Reproduction that occurs without the joining of genetic material from two individuals through mating processes
In a groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Fungi, biology student Hannah Elders and her supervisor, Florian Hennicke, have made significant strides in understanding the reproductive behaviour of the Tawaka fungus (Cyclocybe parasitica). This research, with the DOI 10.3390/jof7050394, sheds light on a question that has puzzled fungal researchers for decades: whether wild Sword-belt Mushroom populations rely on monokaryotic fruiting in the narrow sense for their main reproductive strategy.
The Tawaka fungus, known to the Maori as "Tawaka" and also known as an edible wild mushroom, attacks the Tawa tree (Beilschmiedia tawa), which is relevant to the timber industry in New Zealand. The researchers used tissue sectioning and microscopy techniques to reveal the exact anatomical differences between the complex multicellular structures of these sister strains.
Sister strains of the fungus can produce precursors of fruiting bodies to varying degrees. The stromatic type, previously only known from bracket fungi, was identified by Elders and Hennicke in their research. Remarkably, they discovered a competent strain of the fungus that can produce almost fully developed fruiting bodies.
This type of reproduction could provide agarics with greater ecological fitness, potentially allowing them to become established in previously unsuitable habitats. The researchers discuss this potential ecological advantage, suggesting that this unique reproductive strategy could enable the Tawaka fungus to thrive in new environments.
Interestingly, the Pacific Tawaka, like its European relative, the Sword-belt Mushroom (Cyclocybe aegerita), can develop complex structures for sexual reproduction on its own. This research is significant in terms of fungal research, as it provides insights into a question that has been unresolved for decades.
Moreover, the study also reveals that monokaryotic fruiting of Hericium species was investigated from a new perspective. The researchers were able to detect wild populations of Hericium mushrooms in nature whose main reproductive strategy is based on strict monokaryotic fruiting.
Elders and Hennicke's research provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of the reproductive biology of the Tawaka fungus, opening up new avenues for further study in this fascinating field.
