The weirdest fungi on Earth. lichen, mycorrhizalAnd Symbiotes of insectsIt never seemed to fit in with our current tree.
A new genetic analysis revealed that, despite their extreme differences, these weirdos actually belong together on a completely new branch that split with other fungi over 300 million years.
“I like to see these as the platypus or echidna in the fungal world.” “Toby Spribille, University of Alberta mycologist, was drawn to the fungi by its unique characteristics.
Some people live with cyanobacteria or algae to create the composite organism that we all know. lichen. These fungi are dependent on their symbiotic counterpart to obtain carbohydrates from photosynthesis. In turn, the fungi provide nutrients and moisture from the environment for algae or cyanobacteria.
Others, such as members of an eerie class of earth tongue fungiGeoglossaceae), live independently, licking the air straight up from the ground with their dark grooved fruiting heads.
While species such as Symbiotaphrina buchneriAlso, they can live in a mutually-beneficial relationship, as in the case of the biscuit beetleStegobium paniceum) – providing the Insects with B vitaminsYou will receive a home for the beetle throughout its entire life cycle.
Then there’s the endophytes – like Xylona heveae – that live their lives entirely dependent on plants.
“It is amazing that these fungi look so different but have a lot of commonality at the level their genomes.” This explains Spribille. “Nobody could have foreseen this.”
University of Alberta biologist David DÃaz-Escandón and colleagues sequenced and analyzed the genomes of 30 different species of fungi from nine different countries around the globe.
These results show that 600 species of fungi previously classified in seven classes should now be placed together under one evolutionary branch called Lichinomycetes. The oldest known name in the group was Lichinomycetes, so the researchers chose to add it as a new category.
“They were not classified, but they were divided into so many parts of the fungal tree of life that people didn’t know they were related.” “ DÃaz-Escandón.
This taxonomic class level is the same as the difference between us, frogs, and the new class that parted ways. Eurotiomycetes class of fungi – a group that includes the antibiotic-producing Penicillium rubens – 300 million years ago.
Lichinomycetes have one thing in common: their small genomes. Researchers suggest that this may explain why they rely on symbiotic relationships to survive.
“Their small genomes means that this class fungi have lost much their ability to combine complex carbohydrates.” “ Spribille. “Spribille.
This research was published by Current BiologY.
