It has a tetrapolar mating system with each cell containing two genetic loci (called A and B) that govern different aspects of the mating process, leading to 4 possible phenotypes after cell fusion. Each locus codes for a mating type (a or b) and each type is multi-allelic: the A locus has 9 alleles for the a type and an estimated 32 for its b type, and the B locus has 9 alleles each for both its a and b types. When combined this gives an estimated 23,328 potential mating type specificities. While all mating types can initially fuse with any other mating type, a fertile fruitbody and subsequent spores will result only if both the A and B loci of the merging cells are compatible. If neither the A nor B are compatible the result is normal monokarytic mycelium, and if only one of A or B are compatible, the result is either two mycelia growing in opposite directions (only A compatible) or a “flat” phenotype with no mycelia (only B compatible).
So I guess the advantage is that they can produce tons of “genetic” variations very quickly and adapt to new environments within one generation?
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.
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.
Source: wikipedia
Yes
How does that even work?
I think we just witnessed the birth of a mycologist.
SPOREGASM
sporeplay, before the main deed
You just fuck, no questions asked.
My spirit fungi
ALL ORGIES ALL THE TIME
Hilarious as all the other answers are, my guess is that this species has more complex sex chromosomes than the XX/XY variations we’re familiar with – perhaps there are more than 2 slots for the chromosomes to go, and then there are more than 2 options per slot, resulting in the humongous number of options stated in the post.
The number 23328 is at least equal to 2^5 *3^6 so that is likely a good clue to what exactly is going on.
It doesn’t. It’s just mischaracterized data.
It’s okay to not have opinions on things you don’t know about.
Are you gonna elaborate or nah
It keeps inbreeding down while having a large number of mates to choose from, none of whom can breed with themselves.
There 👏 are 👏 23,328 👏 genders 👏
I am colonised by fungus amongst other things.
I’m curious, what’s the definition of sex in the context of fungi?
Gamete fertilization.
Are you ifentifying as a fungus now?
Well I’m certainly a fun guy!
Edit: You all know somebody had to say it!
There are at least supermale(XYY) and superfemale(XXX) and more.
Mahakala’s orgy.
So many options for disappointment.
This reminds me of when genetic researchers found that the human genome contains less genes than a tomato
I always knew tomatoes were unoptimized
Someone compiled tomatoes without -O3
