Water balance of a tick-fungus relationship, featuring the life cycle of the fungus Scopulariopsis brevicaulis (sacc.) Bainier (Deuteromycota) in a tick host

Abstract

We report isolation of the fungus Scopulariopsis brevicaulis from the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (L.), and document its association with hemolymph and integumental glands. The relationship thrives because the water balance of both the fungus and the tick are mutually preserved in spite of enormous fungus burdens, based on moisture requirements and antimycotic fungus removal. The fact that ticks are ideal to perpetuate this fungal life cycle is of public health interest because S. brevicaulis is known to cause infections in humans.

Key words :

• Tick
• fungi
• Scopulariopsis
• symbiont