Pyrsonympha
Pyrsonympha is a genus of symbiotic protists belonging to the phylum Metamonada. These flagellates are exclusively found in the hindgut of certain wood-eating termites. Their primary role is to aid in the digestion of cellulose, a complex carbohydrate that termites are otherwise unable to break down. Pyrsonympha possesses multiple flagella and a distinctive morphology, often appearing as elongated, spindle-shaped organisms.
Within the termite's gut, Pyrsonympha harbors endosymbiotic bacteria that are crucial for the digestive process. These
The relationship between Pyrsonympha and its termite host is an example of obligate mutualism. This means that