Virology Journal (Sep 2024)

Two +ssRNA mycoviruses cohabiting the fungal cultivar of leafcutter ants

  • Asta Rødsgaard-Jørgensen,
  • Caio Ambrosio Leal-Dutra,
  • Sabrina Ferreira de Santana,
  • Asger Roland Jensen,
  • Rafael Elias Marques,
  • Eric Roberto Guimarães Rocha Aguiar,
  • Jonathan Zvi Shik

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-024-02465-0
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 21, no. 1
pp. 1 – 8

Abstract

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Abstract Leafcutter ants are dominant herbivores in the Neotropics and rely on a fungus (Leucoagaricus gongylophorus) to transform freshly gathered leaves into a source of nourishment rather than consuming the vegetation directly. Here we report two virus-like particles that were isolated from L. gongylophorus and observed using transmission electron microscopy. RNA sequencing identified two +ssRNA mycovirus strains, Leucoagaricus gongylophorus tymo-like virus 1 (LgTlV1) and Leucoagaricus gongylophorus magoulivirus 1 (LgMV1). Genome annotation of LgTlV1 (7401 nt) showed conserved domains for methyltransferase, endopeptidase, viral RNA helicase, and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). The smaller genome of LgMV1 (2636 nt) contains one open reading frame encoding an RdRp. While we hypothesize these mycoviruses function as symbionts in leafcutter farming systems, further study will be needed to test whether they are mutualists, commensals, or parasites.

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