"Unprecedented Evolutionary Leap: Plant Fungus Caught in Action"
Researchers have discovered that a genus of fungi, Mycena, traditionally classified as decomposers, is evolving to invade living plants. Through genetic and chemical analyses, the Danish-led team found genetic signatures of Mycena fungi in the roots of nine out of ten plant species studied. This suggests that Mycena fungi are transitioning from decomposers to invaders of living plants, potentially developing mycorrhizal abilities. The researchers speculate that human-cultivated plantations may have played a role in this adaptation, providing optimal conditions for the fungi to evolve. Further research is needed to confirm this theory.