NEET BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -About 330 species of termites, 220 species of ants and 3, 400 species of weevils, referred to as ambrosia beetles, are farmers, and their cultivated crop is fungi1. Studies in evolution have revealed that in the case of ambrosia beetles, the habit of farming fungi rose independently seven times.

Detailed explanation-2: -A mushroom farm is involved in the business of growing fungi. The word is also commonly used to refer to the practice of cultivation of fungi by animals such as leafcutter ants, termites, ambrosia beetles, and marsh periwinkles.

Detailed explanation-3: -The ant–fungus mutualism is a symbiosis seen between certain ant and fungal species, in which ants actively cultivate fungus much like humans farm crops as a food source. There is only evidence of two instances in which this form of agriculture evolved in ants resulting in a dependence on fungi for food.

Detailed explanation-4: -Ants, wasps, beetles, and a variety of other insects have adapted to use fungi as reinforcing constructions or food sources, with the most severe examples leading to the cultivation of fungal crops. These insects are mycophagous, meaning they only consume fungi.

Detailed explanation-5: -In exchange for the fungus serving as the ants’ primary food source, the ant host provides the fungus with protection, substrate for growth and dispersal to new nests through vertical transmission [11].