The mycology is the discipline in charge of the study of fungi in different aspects. These organisms have been of great importance to humans since prehistoric times. Its beginnings date back to Ancient Greece, when mushrooms were classified as plants. Later, during the 18th and 19th centuries, the foundations of this discipline were laid.
The Italian Pier Antonio Micheli (1679-1737) is considered the founder of modern mycology. This author evidenced the importance of reproductive structures in the classification of fungi.
Later the Swede Elias Fries (1794-1878) proposed the bases of the nomenclature of fungi currently used. Subsequently, mycology has been nurtured by disciplines such as microscopy, molecular genetics and genomics..
Mycology has several branches, among which taxonomy and phylogeny stand out, as well as biochemistry and cell biology. The field of medical, industrial, agricultural mycology and phytopathology is also addressed..
Among the recent investigations in systematics, the use of genomics to generate information about the kinship of some groups stands out. In the industrial field, studies have focused on the production of biofuels from the activity of fungi.
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Since the Paleolithic there are archaeological references to the use of fungi. It is considered that some edible mushrooms were harvested to be consumed for food purposes. Likewise, paintings have been found where mushrooms are represented.
In Africa, evidence has been found of the use of hallucinogenic mushrooms by civilizations that inhabited the Sahara desert. Also in Europe there are records of the use of the species Fomes fomento as part of the tinder used to light fire.
There are records of the use of mushrooms in Mayan cultures of Mexico and Guatemala. Various mushrooms with hallucinogenic properties were used in magical-religious rituals of these cultures.
In imperial Rome, edible mushrooms were highly prized and regarded as a royal food. They were also used as poison to assassinate important people. Some of the symptom descriptions of these deaths suggest that they were caused by the species Amanita phalloides.
However, the foundations of mycology begin to settle with the great naturalists of Ancient Greece. The first reference to its cultivation is in the work of the Greek Athenaeus in Alexandria (2nd-3rd century BC).
The first to define fungi was the philosopher Theophrastus (372-288 BC), who indicated that they were "imperfect plants, without roots, leaves, flowers or fruits." Theophrastus described four types of fungi that are still grouped in different families today.
Another contribution to mycology is made by Dioscorides in his work "Della Materia Medica", Where he describes the toxic properties of some fungi. Likewise, he is the first to describe agaric mushrooms (mushrooms type) that were widely used for medicinal purposes..
Claudius Galen (Greek physician) classified fungi into three different groups: the "bolités" (probably the current Amanita caesaera), the “porcini”, located in the genus Boletus, and the "Mykés". Galen indicated that the first two groups were edible and the last one was toxic and very dangerous.
Finally, Pliny the Elder in his work “Historis naturalis"Refers to the fact that" boletus "were easily confused with other poisonous mushrooms. The author considered that if these fungi grew in areas with toxic substances, they could absorb them.
During the Middle Ages mycology did not have major advances, since naturalists only followed the works of Dioscorides and Pliny. At this time in Europe there were serious problems in the cultivation of rye due to the ergot attack (Claviceps purpurea).
Later, during the Renaissance, some scientists made modest contributions to the discipline. Among these we have Andrea Mattioli, who supported Plinio's false statement about poisonous “porcini”.
The renowned botanist Andrea Caesalpinio proposed a classification of fungi based mainly on some morphological characteristics and the various uses of the different species.
John Ray, an English botanist, separated the fungi into three groups according to their growth habit (epigeal and subterranean) and morphological characteristics. For his part, Joseph Tournefort (French) divided them into seven groups according to their morphology.
The founder of modern mycology is considered to be the Italian Pier Antonio Micheli. He is the author of several discoveries considered fundamental in the study of fungi.
He was the first to show that reproduction occurs through spores and not by spontaneous generation, as was believed up to now..
The classification system of fungi proposed by Micheli establishes four classes on the basis of reproductive structures. This is considered an artificial classification, since it uses variable characters within the same group such as color.
When the Swiss Carolus Linnaeus proposes the binomial nomenclature in his work “Systema Naturae”(1735), changed the way of naming the species. Linnaeus did not make great contributions to mycology, but his system laid the groundwork for other researchers.
During this century mycology was fully recognized as an independent discipline from botany, mainly due to the application of the principles established by Micheli for the study of fungi..
One of the most renowned mycologists of this time is Christian Persoon. His work was based on the analysis of reproductive structures, his main work being “Synopsis Methodica Fungorum”(1801).
This author separated the fungi into classes "angiocarpus”(Spores maturing inside the fruiting body) and“ gymnocarpus ”(spores maturing outside the fruiting body). He described more than two thousand species within these two large groups.
Elias Fries (Swedish) is considered another of the great mycologists in history. This author published more than 26 scientific works, considered the basis of modern mycology.
His main work is "Systema mycologicum”(1821), where he proposes a classification based on the concept of phylogeny. The names proposed by this author were accepted as the basis of the mycological nomenclature at the International Botanical Congress of Brussels (1910).
Mycology had great advances when new technologies allowed the more accurate identification of fungi. Physiological and biochemical methods that included growth and nutrient utilization tests began to be used in the early 20th century..
The secondary metabolites produced by fungi also began to be identified and their usefulness in the food and pharmaceutical industries was proven..
Later, in the 90s of the 20th century, the development of molecular techniques occurred, which allowed the study of phylogenetic relationships within fungi and the study of their genetic composition..
Finally, already in the XXI century the field of genomics (study of genetic content) has developed. These techniques have made it possible to sequence the complete genome of various species of fungi..
Based on genomics research, the accurate identification of various groups that could not be differentiated with classical techniques has been achieved. Likewise, the possibilities of using these organisms have been enhanced in various fields, such as biofuel production and medicine..
Mycology is the discipline that is responsible for the study of fungi -the Fungi Kingdom- and all aspects related to them.
Within mycology the study of the structural characteristics, life cycles and physiological behavior of fungi is contemplated. Likewise, the knowledge of evolutionary processes and the importance of these organisms within ecosystems is addressed..
Due to the importance of fungi for agriculture, mycology has developed a field of study for symbiotic groups. The fungi that form mycorrhizae (symbiosis between fungi and roots) optimize the use of nutrients by plants.
Another of the most interesting aspects is the one referring to pathogenic fungi. In this sense, mycology addresses the study of parasitic fungi of plants and animals..
Mycology addresses various fields of study. This has led researchers to specialize in its different branches, among which the following stand out:
This branch deals with the identification and classification of fungi, as well as the study of the relationships between them and with other organisms. Various classification systems have been established based on morphological, reproductive and physiological characteristics, among other aspects..
With the development of molecular techniques, phylogenies have been developed for the Fungi Kingdom. Likewise, it has been possible to establish relationships within each of the large groups of fungi.
The study of the geographical and ecological distribution of the different species is also taken into account. Research on the diversity and conservation status of fungi in various regions is of great interest..
Another important aspect in this branch is the study of the ecological relationships of fungi, which addresses the symbiotic relationships with other organisms, as well as the ecological behavior of the numerous parasite groups..
This branch studies the chemical composition and cellular structure of fungi through microscopy techniques, both optical and electronic, to study the biology of cells..
Research in the area of genetics allows a better understanding of the mechanisms of reproduction. It is also possible to achieve adequate culture media for the development of strains under different conditions..
In the field of physiology, the relationships of fungi with their environment and forms of nutrition are studied. Likewise, the movement of solutes and water is addressed, as well as tropisms, tactisms and other mechanisms..
It focuses on research on the usefulness of fungi in various human activities, such as the use of yeasts in fermentation processes or obtaining medicines..
Physiological factors of different species are handled for the manipulation of hydrocarbons, protein synthesis and vitamins. All the metabolic aspects of fungi are manipulated in order to obtain products that can be used by humans.
It deals with the study of diseases caused by fungi in both animals and humans.
Fungal infections affect many people worldwide, and in some cases can be very serious. In this field, aspects such as the behavior of the pathogen, its life cycle and the response of the hosts are studied..
Research is done on ways of contagion and symptoms of fungal diseases. Immune responses are also studied and possible treatments are proposed..
Agricultural mycology addresses the study of useful fungi in agriculture. These organisms are part of the soil biota essential for the development of plants.
There is a whole field of research in the area of mycorrhiza formation (association of roots and fungi). This symbiosis is of great importance in the maintenance of plants naturally. They are also widely used in agriculture to reduce the use of fertilizers..
Plant pathology is one of the most developed branches in mycology. It studies the diseases caused by fungi in plants.
A high percentage of fungi are parasites of plants and most are the cause of important diseases. These fungal diseases are responsible for large losses in agriculture.
In this field, the pathogens that cause diseases are studied, as well as the symptoms that occur in the plant. On the other hand, treatments and management plans are proposed in order to avoid great damage from the attack of these fungi..
The main mycologists who have made great contributions to this branch have been:
In recent years, mycology research has focused mainly on the area of genomics and the obtaining of industrial products..
In the branch of phylogenetic studies, genomics has made it possible to establish more precise relationships in fungi that form arbuscular mycorrhizae. This group cannot grow in culture media, so it is not easy to obtain DNA samples.
During 2013, it was possible to sequence the genome of the species Rhizophagus irregularis (Glomeromycotina). With these data, in 2016 it was possible to determine the kinship relationships of this species with other fungi.
The potential of various fungi in the production of biofuels is currently being studied. In 2017 anaerobic fungi of the genus Pecoramyces to process corn residues and produce sugars and biofuels.
The researchers managed to manipulate the behavior of the fungus, making variations in the culture medium. With this they achieved a high production of ethanol by the fermentation processes of the fungus.
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