Abstract
Leaf-cutter ants are widespread neotropical herbivores that farm a fungus for food using leaves. This obligate ant-fungus symbiosis forms the foundation of their complex societies and their colonies can contain millions of workers ranging in size from small fungus tenders to large soldiers. In this issue of PLoS Genetics, Suen et al. report the genome sequence of the leaf-cutter ant Atta cephalotes. Genome comparisons with other social and non-social insects reveal features of their obligate lifestyle. These include loss of genes involved in nutrient acquisition and amino acid biosynthesis, suggesting a role in helping to stabilize this ant-fungus mutualism over its ancient coevolutionary history. Image Credit: Alex Wild.
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