Pathogenic nature of Syncephalastrum in Atta sexdens rubropilosa fungus gardens

Autor(es)

Barcoto, Mariana O. ; Pedrosa, Felipe ; Bueno, Odair C. ; Rodrigues, Andre

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Pest Management Science; v. 73, n. 5, p. 999-1009, MAY 2017.
• Citações Web of Science: 5

Resumo

BACKGROUND: Leaf-cutter ants are considered to be a major herbivore and agricultural pest in the Neotropics. They are often controlled by environmentally persistent insecticides. Biological control using pathogenic fungi is regarded as an alternative for the management of these insects. Here, we assess whether the filamentous fungus Syncephalastrum sp. is a pathogenic microorganism responsible for a characteristic disease in fungus gardens. We also characterise the damage caused by this fungus by evaluating physiological and behavioural responses of Atta sexdens rubropilosa subcolonies infected with Syncephalastrum sp. RESULTS: Syncephalastrum sp. fulfils Koch's postulates characterising it as a pathogenic microorganism. Ant workers recognise the infection and remove contaminated fragments from the fungus garden. Syncephalastrum sp. infection causes an interruption of foraging activity, an increase in ant mortality, subcolony deterioration and an increase in the amount of waste generated, all resulting in subcolony death. Syncephalastrum sp. also inhibits the ant fungal cultivar in vitro. The pathogenic effect of Syncephalastrum sp. does not depend on host morbidity or stress (e.g. worker mortality caused by an entomopathogenic fungus). CONCLUSIONL Syncephalastrum sp. treatment resulted in progressive damage in subcolonies. The interactions among Syncephalastrum sp., fungus garden and ants offer new opportunities in integrated pest management of leaf-cutter ants. (C) 2016 Society of Chemical Industry (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 11/16765-0 - Código de barras de DNA e potencial biotecnológico dos microfungos associados aos ninhos das formigas cortadeiras
• Beneficiário: André Rodrigues
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Jovens Pesquisadores
• Processo FAPESP: 13/10398-1 - Patogenicidade de Syncephalastrum racemosum nos jardins de formigas cortadeiras
• Beneficiário: Mariana de Oliveira Barcoto
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Iniciação Científica
• Processo FAPESP: 12/02177-2 - Papel de Syncephalastrum racemosum como antagonista do fungo cultivado pelas formigas cortadeiras
• Beneficiário: Felipe Pedrosa Chagas
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Iniciação Científica