I'm working with Phyllosticta citricarpa, the causal agent of citrus black spot, and according to Petters-Vandressen et al. (2020), this fungus evolved from homothallism to heterothallism.
Reference: PETTERS-VANDRESEN, D.A.L.; ROSSI, B.J.; GROENEWALD, J.Z.; CROUS, P.W.; MACHADO, M.A.; STUKENBROCK, E.H.; GLIENKE, C. Mating-type locus rearrangements and shifts in thallism states in Citrus-associated Phyllostictaspecies. Fungal Genetics and Biology, v. 144, p. 103444, 2020.
While homothallism can be beneficial under conditions that make sexual reproduction more difficult, heterothallism allows for greater genetic diversity due to the outcrossing that occurs.
There are several potential advantages for a pathogenic fungus to evolve from homothallism to heterothallism:
the evolution of heterothallism can provide a pathogenic fungus with several advantages that may help it better adapt to its environment and spread disease more efficiently. However, the exact advantages will depend on the specific fungal species and its ecological context.
hope this is helpful
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