Mutualistic Ophiostomatoid Fungi Equally Benefit from Both a Bark Beetle Pheromone and Host Tree Volatiles as Nutrient Sources

Interactions between mutualistic bark beetles and ophiostomatoid fungi have received considerable attention in recent years. Studies have shown how volatile organic compounds emitted from mutualist fungi affect the behaviors of several bark beetle species. However, we currently lack sufficient knowl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Microbial ecology 2021-05, Vol.81 (4), p.1106-1110
Main Authors: Liu, Yanzhuo, Anastacio, Gean Rodrigues, Ishangulyyeva, Guncha, Rodriguez-Ramos, Jean C., Erbilgin, Nadir
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bark
Beetles
Biomass
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Ecology
Ergosterol
Fungi
Geoecology/Natural Processes
Growth
Headspace
Life Sciences
Microbial Ecology
Microbiology
Mineral nutrients
Mountains
Mycelia
Nature Conservation
Nutrient sources
Organic compounds
Pheromones
VOCs
Volatile compounds
Volatile organic compounds
Volatiles
Water Quality/Water Pollution
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Summary:Interactions between mutualistic bark beetles and ophiostomatoid fungi have received considerable attention in recent years. Studies have shown how volatile organic compounds emitted from mutualist fungi affect the behaviors of several bark beetle species. However, we currently lack sufficient knowledge regarding whether bark beetle pheromones can influence mutualist fungi. Here, we measured growth and biomass of two mutualistic fungi of the mountain pine beetle in response to headspace of a beetle pheromone ( trans -verbenol), a blend of host tree volatiles, the combination of both, or control (no volatile source) in vitro experiments consisting of a nitrogen-based medium. The surface area and ergosterol content of the mycelia were used as surrogates for fungal growth and biomass respectively. We found that both growth and biomass of Grosmannia clavigera and Ophiostoma montium were greater in medium exposed to any type of volatile sources than the control. While growth and ergosterol content of G. clavigera were highest in the combination treatment, there were no differences in growth or biomass among the types of volatiles introduced for O. montium . These results suggest that both mutualistic fungi can utilize both bark beetle pheromone and host tree volatiles as nutrient sources. Overall, these results support the on-going studies on the role of volatile organic compounds mediating mutualistic bark beetle-fungi interactions.
ISSN:0095-3628
1432-184X
DOI:10.1007/s00248-020-01661-z