Traditionally, it has been suggested that host specificity of symbiotic trichomycete fungi existed at the family or superfamily level. Previous studies of host specificity were usually based on the presence or absence of trichomycete in the host. However, quantitative assessment of fungal abundance is needed to detect more subtle differences among hosts. Several species of blackflies were quantified for hindgut and midgut trichomycete fungi in lotic habitats of southern Alabama, in order to assess the level of host specificity. To compliment fieldwork, laboratory investigations were also preformed using Smittium spp.. and various Simulium spp. hosts.
Species 1: Diptera Simuliidae Simulium (black flies)
Species 2: Trichomycetes Smittium
Keywords: host specificity
Back to Student Competition Ten-Minute Papers, Subsection Ce. Insect Pathology and Microbial Control, Cf. Quantitative Ecology
Back to Student Competition 10-minute Paper
Back to The 2002 ESA Annual Meeting and Exhibition