| Myrmecopterula velohortorum | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Agaricales |
| Family: | Pterulaceae |
| Genus: | Myrmecopterula |
| Species: | M. velohortorum |
| Binomial name | |
| Myrmecopterula velohortorum | |
| Synonyms | |
Pterula velohortorum Dentinger (2014) | |
Myrmecopterula velohortorum is a species of fungus in the family Pterulaceae . It is associated with fungi cultivating ants of the genus Apterostigma.
M. velohortorum was originally classified as Pterula velohortorum by the American mycologist Bryn Tjader Mason Dentinger in 2014. [1] [2] Before being formally classified it was referred to in studies on fungus growing ants as ant cultivar G2 and was found in ant nests belonging to the Apterostigmadentigerum subclade. [3]
It was placed in the new genus Myrmecopterula by the mycologists Caio A. Leal-Dutra, Bryn Tjader Mason Dentinger and Gareth W. Griffith in 2020. [3] [4]
M. velohortorum is cultivated in hanging 'veiled gardens' where the mycelium forms a thin envelope which surrounds the fungal garden. Gardens are found hanging under logs or inside cavities within them or rarely found in cavities in the ground. A single hole may exist in the veil serving as the entrance to the nest. It is hypothesized that M. velohortorum descended from M. nudihortorum with the two species then taking different evolutionary paths due to co-evolving with ants engaged in varying behaviors. Such as the weaving of mycelial threads to produce the veil which the ants are hypothesized to engage in. [5]
Myrmecopterula moniliformis and Myrmecopterula nudihortorum are the only other named species belonging to the genus Myrmecopterula. These are also associated with cultivation by Apterostigma ants. Four other unnamed and poorly documented Myrmecopterula species are known. [3]
Fungus-growing ants comprise all the known fungus-growing ant species participating in ant–fungus mutualism. They are known for cutting grasses and leaves, carrying them to their colonies' nests, and using them to grow fungus on which they later feed.
The ant–fungus mutualism is a symbiosis seen between certain ant and fungal species, in which ants actively cultivate fungus much like humans farm crops as a food source. There is only evidence of two instances in which this form of agriculture evolved in ants resulting in a dependence on fungi for food. These instances were the attine ants and some ants that are part of the Megalomyrmex genus. In some species, the ants and fungi are dependent on each other for survival. This type of codependency is prevalent among herbivores who rely on plant material for nutrition. The fungus’ ability to convert the plant material into a food source accessible to their host makes them the ideal partner. The leafcutter ant is a well-known example of this symbiosis. Leafcutter ants species can be found in southern South America up to the United States. However, ants are not the only ground-dwelling arthropods which have developed symbioses with fungi. A similar mutualism with fungi is also noted in termites within the subfamily Macrotermitinae which are widely distributed throughout the Old World tropics with the highest diversity in Africa.
The Tricholomataceae are a large family of fungi within the order Agaricales. Originally a classic "wastebasket taxon", the family included any white-, yellow-, or pink-spored genera in the Agaricales not already classified as belonging to e.g. the Amanitaceae, Lepiotaceae, Hygrophoraceae, Pluteaceae, or Entolomataceae.
The Physalacriaceae are a family of fungi in the order Agaricales. Species in the family have a widespread distribution, ranging from the Arctic, (Rhizomarasmius), to the tropics, e.g. Gloiocephala, and from marine sites (Mycaureola) and fresh waters (Gloiocephala) to semiarid forests (Xerula).
The Pterulaceae are a family of fungi in the order Agaricales. According to a 2008 estimate, the family contained 99 species previously distributed among 12 genera. More recent data from molecular phylogenetic reconstruction showed that members of the genus Parapterulicium are unrelated to Pterulaceae and also polyphyletic. A new genus Baltazaria was created and both genera were moved to Russulales, to families Lachnocladiaceae and Peniophoraceae respectively.
Aphanobasidium is a genus of corticioid or crust fungi in the Radulomycetaceae family. The genus has a widespread distribution and contains several species. This genus was formally considered to be part of the Pterulaceae family.
Parapterulicium is a genus of fungi in the order Russulales. The genus contains two species found in Brazil and Argentina.
Pterula is a genus of fungi in the Pterulaceae family. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in tropical regions, and contains about 50 species. One such species, Pterula sp. 82168, has yielded potential antifungal antibiotic properties.
Pterulicium is a genus of fungi in the Pterulaceae family. The genus was previously monotypic, containing the single species Pterulicium xylogenum, found in southeast Asia. However in 2020 a major reclassification of the Pterulaceae family occurred based on phylogenetic analysis and the Pterula genus was split into Pterula, Myrmecopterula, Pterulicium and Phaeopterula by the mycologists Caio A. Leal-Dutra, Bryn Tjader Mason Dentinger and Gareth W. Griffith.
Radulomyces is a genus of crust fungi in the family Radulomycetaceae. The genus has a widespread distribution and contains 11 species. It was circumscribed by Danish botanist Mads Peter Christiansen in 1960, with Radulomyces confluens as the type species. This genus was formally considered to be part of the Pterulaceae family.
Leucoagaricus gongylophorus is a fungus in the family Agaricaceae which is cultivated by certain leafcutter ants. Like other species of fungi cultivated by ants, L. gongylophorus produces gongylidia, nutrient-rich hyphal swellings upon which the ants feed. Production of mushrooms occurs only once ants abandon the nest. L. gongylophorus is farmed by leaf cutter ant species belonging to the genera Atta and Acromyrmex, amongst others.
Myrmecopterula is a genus of fungi in the family Pterulaceae. Basidiocarps are clavarioid and are associated with ant domestication by members of the genus Apterostigma.
Myrmecopterula moniliformis is a species of fungus in the family Pterulaceae and is the type species of the genus Myrmecopterula. It is associated with fungi cultivating ants of the genus Apterostigma.
Myrmecopterula nudihortorum is a species of fungus in the family Pterulaceae. It is associated with fungi cultivating ants of the genus Apterostigma.
The Radulomycetaceae are a family of fungi in the order Agaricales.
Phaeopterula is a genus of fungi in the family Pterulaceae. Basidiocarps are clavarioid and resemble species of Pterula.
Radulotubus is a monotypic genus of corticioid or crust fungi in the family Radulomycetaceae containing the single resupinate species Radulotubus resupinatus. This species was found in Yunnan province, China and formally classified in 2016. The specimen was found growing on the fallen trunk of an angiosperm. It was originally placed in the family Pterulaceae and noted to be closesly related with Aphanobasidium and Radulomyces.
Pterulicium caricis-pendulae is a species of mushroom producing fungus in the family Pterulaceae. It has the common name pendulous sedge club.
Pterulicium gracile is a species of mushroom producing fungus in the family Pterulaceae.