Ant-fungus Interactions: Laboulbenia camponoti Batra in Italy and a New Host for L. formicarum Thaxter (Fungi: Ascomycota, Laboulbeniales)

Abstract

One Laboulbenia species is added to the checklist of Italian fungi. Laboulbenia camponoti was detected on the ant Camponotus aethiops. Additionally, L. formicarum was found on a new host (Lasius niger) in France. An updated map of world distribution for the two Laboulbenia is presented. Based on present knowledge, L. camponoti shows a much higher structural and phylogenetic host specificity than L. formicarum.

Keywords

• Laboulbenia
• Camponotus aethiops
• Lasius niger
• Formicidae