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Berasategui A, Salem H, Moller AG, Christopher Y, Vidaurre Montoya Q, Conn C, Read TD, Rodrigues A, Ziemert N, Gerardo N. Genomic insights into the evolution of secondary metabolism of Escovopsis and its allies, specialized fungal symbionts of fungus-farming ants. mSystems 2024; 9:e0057624. [PMID: 38904377 PMCID: PMC11265373 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00576-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The metabolic intimacy of symbiosis often demands the work of specialists. Natural products and defensive secondary metabolites can drive specificity by ensuring infection and propagation across host generations. But in contrast to bacteria, little is known about the diversity and distribution of natural product biosynthetic pathways among fungi and how they evolve to facilitate symbiosis and adaptation to their host environment. In this study, we define the secondary metabolism of Escovopsis and closely related genera, symbionts in the gardens of fungus-farming ants. We ask how the gain and loss of various biosynthetic pathways correspond to divergent lifestyles. Long-read sequencing allowed us to define the chromosomal features of representative Escovopsis strains, revealing highly reduced genomes composed of seven to eight chromosomes. The genomes are highly syntenic with macrosynteny decreasing with increasing phylogenetic distance, while maintaining a high degree of mesosynteny. An ancestral state reconstruction analysis of biosynthetic pathways revealed that, while many secondary metabolites are shared with non-ant-associated Sordariomycetes, 56 pathways are unique to the symbiotic genera. Reflecting adaptation to diverging ant agricultural systems, we observe that the stepwise acquisition of these pathways mirrors the ecological radiations of attine ants and the dynamic recruitment and replacement of their fungal cultivars. As different clades encode characteristic combinations of biosynthetic gene clusters, these delineating profiles provide important insights into the possible mechanisms underlying specificity between these symbionts and their fungal hosts. Collectively, our findings shed light on the evolutionary dynamic nature of secondary metabolism in Escovopsis and its allies, reflecting adaptation of the symbionts to an ancient agricultural system.IMPORTANCEMicrobial symbionts interact with their hosts and competitors through a remarkable array of secondary metabolites and natural products. Here, we highlight the highly streamlined genomic features of attine-associated fungal symbionts. The genomes of Escovopsis species, as well as species from other symbiont genera, many of which are common with the gardens of fungus-growing ants, are defined by seven chromosomes. Despite a high degree of metabolic conservation, we observe some variation in the symbionts' potential to produce secondary metabolites. As the phylogenetic distribution of the encoding biosynthetic gene clusters coincides with attine transitions in agricultural systems, we highlight the likely role of these metabolites in mediating adaptation by a group of highly specialized symbionts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aileen Berasategui
- Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Cluster of Excellence-Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Mutualisms Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Biology, Tübingen, Germany
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Hassan Salem
- Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Mutualisms Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Biology, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Abraham G. Moller
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Yuliana Christopher
- Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología, Ciudad del Saber, Panamá City, Panama
| | - Quimi Vidaurre Montoya
- Department of General and Applied Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Biosciences, Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Caitlin Conn
- Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Biology, Berry College, Mount Berry, Georgia, USA
| | - Timothy D. Read
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Andre Rodrigues
- Department of General and Applied Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Biosciences, Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Nadine Ziemert
- Cluster of Excellence-Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Translational Genome Mining for Natural Products, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen (IMIT), Interfaculty Institute for Biomedical Informatics (IBMI), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nicole Gerardo
- Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Queiroz RRS, Teodoro TBP, Carolino AT, Bitencourt ROB, Souza WG, Boechat MSB, Sobrinho RR, Silva GA, Samuels RI. Production of Escovopsis conidia and the potential use of this parasitic fungus as a biological control agent of leaf-cutting ant fungus gardens. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:128. [PMID: 38416227 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-03862-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
This study was carried out to investigate the use of different substrates for the production of Escovopsis conidia and verify the virulence of four different isolates cultured on four types of substrates using a novel bioassay. Escovopsis isolates were molecularly identified, based on Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) nucleotide sequences. To evaluate conidial production, suspensions (1 × 106 conidia mL-1) of each Escovopsis isolate were inoculated onto four substrates (parboiled rice, white rice, rolled oats, and corn grits). After 14 days, conidial yields were assessed. The virulence of each isolate cultured on the four substrates was tested against Leucoagaricus fungus garden fragments, by directly applying 500 µL of each conidial suspension (1 × 107 conidia mL-1), and the development of the parasite was monitored daily until it completely colonized the fungus garden. It was observed that rolled oats were the best substrate for conidial production, with a yield of 1.7 × 107 to 2.0 × 108 conidia mL-1. Furthermore, isolate AT-01 produced the highest number of conidia when compared with the other isolates. Regardless of the substrate used to produce AT-01 conidia, this isolate completely colonized the fungus garden 6 days post inoculation (dpi), followed by AT-02, AC-01, and AC-2. High levels of both conidial production and virulence against the leaf-cutting ant fungus garden were observed here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymyson R S Queiroz
- Laboratório de Entomologia e Fitopatologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Thais B P Teodoro
- Laboratório de Entomologia e Fitopatologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Aline T Carolino
- Laboratório de Entomologia e Fitopatologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Ricardo O B Bitencourt
- Laboratório de Entomologia e Fitopatologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Willians G Souza
- Laboratório de Entomologia e Fitopatologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Marcela S B Boechat
- Laboratório Melhoramento Genético Vegetal, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Roberto R Sobrinho
- Laboratório de Entomologia e Fitopatologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Gerson A Silva
- Laboratório de Entomologia e Fitopatologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, 28013-602, Brazil
| | - Richard I Samuels
- Laboratório de Entomologia e Fitopatologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, 28013-602, Brazil.
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de Oliveira KB, Goes AC, Silva AD, Vieira PC, Rodrigues A. Fungal Cultivars of Higher Attine Ants Promote Escovopsis Chemotropism. Curr Microbiol 2023; 81:37. [PMID: 38063979 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-023-03552-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
In varied environments, microorganisms search for partners or nutritional resources using chemical signals. Microbes are drawn (chemotaxis) or grow directionally (chemotropism) towards the chemical source, enabling them to establish and maintain symbiosis. The hypocrealean fungi Escovopsis enhance their growth towards the basidiomycete fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus, which is cultivated by leaf-cutting attine ants for food. Although directional growth is well documented in this symbiosis, it is unclear whether non-volatile or volatile organic compounds participate in the interaction between cultivar and Escovopsis, and which specific chemical compounds might attract and induce chemotropism. In this study, we examined the growth responses of Escovopsis isolates to non-volatile and volatile organic compounds produced by fungal cultivars of higher attine ants. We also isolated and identified molecules released by the ant-cultivar and assessed the chemotropism of Escovopsis towards them. Our results indicate that the growth of Escovopsis is stimulated in the presence of both non-volatile and volatile compounds from fungal cultivars. We also identified three isomeric diketopiperazines molecules from crude extracts of the ant cultivar, suggesting that these might play a role in Escovopsis chemotropism. Our findings provide insights into the complex chemical interactions that govern the association between Escovopsis and fungal cultivars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina B de Oliveira
- Department of General and Applied Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
| | - Aryel C Goes
- Department of General and Applied Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Airton D Silva
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Paulo C Vieira
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Andre Rodrigues
- Department of General and Applied Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, SP, Brazil.
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Montoya Q, Martiarena M, Rodrigues A. Taxonomy and systematics of the fungus-growing ant associate Escovopsis ( Hypocreaceae). Stud Mycol 2023; 106:349-397. [PMID: 38298572 PMCID: PMC10825746 DOI: 10.3114/sim.2023.106.06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Escovopsis is a symbiont of fungus-growing ant colonies. Unstandardised taxonomy prevented the evaluation of the morphological diversity of Escovopsis for more than a century. The aim of this study is to create a standardised taxonomic framework to assess the morphological and phylogenetic diversity of Escovopsis. Therefore, to set the foundation for Escovopsis taxonomy and allow interspecific comparisons within the genus, we redescribe the ex-type cultures of Escovopsis aspergilloides, E. clavata, E. lentecrescens, E. microspora, E. moelleri, E. multiformis, and E. weberi. Thus, based on the parameters adopted in this study combined with phylogenetic analyses using five molecular markers, we synonymize E. microspora with E. weberi, and introduce 13 new species isolated from attine nests collected in Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Panama: E. breviramosa, E. chlamydosporosa, E. diminuta, E. elongatistipitata, E. gracilis, E. maculosa, E. papillata, E. peniculiformis, E. phialicopiosa, E. pseudocylindrica, E. rectangula, E. rosisimilis, and E. spicaticlavata. Our results revealed a great interspecific morphological diversity throughout Escovopsis. Notwithstanding, colony growth rates at different temperatures, as well as vesicle shape, appear to be the most outstanding features distinguishing species in the genus. This study fills an important gap in the systematics of Escovopsis that will allow future researchers to unravel the genetic and morphological diversity and species diversification of these attine ant symbionts. Taxonomic novelties: New species: Escovopsis breviramosa Q.V. Montoya, M.J.S. Martiarena & A. Rodrigues, E. chlamydosporosa Q.V. Montoya, M.J.S. Martiarena & A. Rodrigues, E. diminuta Q.V. Montoya, M.J.S. Martiarena & A. Rodrigues, E. elongatistipitata Q.V. Montoya, M.J.S. Martiarena & A. Rodrigues, E. gracilis Q.V. Montoya, M.J.S. Martiarena & A. Rodrigues, E. maculosa Q.V. Montoya, M.J.S. Martiarena & A. Rodrigues, E. papillata Q.V. Montoya, M.J.S. Martiarena & A. Rodrigues, E. peniculiformis Q.V. Montoya, M.J.S. Martiarena & A. Rodrigues, E. phialicopiosa Q.V. Montoya, M.J.S. Martiarena & A. Rodrigues, E. pseudocylindrica Q.V. Montoya, M.J.S. Martiarena & A. Rodrigues, E. rectangula Q.V. Montoya, M.J.S. Martiarena & A. Rodrigues, E. rosisimilis Q.V. Montoya, M.J.S. Martiarena & A. Rodrigues, E. spicaticlavata Q.V. Montoya, M.J.S. Martiarena & A. Rodrigues. Citation: Montoya QV, Martiarena MJS, Rodrigues A (2023). Taxonomy and systematics of the fungus-growing ant associate Escovopsis (Hypocreaceae). Studies in Mycology 106: 349-397. doi: 10.3114/sim.2023.106.06.
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Affiliation(s)
- Q.V Montoya
- Department of General and Applied Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
| | - M.J.S. Martiarena
- Department of General and Applied Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
| | - A. Rodrigues
- Department of General and Applied Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
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Folgarait PJ, Goffré D. Control of pest ants by pathogenic fungi: state of the art. FRONTIERS IN FUNGAL BIOLOGY 2023; 4:1199110. [PMID: 37886433 PMCID: PMC10598784 DOI: 10.3389/ffunb.2023.1199110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Pest ants are known for their damage to biodiversity, harm to agriculture, and negative impact on human welfare. Ants thrive when environmental opportunities arise, becoming pests and/or invading non-native areas. As social insects, they are extremely difficult to control using sustainable methods like biological control. The latter, although safer to the environment, acts slowly allowing the ants to use their individual and social defenses. Among biocontrol agents, fungal pathogens were proposed as promising, however, it is difficult to ascertain their success when the bibliography has not been reviewed and condensed. Therefore, this paper is the first in performing such task by analyzing publications mainly from 2000 to 2022 about the control of pest ants by fungi. From 85 publications selected, 77% corresponded to laboratory studies. Beauveria and Metarhizium were the genera most used in laboratory and field studies. Most of them included Acromyrmex and Atta leaf-cutter ants (LCA), and Solenopsis fire ants. From laboratory experiments, we evaluated how ant net mortality was affected by ant and fungal species, and also by origin, concentration, and inoculation technique of the fungal strains tested. Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae produced the greatest mortality, along with the inoculation spray technique and fungal strains collected from ants. There was a positive relationship between ant mortality and fungal concentration only for those studies which evaluated more than one concentration. Twenty field experimental studies were found, covering 13 pest species, mainly LCA and Solenopsis invicta. Only B. bassiana was tested on Solenopsis, M. anisopliae was mostly used for Acromyrmex, and M. anisopliae or Trichoderma were mainly used with Atta species. The median control field efficiency varied from 20% to 85% for different fungi and ant genera. When grouping all fungal species together, the median control efficiency seemed to be better for Acromyrmex (67%) than for Atta and Solenopsis (both 43%). Our review shows that, at this stage of knowledge, it is very difficult to extrapolate any result. We offer suggestions to improve and standardize laboratory and field experimental studies in order to advance more efficiently in the fungal control of pest ants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia J. Folgarait
- Ants Laboratory, Department of Science and Technology, Quilmes National University, National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Bernal, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Martiarena MJS, Deveau A, Montoya QV, Flórez LV, Rodrigues A. The Hyphosphere of Leaf-Cutting Ant Cultivars Is Enriched with Helper Bacteria. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2023; 86:1773-1788. [PMID: 36754866 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-023-02187-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Bacteria can live in a variety of interkingdom communities playing key ecological roles. The microbiome of leaf-cutting attine ant colonies are a remarkable example of such communities, as they support ants' metabolic processes and the maintenance of ant-fungus gardens. Studies on this topic have explored the bacterial community of the whole fungus garden, without discerning bacterial groups associated with the nutrient storage structures (gongylidia) of ant fungal cultivars. Here we studied bacteria isolated from the surface of gongylidia in the cultivars of Atta sexdens and Acromyrmex coronatus, to assess whether the bacterial community influences the biology of the fungus. A total of 10 bacterial strains were isolated from gongylidia (Bacillus sp., Lysinibacillus sp., Niallia sp., Staphylococcus sp., Paenibacillus sp., Pantoea sp., Staphylococcus sp., and one Actinobacteria). Some bacterial isolates increased gongylidia production and fungal biomass while others had inhibitory effects. Eight bacterial strains were confirmed to form biofilm-like structures on the fungal cultivar hyphae. They also showed auxiliary metabolic functions useful for the development of the fungal garden such as phosphate solubilization, siderophore production, cellulose and chitin degradation, and antifungal activity against antagonists of the fungal cultivar. Bacteria-bacteria interaction assays revealed heterogeneous behaviors including synergism and competition, which might contribute to regulate the community structure inside the garden. Our results suggest that bacteria and the ant fungal cultivar interact directly, across a continuum of positive and negative interactions within the community. These complex relationships could ultimately contribute to the stability of the ant-fungus mutualism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Jesus Sutta Martiarena
- Department of General and Applied Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Avenida 24-A, 1515, Bela Vista, Rio Claro, SP, 13.506-900, Brazil
| | - Aurelie Deveau
- UMR IAM, Université de Lorraine, INRAE, 54280, Champenoux, France
| | - Quimi Vidaurre Montoya
- Department of General and Applied Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Avenida 24-A, 1515, Bela Vista, Rio Claro, SP, 13.506-900, Brazil
| | - Laura V Flórez
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andre Rodrigues
- Department of General and Applied Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Avenida 24-A, 1515, Bela Vista, Rio Claro, SP, 13.506-900, Brazil.
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Goes AC, Kooij PW, Culot L, Bueno OC, Rodrigues A. Distinct and enhanced hygienic responses of a leaf-cutting ant toward repeated fungi exposures. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9112. [PMID: 35866016 PMCID: PMC9288931 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Leaf-cutting ants and their fungal crops are a textbook example of a long-term obligatory mutualism. Many microbes continuously enter their nest containing the fungal cultivars, destabilizing the symbiosis and, in some cases, outcompeting the mutualistic partners. Preferably, the ant workers should distinguish between different microorganisms to respond according to their threat level and recurrence in the colony. To address these assumptions, we investigated how workers of Atta sexdens sanitize their fungal crop toward five different fungi commonly isolated from the fungus gardens: Escovopsis sp., Fusarium oxysporum, Metarhizium anisopliae, Trichoderma spirale, and Syncephalastrum sp. Also, to investigate the plasticity of these responses toward recurrences of these fungi, we exposed the colonies with each fungus three times fourteen days apart. As expected, intensities in sanitization differed according to the fungal species. Ants significantly groom their fungal crop more toward F. oxysporum, M. anisopliae, and Syncephalastrum sp. than toward Escovopsis sp. and T. spirale. Weeding, self-, and allogrooming were observed in less frequency than fungus grooming in all cases. Moreover, we detected a significant increase in the overall responses after repeated exposures for each fungus, except for Escovopsis sp. Our results indicate that A. sexdens workers are able to distinguish between different fungi and apply distinct responses to remove these from the fungus gardens. Our findings also suggest that successive exposures to the same antagonist increase hygiene, indicating plasticity of ant colonies' defenses to previously encountered pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aryel C. Goes
- Department of General and Applied BiologySão Paulo State University (UNESP)Rio ClaroBrazil
| | - Pepijn W. Kooij
- Department of General and Applied BiologySão Paulo State University (UNESP)Rio ClaroBrazil
| | - Laurence Culot
- Department of BiodiversitySão Paulo State University (UNESP)Rio ClaroBrazil
| | - Odair C. Bueno
- Department of General and Applied BiologySão Paulo State University (UNESP)Rio ClaroBrazil
| | - Andre Rodrigues
- Department of General and Applied BiologySão Paulo State University (UNESP)Rio ClaroBrazil
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Pietrobon TDC, Kooij PW, Montoya QV, Rodrigues A. Escovopsioides nivea is a non-specific antagonistic symbiont of ant-fungal crops. FUNGAL ECOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.funeco.2022.101140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Montoya QV, Martiarena MJS, Bizarria R, Gerardo NM, Rodrigues A. Fungi inhabiting attine ant colonies: reassessment of the genus Escovopsis and description of Luteomyces and Sympodiorosea gens. nov. IMA Fungus 2021; 12:23. [PMID: 34429165 PMCID: PMC8383443 DOI: 10.1186/s43008-021-00078-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quimi Vidaurre Montoya
- Department of General and Applied Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Avenida 24-A, n. 1515, Bela Vista, Rio Claro, SP, 13.506-900, Brazil. .,Center for the Study of Social Insects, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, SP, Brazil.
| | - Maria Jesus Sutta Martiarena
- Department of General and Applied Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Avenida 24-A, n. 1515, Bela Vista, Rio Claro, SP, 13.506-900, Brazil.,Center for the Study of Social Insects, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
| | - Rodolfo Bizarria
- Department of General and Applied Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Avenida 24-A, n. 1515, Bela Vista, Rio Claro, SP, 13.506-900, Brazil.,Center for the Study of Social Insects, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
| | - Nicole Marie Gerardo
- Department of Biology, O. Wayne Rollins Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, USA
| | - Andre Rodrigues
- Department of General and Applied Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Avenida 24-A, n. 1515, Bela Vista, Rio Claro, SP, 13.506-900, Brazil. .,Center for the Study of Social Insects, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, SP, Brazil.
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