Abstract
Genera of ambrosia beetles in the tribe Xyleborini with large, mesonotal mycangia host unique fungal symbionts in the genus Ambrosiella. The symbiont of a recent invasive to the USA from Asia, Anisandrus maiche Stark, had not been previously characterized. We found the mycangium anatomy of An. maiche collected in Ohio to be similar to that of Anisandrus dispar and consistently isolated a novel fungus, Ambrosiella cleistominuta sp. nov., from An. maiche mycangia and galleries. The fungus was distinguished from other named Ambrosiella by morphological characters and DNA sequences (ITS rDNA and tef-1α). The mycangial symbionts of ambrosia beetles had been assumed to be strictly asexual, but A. cleistominuta produces cleistothecious ascomata with ascospores in beetle galleries and in culture. In contrast to ascomata of other Ceratocystidaceae, the relatively small ascomata of A. cleistominuta are neckless and without ostioles. The ascospores are relatively large, and single-ascospore colonies produced ascomata and ascospores in culture, showing that A. cleistominuta is homothallic.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
