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Comparative methods for studying adaptive traits of fungal symbionts
Veselská, Tereza ; Kolařík, Miroslav (advisor) ; Voigt, Kerstin (referee) ; Dvořák, Miloň (referee)
The kingdom Fungi encompasses an estimated 2.2 to 6.2 million species that occupy diverse environments, including aquatic, extremely dry, and hot or frosty habitats all over the world. To cope with adverse environmental conditions, fungi have developed numerous adaptations and life strategies, including symbiosis with other organisms, ranging from close, reciprocally beneficial (mutualistic) associations to severe pathogenic infestations. These interactions have an enormous impact on ecosystem functioning, with implications for agriculture and human health. For this reason, understanding the mechanisms enabling the successful development of fungal interactions is necessary for their efficient management. Recent advances in different 'omics' approaches have enabled us to compare species responses to the environment in a more complex way than before and to gain deeper insights into the adaptive mechanisms underlying specific life strategies. My thesis is divided into four main sections. In the first section, I sum up findings about adaptations of fungal symbionts of plants and animals. Then, I introduce two fungal genera, Geosmithia and Pseudogymnoascus, to which I applied comparative methods for tracking adaptive traits. The ecological diversity of the genus Geosmithia allows to trace adaptive...
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Ecophysiology of microscopic fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans
Homutová, Karolína ; Kubátová, Alena (advisor) ; Baldrian, Petr (referee)
A microscopic fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Ascomycota: Pseudeurotiaceae) causes illness known as white-nose syndrome (WNS) causing death of bats during hibernation. The illness occurs in the North America and in Europe. The fungus is characteristic by asymmetrically curved conidia, by slow growth and growth at low temperatures (below 20 řC). The aim of this study is to clarify properties responsible for unique ecelogy of Pseudogymnoascus destructans by comparison with ecological related or unrelated pathogenic or nonpathogenic fungi. This part includes study of tolerance to physiological stresses and recognition of spectrum of utilizating nutrients (compounds of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur and nutrient supplements). Testing to physiological stresses should help to estimate a potentiality of fungus to spread out of caves. The last aim is to develop a selective isolation medium for P. destructans. Influence of several types of physiological stress (e.g. UVA, UVA with UVB, 25 řC, 30 řC, 37 řC and dryness) was investigated with fluorescent stain propidium iodide (PI) by flow cytometry. The spores of Pseudogymnoascus destructans and three fungi from underground spaces were not viable after 3 weeks at 37 řC. Other stresses did not cause a decreasing of viability or some stresses caused...
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Ecophysiology of microscopic fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans
Homutová, Karolína ; Kubátová, Alena (advisor) ; Baldrian, Petr (referee)
A microscopic fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Ascomycota: Pseudeurotiaceae) causes illness known as white-nose syndrome (WNS) causing death of bats during hibernation. The illness occurs in the North America and in Europe. The fungus is characteristic by asymmetrically curved conidia, by slow growth and growth at low temperatures (below 20 řC). The aim of this study is to clarify properties responsible for unique ecelogy of Pseudogymnoascus destructans by comparison with ecological related or unrelated pathogenic or nonpathogenic fungi. This part includes study of tolerance to physiological stresses and recognition of spectrum of utilizating nutrients (compounds of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur and nutrient supplements). Testing to physiological stresses should help to estimate a potentiality of fungus to spread out of caves. The last aim is to develop a selective isolation medium for P. destructans. Influence of several types of physiological stress (e.g. UVA, UVA with UVB, 25 řC, 30 řC, 37 řC and dryness) was investigated with fluorescent stain propidium iodide (PI) by flow cytometry. The spores of Pseudogymnoascus destructans and three fungi from underground spaces were not viable after 3 weeks at 37 řC. Other stresses did not cause a decreasing of viability or some stresses caused...
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