Endophytic fungi: Tracing the evolutionary roots and exploring the diversity of plant-fungal symbioses

Abstract

The endophytic lifestyle, characterized by a symbiotic relationship between fungi and their host plants, is pervasive throughout the fungal kingdom. However, the question of whether all fungi have ancestors with endophytic lifestyles remains a topic of ongoing debate. This review paper aims to explore this question by examining the evolutionary history of endophytism in fungi, the diversity of endophytic fungi, and the ecological and host-specific factors that have influenced the evolution and diversification of endophytic lifestyles. While it is clear that not all fungi descend from endophytic ancestors, the prevalence and diversity of endophytism across the fungal phylogeny suggest that this lifestyle has evolved multiple times in response to various ecological and host-specific pressures. Future research, integrating modern genomic tools and experimental approaches, will likely shed more light on the complex evolutionary trajectories of endophytic fungi, and potentially contribute to applications in agriculture, industry, and medicine.