Broad Escovopsis‐inhibition activity of Pseudonocardia associated with Trachymyrmex ants. Issue 4 (8th January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Meirelles, Lucas A.; Mendes, Thaís D.; Solomon, Scott E.; Bueno, Odair C.; Pagnocca, Fernando C.; Rodrigues, Andre
• Is Part Of: Environmental microbiology reports. Volume 6:Issue 4(2014)
• Page Start: 339
• Page End: 345
• Publication Date: 2014-01-08
• Subjects: Microbial ecology -- Periodicals; Environmental Microbiology -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 579.17
• DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.12132
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1758-2229

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Summary</title> <p>Attine ants maintain an association with antibiotic‐producing Actinobacteria found on their integuments. Evidence supports these bacteria as auxiliary symbionts that help ants to defend the fungus gardens against pathogens. Using <italic>P</italic><italic>seudonocardia</italic> strains isolated from <italic>T</italic><italic>rachymyrmex</italic> ants, we tested whether the inhibitory capabilities of such strains are restricted to <italic>E</italic><italic>scovopsis</italic> parasites that infect gardens of this ant genus. Twelve <italic>P</italic><italic>seudonocardia </italic>strains were tested in <italic>in vitro</italic> bioassays against <italic>E</italic><italic>scovopsis</italic> strains derived from fungus gardens of <italic>T</italic><italic>rachymyrmex</italic> (<italic>n</italic> = 1) and leaf‐cutting ants (<italic>n</italic> = 3). Overall, significant differences were observed in the mycelial growth among each <italic>E</italic><italic>scovopsis</italic> strain in the presence of <italic>P</italic><italic>seudonocardia</italic>. Particularly, <italic>E</italic><italic>scovopsis</italic> from <italic>A</italic><italic>cromyrmex</italic> and <italic>T</italic><italic>rachymyrmex </italic>were the most inhibited strains in comparison to <italic>E</italic><italic>scovopsis</italic> isolated from <italic>A</italic><italic>tta</italic>. This result suggests that <italic>P</italic><italic>seudonocardia </italic>isolated from <italic>T</italic><italic>rachymyrmex</italic> possibly secrete antimicrobial compounds effective against diverse <italic>E</italic><italic>scovopsis </italic>strains. The fact that <italic>T</italic><italic>rachymyrmex</italic> ants harbour <italic>P</italic><italic>seudonocardia </italic>strains with broad spectrum of activity and its defensive role on attine gardens are discussed.</p> </abstract>