Streptomyces associados a formigas da tribo Attini e seus efeitos sobre os fungos Escovopsis weberi e outros microrganismos

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Microbiologia Aplicada) - IBRC

Escovopsis trichodermoides sp nov., isolated from a nest of the lower attine ant Mycocepurus goeldii

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Susceptibility of the ant-cultivated fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus (Agaricales : Basidiomycota) towards microfungi

The aim of this study was to select virulent strains of microfungi against Leucoagaricus gongylophorus, a symbiotic fungus cultivated by leaf-cutting ants. The results from in vitro assays showed that microfungal strains had a variable and significant impact on the colony development of L. gongylophorus. Specifically, Trichoderma harzianum, Escovopsis weberi CBS 810.71 and E. weberi A088 were more effective, inhibiting the L. gongylophorus colonies by 75, 68 and 67%, respectively (P < 0.05) after 15 days. Strain E. weberi A086 and Acremonium kiliense were less effective: 43 and 26%, respectively (P < 0.05). In spite of the current negative perspective of a microbiological control approach for these ants, the present work discusses the possibility of using mycopathogenic fungi for the control of these insects, and points out the importance of encouraging more studies in this area.

Variability of non-mutualistic filamentous fungi associated with Atta sexdens rubropilosa nests

A survey of the filamentous fungi other than the symbiotic one found in association with Atta sexdens rubropilosa colonies was carried out. Different fungal species (27 taxa) were isolated a few days after treating the workers with toxic baits (sulfluramid; Mirex-SO), from 40 laboratory and 20 field nests. Syncephalastrum racemosum (54 %) and Escovopsis weberi (21 %), Trichoderma harzianum (38 %) and Fusarium oxysporum (23 %) were the prevalent species in laboratory and field nests, respectively. Acremonium kiliense, Acremonium strictum, E. weberi, F oxisporum, Fusarium solani, Moniliella silaveolens and T harzianum were found in both nests' groups. We revealed that many filamentous fungi can co-exist in a dormant state inside the nests of these insects and some of them appear to be tightly associated with this environment.

Assessment of microfungi in fungus gardens free of the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The purpose of this study was to determine the microfungi present in young nests of Atta sexdens rubropilosa when the fungus gardens were deprived of worker ants. The results were compared with another study in which worker ants had been killed by using toxic baits, and some species such as Acremonium kiliense, Escovopsis weberi, Moniliella suaveolens and Trichoderma sp. were confirmed among the most common inhabitants of this microenvironment, but differences in composition and proportion of species were observed. The importance and the role of these and other species of fungi within the symbiosis are discussed.

Papel de Syncephalastrum racemosum como antagonista do fungo cultivado pelas formigas cortadeiras

Currently, the major method for controlling leaf-cutting ants uses toxic baits containing the insecticide sulfluramide. Such compound presents harmful effects to the environment and to human health, which drive the community’s concerns towards new strategies for controlling these insects. Previous studies showed the occurrence of Syncephalastrum racemosum in nests of the leaf-cutting ants submitted to treatments using insecticides. In order to understand the role of S. racemosum in nests of leaf-cutting ants, the present work investigated the antagonism of S. racemosum towards the leaf-cutting ant-cultivar (Leucoagaricus gongylophorus). Using in vitro essays, we co-cultivated L. gongylophorus and S. racemosum (n= 6 lineages). For comparison, we also used the same setup to test one strain of Escovopsis weberi, since this fungus is considered a specialized parasite of the leaf-cutting ant cultivar. All S. racemosum strains inhibited the growth of L. gongylophorus (ANOVA 2 way, F= 23,61, P< 0,01). The same was observed for E. weberi. There were no significant difference between S. racemosum and E. weberi inhibition (Bonferroni test, P> 0,05). In addition, we verified that all S. racemosum strains colonized and sporulated over the fungus garden up to 96 h after garden fragments without workers were inoculated with spores suspensions. Similar results were observed on gardens that were inoculated with spores of E. weberi. The results indicate that S. racemosum act as antagonist of the leaf-cutting ant cultivar. The putative possibility for using S. racemosum as biological control agent of leaf-cutting ants is discussed in the present work

Morfometria de rainhas do gênero ATTA (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae), arquitetura interna e infecção pelo fundo parasita Escovopsis de ninhos iniciais

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia) - IBB

Natureza do parasitismo de Escovopsis e Escovopsioides sobre Leucoagaricus gongylophorus, fungos associados aos jardins de formigas cortadeiras

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Broad Escovopsis-inhibition activity of Pseudonocardia associated with Trachymyrmex ants

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Antagonismo de actinobactérias isoladas de Trachymyrmex frente ao fungo parasita Escovopsis

As formigas da tribo Attini mantêm uma associação com actinobactérias encontradas nos biofilmes presentes no integumento desses insetos. Dentre as actinobactérias associadas às formigas Attini, os gêneros Pseudonocardia e Streptomyces são considerados prevalentes. Estudos indicam que essas bactérias auxiliam na defesa do jardim contra patógenos através da secreção de compostos antimicrobianos. Recentemente foi sugerido que tais bactérias podem ser importantes na defesa do próprio inseto, especialmente contra entomopatógenos. Duas teorias principais foram propostas para explicar as interações entre actinobactérias, formigas Attini e o microfungo parasita Escovopsis. Uma delas defende a coevolução entre esses organismos e a outra rejeita a existência da mesma, argumentando que a interação formiga-actinobactéria é uma simbiose aberta. Neste trabalho, avaliamos a interação entre actinobactérias e Escovopsis em experimentos in vitro. Um total de 14 linhagens de actinobactérias, compreendendo 12 de Pseudonocardia, uma de Streptomyces e uma de Actinoplanes, isoladas de Trachymyrmex (um gênero de formiga Attini não cortadeira) foram testadas frente a quatro linhagens de Escovopsis. Os Escovopsis foram isolados tanto de jardins de fungos de formigas Trachymyrmex quanto de cortadeiras de folhas (Acromyrmex e Atta). O crescimento micelial de Escovopsis (em cm²) foi medido na presença e na ausência (controle) das actinobactérias. Os resultados demonstraram que todas as actinobactérias testadas inibiram Escovopsis, mas as taxas de inibição foram variáveis dependendo da linhagem da actinobactéria (p < 0,05). A linhagem de Streptomyces foi a mais efetiva, corroborando dados da literatura que indicam que outros micro-organismos, além de Pseudonocardia, também apresentam ação inibitória frente à Escovopsis... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)

New light on the systematics of fungi associated with attine ant gardens and the description of escovopsis kreiselii sp nov

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Absence of the Parasite Escovopsis in Fungus Garden Pellets Carried by Gynes of Atta sexdens

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Shared Escovopsis parasites between leaf-cutting and non-leaf-cutting ants in the higher attine fungus-growing ant symbiosis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Biocontrole de formigas-cortadeiras utilizando o fungo Escovopsis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Sistemática e filogenia do fungo parasita Escovopsis associado às formigas Attini

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)