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<p>Fungus-growing ants maintain an ectosymbiotic microbial garden, an intertwined mesh of fungal symbiont hyphae and microbiota growing through plant substrates. Here, we investigate how different plant diets influence the garden lignocellulosic profile, and whether the microbiota respond to dietary changes. Colonies of <i>Atta sexdens</i> were provided with four different dietary regimens, varying in fiber composition and nutritional content. Diet changed the garden lignocellulosic profile, also influencing the microbial taxonomic composition. The diet of only leaves enriched the garden in <i>Bacillus</i> and <i>Weissella</i>, while a diet of only fruits/cereals lead to a <i>Carnimonas</i> and <i>Mesoplasma</i> enrichment; diets mixing leaves and fruits/cereals intermittently and alternatively enriched the garden in <i>Bacillus, Mesoplasma</i>, and <i>Weissella</i>. The fungal crop development and the spatial distribution of the microbiota and biofilm also varied according to the diet. Our findings suggest that diet has a pivotal role in determining whether ant colonies function optimally and remain healthy.</p>

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You are what your fungus eats: diet shapes the microbial garden of a fungus-growing ant

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月18日

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  • Mariana de Oliveira Barcoto,
  • Raquel Lima de Sousa,
  • João Gabriel da Silva Soares,
  • Rodrigo Henrique dos Santos Garcia,
  • Eduardo Ribeiro deAzevedo,
  • Lucas William Mendes,
  • Odair Correa Bueno,
  • Andre Rodrigues

摘要

Fungus-growing ants maintain an ectosymbiotic microbial garden, an intertwined mesh of fungal symbiont hyphae and microbiota growing through plant substrates. Here, we investigate how different plant diets influence the garden lignocellulosic profile, and whether the microbiota respond to dietary changes. Colonies of Atta sexdens were provided with four different dietary regimens, varying in fiber composition and nutritional content. Diet changed the garden lignocellulosic profile, also influencing the microbial taxonomic composition. The diet of only leaves enriched the garden in Bacillus and Weissella, while a diet of only fruits/cereals lead to a Carnimonas and Mesoplasma enrichment; diets mixing leaves and fruits/cereals intermittently and alternatively enriched the garden in Bacillus, Mesoplasma, and Weissella. The fungal crop development and the spatial distribution of the microbiota and biofilm also varied according to the diet. Our findings suggest that diet has a pivotal role in determining whether ant colonies function optimally and remain healthy.