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Cellulolytic activity of the termite flagellate Trichomitopsis termopsidis was demonstrated in vitro and in vivo. Homogenates of axenically-cultivated flagellates hydrolysed carboxy-methylcellulose enzymically indicating that T. termopsidis does not depend on living extracellular or endosymbiotic bacteria for cellulose digestion. Cellulolytic activity of the flagellate was also determined by comparing the longevities of defaunated termites (Zoo-termopsis) refaunated by feeding with either T. termopsidis or with heat-killed flagellates. The termites refaunated with T. termopsidis greatly outlived members of the other group, supporting the view that cellulose digestion by the intestinal flagellate is responsible for the nutrition of termites.