Differential resistance and the importance of antibiotic production in Acromyrmex echinatior leaf-cutting ant castes towards the entomopathogenic fungus Aspergillus nomius

Poulsen, Michael; Hughes, William O. H.; Boomsma, Jacobus J.

doi:10.1007/s00040-006-0880-y

Cited by 39 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…For example, corpses were generally cut into pieces and exposed to sunlight, so that UV light and dryness may impede the development of the fungus (Fernandes et al, 2007;Grijalba et al, 2009). The grooming and spreading of anti-septic substances on the surface of the corpses may also decrease the viability of spores, as has been reported in leaf-cutting ants (FernandezMarin et al, 2006;Poulsen et al, 2006). These defences may be more efficient against the obligate-killer B. bassiana than against the more opportunistic P. lilacinus, which was abundant in dump piles.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

Diversity, prevalence and virulence of fungal entomopathogens in colonies of the ant Formica selysi

Reber

Chapuisat

2011

Insect. Soc.

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The richness of the parasitic community associated with social insect colonies has rarely been investigated. Moreover, understanding how hosts and pathogens interact in nature is important to interpret results from laboratory experiments. Here, we assessed the diversity, prevalence and virulence of fungal entomopathogens present around and within colonies of the ant Formica selysi. We detected eight fungal species known to be entomopathogenic in soil sampled from the habitat of ants. Six of these entomopathogens were found in active nests, abandoned nests, and corpses from dump piles or live ants. A systematic search for the presence of three generalist fungal entomopathogens in ant colonies revealed a large variation in their prevalence. The most common of the three pathogens, Paecilomyces lilacinus, was detected in 44% of the colonies. Beauveria bassiana occurred in 17% of the colonies, often in association with P. lilacinus, whereas we did not detect Metarhizium brunneum (formerly M. anisopliae) in active colonies. The three fungal species caused significant mortality to experimentally challenged ants, but varied in their degree of virulence. There was a high level of genetic diversity within B. bassiana isolates, which delineated three genetic strains that also differed significantly in their virulence. Overall, our study indicates that the ants encounter a diversity of fungal entomopathogens in their natural habitat. Moreover, some generalist pathogens vary greatly in their virulence and prevalence in ant colonies, which calls for further studies on the specificity of the interactions between the ant hosts and their fungal pathogens.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

Diversity, prevalence and virulence of fungal entomopathogens in colonies of the ant Formica selysi

Reber

Chapuisat

2011

Insect. Soc.

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“…In addition to the macroorganisms identified, the waste material of leafcutting ant colonies will also include many microorganisms. These can include parasites of either the ants or their fungal mutualist, such as the fungi Escovopsis, Metarhizium anisopliae and Aspergillus (Bot et al, 2001;Hart and Ratnieks, 2001;Poulsen et al, 2006). Whether due to such pathogens or to direct toxicity, contact with waste material leads to increased mortality of workers (Bot et al, 2001).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nest architecture of the leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex rugosus rugosus

et al. 2007

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The prominent nests mounds of many ant species are one of the most obvious signs of their presence, yet the subterranean architecture of nests is often poorly known. The present work aimed to establish the external and internal structure of nests of a species of leaf-cutting ant, Acromyrmex rugosus rugosus, by either marking the interior of nests with talcum powder, or forming casts with cement. Twelve nests were excavated and surveyed, with eight being marked with talcum powder and four cast with cement. The external and internal structure of the nests was highly variable. The largest and smallest nests had mound areas of 9.89 m 2 and 0.01 m 2 respectively. The number of chambers found ranged from 1 to 26, with maximum dimensions of between 6 and 70 cm. Chambers were found close to the soil surface (6 cm) down to a maximum depth of 3.75 m. In addition to chambers containing fungus garden, some chambers were found to be empty, filled with soil or filled with waste, the first time this has been recorded in a species of Acromyrmex. The nests of A. rugosus rugosus appear to be unusually complex for the genus, containing a diversity of irregular chambers and tunnels.

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“…Substances which inhibit bacteria and alien fungi are produced from the metapleural glands. These glands are proportionally largest in the smallest workers, which makes them more resistant to parasitic fungi (Wilson, 1980;Poulsen et al, 2006). The small leaf-cutter ants also carry out brood care, and correspondingly have the proportionally largest postpharyngeal gland, from which larval food is secreted (Wilson, 1980).…”

Section: Morphological Castesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physiology as a caste-defining feature

Robinson

2008

Insect. Soc.

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Abstract. Division of labour is a key factor in the ecological success of social insects. Groups of individuals specializing on a particular behaviour are known as castes and are usually distinguished by morphology or age. Physiology plays a key role in both these types of caste, in either the developmental physiology which determines morphology, or the temporal changes in physiology over an insects life. Physiological correlates of morphological or temporal caste include differences in gland structure, secretory products, leanness, neuroanatomy and neurochemistry. However, purely physiological castes could also occur. Physiological castes are discrete groups of same-age same-size individuals with particular physiological competencies, or groups of individuals with similar physiology crossing age or size groups. A stable physiological caste occurs in the monomorphic Pharaohs ant, where some ants can detect old pheromone trails and retain this specialization over time. These ants differ physiologically from other workers, and the differences arise before eclosion. More temporary physiological castes occur in the ant Ectatomma where brood care specialists have more developed ovarioles than other same-aged workers, and in the honeybee where nurses, wax-workers and soldiers all differ physiologically from same-aged nestmates. Physiology is an important aspect of caste, not only in its contribution to age-related and morphological castes, but also in its own right as a caste grouping factor. While age and morphological differences make caste structures accessible for study, more cryptic physiological castes may play just as important a role in division of labour.

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Differential resistance and the importance of antibiotic production in Acromyrmex echinatior leaf-cutting ant castes towards the entomopathogenic fungus Aspergillus nomius

Cited by 39 publications

References 54 publications

Diversity, prevalence and virulence of fungal entomopathogens in colonies of the ant Formica selysi

Diversity, prevalence and virulence of fungal entomopathogens in colonies of the ant Formica selysi

Nest architecture of the leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex rugosus rugosus

Physiology as a caste-defining feature

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