“Self-isolation”, “confinement” or “quarantine” have become common words in our daily lives for many months now . Thus, it is not surprising that when a team of scientists found out how to name a new species of parasitic fungus , the word “quarantine” jumped to their minds, in the midst of this coronavirus pandemic. It is a rather unusual fungus called Laboulbenia quarantenae, which marks this extraordinary and unpleasant moment for everyone.
A team of entomologists was looking for signs of new species of fungi in Belgium and the Netherlands. Laboulbenia quarantenae was one of two new species found and grows externally on the body of Bembidion biguttatum, a ground-dwelling species of beetle. The fungus is believed to be very rare compared to its more common cousin, Laboulbenia vulgaris . In this case, they sprout a three-dimensional stem made up of thousands of cells that adhere to the host organism.
The study authors say that these arthropods and their respective fungal conditions are an example of the “evolutionary arms race” that exists between parasites and their hosts, as each must develop new weapons and defenses to stay one step ahead. This evolutionary pressure can lead to the emergence of a new species.
Reference: Danny Haelewaters et al. Checklist of thallus-forming Laboulbeniomycetes from Belgium and the Netherlands, including Hesperomyces halyziae and Laboulbenia quarantenae spp. Nov., MycoKeys (2020). DOI: 10.3897 / mycokeys.71.53421
