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

Abstract

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.

Influence of caffeine on the survival of leaf‐cutting ants Atta sexdens rubropilosa and in vitro growth of their mutualistic fungus

“…Fifteen leaf‐cutting ant nests maintained in the laboratory were used as the fungus source. The fungus culture was prepared as described in Miyashira et al 33 To evaluate the influence of caffeine, these fifteen matrices were split into two groups for two independent bioassays, A1 and A2, the former with eight matrices and the latter with seven matrices.…”

<I>Acromyrmex octospinosus</I> (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Management: Effects of TRAMILs Fungicidal Plant Extracts

“…ArtiÞcial fungal gardens were maintained in the laboratory. Pieces of fungus were removed from the green and black zone of these artiÞcial gardens using sterile Þne forceps and inoculated onto solid medium (20 g/L of malt extract, 5 g/L of peptone, 2 g/L of yeast extract, 20 g/L of agar, and 1 liter of distillated water) (Miyashira et al 2010) containing streptomycin (200 g/ml) (Decharme 1978) to prevent bacterial contamination. The symbiotic fungus was identiÞed on the basis of the very slow fungal growth of the white mycelia on the medium and morphological characteristics including the gongylidia observed by microscopy on a one-mo-old fungal culture (Pagnocca et al 2001, Miyashira et al 2010.…”

“…In this symbiosis, the fungus converts the plant polysaccharides into nutrients easily assimilated by the ants and, reciprocally, ants protect the symbiotic partner from parasites and potential competitors like Escovopsis (Currie 2001, Miyashira et al 2010. The fungus grows inside ant nests and is called a Ôfungus garden.Õ It has a gray spongy morphology, is easily broken and can measure 100 Ð 6,000 cm 3 according to the age of the colony.…”

Morphological Characterization of Ugandan Isolates of Sphaceloma sp. Causing Cowpea Scab Disease

“…No scab disease symptoms were observed on stems even 14 days after inoculation of genotypes. Symptoms The use of radial growth rate has been shown to be a good measurement approach to differentiate isolates of the same species tested on similar types of media and the approach makes it easier to compare different data obtained within the same experiment or with other experiments to differentiate one isolate from the other or determine which media is best for growth of isolates (Miyashira et al, 2010). Note.…”