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SPP 1090 AG 3: Transformation and stabilisation of organic matter by soil arthropods: Microbial activities and function of alkaline segments in the guts of humivorous coleopteran and dipteran larvae
Project
Project code: DFG SPP 1090
Contract period: 01.01.2000
- 01.01.2006
Purpose of research: Basic research
The humivorous soil macrofauna plays an important role in the degradation and stabilization of soil organic matter. Using selected model organisms, we are investigating the roles of the pronounced gut microbiota of these animals and their extremely alkaline gut compartments in the stabilization processes. Currently, we are focusing on the microbial transformation of refractory nitrogenous soil components, especially the role of the stabilized residues of microbial biomass and their hydrolysis products (amino acids, amino sugars) as substrates of the intestinal microbiota. The investigations comprise modern methods of chromatographic and spectroscopic analysis, radioactive and stable isotope techniques, and molecular-ecological approaches. The in-situ functional analysis of the microbiota of Pachnoda ephippiata via stable isotope probing of nucleic acids will help to identify the populations within the microbial community responsible for the diverse metabolic activities within the gut.
Section overview
Subjects
- Soil science
