title: Use of quantitative PCR to understand within-host competition between two entomopathogenic fungi.
abstract: Interactions between the entomopathogenic fungi Zoophthora radicans and Pandora blunckii infecting larvae of Plutella xylostella were investigated. This is the first report to quantify within-host growth of one fungus in the presence of another competing for the same host resource using quantitative PCR (qPCR) at regular time points during the infection process. In larvae inoculated only with Z. radicans, there was a cumulative increase in the quantity of Z. radicans DNA throughout the time course of infection. However, in dual-inoculated larvae, there was an initial accelerated rate of growth of Z. radicans compared to when it was inoculated alone, but by the time of host death it had been effectively excluded by P. blunckii. The implications of these results for co-existence of these fungal pathogens in the field are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant and Invertebrate Ecology, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, UK. gariel@colpos.mx
authors.forename: Ariel W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Guzmán-Franco
authors.forename: Simon D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Atkins
authors.forename: Suzanne J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: Peter G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Alderson
authors.forename: Judith K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Pell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000032:analysis; D020091:Entomophthorales / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions / Q000235:genetics*; D007814:Larva / Q000382:microbiology; D009036:Moths / Q000382:microbiology*; D010572:Pest Control, Biological
chemical_list: D004271:DNA, Fungal