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The propagation of fungal colonies: a model for tissue growth

1982; Elsevier BV; Volume: 98; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0022-5193(82)90146-1

1095-8541

Leah Edelstein,

Biocrusts and Microbial Ecology

Fungi have primitive tissues in which regulated spatial growth is known to occur. For this reason, they provide a convenient model system for some aspects of tissue growth in higher organisms. A mathematical description of growth and branching in fungi is derived in terms of continuum variables such as densities of filaments and tips of filaments. The equations contain a term for branching which takes on specific mathematical forms for distinct fungal morphologies (lateral or dichotomous branching, anastomosis, etc.). By analysing propagating solutions to these equations it is demonstrated that certain branching strategies may be advantageous to the propagation of the tissue. The model also suggests causes for ring-like patterns occasionally associated with the colonies of certain species of fungi.