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Giraldo C, Chaves-López C, Tofalo R, Angrisani R, Rodrigues A, Montoya-Lerma J. Yeasts associated with the worker caste of the leaf-cutting ant Atta cephalotes under experimental conditions in Colombia. Arch Microbiol 2022; 204:284. [PMID: 35476294 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-022-02811-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Yeasts isolated from the worker caste of the Colombian leaf-cutting ant, Atta cephalotes (Hymenoptera: Myrmicinae) were cultured and identified by molecular methods. Abundant, persistent, and omnipresent species were classified as "prevalent". Experimental data were compared with information gathered from published reports on the yeast species composition in other leaf-cutting ant species. Diversity analysis was conducted using diversity values (q0, q1, and q2) to compare the richness and abundance of yeasts present in different leaf-cutting ant species. Clustering analysis was carried out to assess the similarity of yeast community according to ant species. The yeast species composition was highly variable among the ant species. A. laevigata and A. capiguara showed the highest degree of similarity and differed from the group composed by A. cephalotes, A. sexdens, A. sexdens rubropilosa, and A. texana. The isolation of dominant yeasts in different ant castes within the different compartments of a colony strongly suggests that the identified microorganisms are not transient but are native to the soil surrounding ant colonies and the substrates used by the ants to grow their fungal cultivars. It is apparent that the ant-fungus mutualism does not operate in an environment devoid of other microbes, but rather that the association must be seen within the context of a background of other microorganisms, particularly the dominant yeasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Giraldo
- Departamento de Biología, Universidad del Valle, A.A. 25360, Cali, Colombia.
| | - Clemencia Chaves-López
- Facoltá di BioScience e Tecnologie Agro-Alimentari e Ambientali, Universitá Degli Studi di Teramo, Via R. Balzarini, 164100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Rosanna Tofalo
- Facoltá di BioScience e Tecnologie Agro-Alimentari e Ambientali, Universitá Degli Studi di Teramo, Via R. Balzarini, 164100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Roberto Angrisani
- NutriPlant S.R.L. Impianto Chimico per la Produzione Di Specialità Fertilizzanti per Agricoltura in Gestione Biologica e Convenzionale, S. S. 93 Km 46,400, 85024, Lavello, PZ, Italy
| | - Andre Rodrigues
- Department of General and Applied Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
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Effects of Trichoderma strigosellum in Eucalyptus urophylla Development and Leaf-Cutting Ant Behavior. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 8:jof8010015. [PMID: 35049955 PMCID: PMC8778871 DOI: 10.3390/jof8010015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal endophytes can protect plants against herbivory and be used to control leaf-cutting ants. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the potential of endophytic colonization of Eucalyptus urophylla by three filamentous fungal species and their influence on the plant development and foraging behavior of Atta sexdens. The study design was completely randomized and comprised a factorial scheme of 4 × 3, three antagonistic fungal species (Escovopsis sp., Metarhizium anisopliae, and Trichoderma strigosellum) of the leaf-cutting ant, and one control and three inoculation methods (conidial suspension via foliar spray [FS] and soil drench [SD] inoculation, and seedlings inoculated with mycelium [SWM]). The SWM method allowed T. strigosellum to colonize all plant organs, and these plants exhibited higher height, leaf number, shoot dry mass, and total dry mass than the ones subjected to the other inoculation methods. The SWM method increased the plant height than the control plants and those inoculated with Escovopsis sp. and M. anisopliae. Trichoderma strigosellum, previously isolated from soil, colonized E. urophylla plants and positively influenced their development, as demonstrated by the SWM method. Trichoderma strigosellum promoted the increase in E. urophylla height compared with when the FS and SD methods were used (by 19.62% and 18.52%, respectively). Our results reveal that A. sexdens workers preferentially began cutting the leaves from plants not previously colonized by T. strigosellum. This behavior can be explained by modifications in the phenotypic traits of the eucalyptus leaves.
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3
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Bizarria R, Pagnocca FC, Rodrigues A. Yeasts in the attine ant-fungus mutualism: Diversity, functional roles, and putative biotechnological applications. Yeast 2021; 39:25-39. [PMID: 34473375 DOI: 10.1002/yea.3667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Insects interact with a wide variety of yeasts, often providing a suitable substrate for their growth. Some yeast-insect interactions are tractable models for understanding the relationships between the symbionts. Attine ants are prominent insects in the Neotropics and have performed an ancient fungiculture of mutualistic basidiomycete fungi for more than 55-65 million years. Yeasts gain access to this sophisticated mutualism, prompting diversity, ecological, and biotechnological studies in this environment. We review half a century research in this field, surveying for recurrent yeast taxa and their putative ecological roles in this environment. We found that previous studies mainly covered the yeast diversity from a small fraction of attine ants, being Saccharomycetales, Tremellales, and Trichosporonales as the most frequent yeast or yeast-like orders found. Apiotrichum, Aureobasidium, Candida, Cutaneotrichosporon, Debaryomyces, Meyerozyma, Papiliotrema, Rhodotorula, Trichomonascus, and Trichosporon are the most frequent recovered genera. On the other hand, studies of yeasts' ecological roles on attine ant-fungus mutualism only tapped the tip of the iceberg. Previous established hypotheses in the literature cover the production of lignocellulosic enzymes, chemical detoxification, and fungus garden protection. Some of these roles have parallels in biotechnological processes. In conclusion, the attine ant environment has a hidden potential for studying yeast biodiversity, ecology, and biotechnology, which has been particularly unexplored considering the vast diversity of fungus-growing ants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodolfo Bizarria
- Center for the Study of Social Insects, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, Brazil.,Department of General and Applied Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, Brazil
| | | | - Andre Rodrigues
- Center for the Study of Social Insects, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, Brazil.,Department of General and Applied Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, Brazil
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4
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Melo WGDP, de Oliveira TB, Arcuri SL, de Morais PB, Pagnocca FC. Yeasts in the nests of the leaf-cutter ant Acromyrmex balzani in a Savanna biome: exploitation of community and metabolic diversity. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 2021; 114:751-764. [PMID: 33738647 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-021-01555-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The leaf-cutter ant Acromyrmex balzani is responsible for causing important losses in reforestation areas, crops, and pastures, and is frequently found in the Brazilian savanna (Cerrado). So far, there is no information regarding the yeast communities that occur in their nests. Here, we evaluated the diversity, composition, and structure of yeast communities in both fungus gardens (FG) and external refuse dump (RD) of this ant species (Palmas, Tocantins, northern Brazil). A total of 720 yeasts were isolated, comprising 52 species distributed in 29 genera. The RDs have significantly richer and more diverse yeast communities than the fungus gardens, regardless of the season and the level of preservation in the area. The isolates produced a wide range of carbon polymer-degrading enzymes and were able to assimilate carbon-sources present in plant materials. We observed a different proportion of enzyme-producers and carbon-assimilation found in external refuse dump and fungus gardens from preserved and disturbed areas, suggesting that this interaction may vary depending on the environmental conditions. A. balzani nests in the savanna biome are a hotspot of yeast species with ecological, clinical, and biotechnological implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weilan Gomes da Paixão Melo
- Centre for the Study of Social Insects, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, SP, 13560-900, Brazil. .,Department of Pharmaceutical Science, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-903, Brazil.
| | - Tássio Brito de Oliveira
- Centre for the Study of Social Insects, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, SP, 13560-900, Brazil.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-901, Brazil
| | - Silvio Lovato Arcuri
- Centre for the Study of Social Insects, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, SP, 13560-900, Brazil
| | - Paula Benevides de Morais
- Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Federal University of Tocantins (UFT), Palmas, TO, 77020-220, Brazil
| | - Fernando Carlos Pagnocca
- Centre for the Study of Social Insects, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, SP, 13560-900, Brazil
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5
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Bich GÁ, Randon DN, Castrillo ML, Villalba LL, Zapata PD. Aislamiento y caracterización morfológica y molecular de cepas de Escovopsis aisladas de nidos de hormigas cortadoras de hojas de Argentina. REV MEX BIODIVERS 2020. [DOI: 10.22201/ib.20078706e.2020.91.2581] [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] Open
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6
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Goes AC, Barcoto MO, Kooij PW, Bueno OC, Rodrigues A. How Do Leaf-Cutting Ants Recognize Antagonistic Microbes in Their Fungal Crops? Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
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7
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Masiulionis VE, Pagnocca FC. Rhodosporidiobolus geoffroeae sp. nov., a basidiomycetous yeast isolated from the waste deposit of the attine ant Acromyrmex lundii. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2017; 67:1028-1032. [DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.001738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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Riding with the ants. Persoonia - Molecular Phylogeny and Evolution of Fungi 2016; 38:81-99. [PMID: 29151628 PMCID: PMC5645189 DOI: 10.3767/003158517x693417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Isolates of Teratosphaeriaceae have frequently been found in the integument of attine ants, proving to be common and diverse in this microenvironment. The LSU phylogeny of the ant-isolated strains studied revealed that they cluster in two main lineages. The first was associated with the genus Xenopenidiella whereas the other represented two ant-isolated lineages sister to the taxa Penidiella aggregata and P. drakensbergensis, which are allocated to the new genus Penidiellomyces. The genus Penidiella is limited to the lineage containing P. columbiana, which is not congeneric with Penidiellomyces or Penidiellopsis, nor with Simplicidiella, a novel genus introduced here to accommodate a strain isolated from ants. For species level analysis, the final 26 aligned sequences of the ITS (498 characters), cmdA (389 characters), tef1 (342 characters) and tub2 (446 characters) gene regions lead to the introduction of six new species in Xenopenidiella, and one in respectively Penidiellopsis and Simplicidiella. The species described in this study were distinguished by the combination of morphological and phylogenetic data. Novelties on the integument of leaf-cutting ants from Brazil include: Penidiellopsis ramosus, Xenopenidiella clavata, X. formica, X. inflata, X. laevigata, X. nigrescens, X. tarda spp. nov., and Simplicidiella nigra gen. & sp. nov. Beta-tubulin is recommended as primary barcode for the distinction of species in Penidiellopsis, whereas ITS was sufficient to distinguish species of Xenopenidiella.
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9
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Masiulionis VE, Pagnocca FC. Wickerhamomyces spegazzinii sp. nov., an ascomycetous yeast isolated from the fungus garden of Acromyrmex lundii nest (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2016; 66:2141-2145. [PMID: 26944514 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.001001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel ascomycetous yeast species in the genus Wickerhamomyces was isolated from the fungus garden of an attine ant nest, Acromyrmex lundii (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), from Santa Fe province, Argentina. Pairwise sequence alignment of D1/D2 sequences in the GenBank (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) database revealed that the novel species is related most closely to Wickerhamomyces subpelliculosus, Wickerhamomyces linferdii, Wickerhamomyces anomalus, Wickerhamomyces siamensis and Wickerhamomycesciferrii with 96% similarity to the first four. The species name Wickerhamomyces spegazzinii sp. nov. is proposed to accommodate this novel strain, which differs from the above species in melibiose, 5-keto-D-gluconate, succinate, and DL-lactate assimilation among others. The type strain is JLU025T (=CBS 12756T=CBMAI 1619T).
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia E Masiulionis
- Instituto de Biociências, UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista, Campus de Rio Claro, SP. Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais, Rio Claro, SP, 13506-900, Brazil
| | - Fernando C Pagnocca
- Instituto de Biociências, UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista, Campus de Rio Claro, SP. Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais, Rio Claro, SP, 13506-900, Brazil
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10
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Montoya QV, Meirelles LA, Chaverri P, Rodrigues A. Unraveling Trichoderma species in the attine ant environment: description of three new taxa. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 2016; 109:633-51. [PMID: 26885975 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-016-0666-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2015] [Accepted: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Fungus-growing "attine" ants forage diverse substrates to grow fungi for food. In addition to the mutualistic fungal partner, the colonies of these insects harbor a rich microbiome composed of bacteria, filamentous fungi and yeasts. Previous work reported some Trichoderma species in the fungus gardens of leafcutter ants. However, no studies systematically addressed the putative association of Trichoderma with attine ants, especially in non-leafcutter ants. Here, a total of 62 strains of Trichoderma were analyzed using three molecular markers (ITS, tef1 and rpb2). In addition, 30 out of 62 strains were also morphologically examined. The strains studied correspond to the largest sampling carried out so far for Trichoderma in the attine ant environment. Our results revealed the richness of Trichoderma in this environment, since we found 20 Trichoderma species, including three new taxa described in the present work (Trichoderma attinorum, Trichoderma texanum and Trichoderma longifialidicum spp. nov.) as well as a new phylogenetic taxon (LESF 545). Moreover, we show that all 62 strains grouped within different clades across the Trichoderma phylogeny, which are identical or closely related to strains derived from several other environments. This evidence supports the transient nature of the genus Trichoderma in the attine ant colonies. The discovery of three new species suggests that the dynamic foraging behavior of these insects might be responsible for accumulation of transient fungi into their colonies, which might hold additional fungal taxa still unknown to science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quimi Vidaurre Montoya
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, UNESP - São Paulo State University, Avenida 24-A, n. 1515, Bela Vista, Rio Claro, SP, CEP: 13.506-900, Brazil
| | - Lucas Andrade Meirelles
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, UNESP - São Paulo State University, Avenida 24-A, n. 1515, Bela Vista, Rio Claro, SP, CEP: 13.506-900, Brazil.,Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Priscila Chaverri
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, 2112 Plant Sciences Building, College Park, MD, 20742, USA.,Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, Apartado 11501-2060, San Pedro, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Andre Rodrigues
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, UNESP - São Paulo State University, Avenida 24-A, n. 1515, Bela Vista, Rio Claro, SP, CEP: 13.506-900, Brazil.
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11
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Meirelles LA, Montoya QV, Solomon SE, Rodrigues A. New light on the systematics of fungi associated with attine ant gardens and the description of Escovopsis kreiselii sp. nov. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0112067. [PMID: 25617836 PMCID: PMC4305282 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2014] [Accepted: 10/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the formal description of fungi in the genus Escovopsis in 1990, only a few studies have focused on the systematics of this group. For more than two decades, only two Escovopsis species were described; however, in 2013, three additional Escovopsis species were formally described along with the genus Escovopsioides, both found exclusively in attine ant gardens. During a survey for Escovopsis species in gardens of the lower attine ant Mycetophylax morschi in Brazil, we found four strains belonging to the pink-colored Escovopsis clade. Careful examination of these strains revealed significant morphological differences when compared to previously described species of Escovopsis and Escovopsioides. Based on the type of conidiogenesis (sympodial), as well as morphology of conidiogenous cells (percurrent), non-vesiculated conidiophores, and DNA sequences, we describe the four new strains as a new species, Escovopsis kreiselii sp. nov. Phylogenetic analyses using three nuclear markers (Large subunit RNA; translation elongation factor 1-alpha; and internal transcribed spacer) from the new strains as well as available sequences in public databases confirmed that all known fungi infecting attine ant gardens comprise a monophyletic group within the Hypocreaceae family, with very diverse morphological characteristics. Specifically, Escovopsis kreiselii is likely associated with gardens of lower-attine ants and its pathogenicity remains uncertain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas A. Meirelles
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, UNESP Univ Estadual Paulista, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
| | - Quimi V. Montoya
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, UNESP Univ Estadual Paulista, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
| | - Scott E. Solomon
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Andre Rodrigues
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, UNESP Univ Estadual Paulista, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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12
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Arcuri SL, Pagnocca FC, Melo WGDP, Nagamoto NS, Komura DL, Rodrigues A. Yeasts found on an ephemeral reproductive caste of the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 2014; 106:475-87. [PMID: 25012689 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-014-0216-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2014] [Accepted: 06/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Winged males of leaf-cutting ants are considered an ephemeral reproductive caste only produced before the mating flight season. Although much is known about the yeast diversity found in fungus gardens of attine ants, no study has focused on the yeasts associated with males of leaf-cutting ants. Here, we surveyed the yeasts on the integuments of males of Atta sexdens rubropilosa and assessed their potential role in the attine ant-microbe symbiosis. Using culture-dependent techniques, we found yeasts to be abundant on the integuments of males (54.5 %, n = 200 alates). A total of 242 yeast strains were obtained representing six orders, ten genera and 25 species. Strains of Aureobasidium, Cryptococcus, Hannaella and Rhodotorula were prevalent on the integuments and likely originated from the fungus garden of the parental nest or from the soil. The majority of strains (87.1 %) produced at least one of the evaluated enzymes: pectinase, polygalacturonase, cellulase, xylanase, ligninases and lipase. Aureobasidium pullulans accounted for the highest number of strains that produced all enzymes. In addition, yeasts showed the ability to assimilate the resulting oligosaccharides, supporting observations of other studies that yeasts may be involved in the plant biomass metabolism in the fungus gardens. Because winged males harbor several yeasts with putative functional roles, these fungi may take part and be beneficial in the microbial consortia of the new incipient nest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvio Lovato Arcuri
- Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais, UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista, Campus Rio Claro, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
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13
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Melo WGP, Arcuri SL, Rodrigues A, Morais PB, Meirelles LA, Pagnocca FC. Starmerella aceti f.a., sp. nov., an ascomycetous yeast species isolated from fungus garden of the leafcutter ant Acromyrmex balzani. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2014; 64:1428-1433. [PMID: 24566828 DOI: 10.1099/ijs.0.058818-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel yeast species was recovered from the fungus garden of the leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex balzani (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). The growth of the novel yeast species is limited by its ability to metabolize only a few carbon and nitrogenous compounds. A remarkable characteristic of this strain is the vigorous growth in 1 % acetic acid. Sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domains of the LSU rRNA gene showed that the novel species belongs to the Starmerella clade and is phenotypically and genetically divergent from currently recognized species in this clade. Described here as Starmerella aceti f.a., sp. nov., it differs by 37 nucleotide substitutions in the D1/D2 region from Starmerella jinningensis CBS 11864(T), the most closely related species. The type strain of Starmerella aceti sp. nov. is TO 125(T) ( = CBMAI 1594(T) = CBS 13086(T)).
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Affiliation(s)
- Weilan G P Melo
- Instituto de Biociências de Rio Claro, UNESP-Univ Estadual Paulista, Campus Rio Claro, Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais, Avenida 24A, 1515 Rio Claro, SP 13506-900, Brazil
| | - Silvio L Arcuri
- Instituto de Biociências de Rio Claro, UNESP-Univ Estadual Paulista, Campus Rio Claro, Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais, Avenida 24A, 1515 Rio Claro, SP 13506-900, Brazil
| | - Andre Rodrigues
- Instituto de Biociências de Rio Claro, UNESP-Univ Estadual Paulista, Campus Rio Claro, Departamento de Bioquímica e Microbiologia, Avenida 24A, 1515, Rio Claro, SP 13506-900, Brazil.,Instituto de Biociências de Rio Claro, UNESP-Univ Estadual Paulista, Campus Rio Claro, Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais, Avenida 24A, 1515 Rio Claro, SP 13506-900, Brazil
| | - Paula B Morais
- Laboratório de Microbiologia Ambiental e Biologia, Campus Universitário de Palmas, Fundação Universidade Federal do Tocantins, Palmas, TO 77010-154, Brazil
| | - Lucas A Meirelles
- Instituto de Biociências de Rio Claro, UNESP-Univ Estadual Paulista, Campus Rio Claro, Departamento de Bioquímica e Microbiologia, Avenida 24A, 1515, Rio Claro, SP 13506-900, Brazil
| | - Fernando C Pagnocca
- Instituto de Biociências de Rio Claro, UNESP-Univ Estadual Paulista, Campus Rio Claro, Departamento de Bioquímica e Microbiologia, Avenida 24A, 1515, Rio Claro, SP 13506-900, Brazil.,Instituto de Biociências de Rio Claro, UNESP-Univ Estadual Paulista, Campus Rio Claro, Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais, Avenida 24A, 1515 Rio Claro, SP 13506-900, Brazil
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14
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Mendes TD, Rodrigues A, Dayo-Owoyemi I, Marson FAL, Pagnocca FC. Generation of Nutrients and Detoxification: Possible Roles of Yeasts in Leaf-Cutting Ant Nests. INSECTS 2012; 3:228-45. [PMID: 26467957 PMCID: PMC4553625 DOI: 10.3390/insects3010228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2012] [Revised: 02/12/2012] [Accepted: 02/13/2012] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The possible roles played by yeasts in attine ant nests are mostly unknown. Here we present our investigations on the plant polysaccharide degradation profile of 82 yeasts isolated from fungus gardens of Atta and Acromyrmex species to demonstrate that yeasts found in ant nests may play the role of making nutrients readily available throughout the garden and detoxification of compounds that may be deleterious to the ants and their fungal cultivar. Among the yeasts screened, 65% exhibited cellulolytic enzymes, 44% exhibited pectinolytic activity while 27% and 17% possess enzyme systems for the degradation of protease and amylase, respectively. Galacturonic acid, which had been reported in previous work to be poorly assimilated by the ant fungus and also to have a negative effect on ants’ survival, was assimilated by 64% and 79% of yeasts isolated from nests of A. texana and Acromyrmex respectively. Our results suggest that yeasts found in ant nests may participate in generation of nutrients and removal of potentially toxic compounds, thereby contributing to the stability of the complex microbiota found in the leaf-cutting ant nests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thais D Mendes
- EMBRAPA-Agroenergy/Parque Estação Biológica, Brasília, DF 70770-901, Brazil.
| | - André Rodrigues
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, UNESP-São Paulo State University, Rio Claro, SP 13506-900, Brazil.
| | - Ifeloju Dayo-Owoyemi
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, UNESP-São Paulo State University, Rio Claro, SP 13506-900, Brazil.
- Centre for the Study of Social Insects, UNESP-São Paulo State University, Rio Claro, SP 13506-900, Brazil.
| | - Fernando A L Marson
- Centre for the Study of Social Insects, UNESP-São Paulo State University, Rio Claro, SP 13506-900, Brazil.
| | - Fernando C Pagnocca
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, UNESP-São Paulo State University, Rio Claro, SP 13506-900, Brazil.
- Centre for the Study of Social Insects, UNESP-São Paulo State University, Rio Claro, SP 13506-900, Brazil.
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The Evolutionary Innovation of Nutritional Symbioses in Leaf-Cutter Ants. INSECTS 2012; 3:41-61. [PMID: 26467948 PMCID: PMC4553616 DOI: 10.3390/insects3010041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2011] [Revised: 12/16/2011] [Accepted: 12/20/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Fungus-growing ants gain access to nutrients stored in plant biomass through their association with a mutualistic fungus they grow for food. This 50 million-year-old obligate mutualism likely facilitated some of these species becoming dominant Neotropical herbivores that can achieve immense colony sizes. Recent culture-independent investigations have shed light on the conversion of plant biomass into nutrients within ant fungus gardens, revealing that this process involves both the fungal cultivar and a symbiotic community of bacteria including Enterobacter, Klebsiella, and Pantoea species. Moreover, the genome sequences of the leaf-cutter ants Atta cephalotes and Acromyrmex echinatior have provided key insights into how this symbiosis has shaped the evolution of these ants at a genetic level. Here we summarize the findings of recent research on the microbial community dynamics within fungus-growing ant fungus gardens and discuss their implications for this ancient symbiosis.
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Rodovalho CM, Ferro M, Fonseca FP, Antonio EA, Guilherme IR, Henrique-Silva F, Bacci M. Expressed sequence tags from Atta laevigata and identification of candidate genes for the control of pest leaf-cutting ants. BMC Res Notes 2011; 4:203. [PMID: 21682882 PMCID: PMC3132717 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-4-203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2010] [Accepted: 06/17/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Leafcutters are the highest evolved within Neotropical ants in the tribe Attini and model systems for studying caste formation, labor division and symbiosis with microorganisms. Some species of leafcutters are agricultural pests controlled by chemicals which affect other animals and accumulate in the environment. Aiming to provide genetic basis for the study of leafcutters and for the development of more specific and environmentally friendly methods for the control of pest leafcutters, we generated expressed sequence tag data from Atta laevigata, one of the pest ants with broad geographic distribution in South America. Results The analysis of the expressed sequence tags allowed us to characterize 2,006 unique sequences in Atta laevigata. Sixteen of these genes had a high number of transcripts and are likely positively selected for high level of gene expression, being responsible for three basic biological functions: energy conservation through redox reactions in mitochondria; cytoskeleton and muscle structuring; regulation of gene expression and metabolism. Based on leafcutters lifestyle and reports of genes involved in key processes of other social insects, we identified 146 sequences potential targets for controlling pest leafcutters. The targets are responsible for antixenobiosis, development and longevity, immunity, resistance to pathogens, pheromone function, cell signaling, behavior, polysaccharide metabolism and arginine kynase activity. Conclusion The generation and analysis of expressed sequence tags from Atta laevigata have provided important genetic basis for future studies on the biology of leaf-cutting ants and may contribute to the development of a more specific and environmentally friendly method for the control of agricultural pest leafcutters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynara M Rodovalho
- Center for the Study of Social Insects, Univ, Estadual Paulista, Av, 24A, 1515, Bela Vista, Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Alonso S, Arévalo-Villena M, Ubeda J, Briones A. Study of starch degradation by yeasts during fermentation for using in animal feed. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2010; 162:2058-66. [PMID: 20454868 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-010-8981-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2009] [Accepted: 04/26/2010] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Sixteen amylolytic yeasts, drawn from culture collections or isolated from different environments, were used in the present study. Experiments were performed to evaluate the starch degradation due to exocellular activity. The culture media of growth was optimized to find the maximum activity, and some strains produced an extracellular amylolytic enzyme when cultured in presence of starch in the medium. On the other hand, one yeast showed activity in cell extract when cultured under varying conditions in a bench bioreactor; this strain would thus be suitable for use as an animal feed supplement, both as a source of proteins and nucleic acids and in terms of its amylolytic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Alonso
- Regional Institute of Applied Scientific Research, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Ciudad Real, Spain
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Pagnocca FC, Legaspe MFC, Rodrigues A, Ruivo CCC, Nagamoto NS, Bacci M, Forti LC. Yeasts isolated from a fungus-growing ant nest, including the description of Trichosporon chiarellii sp. nov., an anamorphic basidiomycetous yeast. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2009; 60:1454-1459. [PMID: 19671730 DOI: 10.1099/ijs.0.015727-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Thirty-nine yeast strains were recovered from a field nest of a primitive and putative novel attine ant species in the genus Myrmicocrypta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: tribe Attini). Yeasts isolated from the fungus garden and waste deposit included Candida dubliniensis, Candida oleophila, Cryptococcus haglerorum and Hanseniaspora uvarum. In addition, one morphological type was isolated overwhelmingly. Sequencing data of partial large-subunit (LSU) rDNA and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region coupled with morphological and physiological characterization accommodated this morphotype in a separate taxonomic position in relation to the known species of Trichosporon (Basidiomycota: Trichosporonales). Here, we propose a novel yeast species named Trichosporon chiarellii sp. nov. based on the description of 34 isolates; the type strain is strain FCP 540806(T) (=CBS 11177(T)).
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando C Pagnocca
- Center for the Study of Social Insects, UNESP - São Paulo State University, 13506-900, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
| | - Mara F C Legaspe
- Center for the Study of Social Insects, UNESP - São Paulo State University, 13506-900, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
| | - Andre Rodrigues
- Center for the Study of Social Insects, UNESP - São Paulo State University, 13506-900, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
| | - Carla C C Ruivo
- Center for the Study of Social Insects, UNESP - São Paulo State University, 13506-900, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
| | - Nilson S Nagamoto
- Department of Vegetal Production, UNESP - São Paulo State University, 18603-970, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Maurício Bacci
- Center for the Study of Social Insects, UNESP - São Paulo State University, 13506-900, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
| | - Luiz C Forti
- Department of Vegetal Production, UNESP - São Paulo State University, 18603-970, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
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Peter G, Tornai-Lehoczki J, Dlauchy D. Trichomonascus apis sp. nov., a heterothallic yeast species from honeycomb. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2009; 59:1550-4. [DOI: 10.1099/ijs.0.006759-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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Bacci M, Solomon SE, Mueller UG, Martins VG, Carvalho AO, Vieira LG, Silva-Pinhati ACO. Phylogeny of leafcutter ants in the genus Atta Fabricius (Formicidae: Attini) based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2009; 51:427-37. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2008.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2008] [Revised: 10/24/2008] [Accepted: 11/06/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Rodrigues A, Cable RN, Mueller UG, Bacci M, Pagnocca FC. Antagonistic interactions between garden yeasts and microfungal garden pathogens of leaf-cutting ants. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 2009; 96:331-42. [PMID: 19449210 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-009-9350-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2008] [Accepted: 04/29/2009] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
We investigate the diversity of yeasts isolated in gardens of the leafcutter ant Atta texana. Repeated sampling of gardens from four nests over a 1-year time period showed that gardens contain a diverse assemblage of yeasts. The yeast community in gardens consisted mostly of yeasts associated with plants or soil, but community composition changed between sampling periods. In order to understand the potential disease-suppressing roles of the garden yeasts, we screened isolates for antagonistic effects against known microfungal garden contaminants. In vitro assays revealed that yeasts inhibited the mycelial growth of two strains of Escovopsis (a specialized attine garden parasite), Syncephalastrum racemosum (a fungus often growing in gardens of leafcutter lab nests), and the insect pathogen Beauveria bassiana. These garden yeasts add to the growing list of disease-suppressing microbes in attine nests that may contribute synergistically, together with actinomycetes and Burkholderia bacteria, to protect the gardens and the ants against diseases. Additionally, we suggest that garden immunity against problem fungi may therefore derive not only from the presence of disease-suppressing Pseudonocardia actinomycetes, but from an enrichment of multiple disease-suppressing microorganisms in the garden matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andre Rodrigues
- Section of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
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22
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Yeasts and filamentous fungi carried by the gynes of leaf-cutting ants. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 2008; 94:517-26. [DOI: 10.1007/s10482-008-9268-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2008] [Accepted: 07/09/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Schiøtt M, De Fine Licht HH, Lange L, Boomsma JJ. Towards a molecular understanding of symbiont function: identification of a fungal gene for the degradation of xylan in the fungus gardens of leaf-cutting ants. BMC Microbiol 2008; 8:40. [PMID: 18307762 PMCID: PMC2291056 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-8-40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2007] [Accepted: 02/28/2008] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Leaf-cutting ants live in symbiosis with a fungus that they rear for food by providing it with live plant material. Until recently the fungus' main inferred function was to make otherwise inaccessible cell wall degradation products available to the ants, but new studies have shed doubt on this idea. To provide evidence for the cell wall degrading capacity of the attine ant symbiont, we designed PCR primers from conserved regions of known xylanase genes, to be used in PCR with genomic DNA from the symbiont as template. We also measured xylanase, cellulase and proteinase activities in the fungus gardens in order to investigate the dynamics of degradation activities. Results We cloned a xylanase gene from the mutualistic fungus of Acromyrmex echinatior, determined its protein sequence, and inserted it in a yeast expression vector to confirm its substrate specificity. Our results show that the fungus has a functional xylanase gene. We also show by lab experiments in vivo that the activity of fungal xylanase and cellulase is not evenly distributed, but concentrated in the lower layer of fungus gardens, with only modest activity in the middle layer where gongylidia are produced and intermediate activity in the newly established top layer. This vertical distribution appears to be negatively correlated with the concentration of glucose, which indicates a directly regulating role of glucose, as has been found in other fungi and has been previously suggested for the ant fungal symbiont. Conclusion The mutualistic fungus of Acromyrmex echinatior has a functional xylanase gene and is thus presumably able to at least partially degrade the cell walls of leaves. This finding supports a saprotrophic origin of the fungal symbiont. The observed distribution of enzyme activity leads us to propose that leaf-substrate degradation in fungus gardens is a multi-step process comparable to normal biodegradation of organic matter in soil ecosystems, but with the crucial difference that a single fungal symbiont realizes most of the steps that are normally provided by a series of microorganisms that colonize fallen leaves in a distinct succession.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morten Schiøtt
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Kurtzman CP. Blastobotrys americana sp. nov., Blastobotrys illinoisensis sp. nov., Blastobotrys malaysiensis sp. nov., Blastobotrys muscicola sp. nov., Blastobotrys peoriensis sp. nov. and Blastobotrys raffinosifermentans sp. nov., novel anamorphic yeast species. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2007; 57:1154-1162. [PMID: 17473275 DOI: 10.1099/ijs.0.64847-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The genus Blastobotrys, which now includes species previously assigned to the synonymous genera Arxula and Sympodiomyces, represents the anamorph of the ascosporogenous genus Trichomonascus. Six novel species are proposed for assignment to Blastobotrys. They were detected from their unique nucleotide sequences in large-subunit rDNA, ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA, mitochondrial small-subunit rDNA and the cytochrome oxidase II gene. The proposed novel species are Blastobotrys americana sp. nov. (type strain NRRL Y-6844(T)=CBS 10337(T); substrate unknown; Kansas, USA), Blastobotrys illinoisensis sp. nov. (type strain NRRL YB-1343(T)=CBS 10339(T); from forest debris; Illinois, USA), Blastobotrys malaysiensis sp. nov. (type strain NRRL Y-6417(T)=CBS 10336(T); from soil; Malaysia), Blastobotrys muscicola sp. nov. (type strain NRRL Y-7993(T)=CBS 10338(T); from moss; Louisiana, USA), Blastobotrys peoriensis sp. nov. (type strain NRRL YB-2290(T)=CBS 10340(T); from a fungus; Peoria, IL, USA) and Blastobotrys raffinosifermentans sp. nov. (type strain NRRL Y-27150(T)=CBS 6800(T); substrate unknown).
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MESH Headings
- DNA, Fungal/chemistry
- DNA, Fungal/genetics
- DNA, Ribosomal/chemistry
- DNA, Ribosomal/genetics
- DNA, Ribosomal Spacer/chemistry
- DNA, Ribosomal Spacer/genetics
- Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics
- Environmental Microbiology
- Fungal Proteins/genetics
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Mycological Typing Techniques
- Phylogeny
- RNA/genetics
- RNA, Mitochondrial
- RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics
- RNA, Ribosomal, 28S/genetics
- RNA, Ribosomal, 5.8S/genetics
- Saccharomycetales/classification
- Saccharomycetales/cytology
- Saccharomycetales/genetics
- Sequence Analysis, DNA
- Sequence Homology
- United States
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Affiliation(s)
- Cletus P Kurtzman
- Microbial Genomics and Bioprocessing Research Unit, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, 1815 N. University St, Peoria, IL 61604, USA
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Kurtzman CP, Robnett CJ. Multigene phylogenetic analysis of the Trichomonascus, Wickerhamiella and Zygoascus yeast clades, and the proposal of Sugiyamaella gen. nov. and 14 new species combinations. FEMS Yeast Res 2007; 7:141-51. [PMID: 17311592 DOI: 10.1111/j.1567-1364.2006.00157.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Relationships among species assigned to the ascosporic yeast genera Sporopachydermia, Stephanoascus, Trichomonascus, Wickerhamiella and Zygoascus, and to the associated anamorphic genera Arxula, Blastobotrys, Sympodiomyces and Trigonopsis, were determined from phylogenetic analyses of gene sequences from the nearly complete large-subunit rRNA gene, the mitochondrial small-subunit rRNA gene, and cytochrome oxidase II. The genus Stephanoascus is polyphyletic, resulting in reassignment of two species to the older genus Trichomonascus and the third to Sugiyamaella gen. nov. (type species Sugiyamaella smithiae). The genera Sporopachydermia, Wickerhamiella and Zygoascus appear to be monophyletic. The species Pichia ofunaensis and P. tannicola are proposed for transfer to Zygoascus. Arxula, Blastobotrys and Sympodiomyces are members of the Trichomonascus clade, with the genus Blastobotrys having taxonomic priority for anamorphic states. Trigonopsis variabilis and three species of Candida represent a distinct clade. From the foregoing gene sequence analyses, the new ascosporic genus Sugiyamaella is proposed, as are 14 new species combinations and the new family Trichomonascaceae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cletus P Kurtzman
- Microbial Genomics and Bioprocessing Research Unit, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Peoria, IL 61604, USA.
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Rosa CA, Lachance MA, Teixeira LCRS, Pimenta RS, Morais PB. Metschnikowia cerradonensis sp. nov., a yeast species isolated from ephemeral flowers and their nitidulid beetles in Brazil. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2007; 57:161-165. [PMID: 17220460 DOI: 10.1099/ijs.0.64624-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel yeast species, Metschnikowia cerradonensis sp. nov., is described from 12 strains isolated from flowers of Ipomoea carnea and from beetles of the genus Conotelus in the Cerrado ecosystem in the region of Jalapão, Tocantins State, Brazil. Analysis of the sequences of the rRNA gene cluster suggested that M. cerradonensis is closely related to Metschnikowia santaceciliae, Metschnikowia continentalis and an undescribed species represented by strain UWOPS 00-154.1. These species mate together but ascospores are very rarely formed, showing that they represent distinct biological species. M. cerradonensis is apparently endemic to the Cerrado ecosystem of the Jalapão area. The type strain of M. cerradonensis is UFMG 03-T67.1T (h+) (=CBS 10409T=NRRL Y-48067T) and the designated allotype is UFMG 03-T68.1 (h−) (=CBS 10410=NRRL Y-48068).
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A Rosa
- Departamento de Microbiologia, ICB, C.P. 486, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Marc-André Lachance
- Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Lia C R S Teixeira
- Departamento de Microbiologia, ICB, C.P. 486, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Raphael S Pimenta
- Laboratório de Microbiologia Ambiental e Biologia, Campus Universitário de Palmas, Fundação Universidade Federal do Tocantins, Palmas, Tocantins, 77010-154, Brazil
| | - Paula B Morais
- Laboratório de Microbiologia Ambiental e Biologia, Campus Universitário de Palmas, Fundação Universidade Federal do Tocantins, Palmas, Tocantins, 77010-154, Brazil
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Rodrigues A, Pagnocca FC, Bacci MJ, Hebling MJA, Bueno OC, Pfenning LH. Variability of non-mutualistic filamentous fungi associated withAtta sexdens rubropilosa nests. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2005; 50:421-5. [PMID: 16475502 DOI: 10.1007/bf02931424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
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-S), 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. oxysporum, Fusarium solani, Moniliella suaveolens 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.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Rodrigues
- Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais, UNESP, 13506-900 Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil.
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