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A Food Factory Strictly Managed by Fungus-growing Termites

A Food Factory Strictly Managed by Fungus-growing Termites

Abstract

In this study, we analyzed fungus gardens of Odontotermes feae (Wasmann), which are associated with Termitomiyces eurhizus (Berk.) R. Heim, and of Ancistrotermes pakistanicus Ahmad, which are associated with T. striatus (Beeli) R. Heim, to examine the ecological effects of termite use on primordium and fruiting-body formation. Our results indicate that the symbiotic termites strictly managed those fungus gardens that developed fruiting bodies. We also found that the termites prevented fruiting-body formation in fungus gardens of O. feae associated with T. eurhizus by eating the blackish tips of the primordia just prior to fruiting-body development. Ancistrotermes pakisutanicus, however, did not eat the growing primordia of T. striatus. Instead, the primordia became fruiting bodies, the pseudorhizae of which were used along with the fungus garden as food for the termites. Moreover, our results revealed that Termitomyces developed fruiting bodies in the fungus gardens after the termites had deserted the nest. Inconclusion, although the behavior between O. feae and A. pakistanicus toward fungus combs differs, their common goal is to maintain mycelial masses, including woody debris as a food resource.

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citations
The total number of citations received by all articles of the researcher of interest.
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
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