Population genetics of filamentous fungi.

Population genetics aims to understand causes and consequences of the genetic structure of populations, i.e. distributions of genetic variants in space and time. Among the most important determinants of the genetic population structure is the genetic system itself, which is the collection of processes and mechanisms responsible for the transmission of genetic information. Filamentous fungi offer excellent opportunities for studying the effects of the genetic system on genetic population structure. Apart from their advantage as laboratory organisms, they exhibit a wide variety of genetic systems. In particular, their inherent capacity for anastomosis provides unique possibilities for investigating rates and consequences of horizontal gene transfer. Furthermore, the temporary confinement of the products of meiosis in a common structure (the ascus) enables the study of competitive and antagonistic interactions between the meiotic products. An intriguing example of the latter is the phenomenon of 'spore killing', resulting in distorted meiotic segregation. This paper concentrates on population level research of the occurrence of vegetative incompatibility in Aspergillus and Neurospora species and to what extent this will inhibit horizontal transmission of genetic information, and on spore killing in Podospora anserina.