Abstract
The aim of this project is to study various aspects of fungal senescence in natural populations. Whereas all animals show senescence, most fungi are potentially immortal. The best studied examples of fungal senescence are in Podospora and Neurospora. All natural Podospora isolates senesce, but most Neurospora isolates are immortal. The Neurospora population of Hawaii shows polymorphism for senescence, about 40% of the natural isolates carry a senescence plasmid and are senescence-prone. The significance and occurrence of fungal senescence in nature is unclear. We propose to study fitness consequences related to the occurrence and spread of senescence as reflected in various aspects of fungal bi9ology, both experimentally and by modelling. The results should contribute to a better understanding of the evolutionary causes and consequences of fungal senescence and of the epidemiology of its causative agents.
Netherlands