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Mycorrhizal originsandfunctioning lead by Francis M.Martin. isdefinitely This ofthe issue, by the co-editors eight solicited supplemented by other contributions andToulouse,held in 2017in Prague internationaltwo mycorrhizal conferences ondiscussions stimulatedpartly based by commentaries, letters, andviewpoints. It is mixture articles, research ofreview papers, There are 38items in the issue including a wiley.com/toc/14698137/2018/220/4). (4): 937–1336;https://nph.onlinelibrary. integration ofmycorrhizal function” ( to“Cross-scale issue devoted special Phytologist 2018issueDecember The of the the ofthe base Agaricomycotina maximum) at being tothis support strong on26gave data based not (but Then, after removingpoorly resolving genes, were which in analysis. anetwork loci, used orthologous conserved study 67highly used a greatly improved resolution. Thenew by Mishragenes conserved ofhighly using awiderange comprehensive approach phylogenomic DNA analyses, but sequence now amore wasunresolvedbe in nucSSU the original et al.2008).Just what the position might branching of basal septal structure, andposition at the basidia, andits peculiar yearsago, from 270million this tree genus, isknown which afossil as “living fossil” ofits because association with biloba, leaves ofGingko knownbasidiomycete only from fallen Bartheletia paradoxa isaremarkable Stabentheiner. of Basidia Bartheletia Bartheletia , is a 399-page open-access , isa399-page et al paradoxa Edith . Photo: Agaricomycotina . (2018)has provided andreferred a toas and sister New confirmed asbasalin (Scheuer (Scheuer 81 a “must” forall notonly the key players from Frank onwards, with Paola andsuccinctly eruditely introduces understandings by Paola Bonfante (2018). and how that shape has helped current ofmycorrhizal investigationsthe history fascinating. First of review isaninsightful contributionsto two that Ifound especially whole issue, andhere draw Iwill attention wantmycorrhizal will the fungi tosee levels. tothe genomic the palaeontological functioning ofsymbiotic relationships from for also but researchers, or ecto-, whether endo- Bartheletiomycetes ancestor. andordinal class Thenew names the advent the common last ofbasidian attributable toarapid radiation relatedto that the lackofstronger may support be Agaricomycotina form asister grouptothe wholeofthe and Usilaginomycotina and separate from the otherto all members ofthe subphylum, fungus. formally introduced here forthis weird paradoxa. Adapted from Mishraet al.(2018). Maximum showing studied loci the 26ofthe position tree of 67orthologous likelihood based Workers interest whoseprimary is all interested in the evolution and . The authors speculate and which together together which Bartheletiales mycorrhizal are

Agaricomycotina ignored. All mycologists andforesters mycologists All ignored. who material frequently istoo notonline the paceofresearch in the 2000swhen researchersall make the time todoin somethingasked in the that past; not doneandwhathas been questions were much learnt canbe from examiningwhat colonization onwards. Shestresses that interactions offungal-root genetics from first andlaterinto the biochemistry the pioneering investigations andelegant modestly presented ofher synopsis own international Here meetings. isa also insights made, they andnotesoninfluential oftheir ofaspects lives andkeyglimpses Scheuer C, Bauer R, Lutz Stabentheiner M, Bauer C, Scheuer R, E, Mishra B,Choi Y-J, ThinesM(2018)phylogenom- 1265–1279. the leaf litter with aunique septal structure in paradoxa isaliving fossil on Mel’nik M(2008)Bartheletia Grube A, 17:333–341. Progress probably notstrictly bifurcating. rapid was ofbasidiomycetes and history tionary Agaricomycotina in tion ics ofBartheletia paradoxa . Mycological Research andthat the early evolu- reveals its basal posi- its basal reveals Gingko biloba Bartheletia IMA FUNGUS Mycological 112:

RESEARCH NEWS (69) 220: 220: 982–995. New Phytologist Phytologist New et al. (2018). These were used. Exposure to 50 Gy to 50 Gy used. Exposure were 1 New Phytologist Phytologist New Second, on the is a review focussing the ideas and scientists that shaped mycorrhizal shaped mycorrhizal that ideas and scientists the research. of FM (2018) The origin and evolution symbioses: palaeomycologymycorrhizal from to phylogenomics. 1012–1030. resulted in the death of approximately 20 % of approximately death resulted the in cells asof the assessed colony-forming-unit by 40 %, of around death to the 100 Gy counts, did not to 400 Gy beyond increases that but percentages. different give statistically any fungus doses, the still enormous these at Even proportion the of cells with a substantial had monitoring survival and metabolic activitymonitoring the modelling then – and exposure after Radiationsurvival doses of dose response. to 400 Gy up have a mycorrhizal slot in their teaching teaching their slot in a mycorrhizal have thisprogrammes a will fascinating find them make to help overview tid-bits with to students. captivating even more symbioses on the of mycorrhizal evolution and what record fossil basis the of both emergedhas phylogenomic from studies by Strullu-Derrien summarized succinctly are sets data separate the relating figure a here) in (reproduced origin the to of genomicfossils functional based traits on molecular clock estimates is given to the of age. attention Particular the from of endomycorrhizas evolution in aerial parts of the “paramycorrhizas” to tree Devonian plants Chert Rhynie A broad Carboniferous. late the by roots to relationships including view is taken, concentrations, carbon dioxide atmospheric elevated levels under that out pointing support larger networkstrees and hyphal minerals; of silicate increased conversion need global in to be that considered issues helpful are boxes There scenarios. warming environmental atmospheric at looking communities, terrestrial earliest the contexts, to it is linked and how record fossil and the geologicalexceptional Further, situations. provided, are pagesalmost five references of important an enormously this making the relating in for all work interested source mycorrhizas. to extant record fossil Bonfante P (2018) The future has roots in the past:in hasroots P (2018) The Bonfante future Martin P, C, Selosse M-A, Kenrick Strullu-Derrien , et al. (2018) used an ex-epitype (as “epitype”) culture to culture used (as an ex-epitype “epitype”) fungus of this tolerance to the the investigate effects of ionizing radiation by rays) (gamma and that is especially so in Antarctica where where is especially Antarctica so in and that is especiallyradiation high. fungus such One of rocks layers upper the which inside occurs ice-free areas and coldest of driest the in endolithicus Antarctica is Friedmanniomyces species. The a “cryptoendolithic” fungus beenhas which obtained makes culture in possible. Pacelli experimentation (left). Reproduced from of genomic traits (right) and antiquity

et al. (2018) which should be explanation. consulted for further 2000). In nature, exposed nature, et al. 2000). In

There has been much interest in the possible in hasinterest much been There conveying in of melanin pigments role to fungi. Particular resistance radiation it was when to this was drawn attention fungi melanin-containing that found contaminated heavily most the in dominated damaged parts of the inner the sites in Ukraine in Plant Power Nuclear Chernobyl (Zhdanova can support a wide rangerock surfaces of fungi black conidial, meristematic, often Geological timescale with the oldest known fossils known oldest the with timescale Geological Strullu-Derrien VOLUME 9 · NO. 2

meristematic fungus Gamma ray tolerance in an Antarctic black Antarctic in an tolerance Gamma ray (70) RESEARCH NEWS

activity analyses showed the cells metabolic activity analyses showed the metabolic cells Further,repair damage. metabolic the XTT toeither resistability the radiation or effects authors their studies up scaled tofield Ganoderma results were from obtained Promising Lake Sinai virusUSA, (LSV). another virus attacking in the bees honey onDWVof various fungi and polypore ofextracts theet al.(2018)tested effect mycelium, amongst Stamets foraging seen anti-viral have properties, andbees been having as are in particular reported fungi universally polypore effective. Assome hives, butmiticides inthat bee has notbeen on eliminating the by spraying mites Control has centredvirus-1 (VDV1). andVarroawing virus (DWV) destructor theimportant latter amongst are deformed Most RNA diseases. viral and associated crops, ( parasitic mites the use pesticides ofneonicotinoid on populations, attributedin bee toboth There is worldwide concern over declines Ganoderma Reproduced from OnofriReproduced Scanning electronof micrograph mycelium extracts, sothe et al.(2007). Varroa destructor Fomes Friedmanniomyces endolithicus and extract reduces effectofbeevirus ), also be beneficial. be also perhaps would bymedication the bees aroundbasidiomes hives tofacilitate self- culture. from liquid Leaving produced was the ofthe case extract amajor notbe problem should in remains but seen, to be the supply of extent taken be this will towhich up when spraying The miticides. necessary recourse procedures toprecautionary implemented socanbe process without by isarelatively beekeepers routine extracts ofsuch fungal the usage feeders, withcompared controls. was obtained 000-fold reduction in LSV reduction in DWV 45 and astaggering of G. resinaceum results were particularly striking in the case at aconcentrationfeeders ofjust 1%.The trials. Extracts were tobees’ water added doses. toincreaseactivity with increasing radiation As the extract are just towater added This level of level resistanceThis is much larger . Ganoderma extracts, where a79-fold the D example in humans, for other , in reported that than radiation demonstrated in resistance toionizing but thefungi, of level studies onother melanized havewill toawait more in general producing fungi melanin is amongst exceptional how representative or is just 4.5Gy. Just tumor population, cell 50 %inactivation ofa for radiation required dose ofionising inhibitory maximal 50 values as mycelium mycelium as F. endolithicus , half thehalf Stamets PF, Evans Naeger NL, JD, Han JO, (DWV). Photo: Jacqueline Photo: Hartwright.(DWV). Virus WingDeformed by Bumble affected bee 1 Zhdanova NN, Zakharchenko VA, Vember Onofri Selbmann S, L, RA, Pacelli Bryan C, Tosi L, Onofri Zucconi S, S(2007) kg ofmakg is the ofradiation absorption energy/ ofonejoule this study istruly remarkable. Gy 1Gy isameasure = radiation ofionizing dose; bees. Naturebees. Reports Scientific mycelia viruses reduce in honey Hopkins etal.(2018)Extracts ofpolypore BK, 1421–1426. nuclear reactor. Mycological Research the containment structures ofthe damaged Chernobyl: mycobiota ofthe inner of regions VV, Nakonechnaya LT (2000)Fungi from 1222–1227. gammaafter rays exposure. Antarctic endemic blackmeristematic fungus, activity ofFriedmanniomyces endolithicus L, Zucconi Antarctic Fungi. tter. (2000) Survival andredoxet al.(2000)Survival Eching: IHW Verlag. IHW Eching: Fungal Biology 8: 13936. Continental IMA FUNGUS 104: , an 122: