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Science and Nature

I Contain Multitudes

Termites Digest Wood Thanks To Microbes

I Contain Multitudes

Termites Digest Wood Thanks To Microbes

Season 1 Episode 1 | 7m 12s | CC

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.

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I Contain Multitudes

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