Multipartite Symbioses Among Fungi, Mites, Nematodes, and the Spruce Beetle, Dendroctonus rufipennis.

Yasmin Cardoza; John Moser; Kier Klepzizg; Raffa Kenneth

Multipartite Symbioses Among Fungi, Mites, Nematodes, and the Spruce Beetle, Dendroctonus rufipennis.

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Yasmin Cardoza, John Moser, Kier Klepzizg, Raffa Kenneth

Year:

2008

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Southern Research Station

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Abstract

The spruce beetle, Dendroctonus rufipennis, is an eruptive forest pest of signifcant economic and ecological importance. D. rufipennis has symbiotic associations with a number of microorganisms, especially the ophiostomatoid fungus Leptographium abietinum. The nature of this interaction is only partially understood. Additionally, mite and nematode associates can mediate bark beetle fungal interactions, but this has not yet been studied for spruce beetles. In this study, we found eight mite species associated with spruce beetles: Tarsonemus ips, T. endophloeus, Histiogaster arborsignis, Dendrolaelaps quadrisetus, Proctolaelaps hytricoides, Trichouropoda alascae, T. n. sp. nr dalarenaensis, and Urobovella n. sp 767. The most prevalent species was H. arborsignis. In addition, 75% of beetles examined carried nematodes, with six species represented.

Keywords

symbiosis, bark beetles, Histiogaster, Leptographium, Hyphomycetes

Citation

Cardoza, Y.J., Moser, J.C., Klepzig, K.D., Raffa, K.F. 2008. Multipartite Symbioses Among Fungi, Mites, Nematodes, and the Spruce Beetle, Dendroctonus rufipennis. Environ. Entomol. 37(4): 956-963.