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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Soluble Compounds of Filamentous Fungi Harm the Symbiotic Fungus of Leafcutter Ants

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Author(s):
Bizarria, Rodolfo [1] ; Moia, Isabela C. [1] ; Montoya, Quimi V. [1] ; Polezel, Danilo A. [1] ; Rodrigues, Andre [2, 1]
Total Authors: 5
Affiliation:
[1] UNESP Sao Paulo State Univ, Dept Biochem & Microbiol, Ave 24-A, 1515 Bela Vista, BR-13506900 Rio Claro, SP - Brazil
[2] UNESP Sao Paulo State Univ, Ctr Study Social Insects, Rio Claro, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Journal article
Source: Current Microbiology; v. 75, n. 12, p. 1602-1608, DEC 2018.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

Chemical compounds are key to understand symbiotic interactions. In the leafcutter ant-microbe symbiosis a plethora of filamentous fungi continuously gain access the ant colonies through plant substrate collected by workers. Many filamentous fungi are considered transient in attine ant colonies, however, their real ecological role in this environment still remains unclear. A possible role of these microorganisms is the antagonism towards Leucoagaricus gongylophorus, the mutualistic fungus that serve as food for several leafcutter ant species. Here, we showed the antagonism of filamentous fungi isolated from different sources, and the negative impacts of their metabolites on the growth of the ant-fungal cultivar. Our results demonstrate that the chemical compounds produced by filamentous fungi can harm the mutualistic fungus of leafcutter ants. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 11/16765-0 - DNA barcoding and biotechnological potential of microfungi associated with leaf-cutting ants
Grantee:André Rodrigues
Support type: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants