Researchers have found a brand new kind of coexistence between algae and fungi

Researchers from the Institute of Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences, have described the symbiotic relationship between fungi and algae that science has largely neglected till now. The coexistence of algae and corticioid basidiomycetes, that are frequent in temperate forests, has been given a brand new identify: “alcobiosis.” Their work has been revealed in Scientific Studies.

Jan Vondrák of the Division of Taxonomy, Institute of Botany, and the primary creator of the research says, “Years in the past, throughout field trips, we had been repeatedly puzzled to discover a layer of inexperienced algae the place among the fungal coatings on wooden or bark (so-called corticioid fungi) are disturbed. We found that this can be a shut symbiosis of fungi and algae, not a lichen, although, as a result of the fungus doesn’t rely on its alga for nourishment.”

The brand new time period launched by the researchers for the sort of coexistence, “alcobiosis,” is fashioned by letters from the three key phrases: algae, corticioid fungi and symbiosis.

In the middle of a number of years, the group of researchers gathered numerous samples and carried out DNA sequencing of the algal and fungal companions. They found that the symbiosis is quite common and happens in an amazing many corticioid fungi throughout the category of agaricomycetes. Particular person fungal species are often devoted to a particular algal species from a variety of algae described in numerous alcobioses.

Ensuing physiological measurements of algal exercise in alcobioses confirmed that the algae are alive, energetic and have interaction closely in photosynthesis, which proves that they prosper inside fungal tissue. Alcobioses bear a hanging resemblance to lichens, however differ from them in that the fungal companion doesn’t rely on its alga for nourishment.

“And so the principle unknown nonetheless is in what means this symbiosis is helpful for every of the companions. Nonetheless, our discovery additionally brings many questions associated to geographic, ecological and taxonomic parameters of the symbiosis, similar to whether or not alcobioses range will increase from polar to tropical regions,” says Jan Vondrák.

“This coexistence has been talked about in articles earlier than. Most frequently, although, these had been simply fragmentary feedback that such and such species of corticioid fungus is commonly discovered along with algae. We had been the primary to graps alcobioses as a widespread phenomenon which incorporates numerous algae and fungi.”

Throughout their analysis, the authors additionally found that the unfold of alcobioses is aided by small gastropods who usually feed on corticioid fungi. Their excrements comprise viable cells of algae and fungi who give rise to new alcobiotic coating shortly after. Such a replica is just like lichen “isidia” (i.e., particular lichen thallus buildings utilized in vegetative replica).

Scientists on the Institute of Botany have described a symbiotic relationship that is quite common in Europe, however which has to date escaped consideration. On this means a brand new house has opened for the additional research of alcobioses from numerous factors of view by each skilled biologists and biology fans, since alcobioses are clearly seen to the naked eye and it’s straightforward to tell apart them from comparable fungi that don’t type this type of relationship.

Supplied by
Botanicky ustav Akademie ved Ceske republiky

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