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To investigate whether the role of symbiotic fungi in lignin degradation and food provision differs among fungus‐growing termites (four species of Macrotermes, three species of Odontotermes, Hypotermes makhamensis, Ancistrotermes pakistanicus and Pseudacanthotermes militaris), the chemical composition of fungus combs of different ages and the chitinolytic activity in the gut of termites were analysed. In addition, the carbon stable isotope ratios (δ¹³C) in old combs, worker termite tissues and fungal nodules (aggregated conidia) were compared.

In Macrotermes spp., the carbohydrate : lignin ratio of the combs increased with increased comb age, but it decreased or remained the same in Odontotermes spp., H. makhamensis, A. pakistanicus and P. militaris. In contrast, the chitin : carbohydrate ratio and ash content increased more over time in the combs of Odontotermes spp., H. makhamensis, A …