Dataset Information

Asexual and sexual reproduction are two separate developmental pathways in a Termitomyces species.

ABSTRACT: Although mutualistic symbioses per definition are beneficial for interacting species, conflict may arise if partners reproduce independently. We address how this reproductive conflict is regulated in the obligate mutualistic symbiosis between fungus-growing termites and Termitomyces fungi. Even though the termites and their fungal symbiont disperse independently to establish new colonies, dispersal is correlated in time. The fungal symbiont typically forms mushrooms a few weeks after the colony has produced dispersing alates. It is thought that this timing is due to a trade-off between alate and worker production; alate production reduces resources available for worker production. As workers consume the fungus, reduced numbers of workers will allow mushrooms to 'escape' from the host colony. Here, we test a specific version of this hypothesis: the typical asexual structures found in all species of Termitomyces-nodules-are immature stages of mushrooms that are normally harvested by the termites at a primordial stage. We refute this hypothesis by showing that nodules and mushroom primordia are macro- and microscopically different structures and by showing that in the absence of workers, primordia do, and nodules do not grow out into mushrooms. It remains to be tested whether termite control of primordia formation or of primordia outgrowth mitigates the reproductive conflict.

SUBMITTER: Vreeburg SME

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7480157 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Asexual and sexual reproduction are two separate developmental pathways in a <i>Termitomyces</i> species.

Vreeburg Sabine M E SME de Ruijter Norbert C A NCA Zwaan Bas J BJ da Costa Rafael R RR Poulsen Michael M Aanen Duur K DK

Biology letters 20200812 8

Although mutualistic symbioses per definition are beneficial for interacting species, conflict may arise if partners reproduce independently. We address how this reproductive conflict is regulated in the obligate mutualistic symbiosis between fungus-growing termites and <i>Termitomyces</i> fungi. Even though the termites and their fungal symbiont disperse independently to establish new colonies, dispersal is correlated in time. The fungal symbiont typically forms mushrooms a few weeks after the ...[more]

PMID: 32781906

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Dataset Information

Asexual and sexual reproduction are two separate developmental pathways in a Termitomyces species.

Publications

Asexual and sexual reproduction are two separate developmental pathways in a <i>Termitomyces</i> species.

Similar Datasets

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