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

André Rodrigues; Carla D Carletti; Odair C Bueno; Fernando C Pagnocca

doi:10.1590/S1517-838220080001000016

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

Braz J Microbiol. 2008 Jan;39(1):64-7. doi: 10.1590/S1517-838220080001000016. Epub 2008 Mar 1.

Authors

André Rodrigues¹, Carla D Carletti, Odair C Bueno, Fernando C Pagnocca

Affiliation

¹ Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Universidade do Estado de São Paulo , Rio Claro, SP , Brasil ; Departmento de Bioquímica e Microbiologia, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Universidade do Estado de São Paulo , Rio Claro, SP , Brasil.

Abstract

The mandibular gland secretion (MGS) and the faecal fluid (FF) of the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel affected the spore germination of selected microfungi isolated from nests of this insect. MGS was more effective than the FF, completely inhibiting the spore germination of four out of six microfungi species.

Keywords: Atta; fungus garden; microorganisms.