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Foraging of Psilocybe Basidiocarps by the Leaf-Cutting Ant Acromyrmex lobicornis in Santa Fé, Argentina

Summary

This research documents the surprising discovery of leaf-cutting ants collecting mushrooms in Argentina, which is unusual because these ants typically only collect plant material. This observation provides new insights into how ants might have evolved their farming behavior. Impacts on everyday life: • Helps us understand how complex agricultural systems evolve in nature • Provides insights into the development of symbiotic relationships • Demonstrates how species can adapt their behavior in unexpected ways • Could inform sustainable agricultural practices through understanding natural farming systems • Highlights the complexity of natural ecosystems and species interactions

Background

Leaf-cutting ants of the genus Acromyrmex are known to collect plant matter as substrate for their symbiotic fungus gardens that provide nutrition. Typically, they collect only plant material, with just one previous report of leaf-cutting ants foraging on fungal basidiocarps.

Objective

To document and analyze the novel observation of Acromyrmex lobicornis ants collecting basidiocarps of Psilocybe coprophila growing on cow dung in Santa Fé, Argentina.

Results

Workers of A. lobicornis were observed actively collecting basidiocarps of P. coprophila growing on cow dung. The ants displayed typical recognition signals and continuously recruited other foragers. Different groups of workers transported basidiocarps of varying maturity stages into the nest while others collected plant material. The identity of P. coprophila was confirmed through morphological and molecular analysis.

Conclusion

The observation of leaf-cutting ants collecting mature basidiocarps with viable spores in nature provides support for theories about the origin of fungiculture in these specialized social insects. This finding raises questions about the evolution of fungal cultivation in ants and warrants further investigation into the frequency of basidiocarp collection and their presence in fungus gardens.
  • Published in:SpringerPlus,
  • Study Type:Field Observation Study,
  • Source: 10.1186/2193-1801-2-254
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