Leaf-cutting ant faecal fluid and mandibular gland secretion: effects on microfungi spore germination

Area of Science:

• Myrmecology (study of ants)
• Microbiology
• Chemical Ecology

Background:

• Leaf-cutting ants (Atta sexdens rubropilosa) cultivate fungi for food.
• Ant nests harbor diverse microfungi, some potentially pathogenic or symbiotic.
• Chemical communication and defense mechanisms in social insects are crucial for colony survival.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of mandibular gland secretion (MGS) and faecal fluid (FF) from Atta sexdens rubropilosa on the spore germination of microfungi.
• To compare the inhibitory potential of MGS and FF against selected microfungi species.

Main Methods:

• Isolation of microfungi from Atta sexdens rubropilosa nests.
• Collection of mandibular gland secretion (MGS) and faecal fluid (FF) from the ants.
• In vitro assays to assess the impact of MGS and FF on microfungi spore germination.

Main Results:

• Both MGS and FF demonstrated inhibitory effects on the spore germination of the tested microfungi.
• Mandibular gland secretion (MGS) exhibited stronger inhibitory activity compared to faecal fluid (FF).
• MGS completely inhibited spore germination in four out of the six microfungi species studied.

Conclusions:

• The mandibular gland secretion of Atta sexdens rubropilosa possesses significant antifungal properties.
• Ant secretions may play a role in regulating microfungi populations within their nests, potentially as a defense mechanism.
• Further research could explore the specific compounds responsible for the antifungal activity in MGS and FF.