Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...

Fungal Group Zygomycota

Fungal Group Zygomycota

Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...

Epiphytes, Parasites, and Carnivores

Epiphytes, Parasites, and Carnivores

Plants often form mutualistic relationships with soil-dwelling fungi or bacteria to enhance their roots’ nutrient uptake ability. Root-colonizing fungi (e.g., mycorrhizae) increase a plant’s root surface area, which promotes nutrient absorption. While root-colonizing, nitrogen-fixing bacteria (e.g., rhizobia) convert atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonia (NH3), making nitrogen available to plants for various biological functions. For example, nitrogen is essential for the...

Fungal Phylum Basidiomycota

Fungal Phylum Basidiomycota

Basidiomycota is a diverse phylum of fungi that includes ecologically significant decomposers such as white rot fungi, symbionts like mycorrhizal fungi, plant pathogens such as rusts and smuts, and edible species like Agaricus bisporus (the common button mushroom). These fungi play crucial roles in nutrient cycling, symbiotic relationships, and even human health. Their defining feature is the basidium, a microscopic club-shaped structure responsible for producing basidiospores.Fruiting Bodies...

The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition

The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition

Plants have the impressive ability to create their own food through photosynthesis. However, plants often require assistance from organisms in the soil to acquire the nutrients they need to function correctly. Both bacteria and fungi have evolved symbiotic relationships with plants that help the species to thrive in a wide variety of environments.

Overview of Fungi

Overview of Fungi

Fungi are a diverse group of eukaryotes more closely related to animals than other eukaryotes. Fungal cell walls comprise chitin, a polysaccharide that provides structural strength, and glucans, which contribute to flexibility and integrity. Other polysaccharides, such as mannans and galactosans, may supplement or replace chitin in some fungi. These adaptations, along with their preference for acidic environments and tolerance for high osmotic pressure, enable fungi to thrive in various...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Global population structures and demographic history of Suillus luteus, a pine co-introduced ectomycorrhizal fungus associated with exotic forestry and invasion.

The New phytologist·2026

Same author

Plant and aphid genotypes modulate legume rhizobium-induced defense against aphids.

BMC plant biology·2026

Same author

Transcriptomic and functional analyses uncover a conserved effector driving genotype-dependent virulence in the <i>Sphaerulina musiva-Populus trichocarpa</i> interaction.

mBio·2026

Same author

Multiple hypervariable markers improve mycobiome classification in metatranscriptome and metagenome data.

Communications biology·2026

Same author

Comparative genomics provides insights into the cold adaptation of endophytic fungi associated with Deschampsia antarctica.

Fungal genetics and biology : FG & B·2026

Same author

Equipped for success: genomes and metabolomes of the European Amanita muscaria are conserved in its novel South African range.

The New phytologist·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 15, 2026

Establishing Fungal Entomopathogens as Endophytes: Towards Endophytic Biological Control

Establishing Fungal Entomopathogens as Endophytes: Towards Endophytic Biological Control

Published on: April 11, 2013

Fungal endophytes.

Julian Cosner¹, Gaurav Pandharikar², Keaton Tremble³

¹Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA; Plant-Microbe Interfaces Scientific Focus Area, Genomics, US Department of Energy, Office of Science, Biological and Environmental Research, DE-AC05-00OR22725.

Current Biology : CB

|October 7, 2025

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Fungal endophytes are plant-associated fungi that are difficult to classify into ecological guilds. Their diverse lifestyles and scattered evolutionary history challenge traditional categorization methods in mycology.

More Related Videos

Isolation, Characterization, and Total DNA Extraction to Identify Endophytic Fungi in Mycoheterotrophic Plants

Isolation, Characterization, and Total DNA Extraction to Identify Endophytic Fungi in Mycoheterotrophic Plants

Published on: May 5, 2023

Microfluidic Tools for Probing Fungal-Microbial Interactions at the Cellular Level

Microfluidic Tools for Probing Fungal-Microbial Interactions at the Cellular Level

Published on: June 23, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 15, 2026

Establishing Fungal Entomopathogens as Endophytes: Towards Endophytic Biological Control

Establishing Fungal Entomopathogens as Endophytes: Towards Endophytic Biological Control

Published on: April 11, 2013

Isolation, Characterization, and Total DNA Extraction to Identify Endophytic Fungi in Mycoheterotrophic Plants

Isolation, Characterization, and Total DNA Extraction to Identify Endophytic Fungi in Mycoheterotrophic Plants

Published on: May 5, 2023

Microfluidic Tools for Probing Fungal-Microbial Interactions at the Cellular Level

Microfluidic Tools for Probing Fungal-Microbial Interactions at the Cellular Level

Published on: June 23, 2022

Area of Science:

Mycology
Plant Pathology
Ecology

Background:

Ecological guilds categorize organisms by resource use and roles.
The fungal kingdom's diversity is vast, with millions of species.
Fungal endophytes are plant-associated fungi that defy easy classification.

Purpose of the Study:

To introduce and define fungal endophytes.
To explain the challenges in categorizing fungal endophytes within ecological guilds.
To highlight their unique ecological roles and evolutionary distribution.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on fungal endophytes.
Analysis of the definition and characteristics of fungal endophytes.
Comparison with other fungal ecological guilds.

Main Results:

Fungal endophytes are defined by their lifestyle (living within plants) rather than specific traits.
They are evolutionarily scattered across the fungal tree of life.
Traditional guild concepts do not adequately encompass fungal endophyte diversity.

Conclusions:

Fungal endophytes represent a unique ecological group of fungi.
Their classification requires approaches beyond traditional ecological guilds.
Further research is needed to understand their ecological significance and evolutionary history.