A novel choice test to detect the influence of fungi on the tunneling behavior of sympatric bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytinae)
Data files
May 20, 2025 version files 38.68 KB
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Cleaned_Controls_Data_2024_Choice_Test.xlsx
14.14 KB
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Cleaned_Data_2024_Ominus_Choice_Test.xlsx
21.46 KB
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README.md
3.08 KB
Abstract
Bark beetles are significant forest pests, with primary tree-killing species often relying on obligate mutualistic fungi carried by specialized mycangia. In contrast, secondary bark beetles, which do not typically attack healthy trees, often lack obligate fungal mutualists. However, all bark beetles vector fungi that may provide nutrition to them, improve substrate conditions, or act as antagonists hindering their success. This study introduces a paired-tube choice test arena to assess bark beetle-fungal interactions using minimal phloem-media. We hypothesized that primary bark beetles with mycangial fungi (e.g., Dendroctonus frontalis and D. barberi) avoid phloem infested with non-mycangial fungi such as Ophiostoma minus, while secondary beetles like Ips pini, which do not rely on mycangial fungi, show no preference for fungal-infested or fungus-free phloem. Our findings revealed that D. barberi preferred uninfested phloem, whereas I. pini preferred the O. minus-infested phloem. Interestingly, D. frontalis did not show a preference for either uninfested phloem or O. minus-infested phloem. These results underscore the importance of understanding the effects of fungal symbionts on tunneling behavior, with potential applications in pest management, such as deploying cues from antagonistic fungi compounds as repellents.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.gtht76hz1
Description of the data and file structure
The data files contain cleaned data from a choice test experiment conducted on three bark beetle species in Northern Arizona. Each file includes a legend explaining how the data was encoded. For additional information on the experimental design and study setup, please refer to the methods and abstract sections.
Files and variables
File: Cleaned_Controls_Data_2024_Choice_Test.xlsx
Description:
- The data files contain cleaned choice test data from control tubes, in which no fungus was added to either side.
Variables
- The Method variable refers to the material used in the middle of the tube for traction, Media, used growth media, and Toothpick, used a toothpick.
- The Beetle variable identifies the species. SPB is Dendroctonus frontalis, SWPB is Dendroctonus barberi, and Ips is Ips pini.
- The Choice variable represents beetle behavior, M indicates beetles that remained in the middle of the tubes, NUM designates beetles that tunneled into Side A, COD into Side B, and D for beetles that died in the tubes. Importantly, neither Side A nor Side B contained fungus in these tubes, making them experimental controls.
- The Trial variable serves as a substitute for the start date during data analysis.
- Start Date records the exact date on which beetles were placed at the center of the tubes.
- Switchside indicates whether a beetle switched sides after initially tunneling into either the fungus or fungus-free side.
File: Cleaned_Data_2024_Ominus_Choice_Test.xlsx
Description:
- The data files contain choice test data from experimental tubes, in which fungus (Ophiostoma minus) was added to one side of the tube and the other side remained fungus free.
Variables
- The Method variable refers to the material used in the middle of the tube for traction, Media, used growth media, and Toothpick, used a toothpick.
- The Beetle variable identifies the species. SPB is Dendroctonus frontalis, SWPB is Dendroctonus barberi, and Ips is Ips pini.
- The Choice variable represents beetle behavior, M indicates beetles that remained in the middle of the tubes, B indicates beetles that tunneled into the fungus-free side, F indicates beetles that tunneled into the fungus side, and D for beetles that died in the tubes. Note the fungus we are refering to is Ophiostoma minus.
- The Trial variable serves as a substitute for the start date during data analysis.
- Start Date records the exact date on which beetles were placed at the center of the tubes.
- Switchside indicates whether a beetle switched sides after initially tunneling into either the fungus or fungus-free side.
Access information
Other publicly accessible locations of the data:
Data was derived from the following sources: