Viruses in Fungi

Mycoviruses (Fungal Viruses) 1

• Viruses seen in many fungal species (60 species in 50 genera) but only a few fungal virus studied in detail
• Most work done through electron microscopy

Mycoviruses (Fungal Viruses) 2

• All the fungal viruses are remarkably similar
– Small polyhedral
– dsRNA

Mycoviruses (Fungal Viruses) 3

• Discovery of virus in cultivated mushroom
– Agaricus bisporus in 1950’s

• Observation of infected mushroom
– Decrease production in mushroom
– Change in morphology
– Rapid deterioration in tissue