Sebacinales - one thousand and one interactions with land plants

Area of Science:

• Fungal genomics and molecular ecology
• Plant-fungal interactions
• Evolutionary biology

Background:

• Root endophytism and mycorrhizal associations are key fungal traits influencing plant physiology.
• The fungal order Sebacinales (Basidiomycota) exhibits diverse plant interactions, including saprotrophy, endophytism, and mycorrhizal associations.
• Sebacinales display evolutionary transitions from saprotrophy to endophytism and mycorrhizal nutrition within a single fungal order.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review genomic traits associated with Sebacinales' nutritional transitions.
• To discuss molecular ecology findings on Sebacinales' hyperdiversity and evolutionary diversification.
• To propose a new family, Serendipitaceae, and reclassify endophytic species within the genus Serendipita.

Main Methods:

• Genomic trait analysis related to nutritional modes.
• Molecular ecology to reveal fungal diversity and evolutionary patterns.
• Literature review of Sebacinales' interactions and evolutionary history.

Main Results:

• Sebacinales have diversified into two sister families: Sebacinaceae (ectomycorrhizal, saprotrophic) and Serendipitaceae (endophytic, with various mycorrhizal abilities).
• The genus Serendipita now includes cultivable endophytic species like Piriformospora indica and P. williamsii.
• Endophytic Serendipitaceae species are valuable models for studying root endophytism and beneficial plant effects.

Conclusions:

• Sebacinales demonstrate remarkable evolutionary plasticity in plant-fungal interactions.
• The proposed Serendipitaceae family, particularly cultivable Serendipita species, offers significant potential for agricultural applications and understanding plant stress resistance.