Fungi inhabiting attine ant colonies: reassessment of the genus Escovopsis and description of Luteomyces and Sympodiorosea gens. nov.

Author(s)

Montoya, Quimi Vidaurre ^{[1, 2]} ; Sutta Martiarena, Maria Jesus ^{[1, 2]} ; Bizarria Jr, Rodolfo ; Gerardo, Nicole Marie ^[3] ; Rodrigues, Andre ^{[4, 5]}

Affiliation

^[1] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Ctr Study Social Insects, Rio Claro, SP - Brazil

^[2] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Dept Gen & Appl Biol, Ave 24-A, 1515, BR-13506900 Rio Claro, SP - Brazil

^[3] Emory Univ, O Wayne Rollins Res Ctr, Dept Biol, Atlanta, GA 30322 - USA

^[4] Bizarria Jr, Jr., Rodolfo, Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Dept Gen & Appl Biol, Ave 24-A, 1515, BR-13506900 Rio Claro, SP - Brazil

^[5] Bizarria Jr, Jr., Rodolfo, Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Ctr Study Social Insects, Rio Claro, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: IMA FUNGUS; v. 12, n. 1 AUG 24 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Escovopsis is a diverse group of fungi, which are considered specialized parasites of the fungal cultivars of fungus-growing ants. The lack of a suitable taxonomic framework and phylogenetic inconsistencies have long hampered Escovopsis research. The aim of this study is to reassess the genus Escovopsis using a taxonomic approach and a comprehensive multilocus phylogenetic analysis, in order to set the basis of the genus systematics and the stage for future Escovopsis research. Our results support the separation of Escovopsis into three distinct genera. In light of this, we redefine Escovopsis as a monophyletic clade whose main feature is to form terminal vesicles on conidiophores. Consequently, E. kreiselii and E. trichodermoides were recombined into two new genera, Sympodiorosea and Luteomyces, as S. kreiselii and L. trichodermoides, respectively. This study expands our understanding of the systematics of Escovopsis and related genera, thereby facilitating future research on the evolutionary history, taxonomic diversity, and ecological roles of these inhabitants of the attine ant colonies. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/03746-0 - Collaborative research: Dimensions US-São Paulo: integrating phylogeny, genetics, and chemical ecology to unravel the tangled bank of the multipartite fungus-farming ant symbiosis
• Grantee: André Rodrigues
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 14/24298-1 - Phylogeny of fungal parasites in gardens of attine ants
• Grantee: André Rodrigues
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/07931-3 - Evolution of fungal parasites in the attine ant-fungus symbiosis
• Grantee: Quimi Vidaurre Montoya
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 17/12689-4 - Host-specificity and mechanisms of action of Escovopsis parasites found in the gardens of attine ants
• Grantee: André Rodrigues
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 16/04955-3 - Phylogeny, systematics and diversification of Escovopsis fungi from Attini ants
• Grantee: Quimi Vidaurre Montoya
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate