The first entomophthoralean killing millipedes, Arthrophaga myriapodina n. gen. n. sp., causes climbing before host death.
J Invertebr Pathol, 2017/10;149:135-140.
Hodge KT[1], Hajek AE[2], Gryganskyi A[3]
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PMID: 28803979DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2017.08.011
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Abstract
A new species and genus of entomophthoralean fungus, Arthrophaga myriapodina kills polydesmid millipedes. This species was first seen over a century ago but never described. It is the first millipede pathogen known from the order Entomophthorales, species of which are best known as pathogens of a wide diversity of insects. The fungus induces pre-death climbing behavior in its hosts, enabling the fungus to broadcast its forcibly-discharged conidia from a high vantage, which presumably increases the fitness of the fungus. Study of herbarium specimens and photographic discoveries on the internet suggest the fungus occurs widely in eastern North America.
Keywords: Apheloria; Behavioral manipulation; Entomophthorales; Myriapoda; Pathogen
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