Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprinting of symbiotic fungi cultured by the fungus‐growing ant Cyphomyrmex minutus

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Abstract
A PCR‐based fingerprinting technique based on amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP) is used to screen symbiotic fungi of the fungus‐growing ant Cyphomyrmex minutus for genetic differences. AFLP fingerprints reveal several fungal ‘types’ that (a) represent distinct clones propagated vegetatively by the ant, or (b) correspond to free‐living fungi that may be acquired by the ant. Fungal types identified by AFLP fingerprints correspond to vegetative‐compatibility groups established previously, suggesting that vegetative compatibility can be used as a crude indicator of genetic differences between fungi of C. minutus.