this post was submitted on 18 Feb 2024
697 points (98.7% liked)

196

16714 readers
3588 users here now

Be sure to follow the rule before you head out.

Rule: You must post before you leave.

^other^ ^rules^

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[โ€“] hglman 12 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (1 children)

Correct, the downside is lots of nonviable offspring. I would guess the fungus needs to be able to colonize widely without sexual reproduction as well in order to take advantage of that rapid adaptation.

[โ€“] niktemadur 8 points 10 months ago

Fascinating, I feel like I just caught a good glimpse of how fungus paved the way for the rest of life on Earth - wherever plant and animal life arrive, the fungus got there first.