21st Century Guidebook to Fungi, SECOND EDITION, by David Moore, Geoffrey D. Robson and Anthony P. J. Trinci

Table of Contents

1. Chapter 7: From the haploid to the functional diploid; homokaryons, heterokaryons, dikaryons and compatibility
2. Chapter 8: Sexual reproduction: the basis of diversity and taxonomy
   1. The process of sexual reproduction
   2. Mating in budding yeast
   3. Mating type switching in budding yeast
   4. Mating types of Neurospora
   5. Mating types in Basidiomycota
   6. Biology of mating type factors
   7. Chapter 8 References and further reading
   8. Buy a PDF of Chapter 8
3. Chapter 9: Continuing the diversity theme: cell and tissue differentiation

Chapter 8: Sexual reproduction: the basis of diversity and taxonomy

Sexual reproduction is a nearly universal feature of eukaryotes and its core features are conserved throughout each group within the eukaryotic tree of life. This is taken to imply that sexual reproduction evolved once only and was present in the Eukaryote Last Common Ancestor (ELCA; see Fig. 2.11 and Moore, 2013 [pp. 174 et seq.]). Studies of the fungal kingdom have revealed novel and unusual patterns of sexual reproduction, which we will discuss in this Chapter.

Fundamentally, sexual reproduction is the fusion of gametes (the differentiated sex cells) or their nuclei to form a diploid that can undergo meiosis. The overall summary 'equation' is:

Plasmogamy → Karyogamy → Meiosis

For most fungi, plasmogamy occurs when hyphal fusion (anastomosis) occurs, and is controlled by the incompatibility systems; growth of the resultant heterokaryon as an independent mycelium prolongs plasmogamy, in some cases indefinitely.

In this Chapter we describe the process of sexual reproduction in fungi. This includes description of mating and mating type switching in budding yeast, mating type factors of Neurospora, and the mating type factors of Basidiomycota. We finish with some thoughts about the biology of mating type factors.

For the price of a Coffee & Blueberry Scone ($5) you can buy yourself a PDF file of this chapter from 21st Century Guidebook to Fungi Online. Our PDFs feature an elegantly simple text layout that is easily readable on your mobile or other device, and all hyperlinks are live so you can continue to enjoy the Internet experience. Chapter 8: Sexual reproduction: the basis of diversity and taxonomy, is a 28-page PDF file priced at FIVE US$ ($5) Delivered to you by SendOwl Not convinced yet? Download a FREE sample HERE

Updated July, 2019