagy is an additional source of food and digestive enzymes for nymphs', Which do not leave their refuges. The infection with gut parasites takes place by the same way. Proctodeal trophallaxis developed on the basis of autocoprophagy of omnivorous cockroaches. The transition to proctodeal trophallaxis was accompanied by the appearance of symbiotic xylophagous Flagellata in the hindgut lumen of wood-eating cockroaches and termites. The formation of the complex symbiotic microfauna in these insects appears to be facilitated by specific features of nitrogen metabolism (weak accumulation of uric acid in the hindgut lumen).