Absence of microorganisms in crustacean digestive tracts

Two marine and one terrestrial wood-boring isopod species and one wood-inhabiting amphipod species maintain a digestive tract free of microorganisms. Digestive tracts examined in toto with the scanning electron microscope were devoid of microorganisms. In contrast, the outer exoskeleton surfaces of these crustaceans support a dense bacterial flora. Observations of the hindgut of termites revealed a diverse gut microflora as expected.