Evidence that the domesticated fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus recycles its cytoplasmic contents as nutritional rewards to feed its leafcutter ant farmers [PDF]
IMA Fungus, 2023 Leafcutter ants farm a fungal cultivar (Leucoagaricus gongylophorus) that converts inedible vegetation into food that sustains colonies with up to millions of workers. Analogous to edible fruits of crops domesticated by humans, L.
Pedro Elias Marques +2 more
exaly +4 more sources
The Symbiotic Fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus (Möller) Singer (Agaricales, Agaricaceae) as a Target Organism to Control Leaf-Cutting Ants [PDF]
Insects, 2022 Atta and Acromyrmex are the main genera of leaf-cutting ants present in North and South America, causing extensive damage to agroforestry. Control of the ants requires high handling costs with few effective methods available to decrease the losses.
Sean Araújo +10 more
doaj +3 more sources
Enrichment and Broad Representation of Plant Biomass-Degrading Enzymes in the Specialized Hyphal Swellings of Leucoagaricus gongylophorus, the Fungal Symbiont of Leaf-Cutter Ants [PDF]
PLoS ONE, 2015 Leaf-cutter ants are prolific and conspicuous constituents of Neotropical ecosystems that derive energy from specialized fungus gardens they cultivate using prodigious amounts of foliar biomass.
Paul Piehowski +2 more
exaly +4 more sources
Development of Xanthyletin-Loaded Nanoparticles for the Control of Leucoagaricus gongylophorus [PDF]
MoleculesThis study describes the development, characterization and in vitro evaluation of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) nanoparticles loaded with xanthyletin for the control of Atta sexdens rubropilosa through the inhibition of its symbiotic fungus Leucoagaricus ...
Cristiane de Melo Cazal +8 more
doaj +3 more sources
Two +ssRNA mycoviruses cohabiting the fungal cultivar of leafcutter ants [PDF]
Virology JournalLeafcutter ants are dominant herbivores in the Neotropics and rely on a fungus (Leucoagaricus gongylophorus) to transform freshly gathered leaves into a source of nourishment rather than consuming the vegetation directly.
Asta Rødsgaard-Jørgensen +6 more
doaj +3 more sources
Protocol for generating protoplasts from the leafcutter ant symbiotic fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus [PDF]
STAR ProtocolsSummary: We present a protocol to isolate viable protoplasted cells of the basidiomycete fungal mutualist (Leucoagaricus gongylophorus) obligately farmed by leafcutter ants. We describe steps for culturing actively growing mycelia, enzymatic digestion of
Ayoub Stelate, Jonathan Z. Shik
doaj +2 more sources
Towards a Novel Biocontrol Strategy: High Performance of Optimised Cell Wall-Degrading Enzymes Secreted by Escovopsis primorosea LBM 277. [PDF]
Environ Microbiol RepEscovopsis primorosea LBM 277 efficiently produced proteases, β‐1,3‐glucanases and chitinases under submerged fermentation using Leucoagaricus gongylophorus cell walls and Mandels complex. RSM‐BBD optimization significantly increased enzyme activity. The enzymatic cocktail remained stable for 30 days at room temperature and pH 4–6, aligning with the ...
Barengo MP +4 more
europepmc +2 more sources
A Conserved Lignocellulolytic Secretome with Quantitative Modulation in Leucoagaricus gongylophorus, the Mutualistic Fungus of Leaf-Cutting Ants [PDF]
MycobiologyLeucoagaricus gongylophorus is essential to the mutualistic relationship between leaf-cutting ants and their fungal gardens. Known for its ability to degrade complex plant polysaccharides, this fungus produces a range of CAZymes and FOLymes enzymes that ...
Gabriela Cejas-Añón +5 more
doaj +2 more sources
Production of Escovopsis weberi (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) Mycelial Pellets and Their Effects on Leaf-Cutting Ant Fungal Gardens [PDF]
Pathogens, 2023 The maintenance of the symbiosis between leaf-cutting ants and their mutualistic fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus Singer (Moller) is vital for the survival of both species.
Thais Berçot Pontes Teodoro +6 more
doaj +2 more sources
Bacteria Contribute to Plant Secondary Compound Degradation in a Generalist Herbivore System [PDF]
mBio, 2020 Herbivores must overcome a variety of plant defenses, including coping with plant secondary compounds (PSCs). To help detoxify these defensive chemicals, several insect herbivores are known to harbor gut microbiota with the metabolic capacity to degrade ...
Charlotte B. Francoeur +7 more
doaj +2 more sources