Boletus edulis is becoming rarer throughout Europe and overharvesting is not the culprit. The porcini's reduction is largely due to indirect human interactions. Intense, regular fires in Mediterranean ecosystems are not only changing belowground bacterial assemblages but also plant productivity. The alteration of both symbiotes in this tripartite relationship has decimated our beloved porcinis.
Read moreFungi Friday; The fungal communities that occupy your home
Homes are small-scaled ecosystems, and the different surfaces within them function as completely separate ecological niches. Today I learned that communities of fungi that live on indoor surfaces are structured differently than residential bacteria. Natural selection is occurring literally beneath your feet, in the drains of your showers. These assemblages of microorganisms live all over the surfaces in your home, and there's really nothing you can do about it.
Read moreEvolutionary stability in mycorrhizal endobacteria
Many bacteria live inside other organisms. These endobacteria usually evolve functions that enhance the fitness of their partner. It was once perceived that facultative endobacteria were an intermediate, transitional stage leading to more obligate mutualisms. Contrary to what we once thought, this research shows that not all facultative endobacteria are on route to becoming an obligate mutualist. Instead, these facultative relationships can persist for millions of years, especially when their interactions vary greatly with different environmental conditions.
Read morePlant diversity drives soil feedbacks
The more species, the more ecological complexity.
Read moreMushrooms farm bacteria
Sclerotia forming morels may be associated with the rhizosphere not through a mycorrhizal ecology, but through an intimate relationship bacteria.
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