Effects of endophyte consumption on food intake, growth, and reproduction in prairie voles

Durham, William F.; Tannenbaum, Michael G.

doi:10.1139/cjz-76-5-960

Cited by 17 publications

(20 citation statements)

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“…In laboratory rodents, ingestion of an endophyte-containing diet has resulted in reduced reproductive performance and/or reduced growth rates (Varney et al 1987;Zavos et al 1986). Similar effects have also been suggested for voles, both in the laboratory (Conover 1998(Conover , 2003Durham and Tannenbaum 1998) and in the field (Fortier et al 2000).…”

Section: Direct Effects Of Endophyte Consumptionsupporting

confidence: 63%

“…While some studies report of negative effects of endophyte ingestion, such as decreases in population density (Coley et al 1995), increased toxicity-induced mortality (Conover 1998) and suppression of reproduction and growth (Durham and Tannenbaum 1998;Fortier et al 2000;Conover 2003), others fail to find consistent negative effects on rodent performance (Barger and Tannenbaum 1998).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

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Consumption of grass endophytes alters the ultraviolet spectrum of vole urine

Huitu¹,

Helander

Lehtonen

et al. 2008

Oecologia

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Fungal endophytes of grasses are known to benefit their hosts directly by increasing resistance to herbivores through mycotoxins. We propose and test assumptions of a novel hypothesis according to which fungal endophytes of grasses may benefit their hosts also indirectly by increasing the conspicuousness of a mammalian herbivore, the field vole (Microtus agrestis), to its avian predators by enhancing the ultraviolet visibility of vole urine. We found that field voles feeding on endophyte-infected meadow ryegrass (Lolium pratense) lost body mass, while voles feeding on non-infected meadow ryegrass gained mass. More interestingly, the maximum peak intensity of ultraviolet fluorescence in the urine of voles feeding on endophyte-infected grass shifted from over 380 nm to circa 370 nm, which is the suggested maximum sensitivity of the ultraviolet pigments in the eyes of vole-eating raptors. Therefore, grazing on endophyte-infected grass alters the ultraviolet spectrum of vole urine, thus potentially enhancing its visibility to avian predators.

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Section: Direct Effects Of Endophyte Consumptionsupporting

confidence: 63%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Consumption of grass endophytes alters the ultraviolet spectrum of vole urine

Huitu¹,

Helander

Lehtonen

et al. 2008

Oecologia

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“…observ.). Ergot alkaloids (produced exclusively in endophyte-infected grass systems) were believed to be the primary agents responsible for these effects (Durham & Tannenbaum, 1998). Consequently, we suggest that larvae on E+ treatment had increased their intake, ostensibly to offset the inferior food quality and meet requirements for specific nutrients, and thus produced heavier pupae (although not significantly so) than those produced by larvae fed on E− treatment in both experimental settings.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 75%

“…Previous work with a species of this genus (Acremonium strictum Gams) revealed an antagonism mediated by this endophyte towards herbivorous insects (Vidal, 1996;Jallow et al, 2004;Jaber & Vidal, 2009). Faeth & Hammon, 1997;Durham & Tannenbaum, 1998). In general, there have been very few studies on the long-term effects of endophytes as mediators of plant-herbivore interactions (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fungal endophyte negative effects on herbivory are enhanced on intact plants and maintained in a subsequent generation

Jaber¹,

Vidal²

2010

Ecological Entomology

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1. Fungal endophytes are ubiquitous associates of virtually all plant species. Although many studies have focused on the role of these microorganisms as mediators of plant-herbivore interactions, these studies have usually been conducted using short-term experiments.2. Truly effective defences against herbivores may require normal functioning of the plant, as excised leaves may be less resistant as compared with those still attached to the plant. Yet, most studies investigating possible effects of endophytes in conferring host resistance to herbivores have been conducted with plant parts rather than intact plants.3. Using the root endophytic fungus (Acremonium strictum)-broad bean (Vicia faba)-generalist herbivore (Helicoverpa armigera) model, we conducted experiments to examine whether endophyte effects on herbivory would depend on the experimental setting used in the investigation and whether they would translate into a subsequent generation of the herbivore.4. Acremonium strictum negative effects on the fitness of H . armigera first generation were more evident when the larvae foraged freely on inoculated intact whole plants than when offered leaf discs of inoculated plants. Furthermore, these effects were carried over into H . armigera second generation reared on an artificial diet.5. Acremonium strictum could not be re-isolated from V . faba leaves; hence direct contact between the endophyte and the insect could be excluded. Alternatively, loss of volatiles or inhibitory effects of compounds that were stronger in situ might have caused changes in larval feeding and performance on leaf discs as compared with intact plants, regardless of infection status.6. We suggest that the reduction in fitness parameters of H . armigera across two generations is caused indirectly via an endophyte-triggered reduction in plant quality.

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“…Planting endophyte‐infected grasses has been shown to reduce vole damage to apple trees (Conover, ), and endophyte‐infected diets can increase mortality at increased ambient temperatures (Conover, ). Related Prairie voles ( Microtus ochrogaster ) are negatively affected by endophyte‐infected seed and showed suppressed food and water intake, growth rates and reproductive success compared to voles on an endophyte‐free seed diet (Durham and Tannenbaum, ). Although this area of endophyte science is largely unresearched, many believe cool season grass endophytes are the way forward in many areas of wildlife management being more eco‐friendly and sustainable than alternative less humane methods of control (Coley et al ., ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mice find endophyte‐infected seed of tall fescue unpalatable – implications for the aviation industry

Finch

Pennell

Kerby

et al. 2015

Grass and Forage Science

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Bird strike is a significant problem for the aviation industry, caused in part by the attractiveness of the grass surrounding airports to birds. Endophyte‐infected grasses such as Avanex® have been shown to reduce bird populations at airports through the production of secondary metabolites. These metabolites are unpalatable to herbivorous, omnivorous and granivorous birds and are known to reduce insect densities, thereby making the sown areas less attractive to insectivorous birds. Raptors also provide a bird‐strike threat which could be reduced by controlling mouse populations around airports. In this study, the effect of endophyte‐infected seed on mouse feeding behaviour has been investigated. By performing a choice trial offering diets containing endophyte‐infected and endophyte‐free tall fescue seed, it was shown that endophyte‐infected seed was less palatable to mice (P < 0·001 in a 14‐d trial). Furthermore, when diet positions were reversed, mouse feeding behaviour was modified to again select endophyte‐free material (P < 0·001 over a further 14 d). This result shows that endophyte‐infected grasses could not only be used in the control of bird populations but they also have the potential to control mouse populations which in turn would decrease the number of raptors. This use of endophyte‐infected grasses in areas surrounding airport runways shows great promise for the aviation industry.

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Effects of endophyte consumption on food intake, growth, and reproduction in prairie voles

Cited by 17 publications

References 0 publications

Consumption of grass endophytes alters the ultraviolet spectrum of vole urine

Consumption of grass endophytes alters the ultraviolet spectrum of vole urine

Fungal endophyte negative effects on herbivory are enhanced on intact plants and maintained in a subsequent generation

Mice find endophyte‐infected seed of tall fescue unpalatable – implications for the aviation industry

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