Erratum: corrigendum: Fungus-growing ants use antibiotic-producing bacteria to control garden parasites

Abstract

Although it is thought at present to involve only 2 symbionts, associated with each other in near isolation from other organisms, the fungal gardens of attine ants are in fact host to a specialized and virulent parasitic fungus of the genus Escovopsis (Ascomycotina). Here we describe a new, third mutualist in this symbiosis, a flamentous actinomycete bacterium of the genus Streptomyces that produces antibiotics specifically targeted to suppress the growth of the specialized garden-parasite Escovopsis. This third mutualist is associated with all species of fungus-growing ants studied, to this point. It is carried upon regions of the ants' cuticle that are genus specific and it is transmitted vertically from parent to offspring colonies. It has the capacity to promote the growth of the fungal mutualist, indicating that the association of Streptomyces with attine ants is both highly evolved and of ancient origin.