In Cahoots: Ants, Fungi, and Bacteria

Dr. Currie will discuss ecology and evolution of symbiotic associations between animals and microbes, describing cross-disciplinary approach incorporating ecological, evolutionary, behavioral, and microbiological approaches, employing molecular ecology and phylogenetic techniques to examine how microbes shape the biology of higher organisms. Main study system is quadripartite association between fungus-growing ants, their fungal cultivars, mutualistic bacteria, and specialized garden pathogens.