Mycophagy of Attini Ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae) with Agaricales Mushrooms (Basidiomycota, Agaricomycetes) at Riparian Zone in Southern Brazil: Micofagia de Formigas Attini (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae) com Cogumelos Agaricales (Basidiomycota, Agaricomycetes) em Zonas Ripárias no Sul do Brasil

Attini ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae) have great diversity in exploiting food resources. However, little is known about the mycophagy involving Agaricales fungi (Basidiomycota, Agaricomycetes). Moreover, these associations are of paramount importance in riparian zones, as the interaction among soil, fauna and flora is fundamental to the maintenance of these environments. Thus, the aim of this study was to describe cases of mycophagy between ants and fungi in order to understand how these associations occur in riparian zones. To this, collections were made between 2021-2022 in the valleys of the Rio Vacacaí, Rio dos Sinos and Rio Pardo in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The samples were analyzed for characters macro and microscopic and identified taxonomically. Mycophagy activities of six species of ants worker were cataloged, among them Acromyrmex niger, Acromyrmex versicolor, Tranopelta gilva, Tranopelta subterranea, Pheidole flavens and Mycetosoritis hartmanni, which included in their diet the mushrooms Agaricus rufoaurantiacus, Macrocybe titans, Agrocybe underwoodii, Dactylosporina steffenii, Lepiota micropholis and Neopaxillus echinospermus, respectively. The observed interactions demonstrate the dispersal of fungal spores through ant body structures, such as legs, antennae, thorax and abdomen; basidiomata as aliment source, such as pileus, lamellae and stipe; and generalized and specialized levels of predation on various fungi structures. Our results demonstrate unprecedented mycophagous relationships and show that Agaricales fungi can be considered a food source for Attini in riparian zones in Brazil south

A relationship between fungi (Basidiomycota, Agaricomycetes, Agaricales) and nutrient content in riparian area of reforestation with Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden (Myrtaceae) in southern Brazil

ABSTRACT Due the tolerance in soil degraded, Eucalyptus is widely used in reforestation area. This study aims to evaluate the fungi that use Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden as substrate in reforestation area in southern Brazil. Fungi were identified and macronutrient and micronutrient contents were evaluated in order to understand the relationship between the fungi and the substrate. There were 200 specimens found, categorized into 25 species belonging to 10 families of Agaricales (Basidiomycota, Fungi). Substrates used by fungi were branches, roots, stems, humus, and soil. Macronutrients mean level found in fungi followed the order Ca>K>P>Mg, and micronutrients S>Fe>Mn>Cu/B>Zn. C:N ratio mean was 13:1, associated with substrate degradation potential, since the enzymatic production of fungi is affected by disposition of these nutrients. The data obtained in this study allowed a better understanding of fungi associated with the exotic arboreal substrate, and their nutritional significance in reforestation area

Bryophilous Agaricomycetes (Fungi, Basidiomycota): A Review to Brazil

Bryophilous fungi have at least one stage of its life cycle linked to Bryophytes. There are few studies in relation to their taxonomy and ecology all around the world, including Brazil. The Agaricomycetes (Basidiomycota) have gained prominence worldwide and contained several species of economic interest. Based on a bibliographic review and discussion about identification methods and experimental models on this association a species list of bryophilous/Agaricomycetes found in Brazil was elaborated. In the works found among the techniques used to identify effective fungi/Bryophytes associations it can be cited: phylogenetics analysis, optical and electron microscopy, and cultivation experiments. In Brazil, four orders of Agaricomycetes (Basidiomycota), belonging to Agaricales, Boletales, Hymenochaetales, and Polyporales, with 33 species were found associated to Bryophytes in the literature. Information of the worldwide distribution of Brazilian muscicolous species and application of these groups were realized associating edibility, toxicity, and others. It was noted that in this country there is a scarcity of scientific knowledge of this subject, that needs to be better understood in terms of ecology and taxonomy