Your path towards ecological understanding

The King: Boletus edulis and its bacterial symbiote

May 3, 2019 Philip Pinzone

The King: Boletus edulis. By Richard Sullivan. — The King: *Boletus edulis*. By Richard Sullivan.

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.

Fungi Friday; A liverwort and a peculiar ascomycete fungus

June 29, 2018 Philip Pinzone

Pezoloma sp. Photo by  Sava Krstic. — *Pezoloma* sp. Photo by Sava Krstic.

The nutrient scavenging abilities and low carbon demand for this tiny fungus makes it exceedingly suitable for engaging in this unique liverwort mutualism. Usually, lower plants engage in mutualisms with AMF. This new study reveals that highly specialized higher fungi adapted to a symbiotic lifestyle with ericoid plants can also form relationships with lower plants. This highlights the adaptability of both organisms, further revealing the importance of taking advantage of services your neighbor can provide.

Overlooked and underappreciated fungal symbiotes; Trichoderma species

April 27, 2018 Philip Pinzone

Orange filaments in a.) and b.) represent Trichoderma sp. within plant roots. Blue filaments represent fungal pathogens. When invaded by Trichoderma sp. the plant responds by creating cell-wall deposits (black squiggles) which limits Trichoderma and… — Orange filaments in a.) and b.) represent *Trichoderma* sp. within plant roots. Blue filaments represent fungal pathogens. When invaded by *Trichoderma* sp. the plant responds by creating cell-wall deposits (black squiggles) which limits *Trichoderma* and pathogen growth. The first plant in panel c.) represents a healthy, disease resistant plant with *Trichoderma* sp. present while the second individual represents a disease ridden, less fit plant without the fungal mutualist. Harman et al. 2004.

Like mycorrhizae, Trichoderma sp. do more than just providing their host with nutrients. They offer numerous fitness enhancing services that must not be overlooked. In today’s post I will briefly describe the ecological services provided by Trichoderma sp. and how we are using this group of fungi to enhance our own fitness.

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.