Talk:Endophyte

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[edit] statement validity check

The type of symbiosis exhibited between plant and endophyte is often related to the reproductive mode of the endophyte. For example, vertically transmitted fungal endophytes (i.e. transmitted from parent to its offspring directly) are asexual and transmit via fungal hyphae penetrating the host’s seeds (e.g. Neotyphodium). Evolutionary theory predicts these endophytes to evolve toward mutualism, since their reproductive fitness is intimately tied to that of their host plant. Conversely, horizontally transmitted fungal endophytes are sexual and transmit via spores that can be spread by wind and/or insect vectors. Therefore, these endophytes can evolve a more pathogenic lifestyle since they can escape their host plant.

I am not sure that this statement is true because endophytes, even horizontally transmitted ones, may be mutualistic. Horizontal transmission is not a driving force to develop pathogenicity. Perhaps it is true that horizontally transmitted endophytes often have closely related pathogenic relatives or spread in a similar manner to pathogens, but they aren't pathogens. And the concept of "pathogenic lifestyle" needs more elaboration. I'm going to try and fix it some. Sifaka ^talk 21:03, 3 July 2007 (UTC)