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Joshua Tree

On a recent trip to Joshua Tree NP we saw only a few fungi, some beautiful lichens. I also took a picture of this grass (right) which in a funny way, resembles a zygomycete sporangia. We will have to return when the rains come for the wildflower show and seek out the palm oases in [...]

Experimental cooperative evolution

A paper in Nature this week describes how a few mutations can alter the interactions between species in a biofilm from competitive to cooperative system. This is a great study that goes from start to finish on studying community interactions, looking at an evolved phenotype, and understanding the genetic and physiological basis for the [...]

Tripartate symbioses with fungi

Ants, fungi, and bacteria
I have to admit that I am fascinated by co-evolution of symbiotic and mutalistic systems. A review by Richard Robinson gives an overview. A great example is the mutalism between ants and fungi where the ants cultivate the fungi for food. [...]