Volume: 2, 2023
2nd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: E031
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL2.E031
Published online: 19 April 2023
ICDSUPL, 2, E031 (2023)
Influence of the toxic endophytic fungi on the fitness of herbivorous rodents – the project
Oliwia Sęk1*
1 Department of Systematic Zoology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61- 614 Poznań
* Corresponding author: olisek@amu.edu.pl
Abstract
Our study concerns the potential influence of toxic alkaloids of endophytic fungi on rodents of two trophic groups: the granivorous – striped field mouse Apodemus agrarius and the greeneater – common vole Microtus arvalis. The reason behind this is that fungal mycelium of endophytes can infest both the seeds and vegetative parts of the plant with expected differences. Therefore, the alkaloids may be contained in both, causing toxicosis in herbivores from different trophic groups. The following main hypotheses will be verified: (1) rodents avoid feeding on grasses infected with fungus; (2) fungal alkaloids affect rodents’ physiology; (3) fungal alkaloids affect rodents’ behaviour. Conducting this research will require working in both field and laboratory conditions. The tests regarding the influence of endophytic fungi and their alkaloids on biology of chosen rodents will be conducted. Predictions are as follows: considering the content of alkaloids may differ between seeds and green-parts of the grass, the striped field mouse and common vole are likely to be affected differently. A total of 20 individuals from the two species participated in the pilot studies. Cafeteria (food selection) tests were conducted. During the two-hour tests, the animals had a choice between infected and non-infected seeds and green parts of plants with the endophytic fungus and could feed freely. First experiments showed the important differences in food preferences of the tested rodents. The study of those interactions on the model of wild rodents will provide valuable knowledge both in terms of basic research (understanding the mechanisms and dependences) and practical activities (using this information to modify certain procedures in agriculture). These studies will also deepen our understanding of the effects of different fungal alkaloid concentration on small, wild mammals at the individual level (changes in food preferences) and at the population level (changes in survival or reproduction).
How to cite
O. Sęk, 2023. Influence of the toxic endophytic fungi on the fitness of herbivorous rodents – the project. In: 2nd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL2.E031