Armillaria species, fungal pathogens prevalent in temperate forests, have acquired hundreds of genes from Ascomycota fungi through horizontal gene transfer. These genes have influenced Armillaria spp. pathogenicity and plant biomass degradation abilities and contribute to uncovering key insights into the evolutionary history and ecological effects of these fungi.
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References
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This is a summary of: Sahu, N. et al. Vertical and horizontal gene transfer shaped plant colonization and biomass degradation in the fungal genus Armillaria. Nat. Microbiol. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-023-01448-1 (2023).
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Horizontal gene transfer explains unusual traits of Armillaria fungi. Nat Microbiol 8, 1617–1618 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-023-01460-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-023-01460-5
