Journal article
A COMMUNITY OF ANTS, FUNGI, AND BACTERIA: A Multilateral Approach to Studying Symbiosis
Abstract
The ancient and highly evolved mutualism between fungus-growing ants and their fungi is a textbook example of symbiosis. The ants carefully tend the fungus, which serves as their main food source, and traditionally are believed to be so successful at fungal cultivation that they are able to maintain the fungus free of microbial pathogens. This assumption is surprising in light of theories on the evolution of parasitism, especially for those …
Authors
Currie CR
Journal
Annual Review of Microbiology, Vol. 55, No. 1, pp. 357–380
Publisher
Annual Reviews
Publication Date
October 2001
DOI
10.1146/annurev.micro.55.1.357
ISSN
0066-4227