Abstract
Species in genera of the fungal family Ceratocystidaceae are known to have different mating strategies, including heterothallism and homothallism. Of these, species of Ceratocystis, typified by the pathogen Ceratocystis fimbriata all undergo unidirectional mating-type switching. This implies that the pathogens possess the ability to self, but also to undergo sexual outcrossing between isolates of different mating types. In this study, we extended the recently developed microsatellite-based technique to determine the extent to which outcrossing occurs in ascospore masses of haploid fungi to two field collections of Ceratocystis albifundus. In this way, the role of reproductive strategies in shaping population structure and diversity could be better understood. Results showed that a high frequency of outcrossing occurs in isolates of the pathogen from both non-native and native areas. This explains the high level of genetic diversity previously observed in this population despite the fact that this pathogen has the ability to self.
Highlights
A broad range of reproductive strategies are found in filamentous ascomycete fungi [1,2,3].This results in a wide variety of life cycles and a high level of reproductive plasticity emerging from either sexual or asexual propagation [4]
In addition to sexual reproduction that ensures some levels of genetic exchange [5], asexual reproduction via mycelium or mitospores is widespread in fungi [3]
Despite the time investment needed to locate a mating partner [2] and the energy invested to produce sexual structures [6], the question as to why sexual reproduction has been retained in some species is one of the long-standing conundrums concerning fungal mating systems
Summary
A broad range of reproductive strategies are found in filamentous ascomycete fungi [1,2,3] This results in a wide variety of life cycles and a high level of reproductive plasticity emerging from either sexual or asexual propagation [4]. Despite the time investment needed to locate a mating partner [2] and the energy invested to produce sexual structures [6], the question as to why sexual reproduction has been retained in some species is one of the long-standing conundrums concerning fungal mating systems In this regard, Ceratocystis species are interesting because they all undergo unidirectional mating-type switching. They have the ability to either self or undergo sexual outcrossing [7,8,9]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
