An opportunistic parasite; Pholiota squarrosa

April 19, 2019 Philip Pinzone

Pholiota squarrosa found in New Jersey by I. G. Safonov. — *Pholiota squarrosa* found in New Jersey by I. G. Safonov.

Reoccurring patterns in nature are not to be ignored. These are clear signs that we can learn from, clear signs that can be described through underlying biology. Many solely parasitic species have a saprotrophic ancestry and it is these saprotrophic fungi that are equipped with many of the same tools that parasitic fungi utilize when they are consuming their woody hosts. Pholiota squarrosa is an opportunistic parasite that may represent a transitional phase in the species evolution, as acquiring a parasitic ecology may happen over a series of stepwise genetic and biochemical events. Once again, limiting resources in forest ecosystems drive competition which ultimately drives evolution.

Laboulbenia species; fungi analogous to athlete’s foot

March 29, 2019 Philip Pinzone

Laboulbenia species growing from the hard outer wing surface known as the elytra. — *Laboulbenia* species growing from the hard outer wing surface known as the elytra.

So often, I find fungi to write about that have a large ecological impact. Organisms that interact with ecosystems in stunningly detrimental ways or overwhelmingly positive ways entice readers to visit this website, and are generally easy to write about. However, it would be a disservice to you if I didn’t mention the commensals; the species that skate by without having truly negative or positive impacts. I just recently learned of a group of Ascomycete fungi called the laboulbeniomycetes that do just that.

Entoloma abortivum

December 28, 2018 Philip Pinzone

For over a century, Entoloma abortivum has perplexed the minds of mycologists. Its true ecology has been realized just about 20 years ago, and its function stretches beyond its own fitness, as it reduces another ecologically important parasite. The word parasite has a negative connotation, but sometimes we fail to see that the more parasitic diversity an ecosystem has, the more overall diversity the ecosystem has. Parasites level the playing field, allowing less dominant species to gain an ecological foothold. Learn about this incredible species in today's edition of #FungiFriday.

Fungi Friday; the snake fungal disease Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola

July 13, 2018 Philip Pinzone

Sistrurus catenatus infected by Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola, the culprit of the snake fungal disease (SFD). Allender et al. 2015. — *Sistrurus catenatus* infected by *Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola,* the culprit of the snake fungal disease (SFD). Allender et al. 2015.

A lesser known fungal parasite is well established in North America and recent surveys show its spreading. Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola causes snake fungal disease (SFD) and has serious potential to change the way ecosystems function. Many predatory snake species provide top down control in a variety of ecosystems in the United States and Europe, and ultimately permit more species diversity. This fungus shares many ecological similarities with other destructive general fungal parasites, so it is not to be taken lightly.

A parasitic edition of Fungi Friday; A chytrid fungus causing worldwide amphibian declines

February 2, 2018 Philip Pinzone

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis is the main cause of the extinction of several amphibian species throughout the world. Because of its parasitic ecology, this species has an enormous impact on Earth’s environments.

Your path towards ecological understanding