 |
|
Beetles get by with a little help from their friends
October 03, 2008Cooperation between insects and bacteria suggests inter-species collaboration may be common in many ecosystems
Humans living in communities often rely on friends to help get what they need and, according to researchers in the lab of Cameron Currie at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, many microbes, plants and animals benefit from 'friendly' associations too.
The Currie team's study, which was funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and published in the Oct. 3, 2008, issue of the journal Science, describes the complex relationship between a beetle, two types of tree fungus and a bacterium that aids in their struggle to survive and thrive.
Research in the Currie lab revealed that adult beetles have a specialized compartment in their bodies used to store two other organisms: a slow-growing beneficial fungus that serves as a food source and a bacterium that produces a unique, newly discovered antibiotic. Interestingly, the antibiotic inhibits the growth of a fast-growing competitor fungus but does not affect the slow-growing beneficial fungus.
Before laying eggs in tree bark, adult female beetles spread the slow-growing, beneficial fungus and bacteria around the area where they will deposit the eggs. The antibiotic from the bacteria prevents growth of the fast-growing competitor fungus but does not harm the slow-growing beneficial fungus, which continues to grow and provide a rich source of nutrition for the developing beetle larvae.
"There are perhaps 10 million species of insects on the planet," says Currie, an evolutionary biologist. "So, if insects associate with bacteria like this more generally, then there's potentially a huge number of new places to explore."
NSF Program Officer Lita Proctor agrees, saying this research, which was co-authored by Jon Clardy of Harvard Medical School, has important implications for the ecosystems these species occupy.
"It may be that some organisms evolved symbioses (cooperative relationships) as a strategy to give them an advantage over others when competing for resources," said Proctor. "These cooperative relationships may be much more common than we thought."
In-depth study of these interactions could also lead to identification of new types of antibiotics or other chemicals which may have agricultural or medicinal uses. Thus in the future, we may get by with help from our little friends.
National Science Foundation
Research in the Currie lab revealed that adult beetles have a specialized compartment in their bodies used to store two other organisms: a slow-growing beneficial fungus that serves as a food source and a bacterium that produces a unique, newly discovered antibiotic. Interestingly, the antibiotic inhibits the growth of a fast-growing competitor fungus but does not affect the slow-growing beneficial fungus.
Before laying eggs in tree bark, adult female beetles spread the slow-growing, beneficial fungus and bacteria around the area where they will deposit the eggs. The antibiotic from the bacteria prevents growth of the fast-growing competitor fungus but does not harm the slow-growing beneficial fungus, which continues to grow and provide a rich source of nutrition for the developing beetle larvae.
"There are perhaps 10 million species of insects on the planet," says Currie, an evolutionary biologist. "So, if insects associate with bacteria like this more generally, then there's potentially a huge number of new places to explore."
NSF Program Officer Lita Proctor agrees, saying this research, which was co-authored by Jon Clardy of Harvard Medical School, has important implications for the ecosystems these species occupy.
"It may be that some organisms evolved symbioses (cooperative relationships) as a strategy to give them an advantage over others when competing for resources," said Proctor. "These cooperative relationships may be much more common than we thought."
In-depth study of these interactions could also lead to identification of new types of antibiotics or other chemicals which may have agricultural or medicinal uses. Thus in the future, we may get by with help from our little friends.
National Science Foundation
Fungus Current Events and Fungus News RSSWPI Researchers Take Aim at Hard-to-Treat Fungal Infections
A team of researchers at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center at Gateway Park has developed a new model system to study fungal infections.
Smithsonian scientists find the frog legs trade may facilitate spread of pathogens
Most countries throughout the world participate in the $40-million-per-year culinary trade of frog legs in some way, with 75 percent of frog legs consumed in France, Belgium and the United States.
Amphibians as environmental omen disputed
Amphibians, for years considered a leading indicator of environmental degradation, are not uniquely susceptible to pollution, according to a meta-analysis to be published in Ecology Letters.
DNA barcodes: Creative new uses span health, fraud, smuggling, history, more
The scientific ability to quickly and accurately identify species through DNA "barcoding" is being embraced and applied by a growing legion of global authorities - from medical and agricultural researchers to police and customs authorities to palaeontologists and others.
Pathogen protection and virulence: Dark side of fungal membrane protein revealed
Researchers at the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute (VBI) at Virginia Tech and Montana State University have discovered a fungal protein that plays a key role in causing disease in plants and animals and which also shields the pathogen from oxidative stress.
Rot resistant wheat could save farmers millions
CSIRO researchers have identified wheat and barley lines resistant to Crown Rot - a disease that costs Australian wheat and barley farmers $79 million in lost yield every year.
Pumpkin skin may scare away germs
The skin of that pumpkin you carve into a Jack-o'-Lantern to scare away ghosts and goblins on Halloween contains a substance that could put a scare into microbes that cause millions of cases of yeast infections in adults and infants each year.
Catching a killer one spore at a time
A workshop at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama has dramatically improved the ability of conservationists and regulatory agencies to monitor the spread of chytridiomycosis-one of the deadliest frog diseases on Earth.
Coral bleaching increases chances of coral disease
Mass coral bleaching has devastated coral colonies around the world for almost three decades. Now scientists have found that bleaching can make corals more susceptible to disease and, in turn, coral disease can exacerbate the negative effects of bleaching.
Canker disease in eucalyptus in the Basque Country
The first experiences with exotic species in the Basque Country, and alternative to Pinus radiata, were undertaken in 1957, concretely in Laukiz, Lezama and Alonsotegui (Muro, 1975) where the eucalyptus, amongst other forest species, was introduced.
More Fungus Current Events and Fungus News Articles
 |
Fungus Link, Volume 1 (Volume 1,2nd Series) by Doug Kaufmann (Author) |
 |
Tineacide Antifungal Cream, 1.25-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 2) by Tineacide Dr. Blaine's Tineacide Antifungal Cream 1.25 oz Kills the Fungus That Causes Fungal Nails The remedy for Ugly Nail Syndrome Medical Strength Clinically Proven See Results in Just Weeks |
 |
Fungus Amongus by Incubus As Incubus themselves note about Epic's 2000 rerelease of 1996's Fungus Amongus: "The recording's are basically a snapshot of our band, circa 1993-1995. As even the most discriminating ear could deduce, [we were] still struggling to find our feet." It's a caveat not really necessary for Incubus fans, of which there are now many, thanks to their diverse, unique, and thoughtful brand of funky, sometimes-acoustic rock, exemplified on 1999's impressive Make Yourself. This early effort, written and recorded when band members were in their teens, smacks heavily of Primus and Faith No More fanaticism, influences which, on later discs, are blended into an evolving signature sound. Songs such as "Speak Free," "Trouble in 421," and the aggressive, linear "The Answer" are decent, but not as heavy,... |
 |
Mushroom Men: Rise of the Fungi by South Peak Interactive Mushroom Men: Rise of the Fungi on Nintendo DS is the prequel to Mushroom Men: Spore Wars on Wii. Play both to get the complete story! Mushroom Men gives players the opportunity to jump into the fantastic microcosm that is the backyard battlefield. Take control of the crusade, creating devastating weapons from everyday items and teaming up with other sentient plant forms that'll leave the enemy sliced and diced. Let the stylus be your rapier and the Wii Remote your bazooka as you cut down the multitude of household pests that threaten our very existence! Mushroom Men inhabit the world that goes on while we humans are looking the other way, in the twilight hours when we sleep. We tower above them and go about our business completely unaware of the war waged at our feet. After the... |
 |
The Young Scientist Club Set 4- Bacteria and Fungi/ Weight and Volume/ Acids and Bases by Young Scientist Club Grow, measure and mix! Young Scientists can explore three different areas of science with this 3-in-1 kit. Grow bacteria and fungi of all colors in Petri dishes, and discover how antibiotics can cure disease. Make and calibrate a scale, learn about density, and test all kinds of substances with pH and litmus paper. And finally, finish this set with some real copper plating! Comes with everything needed for tons of safe and fun experiments. |
 |
CPR for Your Plants! Revive Your Dead Soil Indoors/Out - 11,2000,000 Mycorrhizal Friendly Fungi Spores by Hirt's Gardens CPR (Correct Planting Routine) 100% Organic and Natural Contains a blend of vitamins, minerals and mycorrhizae root nutrients (Friendly Fungi) designed to reduce plant loss, increase root mass, improve soil conditions, and promote healthy growth. Guaranteed to contain 11,200,000 mycorrhizal spores per lb. One container will feed 5 flats of flowers or vegetables or 5 trees or shrubs with a 1 foot root ball. Or us 1 tablespoon of "CPR" per Flower, Vegetable or Indoor Plant. Mycorrhizal Fungi? The word mycorrhiza (plural: mycorrhizae or mycorrhizas) comes from the Greek language and literally means fungus roots. You may not know it, but mycorrhizal fungi are a crucial part of the health of 95% of the plants growing throughout the world. In fact, theyve been helping plants grow for... |
|
Acta Edulis Fungi by China Natl Publ Industry Trade | |
 |
Fungus the Bogeyman Starring: Fungus the Bogeyman Directed By: Stuart Orme In a vast underground construct called Bogeydom, live the blissfully disgusting Bogeys, who spend their days wallowing in their own filth. Come night time, they venture "up there," into the world of the humans, and, when these two worlds collide,everything filthy about the Bogeys is threatened by one impossibly wholesome family. |
 |
My First Lab 5PC Fun Guys Fungus Prepared Microscope Slides by American Science & Surplus Beginners' Bio Up close and personal. From My First Lab", these prepared microscope slides are Biology 101 in a box. You'll get slides of the fungus among us, including bread mold, penicillum, lichens, mushroom and yeast samples. For ages nine and up. |
 |
Fungus Link: An Introduction to Fungal Disease Including the Initial Phase Diet by Doug Kaufmann (Author) |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |