head of
- College of Arts and Sciences Associate Dean of Research 2018 -
- Contact Info
Cafaro, Matias J.
Positions
- Associate Professor, Department of Biology , College of Arts and Sciences
Symbiosis between fungi and arthropods, systematics and coevolution, marine and anaerobic fungi, microbial ecology and communities, biotechnological potential of symbionts
- Affiliation
- Publications
- Research
- Service
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Affiliation
Publications
selected publications
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article
- Diversity of Actinobacteria associated with Paratrechina longicornis ants in a tropical dry forest. Journal of Basic Microbiology . 2014
- Hongos asociados con dos poblaciones de Acromyrmex lobicornis (Formicidae) de San Luis, Argentina. Boletin de la Sociedad Argentina de Botanica. 5-15. 2013
- Morphometric studies in Enterobryus luteovirgatus sp. nov. (Ichthyosporea: Eccrinales) associated with yellow-banded millipedes in Puerto Rico. Acta Protozoologica. 291-297. 2013
- Seasonality in the level of infection by Enterobryus halophilus (Trichomycetes) in Emerita portoricensis. Mycologia. 337-344. 2012
- Dipteran-associated Harpellales from lowland and submontane tropical rain forests of Veracruz (Mexico). Mycologia. 656-673. 2011
- Growth and conidiation response of Escovopsis weberii against the fungal cultivar from the leaf-cutter ant Acromyrmex lundii. Environmental Entomology . 342-349. 2011
- Specificity in the symbiotic association between fungus-growing ants and protective Pseudonocardia bacteria. Proceedings of the Royal Society, Section B: Biological Sciences . 1814-1822. 2011
- Harpellales of the Dominican Republic (Hispaniola Island) and the insular effect on gut fungi. Mycologia. 363-373. 2010
- Presence of multiparasite infections within individual colonies of leaf-cutter ants. Environmental Entomology . 105-113. 2010
- Variation in Pseudonocardia antibiotic defense helps govern parasite-induced morbidity in Acromyrmex leaf-cutting ants. Environmental Microbiology Reports . 534-540. 2010
- First survey of arthropod gut fungi and associates from Vieques, Puerto Rico. Mycologia. 896-903. 2009
- First report of Zygospores in Asellariales and new species from the Caribbean. Mycologia. 122-131. 2008
- Harpellales in the digestive tracts of Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera nymphs from Veracruz, Mexico. Mycologia. 149-162. 2008
- Low host-pathogen specificity in the leaf-cutting ant-microbe symbiosis. Proceedings of the Royal Society, Section B: Biological Sciences . 1971-1978. 2007
- Phylogeny of the Zygomycota based on nuclear ribosomal sequence data. Mycologia. 872-884. 2006
- Eccrinales (Trichomycetes) are not Fungi, but a clade of protists at the early divergence of animals and fungi. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution . 21-34. 2005
- Phylogenetic placement of mutualistic filamentous bacteria associated with fungus-growing ants. Canadian Journal of Microbiology . 441-446. 2005
- Specificity of the mutualistic association between actinomycete bacteria and two sympatric species of Acromyrmex leaf-cutting ants. Molecular Ecology. 3597-3604. 2005
- Species richness patterns in symbiotic gut fungi (Trichomycetes). Fungal Diversity. 47-56. 2002
- Arthropod gut fungi from Puerto Rico and summary of tropical Trichomycetes worldwide. Caribbean Journal of Science . 210-220. 2000
- Gut fungi of isopods. The genus Palavascia. Mycologia. 361-369. 2000
- Baltomyces, a new genus of gut-inhabiting fungus in an isopod. Mycologia. 517-519. 1999
- Evidence supporting the occurrence of a new species of endophyte in some South American grasses. Mycologia. 315-325. 1999
- Fungi associated with passalid beetles and their mites. Mycologia. 694-702. 1999
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chapter
- Freshwater Trichomycetes and their arthropod hosts. Freshwater Mycology. Ed. Tsui, C. K. M. . Hong Kong SAR, China: Fungal Diversity Press. 2003
- Taxonomy and systematics of Trichomycetes - Past, present and future. Trichomycetes and Other Fungal Groups: Robert W. Lichtwardt Commemoration Volume. Ed. Misra , J. K.. Enfield, New Hampshire, USA: Science Publishers, Inc.. 2001
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conference paper
- Bacterial flora associated with the beetle Spassalus crenatus. 2nd Symposium Frontiers in Environmental Microbiology: A Caribbean perspective, Universidad del Turabo, PR. 2009
- Island effect on the biodiversity of gut symbionts of arthropods (Trichomycetes) 2009
- Isolation and identification of actinobacteria associated with the Attine ant Cyphomyrmex minutus. Convencion Semianual Sociedad de Microbiologos de Puerto Rico, UPR-Humacao, PR. 2009
- Isolation and identification of actinobacteria associated with the Attine ant Cyphomyrmex minutus. VI International Symbiosis Congress, Madison, WI. 2009
- Microbe interactions in the attine ant system. Keynote speaker. 2009
- Morphological characterization of Enterobryus (OPISTHOKONTA: MESOMYCETOZOA) species found in millipedes of Puerto Rico. 2nd Symposium Frontiers in Environmental Microbiology: A Caribbean perspective, Universidad del Turabo, PR. 2009
- Morphological differentiation of the Enterobryus species in Uca. 2nd Symposium Frontiers in Environmental Microbiology: A Caribbean perspective, Universidad del Turabo, PR. 2009
- Mycoparasites isolated from Acromyrmex spp and Atta spp colonies: antagonism and mycoparasitism. VI Congreso Argentino de Microbiologia General, Cordoba, Argentina . 2009
- Phylogeny of Exophthalmus complex genus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae) from the Caribbean. XXVIII Simposio de la Flora y Fauna del Caribe, UPR-Humacao, PR. 2009
- Preliminary survey of the diversity of Actinomycetes associated with ants in Guánica and Cambalache Tropical forests, Puerto Rico. Convencion Semianual Sociedad de Microbiologos de Puerto Rico, UPR-Humacao, PR. 2009
- Current status of trichomycete knowledge in Latin America. Keynote speaker. 2008
- Enterobryus species found in a new millipede host (Anadenobolus monilicornis) from Guanica Dry forest, PR. X Simposio de Micologia, Universidad del Turabo, PR . 2008
- Intestinal microflora of Anadenobolus monilicornis, a millipede species found in the Guanica Dry Forest, Puerto Rico. X Simposio de Micologia, Universidad del Turabo, PR . 2008
- Morphological and molecular characterization of Enterobryus (OPISTHOKONTA: MESOMYCETOZOA) species found in millipedes of Puerto Rico. SACNAS Conference, Salt Lake City, UT. 2008
- Seasonality in the level of infection by Enterobryus sp. (Trichomycetes) in Emerita portoricensis. VI Congreso Latinoamericano de Micologia, Mar del Plata, Argentina. 2008
- Trichomycetes, simbiontes intestinales de artropodos, su diversidad y distribucion en el Caribe. Keynote speaker. 2008
- Biodiversidad de Trichomycetes (Zygomycota) asociados con artropodos marinos en Puerto Rico. IX Simposio de Micologia, PUCPR, Ponce, PR . 2007
- Biodiversity of trichomycetes associated with marine arthropods in Puerto Rico. Mycological Society of America, Baton Rouge, LA. 2007
- First observation of zygospores in Asellariales (Trichomycetes) . Mycological Society of America, Baton Rouge, LA. 2007
- Microflora asociada al sistema digestivo de milpies del area sudoeste de Puerto Rico. IX Simposio de Micologia, PUCPR, Ponce, PR . 2007
- Microflora asociada al sistema digestivo de milpies del area sudoeste de Puerto Rico. Simposio de la Flora y Fauna del Caribe, UPR Humacao . 2007
- Mycelial fungi associated with the guts of millipedes found in Puerto Rico. Mycological Society of America, Baton Rouge, LA. 2007
- Nuclear characterization of Eccrinales [Opisthokonta: Mesomycetozoa] through fluorescence. American Society for Cell Biology, Washington, DC. 2007
- Nuclear characterization of Eccrinales [Opisthokonta: Mesomycetozoa] through fluorescence. American Society for Cell Biology, Washington, DC. 2007
- Simbiontes intestinales de artropodos (Trichomycetes) en Puerto Rico. Simposio de la Flora y Fauna del Caribe, UPR Humacao . 2007
- Zygomycetes en el Oeste de Puerto Rico. IX Simposio de Micologia, PUCPR, Ponce, PR . 2007
- Hongos asociados con artropodos (Trichomycetes - Zygomycota): ecologia, filogenia y evolucion. VIII Simposio de Micologia, Ponce, PR . 2006
- Informe preliminar y distribucion de Trichomycetes (Zygomycota) en Puerto Rico. IX Congreso Latinoamericano de Botanica, Santo Domingo, Rep. Dominicana. 2006
- Phylogeny of the Zygomycota based on Bayesian phylogenetic analysis analysis of nuclear ribosomal sequence data. Deep Hypha, Baton Rouge, LA . 24-26. 2006
- Ants, agriculture, and antibiotics: Discovery of a new layer of exploitation of the Attine ant-microbesymbiosis. Evolution Meeting, Fairbanks, Alaska. 2005
- Unveiling cryptic relationships of the Eccrinales. Inoculum. 2005
- Eccrinales (Trichomycetes) are not fungi, but a novel clade of the class Mesomycetozoea, in the early divergence of animals and fungi. Inoculum. 2003
- What are gut fungi? Molecular data reveals phylogenetic surprises among Trichomycetes (Zygomycota). Book of Abstracts. 2003
- Systematics of non-culturable orders of Trichomycetes based on molecular markers. Book of Abstracts. 48-49. 2002
- Toward the a molecular based phylogeny of the Trichomycetes (Zygomycota). PEET IV: Expanding PEET to the World and to the Tree of Life. . 2002
- Relationship of Eccrinales to other organisms based on rDNA sequences. VI Annual Graduate Student Research Retreat, The University of Kansas Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research Center & Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Lawrence, KS. 2001
- Species richness patterns in symbiotic gut fungi (Trichomycetes). Inoculum. 2001
- Relationship of the Eccrinales to other Trichomycetes. Inoculum. 2000
- Toward a new monograph of the Trichomycetes, Fungal associates of arthropods. PEET III: The monographic process. 2000
- Asociacion con endofitos en gramineas autoctonas argentinas II. II Congreso Latinoamericano de Micologia . 1999
- Gut fungi of isopods, the genus Palavascia. XVI International Botanical Congress, St. Louis, MO, U.S.A.. 1999
- Trekking for Trichos: a survey of Trichomycetes in Puerto Rico. XVI International Botanical Congress, St. Louis, MO, U.S.A.. 1999
- Trichomycetes en Latinoamerica . III Congreso Latinoamericano de Micologia . 1999
- Isozyme study on fungal endophytes of grasses from Argentina. Inoculum. 1998
- Trichomycetes living in the guts of isopods. PEET II. 1998
- Asociacion con endofitos en gramineas autoctonas argentinas. II Congreso Latinoamericano de Micologia . 1996
- Caracterizacion isoenzimatica de endofitos de gramineas toxicas de Argentina. II Congreso Latinoamericano de Micologia . 1996
- Cinetica de la produccion de enzimas extracelulares de Thecotheus pelletieri en medios sinteticos y semisinteticos. II Congreso Latinoamericano de Micologia . 1996
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conference poster
- Actinobacteria Secondary Metabolites as a Potential Antimicrobial Agents. 53rd ACS Junior Technical Meeting (JTM) and 38th Puerto Rico Interdisciplinary Scientific Meeting (PRISM). 2019
- Bioremediation of Oil Pollutants by Fungi Associated with Coastal Mangroves from Puerto Rico. 53rd ACS Junior Technical Meeting (JTM) and 38th Puerto Rico Interdisciplinary Scientific Meeting (PRISM). 2019
- Distribution of Harpellales (Kickxellomycotina) in Culicidae and Chironomidae in Puerto Rico. 53rd ACS Junior Technical Meeting (JTM) and 38th Puerto Rico Interdisciplinary Scientific Meeting (PRISM). 2019
- Survey of Marine Yeasts assoiated with Mangroves in Puerto Rico. 53rd ACS Junior Technical Meeting (JTM) and 38th Puerto Rico Interdisciplinary Scientific Meeting (PRISM). 2019
- Synthesis and Characterization of Chitosan Based Films Containing TiO2 Nanoparticles As a Biocide (Poster). 2017 SACNAS The National Diversity STEM Conference. 2017
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website
- The Trichomycetes 2001
presentations
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invited talk
- Actinobacteria communities associated with ants in Puerto Rico, Speaker, Department of Biology, UPR-Rio Piedras
- Fungi-arthropod associations, Speaker, Department of Biology, Universidad del Turabo, PR
- Symbiotic gut fungi of arthropods in the Tropics, Speaker, Department of Biology, UPR-Rio Piedras
- Trichomycetes: diversity and life history, Speaker, KU Alumni Advisory Board
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presentation
- Actinobacteria associated to Paratrechina sp. ant in Guanica dry forest, Speaker, 1st Biology Undergraduate Symposium
- Antifungal Production in Actinobacteria Associated with the Exoskeleton of the Termite Nasutitermes costalis, Speaker, 3rd Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium
- Are the Eccrinales and other Trichomycetes real fungi? , Speaker, The Kaw Valley Mycological Society
- Arthropod gut symbionts in the Caribbean, Speaker, Department of Biological Sciences, Western Illinois University
- Arthropod-microbe interactions: exploring new ecological niches, Speaker, Department of Biology, University of Denver
- Cellulolytic Enzyme Activity and Degradation of Hydrocarbons and Alginate: Insights from Bacterial Communities Associated with the Fiddler Crab Uca rapax, Speaker, 3rd Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium
- Cellulose-degrading ability of Actinobacteria associated with the termite Nasutitermes costalis, Speaker, 3rd Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium
- Cellulose-degrading ability of Actinobacteria associated with the termite gut of Nasutitermes costalis, Speaker, 2nd Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium
- Chemical analysis of nest material from two termite species in Puerto Rico, Speaker, 3rd Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium
- Comparison among three different PCR fingerprinting techniques for identification of Actinobacteria associated with Nasutitermes costalis (Isoptera: Termitidae) nests in Western Puerto Rico, Speaker, 2nd Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium
- Confrontations between Actinobacteria isolated from Cyphomyrmex minutus and microfungi with pathogenic potential, Speaker, 2nd Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium
- Diversity of Actinobacteria associated with the yeast-agriculture ant Cyphomyrmex minutus exoskeleton and cultivar, Speaker, 2nd Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium
- Diversity of bacteria associated with the hindgut of Uca rapax fiddler crab in Puerto Rico: their role and ability to degrade cellulose, Speaker, 2nd Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium
- Enterobryus (Ichthyosporea: Eccrinales) associated with the gut of the millipede Anadenobolus monilicornis in Guanica Dry Forest, Speaker, 2nd Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium
- Gut biota of arthropods, Speaker, Estacion Biologica Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, Mexico
- Hunting for trichomycetes (gut fungi) in Latin America and the Caribbean, Speaker, 50th Anniversary Center of Latin American Studies, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
- Identification and description of the yeast cultivated by the fungus-growing ant Cyphomyrmex minutus, Speaker, 2nd Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium
- Identification of Actinobacteria associated with Nasutitermes costalis termite, Speaker, 2nd Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium
- Identification of fungi associated to Nasutitermes costalis termite nests, Speaker, 2nd Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium
- Implementation of 1-D analysis software Quantity One to improve accuracy of BOX-PCR DNA fingerprinting for identification of Actinobacteria associated with Nasutitermes nests, Speaker, 3rd Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium
- Interacciones microbianas en hormigas que cultivan hongos (Tribu Attini), Speaker, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes
- Microbiota asociada al intestino de insectos, Speaker, Museo Nacional de Historia Natural Santo Domingo, Rep. Dominicana
- Microfungi Associated with the Fungus-growing Ant, Cyphomyrmex minutus , Speaker, 1st Biology Undergraduate Symposium
- Microscopic and molecular characterization of Actinobacteria associated with Nasutitermes costalis (Isoptera: Termitidae) nests, Speaker, 3rd Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium
- Morphological description of Actinobacteria associated with Nasutitermes costalis (Isoptera: Termitidae) nests in three ecosystems of Western Puerto Rico, Speaker, 2nd Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium
- Morphological description of microbial community associated with the nest material, exoskeleton and gut of Nasutitermes costalis, Speaker, 2nd Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium
- Nasutitermes costalis nest viability in correlation with Actinobacteria density, Speaker, 2nd Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium
- Phylogenetic approaches to arthropod-microbe interactions, Speaker, Department of Biology, Western Kentucky University
- Scanning electron microscopy analysis of the microflora associated with the hindgut of the fiddler crab Uca rapax, Speaker, 3rd Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium
- Symbiotic gut fungi of arthopods: a phylogenetic perspective, Speaker, Evolution Group, University of Wisconsin
- The importance of a complete academic CV, Speaker, 1st Biology Undergraduate Symposium
- The protist trichomycete Enterobryus associated with Anadenobolus monilicornis in Guanica Dry Forest, Speaker, 3rd Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium
- Trichomycetes: fungal symbionts of arthropods (or not?), Speaker, University of Tennessee - Martin, TN
Research
co-principal investigator on
Service
professional service activities
- University of Kansas, Lawrence Lecturer 2001 - 2003
- University of Kansas, Lawrence Teaching Assistant 2000 - 2001
- Harvard University Invited Speaker - 2000
- Buenos Aires University (UBA) Teaching Assistant 1996 - 1997
Background
education and training
- Ph.D. in Botany, University of Kansas, Lawrence , Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Systematics of the Trichomycetes as an ecological group with emphasis on the phylogeny of Eccrinales and Asellariales based on rDNA sequences 1998 - 2003
- B.S. in Mycology, Buenos Aires University (UBA) , Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Caracterizacion isoenzimatica de endofitos fungicos de gramineas autoctonas de la Argentina 1991 - 1997
awards and honors
- Plant Biology Endowed Summer Fund Award, conferred by University of Kansas, Lawrence, 2000
- Graduate School Travel Award , conferred by University of Kansas, Lawrence, 2000
- Arthur Mix Award , conferred by University of Kansas, Lawrence, 1998
Contact
full name
- Matias J. Cafaro
mailing address
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Call Box 9000 - Biology
University of Puerto Rico
Mayaguez, Puerto Rico 00681
USA