Association ofTermitomyces spp. with fungus growing termites

Gowda, D. K. S.; Rajagopal, D.

doi:10.1007/bf03186400

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Most fungi grow well at acidic pH and low humidity ( Hesse, 1955 ; Gomathi et al, 2009 ), and we indeed found low moisture and pH in all combs ( Table 1 ). However, we disagree with the previous study reporting that moisture content decreased after basidiome formation ( Sidde Gowda and Rajagopal, 1990 ). Less lignin was recorded from combs with basidiomes as compared to combs without basidiomes ( Table 1 ), indicating that Termitomyces degrades lignin during the comb maturation period ( Hyodo et al, 2000 ; Bashir et al, 2015 ).…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Investigation of Physicochemical Indices and Microbial Communities in Termite Fungus-Combs

et al. 2021

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Termitomyces species are wild edible mushrooms that possess high nutritional value and a wide range of medicinal properties. However, the cultivation of these mushrooms is very difficult because of their symbiotic association with termites. In this study, we aimed to examine the differences in physicochemical indices and microbial communities between combs with Termitomyces basidiomes (CF) and combs without Termitomyces basidiomes (CNF). High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), gas chromatography equipped with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID), some commercial kits, high-throughput sequencing of the 16s RNA, and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) were used. Humidity, pH, and elements, i.e., Al, Ba, Fe, Mn, Ni, S, Ca, and Mg were higher while amino acids particularly alanine, tyrosine, and isoleucine were lower in CF as compared to CNF. The average contents of fatty acids were not significantly different between the two comb categories. The bacterial genera Alistipes, Burkholderia, Sediminibacterium, and Thermus were dominant in all combs. Brevibacterium, Brevundimonas, and Sediminibacterium were significantly more abundant in CF. Basidiomycota and Ascomycota were also identified in combs. Termitomyces clypeatus, Termitomyces sp. Group3, and Termitomyces sp. were the most dominant species in combs. However, any single Termitomyces species was abundantly present in an individual comb.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Investigation of Physicochemical Indices and Microbial Communities in Termite Fungus-Combs

et al. 2021

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“…However, whether such differences are related to the capability of the ant colony to promote or inhibit the growth of fungi remains unknown. Leaf-cutter ants and fungus-growing termites cultivate specific fungal symbionts in their nests while detecting and eliminating adverse fungal species [15,[74][75][76][77]. This does not seem to be the case with Azteca ants.…”

Section: Open Questions and Hypothesis Of The Potential Ant-plant-fun...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In habitats where nutrient availability is notoriously low, like in tropical rainforests [10,11], steady relationships between arthropods and fungi seem to be a recurrent survival strategy [12]. These interactions often have nutritional implications where arthropods either feed on fungi or indirectly benefit from their fungal enzymatic activity [9,[13][14][15][16]. In mutualistic associations, fungi are often rewarded with the dispersal of spores and constantly supplied with plant material as substrate [9,17,18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In mutualistic associations, fungi are often rewarded with the dispersal of spores and constantly supplied with plant material as substrate [9,17,18]. Termites (Blattodea, Termitidae) and leaf-cutter ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) are examples for such mutualisms; the insects cultivate basidiomycetes for decomposing plant material they cannot digest themselves and feed on nutrient-rich fungal nodules [15,[19][20][21][22]. Similarly, ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) maintain complex fungal communities in their nests and use them as sole food source [16,23].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Dynamics and drivers of fungal communities in a multipartite ant-plant association

Barrajon-Santos,

Nepel,

Hausmann

et al. 2024

BMC Biol

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Background Fungi and ants belong to the most important organisms in terrestrial ecosystems on Earth. In nutrient-poor niches of tropical rainforests, they have developed steady ecological relationships as a successful survival strategy. In tropical ant-plant mutualisms worldwide, where resident ants provide the host plants with defense and nutrients in exchange for shelter and food, fungi are regularly found in the ant nesting space, inhabiting ant-made dark-colored piles (“patches”). Unlike the extensively investigated fungus-growing insects, where the fungi serve as the primary food source, the purpose of this ant-fungi association is less clear. To decipher the roles of fungi in these structures within ant nests, it is crucial to first understand the dynamics and drivers that influence fungal patch communities during ant colony development. Results In this study, we investigated how the ant colony age and the ant-plant species affect the fungal community in the patches. As model we selected one of the most common mutualisms in the Tropics of America, the Azteca-Cecropia complex. By amplicon sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region, we analyzed the patch fungal communities of 93 Azteca spp. colonies inhabiting Cecropia spp. trees. Our study demonstrates that the fungal diversity in patches increases as the ant colony grows and that a change in the prevalent fungal taxa occurs between initial and established patches. In addition, the ant species significantly influences the composition of the fungal community in established ant colonies, rather than the host plant species. Conclusions The fungal patch communities become more complex as the ant colony develops, due to an acquisition of fungi from the environment and a substrate diversification. Our results suggest a successional progression of the fungal communities in the patches during ant colony growth and place the ant colony as the main driver shaping such communities. The findings of this study demonstrate the unexpectedly complex nature of ant-plant mutualisms in tropical regions at a micro scale.

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“…When focused on ecology and taxonomy of EM mushroom species that are considered as indicator species of metal pollution, Lactarius deliciosus [121,122], Cyanoboletus pulverulentus [123,124], Cantharellus cibarius [125], Lactarius quietus [126,127], Macrolepiota procera [51], Amanita muscaria [128,129], Pisolithus arhizus [130,131], Termitomyces spp. [132,133], Gomphidius glutinosus [134], Craterellus tubaeformis [135,136], Laccaria amethystina [137], Imleria badia [81,138], Leccinellum griseum [139], Russula delica [140,141], Baorangia bicolour [142] are well-known and well-studied species for indication of environmental heavy metals.…”

Section: Ecm Mushrooms Vs Saprobic Mushrooms As Bio-indicatorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ectomycorrhizal Mushrooms as a Natural Bio-Indicator for Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution

et al. 2022

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Environmental changes and heavy metal pollution are some of the consequences of anthropogenic activities. Many ecosystems, including edaphic ecosystems, suffer from the effects of pollution. The accurate assessment of soil heavy metal contamination leads to better approaches for remediating soils. The exploration of different ways, including biological methods, to conduct environmental monitoring is still ongoing. Here, we focus on reviewing the potential of ectomycorrhizal fungi as a natural indicator of soil heavy metal pollution. Mycorrhizal fungi fulfill basic criteria required as natural bio-indicators for heavy metal contamination. These fungi use different mechanisms such as avoidance and tolerance to survive in metalliferous soils. Thus, we promote ectomycorrhizal fungi as natural indicators. This review also synthesizes existing research on ectomycorrhizal mushrooms as natural bio-indicators for heavy metal pollution and the elaboration of mechanisms, by which ectomycorrhizal fungi meet the criteria required for a successful bio-indicator.

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Association ofTermitomyces spp. with fungus growing termites

Cited by 8 publications

References 5 publications

Investigation of Physicochemical Indices and Microbial Communities in Termite Fungus-Combs

Investigation of Physicochemical Indices and Microbial Communities in Termite Fungus-Combs

Dynamics and drivers of fungal communities in a multipartite ant-plant association

Ectomycorrhizal Mushrooms as a Natural Bio-Indicator for Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution

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