Host-Parasite Relations in a Mycoparasite IV. a Correlation Between the Levels of Γ-Linolenic Acid and Parasitism of Piptocephalis Virginiana

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Abstract
SUMMARY The amount of γ-linolenic acid found in the mucoraceous host fungus, Choanephora cucurbitarum, is influenced by cultural conditions such as temperature, light, age of the culture, and composition of the growth media. These conditions also affect the degree and rate of development of the parasite, Piptocephalis virginiana. There is a direct correlation between the levels of γ-linolenic acid present in C. cucurbitarum during the early stages of growth (24 hr) and the degree of parasitism of P. virginiana. The amount of γ-linolenic acid present in the host mycelium was found to be unrelated to either dry weight of the mycelium or total lipid contents. Piptocephalis virginiana is confined to host species which are known to contain γ-linolenic acid. The culture filtrate of the host when tested for leakage of fatty acids from the mycelium, showed the presence of all the fatty acids except for γ-linolenic acid. The significance of these findings are discussed in relation to parasitism of P. virginiana.