Invasive Californian death caps develop mushrooms unisexually and bisexually

Yen-Wen Wang (), Megan C. McKeon, Holly Elmore, Jaqueline Hess, Jacob Golan, Hunter Gage, William Mao, Lynn Harrow, Susana C. Gonçalves, Christina M. Hull and Anne Pringle
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Yen-Wen Wang: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Megan C. McKeon: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Holly Elmore: Rethink Priorities
Jaqueline Hess: Cambrium GmbH
Jacob Golan: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Hunter Gage: University of Wisconsin-Madison
William Mao: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Lynn Harrow: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Susana C. Gonçalves: University of Coimbra
Christina M. Hull: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Anne Pringle: University of Wisconsin-Madison

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Abstract Canonical sexual reproduction among basidiomycete fungi involves the fusion of two haploid individuals of different mating types, resulting in a heterokaryotic mycelial body made up of genetically different nuclei. Using population genomics data and experiments, we discover mushrooms of the invasive and deadly Amanita phalloides can also be homokaryotic; evidence of sexual reproduction by single, unmated individuals. In California, genotypes of homokaryotic mushrooms are also found in heterokaryotic mushrooms, implying nuclei of homokaryotic mycelia are also involved in outcrossing. We find death cap mating is controlled by a single mating type locus, but the development of homokaryotic mushrooms appears to bypass mating type gene control. Ultimately, sporulation is enabled by nuclei able to reproduce alone as well as with others, and nuclei competent for both unisexuality and bisexuality have persisted in invaded habitats for at least 17 but potentially as long as 30 years. The diverse reproductive strategies of invasive death caps are likely facilitating its rapid spread, suggesting a profound similarity between plant, animal and fungal invasions.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42317-z

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