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Variation in subterranean termite susceptibility to fatal infections by local Metarhizium soil isolates

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Abstract

Metarhizium was isolated from soil in the immediate vicinity of subterranean termite colonies belonging to Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) in order to investigate the variety and virulence of naturally encountered strains of this fungal entomopathogen. Variation in virulence of each isolate was tested with an in vivo assay of termite worker survivorship after exposure to fungal conidia. Four colonies varied significantly in their susceptibility to six, or in one case five, isolates of Metarhizium collected across a rough transect in deciduous forest of approximately 1 km. The isolates also varied significantly in their virulence. The fungal isolates represented three separate species, M. brunneum, M. robertsii, and M. guizhouense. There was a significant correlation between the genetic distance between isolates and their difference in virulence in three of four termite colonies. Genetically similar isolates had similar virulence that depended on the workers’ colony of origin, which suggests that virulence depends on a specific interaction between R. flavipes workers and their locally encountered Metarhizium strains. Factors that might influence this interaction are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by a grant from the Faculty Development and Research Committee of Towson University.

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  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Towson University, Towson, MD, 21252, USA

    D. Denier & M. S. Bulmer

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  1. D. Denier
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  2. M. S. Bulmer
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Correspondence to M. S. Bulmer.

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Denier, D., Bulmer, M.S. Variation in subterranean termite susceptibility to fatal infections by local Metarhizium soil isolates. Insect. Soc. 62, 219–226 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00040-015-0394-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00040-015-0394-6

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