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Read moreThe giant fungus among us; Macrocybe titans
Macrocybe titans
Copyright © 2007 El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (Ecosur)
Fungal aroma; the attraction of 'pollinators'
Epichloë typhina, a fungus that attracts Botanophila flies.
A fungal compound that initially evolved as an antifungal agent is now used to attract 'pollinators'.
Read moreBark beetle competition with its own ‘mutualist’
Beetles represent 40% of all the insects, and 25% of all the animals living on Earth today.
Beetles are the most diverse group of insects in the world. They have been interacting with the forest floor since the Carboniferous, more than 300 million years ago. With this long period of time, one can see why so many evolutionary relationships have occurred since they made their way on to Earth's terrestrial scene.
Read more“Defensive mixology,” an ant mechanism used to reduce pathogens
Top ant cadaver covered in pathogen Metarhizium brunneum.
Tree resins evolved to reduce fungal, bacterial and insect pathogens and parasites. This new research shows that these properties are not only harnessed by wood ants, but actively enhanced through the application of two acids the ants produce.
Read moreEcological black holes; accessing the function of leafcutter ants
The large in-focus ant with robust mandibles is a worker of the Mediae cast. Mediae workers do most of the heavy lifting, cutting and carrying plant tissue great distances to the fungal garden. The smaller two ants (Minors) are on patrol, defending the larger Madiae worker from parasitic phorid flies. So no, these smaller ants aren't just getting a free ride. They are working too.
Learn how the some of the largest colonies on earth farm fungi and act as ecological black holes.
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