Homothallism : an umbrella term for describing diverse sexual behaviours

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Authors

Wilson, Andrea M.
Wilken, Pieter Markus
Van der Nest, Magrieta Aletta
Steenkamp, Emma Theodora
Wingfield, Michael J.
Wingfield, Brenda D.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

International Mycological Association

Abstract

Sexual reproduction is notoriously complex in fungi with species able to produce sexual progeny by utilizing a variety of different mechanisms. This is even more so for species employing multiple sexual strategies, which is a surprisingly common occurrence. While heterothallism is relatively well understood in terms of its physiological and molecular underpinnings, homothallism remains greatly understudied. This can be attributed to it involving numerous genetically distinct mechanisms that all result in self-fertility; including primary homothallism, pseudohomothallism, mating type switching, and unisexual reproduction. This review highlights the need to classify these homothallic mechanisms based on their molecular determinants and illustrates what is currently known about the multifaceted behaviours associated with homothallism.

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Keywords

Mating, Homothallism, Sexual reproduction, Unisexual reproduction

Sustainable Development Goals

Citation

Wilson, AM, Wilken, PM, Van der Nest, MA, Steenkamp, ET, Wingfield, MJ & Wingfield, BD 2015, 'Homothallism : an umbrella term for describing diverse sexual behaviours', IMA Fungus, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 207-214.