Extremophiles include a diverse group with ability to survive in highly saline conditions, the halophiles. Halophiles are characterized in major life domains including Archaea as well as Bacteria. Archaea represents halophiles with heterotrophic, chemotrophic aerobes and anaerobes. A large number of members from these domains are found growing in diverse habitats including both thalassohaline and athalassohaline environment. Well-developed strategies of adaptation allow halophiles to sustain their survival in saline extremes. Certain important biotechnological and ecological features are grabbing the attention of scientists to study halophilic biology more deeply. This review presents overview of the halophilic biology with special focus on taxonomy, diversity, habitat, osmoadaptation and biotechnological applications of Bacteria and Archaea.

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Biology and Applications of Halophilic Bacteria and Archaea: A Review

Halophilic Bacteria in the Food Industry

Background and Objective: So far, no scientific papers have reported on the termite population of subterranean termite Coptotermes curvignathus especially when they attack the wooden components in the building. This information is crucial for termite control such as system development, specifically capable of non-destructively detecting and predicting a termite population. A study was conducted to determine the termite population on the various volumes of pine boards. Materials and Methods: In this study, the exhaustive trapping technique was applied to the termite colonies. Thirty boards, infested with termites, were collected, after which the volumes were measured and dismantled carefully to determine termite population. A statistical analysis of linear regression is used to analyze the relationship between board volume (x) and termite population (y). Results: This survey showed that the board infested by C. curvignathus was dominated by termite workers (75.21±6.5101%) compared to termite soldiers (24.79±6.5101%). Based on the numerical analysis, the linear regression model (y = 40.09368+0.55031x) provides an overview of the number of termites present for a feeding test and provides an analysis of the extent to which the design of detection system will be able to predict a termite population. Conclusion: This research showed that the larger the board volume, the larger the termite population, since the larger board has an abundance of food sources containing large amounts of cellulose. This cellulose attracts termites to live inside it and also stops the process of further foraging.

Population Survey of Subterranean Termite Coptotermes curvignathus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) on Infested Pine Boards

Termites are diverse, ubiquitous and abundant in tropical ecosystems and are major examples of soil-dwelling ecosystem service providers that influence the ecosystem functioning by physically altering their biotic and abiotic surroundings. With increasing development in the environment, there is a gradual loss of their habitat. This study was carried out to determine the subterranean termite species in Rivers State University campus and relate the species and prevalence to their soil types. The study area was divided into 10 zones and from each zone 3 stations were selected randomly for sampling. Samples were collected in January and February 2018. Samples were taken from available mounds and soil in each station and termites were sorted, identified and counted. The temperature, organic content, pH, soil particle analysis and moisture content were determined for the soil samples. Five termite species from two families were identified;Termitidae: Amitermes spp1, Amitermes spp2, and Globitermes spp; Macrotermitidae: Macrotermes gilvusand another Macrotermes spp. The Amitermes spp was the most abundant as it was found in all 10 zones, followed by Macrotermes spp and then the Globitermes spp being the least abundant. Termite abundance, moisture content and soil type were significantly different in the 10 zones (p < 0.05). Total Organic Content was negatively correlated with Macrotermes spp. The Amitermes were more abundant in residential areas as they are wood eating termites suggesting that most destructive aspect of termite behaviour on residential areas may be perpetuated by the Amitermes species. The Macrotermes spp were found only in cultivated areas and from soil with higher percentage of clay, and they are basically soil feeders. M. gilvus and Macrotermes spp were seen in reddish mounds with fresh soil at the peak (showing termite activity) giving it a cone shape whereas the mound Globitermes spp was black, no fresh soil at the peak and had a circular shape. Amitermes was found in abandoned reddish Macrotermes mounds in residential areas. This study has provided some information on the termites in the University community as their habitat is gradually being destroyed with new buildings resulting in biodiversity loss. Moisture and TOC appeared to affect abundance.

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Subterranean Termites of a University Environment in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Termite populations and damage in cotton fields at Qadar pur, Multan, Pakistan (Isoptera)

A survey was conducted in District Gujranwala, Pakistan, for the evaluation of the population diversity of termite fauna of in garden trees of this region from January to June, 2012. Six species of termites i.e., Coptotermes heimi, Microcerotermes championi, Odontotermes obesus, Microtermes obesi, Microtermes mycophagus and Odontotermes guptai were recorded from houses and garden trees. Termites were found variably inhabiting different portions of garden trees. Maximum diversity of termites was 78% on Simpson’s Index and 70% on Shannon scale from garden trees.

https://www.entomoljournal.com/archives/2015/vol3issue6/PartC/3-5-22.pdf

Studies on population density and diversity of termites of district Gujranwala, Pakistan

Halophiles are salt loving microbes optimally growing at high concentrations of salt. Khewra salt mines of Pakistan provide extreme saline conditions where enormous halophilic microbial biota thrives. The present study aimed at isolation and molecular identification of bacterial strains from saline waters of Khewra salt mines. Using halophilic media, nine halophilic bacterial strains from saline water bodies were cultured and studied under optimized growth conditions (NaCl, pH and temperature). Bacterial growth at different NaCl concentrations was measured at 600nm wavelength, showing optimal growth at 1.5M NaCl. 769bp size 16S rRNA gene was amplified for molecular identification of bacterial strains. The amplified genes of the strains FA2.2 and FA3.3 were sequenced and their homology with other bacterial strains was analyzed. The results showed FA2.2 shared maximum homology with Bacillus anthracis strain while FA3.3 showed close resemblance with Staphylococcus saprophyticus subsp. bovis. Isolated halophilic bacterial strains possess potential for various biotechnological applications. They could be manipulated for synthesizing transgenic crops tolerating high salinity boosting the agricultural yield. Moreover extremozymes of these bacteria holds great industrial importance.

Isolation and Characterization of Halophilic Bacterial Strains from Saline Waters of Khewra Salt Mines on the Basis of 16S rRNA Gene Sequence.

Research article ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF HALOPHILIC BACTERIAL STRAINS FROM SALINE WATERS OF KHEWRA SALT MINES ON THE BASIS OF 16S rRNA GENE SEQUENCE

Fareeha Azam

Papers

Studies on population density and diversity of termites of district Gujranwala, Pakistan

Isolation and Characterization of Halophilic Bacterial Strains from Saline Waters of Khewra Salt Mines on the Basis of 16S rRNA Gene Sequence.

Research article ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF HALOPHILIC BACTERIAL STRAINS FROM SALINE WATERS OF KHEWRA SALT MINES ON THE BASIS OF 16S rRNA GENE SEQUENCE