Disease management in two sympatric Apterostigma fungus‐growing ants for controlling the parasitic fungus Escovopsis

Abstract

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Distinct and enhanced hygienic responses of a leaf‐cutting ant toward repeated fungi exposures

“…Our study shows that colonies of the leaf‐cutting ant A. sexdens can discriminate and respond distinctively to five fungal species. Our results corroborate with previous studies that indicate species‐specific removal and adjustment of defensive behaviors in attine ants (Christopher et al, 2021a ; Currie & Stuart, 2001 ; Fernández‐Marín et al, 2013 ; Mighell & Van Bael, 2016 ; Tranter et al, 2015 ; Yek et al, 2012 ). In addition, this is the first study that shows plasticity in this ant species through repeated exposures to the same fungus.…”

“…Some ambrosia beetles, fungus‐growing termites, and leaf‐cutting ants of the genus Acromyrmex detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or other chemical blends from their symbionts (Davis et al, 2013 ; Huler et al, 2011 ; Katariya et al, 2017 ; Zhang et al, 2007 ). They can use chemical profiles to discriminate native from non‐native microbes (Christopher et al, 2021a ; Richard et al, 2007 ; Zhang et al, 2007 ), to collect cultivar conidia from the environment (Biedermann & Kaltenpoth, 2014 ), and even to influence host behavior (Davis et al, 2013 ). It is, therefore, plausible that the recognition of chemical cues from non‐native microbes influences the intensity of hygienical responses (Goes et al, 2020 ; Katariya et al, 2017 ; Yanagawa et al, 2011 ).…”

“…In addition, termites (Katariya et al, 2017 ; Yanagawa et al, 2011 ) and honeybees (Swanson et al, 2009 ) are able to discriminate foreign species and sanitize accordingly. As previously suggested (Christopher et al, 2021a ), it is necessary to investigate whether different phenotypic traits of conidia, for example, odor, growth rate, morphology, or size, can modulate species‐specific actions at the colony and individual level in attine ants.…”

“…Likewise, stronger responses were observed to the obligate entomopathogen Metarhizium anisopliae than to the facultative entomopathogen Aspergillus flavus in different contexts, that is, food, environment, and nestmates (Tranter et al, 2015 ). Even physical removal of fungi appears to be species‐specific, as strains of the genera Escovopsis (Christopher et al, 2021a ), Trichoderma , and Xylaria (Mighell & Van Bael, 2016 ) are removed in higher rates than others. Although it suggests the ability of some attine ants to discriminate and respond to alien fungi, such mechanisms remain uncertain in many Atta and Acromyrmex species.…”

Genomic diversification of the specialized parasite of the fungus-growing ant symbiosis

“…“Coral-fungus agriculture” is practiced by a subset of ants in the genus Apterostigma (the pilosum species group) that cultivate pterulaceous fungi in the genus Myrmecopterula ( 31 ). Escovopsis clavatus and E scovopsis multiformis associate with coral-fungus ant agriculture ( 32 – 34 ). “Higher agriculture” is practiced by attine ants that cultivate a distinct clade of agaricaceous fungi derived from lower-agriculture fungi that are parasitized by Escovopsis moelleri, E. microspora, E. lentecrescens, E. weberi, and E. aspergilloides ( 35 – 37 ).…”