Climatic effects on the distribution of ant- and bat fly-associated fungal ectoparasites (Ascomycota,Laboulbeniales)

Laboulbeniales (Ascomycota: Laboulbeniomycetes) are obligate ectoparasitic fungi of arthropods with a worldwide distribution. Their effects on host physiology and behaviour as well as their ecology have recently gained wider attention. One aspect that is virtually unknown regarding Laboulbeniales and arthropod-associated fungi in general, is how abiotic factors shape the distribution of these parasites. We used ant- and bat fly-associated Laboulbeniales to study whether climatic elements play a role in the distribution of fungal species. We collected uninfected and Laboulbeniales-infected insects belonging to three species: bat flies Nycteribia schmidlii and Penicillidia conspicua (Diptera: Nycteribiidae) and the ant Myrmica scabrinodis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). We used climatic variables and performed statistical analyses to explain the distribution of Laboulbeniales infection. Our results show a higher likelihood of Laboulbeniales presence in habitats with low annual mean temperature and humidity, suggesting that climatic elements can considerably shape the distribution of Laboulbeniales species.     

梭绒盘菌(子囊菌门:锤舌菌纲)对寄主植物Medeola virginiana的系统性侵染(英文)

设计了用于扩增梭绒盘菌ITS rDNA片段的特异性引物。研究发现,梭绒盘菌不仅存在于被侵染植物的茎部病斑中,而且存在于寄主Medeola virginiana未被感染的叶片、茎及根部。由于寄主植物通过克隆繁殖,因此病害发生与营养体的系统性侵染有关。文中评述了寄主植物的生长模式以及该菌在其寄主群体中长期生存的状况。