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Broad E scovopsis ‐inhibition activity of P seudonocardia associated with T rachymyrmex ants
Author(s) -
Meirelles Lucas A.,
Mendes Thaís D.,
Solomon Scott E.,
Bueno Odair C.,
Pagnocca Fernando C.,
Rodrigues Andre
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
environmental microbiology reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.229
H-Index - 69
ISSN - 1758-2229
DOI - 10.1111/1758-2229.12132
Subject(s) - fungus , biology , atta , microbiology and biotechnology , mycelium , bacteria , antimicrobial , strain (injury) , in vitro , botany , hymenoptera , genetics , anatomy
Summary Attine ants maintain an association with antibiotic‐producing A ctinobacteria found on their integuments. Evidence supports these bacteria as auxiliary symbionts that help ants to defend the fungus gardens against pathogens. Using P seudonocardia strains isolated from T rachymyrmex ants, we tested whether the inhibitory capabilities of such strains are restricted to E scovopsis parasites that infect gardens of this ant genus. Twelve P seudonocardia strains were tested in in vitro bioassays against E scovopsis strains derived from fungus gardens of T rachymyrmex ( n = 1) and leaf‐cutting ants ( n = 3). Overall, significant differences were observed in the mycelial growth among each E scovopsis strain in the presence of P seudonocardia . Particularly, E scovopsis from A cromyrmex and T rachymyrmex were the most inhibited strains in comparison to E scovopsis isolated from A tta . This result suggests that P seudonocardia isolated from T rachymyrmex possibly secrete antimicrobial compounds effective against diverse E scovopsis strains. The fact that T rachymyrmex ants harbour P seudonocardia strains with broad spectrum of activity and its defensive role on attine gardens are discussed.