Melanized fungi associated to leafcutter ants (Formicidae: tribo Attini)

Abstract

Studies revealed the importance and complexity of the symbiosis between fungi and leafcutter ants. Efforts have been made in order to improve knowledge on the real role played by fungi inside ant colonies. This work has the purpose of isolating and identifying melanized fungi in ant nests, which were recently reported. The cuticle of soldiers and workers of Atta sexdens rubropilosa (saúva-Limão), created in the laboratory, and the litter resulting from their activities will be sampled. Thus, our final goal is to bring information to help the comprehension of this complex niche. Fungal cultures will be isolated by spreading different parts of soldiers and workers on agar and inoculating the cuticle after scraping. The flotation method will be used for the litter samples, aiming at the isolation of hydrocarbon-degrading representatives. Mycosel agar will be used for the isolation step. Based on a previous analysis it was observed that melanized fungi are present in this niche, like Curvularia, Cladosporium, Cladophialophora, Coniosporium, Exophiala, and Phialophora. These species tend to be opportunistic, which makes this study even more relevant. All strains will be identified at the species level to bring more detailed information about the group under study, and clarify their relevance to the symbiosis.(AU)