Club Fungus Diversity

1. Club Fungus Diversity

2. Club Fungus Diversity

3. Mushroom Fairy Ring

4. Fungal Interactions • Many fungi live in symbiotic relationships that may be parasitic or mutually beneficial with other species.

5. Lichens • Symbiotic relationship between fungi and single-celled green algae or cyanobacteria • Described as “fungi that have learned to garden” • Fungal member tends to the photosynthetic algae or bacteria by providing shelter and protection from harsh environments

6. Lichens • Photosynthetic organism produces food for itself and some is consumed by the fungus • Some fungal species consume up to 90% of food produced • Is it really a mutually beneficial relationship? • Some fungal hyphae penetrate their algal symbionts

7. Lichens dispersal fragment (cells of fungus and of photosynthetic species) outer layer of fungal cells photosynthetic species inner layer of loosely woven hyphae outer layer of fungal cells

8. Lichens • Are tough and self-sufficient • Can inhabit inhospitable habitats such as deserts, newly formed volcanic islands, Arctic, bare rock • Grow slowly • Arctic colonies grow 1-2 inches every 1000 years • Some thought to be over 4000 years old

9. Lichens

10. Mycorrhizae • Symbiotic relationship between fungi and plant roots • Over 5000 species of michorrhizalfungi including representatives of all the major groups of fungi • About 80% of plants with roots have michorrhizalassociations

11. Mycorrhizae • Help feed plants • Fungi receive photosynthetically produced sugar molecules from the plant which is passed from its roots to the fungi • Fungi digests and absorbs minerals and organic nutrients from the soil and passes these to the plant (i.e. phosphorous and nitrogen) • Fungi also absorb water that is passed to the plant

12. Mycorrhizae Mycorrhizae on the roots of pines Plant with and without mycorrhizae fungi

13. Benefits of Mycorrhizae • Juniper seedlings without and with mycorrhizae

14. Endophytes • Fungi that live inside plant stems and leaves • May be parasitic or beneficial • Some ascomycete species live inside leaf cells of many species of grass • Fungi produce substances that are distasteful or toxic to insects and grazing mammals • Therefore aid in protecting the grass Rye grass with (right) and without (left) endophyte

15. Fungi are Important Recyclers • Able to digest lignin and cellulose which are molecules that make up wood • Are necessary for decomposing woody remains • Also important for consuming dead material from all the kingdoms • Saprophytes which feed on dead organisms break down decomposing materials returning substances back to the soil