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Fungal clones win the battle, but recombination wins the war

André Drenth1, Alistair R McTaggart1,2, Brenda D Wingfield2

  • 1Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102 Australia.

IMA Fungus
|July 11, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Fungal pathogens often reproduce clonally, but genetic recombination, including sexual reproduction, is essential for their long-term adaptability and survival. This genetic exchange drives evolution, ensuring fungal populations can adapt to changing environments.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Plant Pathology

Background:

  • Clonal reproduction is prevalent in fungi and fungal-like organisms, particularly during epidemics and invasions.
  • The success of clonal fungi has influenced their classification, with some pathogens often assumed to be asexual.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To challenge the assumption of widespread asexual reproduction in fungi.
  • To advocate for genetic recombination, including sexual reproduction, as a primary hypothesis in fungal studies.
  • To highlight the evolutionary necessity of genetic exchange for fungal adaptation.

Main Methods:

  • The study presents a theoretical argument based on evolutionary principles.
  • It analyzes the ecological and evolutionary implications of clonal reproduction versus genetic recombination in fungal populations.

Main Results:

  • Clonal populations are inherently limited in adaptability and prone to eventual decline ('crash').
  • Fungi possess diverse mechanisms for genetic exchange, including sexual, parasexual, and hybridization processes.
  • Successful clones are products of past recombination events, and new successful clones will emerge.

Conclusions:

  • Genetic recombination is a fundamental driver of fungal evolution and adaptation.
  • Fungal pathogen populations should be viewed as dynamic entities requiring genetic exchange to persist in changing environments.
  • Treating fungi as potentially sexual is crucial for understanding their evolutionary trajectory and managing pathogen populations.
Keywords:
EpidemicsEvolutionFungal adaptationFungal pathogensFungiInvasive speciesOomycotaSexual reproduction

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