Pathogenic fungus uses volatiles to entice male flies into fatal matings with infected female cadavers
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Pathogenic fungus uses volatiles to entice male flies into fatal matings with infected female cadavers. / Naundrup, Andreas; Bohman, Björn; Kwadha, Charles A; Jensen, Annette B.; Becher, Paul G.; De Fine Licht, Henrik H.
In: I S M E Journal, Vol. 16, 2022, p. 2388-2397.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Pathogenic fungus uses volatiles to entice male flies into fatal matings with infected female cadavers
AU - Naundrup, Andreas
AU - Bohman, Björn
AU - Kwadha, Charles A
AU - Jensen, Annette B.
AU - Becher, Paul G.
AU - De Fine Licht, Henrik H.
N1 - © 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to International Society for Microbial Ecology.
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - To ensure dispersal, many parasites and pathogens behaviourally manipulate infected hosts. Other pathogens and certain insect-pollinated flowers use sexual mimicry and release deceptive mating signals. However, it is unusual for pathogens to rely on both behavioural host manipulation and sexual mimicry. Here, we show that the host-specific and behaviourally manipulating pathogenic fungus, Entomophthora muscae, generates a chemical blend of volatile sesquiterpenes and alters the profile of natural host cuticular hydrocarbons in infected female housefly (Musca domestica) cadavers. Healthy male houseflies respond to the fungal compounds and are enticed into mating with female cadavers. This is advantageous for the fungus as close proximity between host individuals leads to an increased probability of infection. The fungus exploits the willingness of male flies to mate and benefits from altering the behaviour of uninfected male host flies. The altered cuticular hydrocarbons and emitted volatiles thus underlie the evolution of an extended phenotypic trait.
AB - To ensure dispersal, many parasites and pathogens behaviourally manipulate infected hosts. Other pathogens and certain insect-pollinated flowers use sexual mimicry and release deceptive mating signals. However, it is unusual for pathogens to rely on both behavioural host manipulation and sexual mimicry. Here, we show that the host-specific and behaviourally manipulating pathogenic fungus, Entomophthora muscae, generates a chemical blend of volatile sesquiterpenes and alters the profile of natural host cuticular hydrocarbons in infected female housefly (Musca domestica) cadavers. Healthy male houseflies respond to the fungal compounds and are enticed into mating with female cadavers. This is advantageous for the fungus as close proximity between host individuals leads to an increased probability of infection. The fungus exploits the willingness of male flies to mate and benefits from altering the behaviour of uninfected male host flies. The altered cuticular hydrocarbons and emitted volatiles thus underlie the evolution of an extended phenotypic trait.
U2 - 10.1038/s41396-022-01284-x
DO - 10.1038/s41396-022-01284-x
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 35831484
VL - 16
SP - 2388
EP - 2397
JO - I S M E Journal
JF - I S M E Journal
SN - 1751-7362
ER -
ID: 314285545