Diversity of Termitomyces associated with fungus-farming termites assessed by cultural and culture-independent methods.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Fungus-cultivating termites make use of an obligate mutualism with fungi from the genus Termitomyces, which are acquired through either vertical transmission via reproductive alates or horizontally transmitted during the formation of new mounds. Termitomyces taxonomy, and thus estimating diversity and host specificity of these fungi, is challenging because fruiting bodies are rarely found. Molecular techniques can be applied but need not necessarily yield the same outcome than morphological identification.

Methodology

Culture-dependent and culture-independent methods were used to comprehensively assess host specificity and gut fungal diversity. Termites were identified using mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase II (COII) genes. Twenty-three Termitomyces cultures were

SUBMITTER: Makonde HM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3577893 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature