Your path towards ecological understanding

evolutionary arms race; parasitic fungi Vs. The greater wax moth

November 22, 2019 Philip Pinzone

The parasitized greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella). The production of dark melanized tissue is its initial anti-fungal response. Vilcinskas 2019. — The parasitized greater wax moth (*Galleria mellonella*). The production of dark melanized tissue is its initial anti-fungal response. Vilcinskas 2019.

By detecting fungal exudates which indicate a fungal infection, insects can discharge a defensive chemical response. Insect lineages with these traits have a much better chance of surviving and spreading their genes to the next generation. However, it is not that simple. Parasitic fungi too adapt over time and this evolutionary arms race ensues.

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.