You are what your fungus eats: Diet shapes the microbial garden of a fungus-growing ant DOI

Mariana de Oliveira Barcoto,

Raquel Sousa,

J Soares

et al.

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 25, 2025

Abstract Background Fungus-growing ants maintain an ectosymbiotic microbial garden, intertwined mesh of fungal symbiont hyphae growing through plant cells. In this environment, decay progresses along a longitudinal continuum, providing scaffold for microbiota that colonizes both the and substrate. study, we investigate how different diets influence garden chemical profile, whether respond to these dietary changes. Colonies Atta sexdens were provided with four regimens over 56 days, each varying in fiber composition nutritional content. We then analyzed lignocellulosic profile taxonomic spatial distribution microbiota. Results observed spatiotemporal assembly throughout lignocellulose regions exhibiting distinct patterns bacterial richness, abundance, diversity. 13C ssNMR revealed fruits cereals led increase hemicelluloses, particularly those related xylan, across various regions. Metabarcoding data indicated changes influenced composition, although also detected some microbes flexibly adapted diets. Otherwise, certain genera were more prevalent leaf-based diets, while others favored fruit-based Some thrive when exposed mix fibers degrees recalcitrance. The varied according diet, as by SEM analysis. Notably, correlated biofilm spreading altered crop development. Our findings suggest composed exclusively cereals, has significant impact on colony health functioning. Conclusions Distinct substrates, shaped microhabitats, affecting system several intercorrelated dimensions: garden’s distribution, health. highlight pivotal role diet shaping defining landscape, ultimately determining ant colonies function optimally remain healthy.

Language: Английский

You are what your fungus eats: Diet shapes the microbial garden of a fungus-growing ant DOI

Mariana de Oliveira Barcoto,

Raquel Sousa,

J Soares

et al.

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 25, 2025

Abstract Background Fungus-growing ants maintain an ectosymbiotic microbial garden, intertwined mesh of fungal symbiont hyphae growing through plant cells. In this environment, decay progresses along a longitudinal continuum, providing scaffold for microbiota that colonizes both the and substrate. study, we investigate how different diets influence garden chemical profile, whether respond to these dietary changes. Colonies Atta sexdens were provided with four regimens over 56 days, each varying in fiber composition nutritional content. We then analyzed lignocellulosic profile taxonomic spatial distribution microbiota. Results observed spatiotemporal assembly throughout lignocellulose regions exhibiting distinct patterns bacterial richness, abundance, diversity. 13C ssNMR revealed fruits cereals led increase hemicelluloses, particularly those related xylan, across various regions. Metabarcoding data indicated changes influenced composition, although also detected some microbes flexibly adapted diets. Otherwise, certain genera were more prevalent leaf-based diets, while others favored fruit-based Some thrive when exposed mix fibers degrees recalcitrance. The varied according diet, as by SEM analysis. Notably, correlated biofilm spreading altered crop development. Our findings suggest composed exclusively cereals, has significant impact on colony health functioning. Conclusions Distinct substrates, shaped microhabitats, affecting system several intercorrelated dimensions: garden’s distribution, health. highlight pivotal role diet shaping defining landscape, ultimately determining ant colonies function optimally remain healthy.

Language: Английский

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