The Life of a Dead Ant: The Expression of an Adaptive Extended Phenotype. Export

@article{citeulike:5398420, abstract = {doi: 10.1086/603640 PMID: 19627240 Abstract: 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 before 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 ∼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.}, author = {Andersen, Sandra B. and Gerritsma, Sylvia and Yusah, Kalsum M. and Mayntz, David and Hywel‐Jones, Nigel L. and Billen, Johan and Boomsma, Jacobus J. and Hughes, David P.}, citeulike-article-id = {5398420}, citeulike-linkout-0 = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/603640}, citeulike-linkout-1 = {http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/603640}, day = {1}, doi = {10.1086/603640}, journal = {The American Naturalist}, keywords = {ant, parasite}, month = {September}, number = {3}, pages = {424--433}, posted-at = {2009-11-02 11:33:25}, priority = {2}, title = {The Life of a Dead Ant: The Expression of an Adaptive Extended Phenotype.}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/603640}, volume = {174}, year = {2009} }

TY - JOUR ID - citeulike:5398420 L3 - citeulike-article-id:5398420 N2 - doi: 10.1086/603640 PMID: 19627240 Abstract: 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 before 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 ∼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. IS - 3 JF - The American Naturalist EP - 433 TI - The Life of a Dead Ant: The Expression of an Adaptive Extended Phenotype. VL - 174 SP - 424 KW - ant KW - parasite AU - Andersen, Sandra AU - Gerritsma, Sylvia AU - Yusah, Kalsum AU - Mayntz, David AU - Hywel‐Jones, Nigel AU - Billen, Johan AU - Boomsma, Jacobus AU - Hughes, David PY - 2009/09/01/ UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/603640 ER -