The myth of asexual fungi.

Genomic evidence reveals that many fungi previously thought to be asexual actually exhibit a continuum of sexual activity, challenging the myth of complete asexuality.

• Why it matters: Understanding the reproductive strategies of fungi is crucial for insights into their evolution, adaptation, and ecological roles, especially since many are assumed to be asexual without concrete evidence.
• What they did: Researchers analyzed genomic data from various fungi, including lichen-forming species, to assess the presence of sexual activity, uncovering signs of rare or cryptic sexual processes.
• The result: Findings suggest that fungi are not entirely asexual, which opens new avenues for studying their reproductive biology and may influence approaches in fungal conservation and biotechnology.