Genomic analysis of Ancylistes closterii, an enigmatic alga parasitic fungus in the arthropod-associated Entomophthoromycotina.

Genomic analysis places Ancylistes closterii as a sister to other Entomophthoromycotina fungi, confirming its taxonomic position within Zoopagomycota.

• Why it matters: Understanding the phylogeny of poorly studied obligate parasitic fungi like Ancylistes is crucial for clarifying fungal evolution and ecological diversity, especially given its unusual association with green algae.
• What they did: The study involved isolating and sequencing the genome of Ancylistes closterii from its algal host Closterium sp., followed by phylogenetic analyses using rDNA and genome-scale data.
• The result: Findings reveal shared traits such as lineage-specific subtilases and hybrid histidine kinases, and the presence of plant cell wall-degrading enzymes, suggesting adaptations for algal infection.