Growth of symbiont fungi of some higher attine ants in mineral medium

Loeck, Alci Enimar; Pierobom, Carlos R.; Gusmão, Luciana Guerra de; Afonso, Ana Paula

doi:10.1590/s0103-84782004000100012

Cited by 11 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Moreover, we have not experimentally validated the regressions for detailed model design. However, our results agree with others at least in terms of pH and percent silt measured in unmodified soil near A. sexdens nests in other areas (Cortés-Pérez and León-Sicard 2003;Moutinho et al, 2003) and the effect these seem to have on nest establishment (Bento et al, 1991;Perfecto and Vandermeer, 1993;Araújo et al, 2003;Loeck et al, 2004). Therefore, we argue that the suitable-soil hypothesis, based on our regression equations, may predict general A. sexdens nest presence in other geographical regions as well.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 93%

“…The fungus cultivated by leafcutter ants grows best under lower pH conditions and is very sensitive to changes in this variable (Powell and Stradling, 1986;Loeck et al, 2004). Queens of the Atta genus start growing fungus directly on the bare soil of the nest chamber (Fernández-Marín et al, 2004), which suggests that the fungus is more easily affected by soil pH during nest founding.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some soil properties could significantly influence either brood or fungus development, and therefore may be important to nest-founding success. For example, soils of low fertility and pH seem to be favorable (Powell and Stradling, 1986;Bento et al, 1991;Perfecto and Vandermeer, 1993;Diehl-Fleig and Rocha, 1998;Araújo et al, 2003) as they support less micro-organisms harmful to fungal health (Brady and Weil, 2002;Araújo et al, 2003;Loeck et al, 2004). The objective of the present study was to determine whether a number of soil variables were related to the distribution of Atta sexdens (Linneaus 1758) nests in seven different habitats.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 90%

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The relationship between soil variables and leafcutter ant (Atta sexdens) nest distribution in the Colombian Amazon

Gils

Gaigl

Gómez³

2010

Insect. Soc.

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We determined the relationships between several soil variables and the distribution of leafcutter ant (Atta sexdens) nests on the Colombian shore of the Amazon River. Seven habitats were identified in which nests were consistently present or absent. Soil samples for physiochemical analysis were taken near nest sites in three habitats where nests were present and from randomly selected sites in four other habitats where nests were absent. Percent canopy cover and soil resistance were also measured for each site. Almost all of the 20 identified soil variables were significantly different between habitats with and without A. sexdens nests, and the values of all variables were heterogeneous between the seven habitats. The most important variables correlated with leafcutter ant nest presence were percent canopy cover (positively), percent silt, soil resistance at 0-20 cm, and pH (all negatively). We deduced a binomial and a multinomial logistic regression which showed how each of these variables was related to nest presence and habitat, respectively. We describe how each variable may affect leafcutter ant nest development, especially in its earliest stages, and therefore influences nest distribution. We propose a suitable-soil hypothesis which, complementary to the palatable forage hypothesis, aims to explain patterns in leafcutter ant nest demography based on soil conditions.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 90%

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The relationship between soil variables and leafcutter ant (Atta sexdens) nest distribution in the Colombian Amazon

Gils

Gaigl

Gómez³

2010

Insect. Soc.

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“…The understanding of this mutual association between the fungus and the ant is not clear mainly due to the lack of taxonomic information and the evolutionary history of the cultivated mushrooms species (Currie, 2001). The main difficulty has been related with reluctance of the fungus L. gongylophorus to produce basidiomes, which are structures required for conventional taxonomic identification (Loeck et al, 2004). The ants species belong exclusively to Attini tribes (Myrmicinae), which cultivate fungi in their nests and their diet is almost completely dependent on mycelia (Herrera-Salazar, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aislamiento in vitro e identificación de Leucoagaricus gongylophorus de un jardín de hongos de Atta mexicana (Hymenoptera:Formicidae)

et al. 2018

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Antecedentes: Las especies de hormigas cortadoras de hojas (Atta y Acromirmex) presentan una relación mutualista con el hongo basidiomycete Leucoagaricus gongylophorus. Esta relación es crucial para los ciclos de vida tanto de las hormigas como para el hongo.Objetivos: Debido a que no existen reportes sobre el aislamiento in vitro del hongo cultivado por la hormiga Atta mexicana, este trabajo tuvo como objetivo el aislamiento in vitro e identificación de L. gongylophorus a partir del jardín de hongo de la hormiga A. mexicana.Métodos: La identificación del hongo cultivado por la hormiga se llevó a cabo mediante la observación de las características macro y microscópicas, así como un análisis molecular y filogenético usando la región ITS del ADNr.Resultados y conclusión: El ADN aislado presentó un 99% de identidad con lo reportado para L. gongylophorus y es comparable con otros aislamientos fúngicos de los nidos de otras especies de la tribu Attini como Atta y Acromyrmex. Debido a ello, este trabajo es el primer reporte del aislamiento in vitro e identificación de L. gongylophorus a partir de nidos de A. mexicana.

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“…Studies using mutualistic fungi are difficult due to the very slow fungal growth in culture media (15,16,21,22 …”

Section: Fungus-growing Ants Are Distributed Only In the Newmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of radial growth rate of the mutualistic fungus of Atta sexdens rubropilosa forel in two culture media

Miyashira¹,

Tanigushi²,

Gugliotta³

et al. 2010

Braz. J. Microbiol.

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In vitro culture of the mutualistic fungus of leaf-cutting ants is troublesome due to its low growth rate, which leads to storage problems and contaminants accumulation. This paper aims at comparing the radial growth rate of the mutualistic fungus of Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel in two different culture media (Pagnocca B and MEA LP). Although total MEA LP radial growth was greater all along the bioassay, no significant difference was detected between growth efficiencies of the two media. Previous evidences of low growth rate for this fungus were confirmed. Since these data cannot point greater efficiency of one culture medium over the other, MEA LP medium is indicated for in vitro studies with this mutualistic fungus due its simpler composition and translucent color, making the analysis easier.

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Growth of symbiont fungi of some higher attine ants in mineral medium

Cited by 11 publications

References 12 publications

The relationship between soil variables and leafcutter ant (Atta sexdens) nest distribution in the Colombian Amazon

The relationship between soil variables and leafcutter ant (Atta sexdens) nest distribution in the Colombian Amazon

Aislamiento in vitro e identificación de Leucoagaricus gongylophorus de un jardín de hongos de Atta mexicana (Hymenoptera:Formicidae)

Comparison of radial growth rate of the mutualistic fungus of Atta sexdens rubropilosa forel in two culture media

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