The life of a dead ant -the expression of an adaptive extended phenotype

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Specialized parasites are expected to express complex adaptations to their hosts. Manipulation of host behavior is such an adaptation. We studied the fungus Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, a locally specialized parasite of arboreal Camponotus leonardi ants. Ant-infecting Ophiocordyceps are known to make hosts bite onto vegetation prior to killing them. We show that this represents a fine-tuned fungal adaptation: an extended phenotype. Dead ants were found under leaves, attached by their mandibles, on the northern side of saplings ca. 25 cm above the soil, where temperature and humidity conditions were optimal for fungal growth. Experimental relocation confirmed that parasite fitness was lower outside this manipulative zone. Host resources were rapidly colonized and further secured by extensive internal structuring. Nutritional composition analysis indicated that such structuring allows the parasite to produce a large fruiting body for spore production. Our findings suggest that the osmotrophic lifestyle of fungi may have facilitated novel exploitation strategies.

 

 

Original languageEnglish
JournalAmerican Naturalist
Volume174
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)424-433
Number of pages10
ISSN0003-0147
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009

Bibliographical note

Keywords: carpenter ants, histological cross sections, life-history evolution, Ophiocordyceps, sclerotia, behavioral manipulation.

ID: 14699265