Fungi have been around for over 400 million years, but a new study has revealed that their evolution has been anything but static. In a new paper, researchers describe how a newly discovered species of Mycena fungus has evolved to invade the bodies of its hosts and how this will alter the way we think about fungal evolution.

The study found that Mycena pteridis, a species of fungus native to Africa, has evolved to become a parasite of its hosts. This is a remarkable discovery, as it is the first time that a fungus has been found to have evolved this way. The researchers postulated that the fungus evolved this way in order to access a new source of nutrients, as its original habitat may have been too nutrient-poor. Furthermore, the research showed that the fungus has developed a unique set of enzymes that allow it to break down the host’s tissues and access its nutrients.

This discovery is significant, as it has implications for how we think about fungal evolution. It shows that fungi are capable of adapting and evolving quickly, and that they can even become parasites of their hosts. This could lead to new insights into the dynamics of fungal-host interactions, as well as the potential for fungi to cause

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source: Phys.org