Your path towards ecological understanding

Hypomyces perniciosus; the Causal Agent of Wet Bubble Disease

September 13, 2019 Philip Pinzone

a.) Hypomyces perniciosus on Agaricus bisporus at 3 days. b.) A germinated chlamydospore ofH. pernicious. From Zhang et. al 2017.

In this weeks edition of Fungi Friday learn about an economically important fungal parasite and find out why Hypomyces perniciosus doesn’t infect the mycelia of Agaricus bisporus, but readily parasitizes its aboveground tissue.

New fungal species found in Thailand: Parasitic fungi promote biodiversity

April 26, 2019 Philip Pinzone

Ophiocordyceps globiceps a Habitat b Ascostroma emerging from infected fly c Host d Fertile head of ascostroma e Vertical section of the stroma f Section of ascomata g Peridium h, i Asci k Apical cap of asci l, q Part of ascospore m, n Secondary asc… — *Ophiocordyceps globiceps* a Habitat b Ascostroma emerging from infected fly c Host d Fertile head of ascostroma e Vertical section of the stroma f Section of ascomata g Peridium **h, i** Asci k Apical cap of asci **l, q** Part of ascospore **m, n** Secondary ascospores o Upper side of the culture p Reverse side of the culture. Scale bars: 1000 µm (**b–d**), 500 µm (**e, f**), 100 µm (**h, i**), 20 µm (g), 10 µm (**k, l**), 5 µm (**m, n, q**), 5 cm (**o, p**). From Xiao et al. 2019.

In the rainforests of Thailand, these two newly described parasites enhance biodiversity. Specialized parasites around the world level the playing field, allowing less dominant organisms to gain an ecological foothold. Parasites that reduce voracious herbivores allow higher levels of primary productivity which ultimately leads to more energy entering the system. By altering bottom-up processes through top-down control, these newly described fungal parasites promote biodiversity.

Fungi Friday; The Lobster Mushroom, Hypomyces lactifluorum

July 20, 2018 Philip Pinzone

A Lactarius or Russula fruiting body fully parasitized by Hypomyces lactifluorum. This union creates the sought-after lobster mushroom. Photo by Herbert Baker. — A *Lactarius* or Russula fruiting body fully parasitized by *Hypomyces lactifluorum*. This union creates the sought-after lobster mushroom. Photo by Herbert Baker.

Today I learned how one forest floor parasite actually changes the chemical composition of its host, thereby altering its texture and flavor profile. For this reason, after the fruiting bodies of some Russula and Lactarius species become fully infected, they become highly sought-after. Additionally, I learned that the quantity of DNA in both species involved becomes altered both spatially and temporally. Today I learned how one forest floor parasite actually changes the chemical composition of its host, thereby altering its texture and flavor profile. For this reason, after the fruiting bodies of some Russula and Lactarius species become fully infected, they become highly sought-after. Additionally, I learned that the quantity of DNA in both species involved becomes altered both spatially and temporally.

Norman Borlaug; rust’s worst nightmare.

March 21, 2018 Philip Pinzone

Norman Borlaug is a name we should all know. He believed that food was a right to all, and that your origin of birth shouldn’t determine your access to food. Today I learned how he combated one of our greatest crop enemies; rust.

How bird predation is enhanced by forest fungi

November 30, 2017 Philip Pinzone

A banded Accipiter gentilis adult, a voracious predator. — A banded *Accipiter gentilis* adult, a voracious predator.

The forest floor interacts with the avian realm in unsuspecting ways. Keratinophilic fungi play an influential role by shaping bird prey-predator interactions.