Fungi Friday; the horn stalkball (Onygena equina)

June 7, 2019 Philip Pinzone

The horn stalkball (Onygena equina) by Ben Mitchell. — The horn stalkball (*Onygena equina*) by Ben Mitchell.

The majority of species featured in these weekly editions of Fungi Friday either break down dead plant matter, parasitize plants or animals, or form crazy intricate mutualisms with other organisms. An exceedingly wide diversity of fungi carry out the different aforementioned ecological roles, so it's always exciting to come across a fungus new to me, that has evolved a different strategy. Everybody, I’d like you to meet Onygena equina, a species commonly known as the horn stalkball. It’s a keratin specialist that breaks down the horns and hoofs of sheep, horses, and cattle.

Large trees are more important than we thought

June 6, 2018 Philip Pinzone

Earth's most massive tree, a giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) named General Sherman. — Earth's most massive tree, a giant sequoia (*Sequoiadendron giganteum*) named General Sherman.

New research suggests that by removing the largest 1% of trees, we remove 50% of the aboveground biomass! This new collaborative science also shows interesting latitudinal trends.

Fungi Friday; Laccaria bicolor

May 11, 2018 Philip Pinzone

Laccaria bicolor found in Washington State, by Chris Herrera. — *Laccaria bicolor* found in Washington State, by Chris Herrera.

Laccaria bicolor is an awesome looking species, but its true beauty is contained within its genome. By looking at its DNA, we can paint a vivid ecological and evolutionary picture of this forest floor inhabitant.

Evolutionary stability in mycorrhizal endobacteria

April 11, 2018 Philip Pinzone

Some bacteria make fungal hyphae their home.

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.

Neighboring plants exert strong and counterintuitive effects on ant–plant mutualisms

March 28, 2018 Philip Pinzone

Ant-plant mutualisms are thoroughly researched, but it is widely unknown just how neighboring 'competitor' plants influence these interactions. A recent publication reveals results that are counterintuitive, showing not only an interesting relationship within these savanna ecosystems, but just how important science is.

Your path towards ecological understanding