Potential Viral Symbiont in Leaf Cutter Ant System
Open Access
- Author:
- Jethon, Annalise M
- Area of Honors:
- Biology
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Marilyn J Roossinck, Thesis Supervisor
Benoit A Dayrat, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- virus
totivirus
Leucoagaricus gongylophorus
mutualism
symbiosis
leaf cutter ants
Attini ant system
Attini - Abstract:
- The ancient Attini ant symbiotic system, also known as the leaf-cutter ant system, is a textbook example of symbiosis. It consists of the Attini ant farmers that feed on the special mycelia structure, gongylidia, that is a part of their Leucoagaricus gongylophorus crop. The system is also host to Escovopsis weberi, a parasitic pathogenic fungus that is kept at bay by a bacterium utilized by the ants (Currie, 2001). Living among and within the three major players, there are many microorganisms that aid in the upkeep of the system that are continuously being discovered as knowledge of the system expands. Leucoagaricus gongylophorus is predicted to be host to a potential viral symbiont, likely a totivirus. The potential for a viral symbiont could expand the knowledge of mutualist viral symbionts to a multipartite symbiotic system. The study is conducted through dsRNA extraction from L. gongylophorus samples, random priming cloning, and RT-PCR. Further analysis through cloning and sequencing will provide the information needed to confirm the identity of the putative viral symbiont.
Accessible Version in Progress
We're generating an accessible version of this file to meet ADA Title II requirements. This process may take up to one hour. Please return later to access the accessible copy once it's ready.
You can still download the current version by clicking "OK".
What's happening:
An accessible PDF is being generated using Adobe with AI used to generate alternative text (alt text) for images in the PDF.