Chapter title |
Sex and the Imperfect Fungi.
|
---|---|
Chapter number | 9 |
Book title |
The Fungal Kingdom
|
Published in |
Microbiology Spectrum, May 2017
|
DOI | 10.1128/microbiolspec.funk-0043-2017 |
Pubmed ID | |
Book ISBNs |
978-1-55581-958-3
|
Authors |
Paul S Dyer, Ulrich Kück |
Abstract |
Approximately 20% of species in the fungal kingdom are only known to reproduce by asexual means despite the many supposed advantages of sexual reproduction. However, in recent years, sexual cycles have been induced in a series of emblematic "asexual" species. We describe how these discoveries were made, building on observations of evidence for sexual potential or "cryptic sexuality" from population genetic analyses; the presence, distribution, and functionality of mating-type genes; genome analyses revealing the presence of genes linked to sexuality; the functionality of sex-related genes; and formation of sex-related developmental structures. We then describe specific studies that led to the discovery of mating and sex in certain Candida, Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Trichoderma species and discuss the implications of sex including the beneficial exploitation of the sexual cycle. We next consider whether there might be any truly asexual fungal species. We suggest that, although rare, imperfect fungi may genuinely be present in nature and that certain human activities, combined with the genetic flexibility that is a hallmark of the fungal kingdom, might favor the evolution of asexuality under certain conditions. Finally, we argue that fungal species should not be thought of as simply asexual or sexual, but rather as being composed of isolates on a continuum of sexual fertility. |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Unknown | 56 | 100% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Researcher | 8 | 14% |
Student > Master | 7 | 13% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 7 | 13% |
Student > Bachelor | 3 | 5% |
Student > Doctoral Student | 2 | 4% |
Other | 8 | 14% |
Unknown | 21 | 38% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 14 | 25% |
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 9 | 16% |
Immunology and Microbiology | 5 | 9% |
Engineering | 2 | 4% |
Environmental Science | 2 | 4% |
Other | 2 | 4% |
Unknown | 22 | 39% |