I Contain Multitudes

Termites Digest Wood Thanks To Microbes

S1 • E3    Jan 25, 2018    9m
In this episode, Ed Yong explores the secrets behind termites’ power to digest an abundant source of food: wood. The key is microbes in their gut. Ed checks in with Princeton scientist Xinning Zhang to learn how termites evolved into wood-eating specialists about 150 million years ago, and how they use a unique social behavior to pass along the microbes.

Where to Watch I Contain Multitudes - S1 • E3

 

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