Details of Award
NERC Reference : NER/B/S/2003/00731
Attraction of invertebrates to zones of interaction between basidiomycete mycelia.
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor L Boddy, Cardiff University, School of Biosciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Dr TH Jones, Cardiff University, School of Biosciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Dr CT Muller, Cardiff University, School of Biosciences
- Grant held at:
- Cardiff University, School of Biosciences
- Science Area:
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Terrestrial
- ENRIs:
- Natural Resource Management
- Biodiversity
- Science Topics:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Community Ecology
- Abstract:
- One fungus growing close to another will recognise the other's presence and will respond. Unless the mycelia belong to the same species and are mating compatible they respond antagonistically with the production of extracellular enzymes, and volatile and diffusible secondary metabolites. These exudations are visually manifested as bright pigments in mycelium and culture substratum. Many invertebrates are highly attracted to these mycelial interaction zones. For example, mycetophilid flies are attracted to, and lay eggs in, the interaction regions between mycelia of wood decay fungi, and Collembola are attracted to, and preferentially feed in, interaction zones between mycelia growing from woody resources into soil. The dearth of information available on these interactions means that we do not even know what the chemical attractants are, or why invertebrates are attracted. We assume that the invertebrates are provided with a highly nutritious food source. Whatever the reasons it is obvious that the ecology of both organisms is dramatically affected. This project is the first step in attempting to understand and explain interaction-zone interactions. As well as providing us with a basic understanding of a relatively unexplored multitrophic interaction, our observations will also aid the understanding of fungal community development and soil invertebrate population biology. Such knowledge provides an essential pointer to the possible biocontrol of some invertebrate forest pests. The work will be performed under the direction of Prof. Lynne Boddy, Dr Carsten Muller and Dr Hefin Jones at Cardiff University.
- NERC Reference:
- NER/B/S/2003/00731
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Small Grants Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Small Grants
This grant award has a total value of £31,529
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - T&S | Total - Staff | Total - Other Costs | Total - Indirect Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| £194 | £19,388 | £3,026 | £8,918 |
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