Micoparásitos de los hongos mirmecófilos del género Ophiocordyceps (Ascomycota: Hypocreales: Ophiocordycipitaceae) de un bosque húmedo tropical del piedemonte putumayense

Abstract

Mycoparasitism on myrmecophilous fungi of the genus Ophiocordyceps represents a key ecological interaction in the regulation and balance of ecosystems, but it has been little explored, especially in megadiverse regions such as Colombia. This study had the objective of identifying mycoparasites associated with myrmecophilous Ophiocordyceps species in a tropical rainforest in the Amazonian piedemonte. To this end, sampling was carried out in the “Donde se Oculta el Sol” reserve (Villagarzón, Putumayo), where mycoparasites associated with myrmecophilous fungi of the genus Ophicordyceps were collected in order to analyze their spatial distribution and related ecological patterns. As a result, six morphospecies of Ophiocordyceps were identified, of which O. binata and O. unilateralis s.l. showed clear evidence of mycoparasitism. In addition, the presence of Niveomyces sp. and Torrubiella sp. as mycoparasites of these fungi is reported for the first time in Colombia. The results suggest that variables such as altitude, host development stage, and mycoparasite persistence influence the dynamics of the interaction, even affecting the reproductive potential of the host. This work provides a foundation for future research focused on both the diversity and ecology of these complex fungal interactions.