| Congresso Brasileiro de Microbiologia 2023 | Resumo: 1020-1 | ||||
Resumo:Bees and microorganisms are part of association systems consolidated by long periods of concomitant evolution. The mechanisms that permeate these complex interactions are diverse and, in general, mediated by metabolites and organic compounds produced by these microorganisms. An obligatory relationship between a social bee (Scaptotrigona sp.) and a fungus (Zygosaccharomyces sp.), in which the mycelium consumed in addition to the larval food provides certain compounds necessary for the pupation process, revealed that there is a system which regulates the hive's microbial populations, modulating the development of different fungal species. This study aimed to characterize the fungi associated with Scaptotrigona postica nests based on their growth and interaction in a custom culture medium. Strains were obtained directly from brood nests, and fungal cells were recovered using orbital agitation in 0,85% NaCl saline solution and cultivated in SDA containing larval food. Two distinct colony morphologies were found, “A” corresponding to the fungus consumed by larvae and “B”, which grows visibly within brood cells incubated for periods longer than larva development. Microbial antagonism assays revealed that, in co-cultures, A and B display inhibition effects towards each other, such as inhibition halo for A (average area of 2.8 cm² between assays), significant reduction in the growth rate for B (1.8 cm² ) and pigmentation. While it was not possible to establish equivalence to known isolates in current literature, similar morphological patterns and interactions were identified between the fungi found in S. postica nests and those described for S. depilis and other stingless bee species, providing further development on these newfound interactions involving microorganisms and their biological functions in beehives. Palavras-chave: bee-fungus, symbiosis, co-culture, microbial regulation Agência de fomento:Coordenadoria dos Programas de Iniciação Científica e Tecnológica (CoPICT) (PIBIC/CNPq/UFSCar) | |||||