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Interaction specificity between leaf-cutting ants and vertically transmitted Pseudonocardia bacteria.

Sandra B Andersen1,2, Sze Huei Yek3,4, David R Nash5

  • 1Centre for Social Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark. sandrabreumandersen@gmail.com.

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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Fungus-growing ants and their symbiotic bacteria show co-adaptation. Cross-fostering experiments revealed that specific ant-bacteria pairings enhance bacterial growth and influence ant behaviors, indicating evolved mutualism.

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Area of Science:

  • Symbiotic interactions
  • Insect-microbe mutualism
  • Evolutionary co-adaptation

Background:

  • Fungus-growing ants (e.g., Acromyrmex echinatior) engage in obligate mutualism with microbial symbionts.
  • Ants cultivate fungi for food and use actinomycete bacteria (Pseudonocardia) for defense against pathogens like Escovopsis.
  • Acromyrmex echinatior ants associate with two main Pseudonocardia phylotypes (Ps1 and Ps2) transmitted vertically.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate co-adaptation between Acromyrmex echinatior ants and Pseudonocardia bacterial phylotypes.
  • To determine how host-symbiont specificity affects bacterial growth and ant defensive behaviors.
  • To test for evolved mutualism through a cross-fostering experiment.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-fostering experiment was conducted using Acromyrmex echinatior ants and their associated Pseudonocardia phylotypes (Ps1 and Ps2).
  • Bacterial colonization and growth were assessed on different ant hosts.
  • Ant grooming and weeding behaviors were quantified after experimental swapping of bacterial symbionts.

Main Results:

  • Pseudonocardia bacteria colonized ants regardless of their colony origin.
  • The Ps2 phylotype exhibited higher final cover on its native host compared to alternative hosts.
  • Ant grooming and weeding behaviors varied significantly with symbiont/host combinations, indicating behavioral adjustments.

Conclusions:

  • The interactions between leaf-cutting ants and Pseudonocardia bacteria show clear signs of mutual co-adaptation.
  • These findings highlight the specificity and stability of multi-species interactions in this ant-microbe system.