Melanin Adaptation in Soil Fungus to UV Radiation
Author Information
Author(s): Singaravelan Natarajan, Grishkan Isabella, Beharav Alex, Wakamatsu Kazumasa, Ito Shosuke, Nevo Eviatar
Primary Institution: Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Israel
Hypothesis
The AS strains exhibit higher melanin content than strains from the ES resulting in higher UV resistance.
Conclusion
Melanin in A. niger is an adaptive trait against UVR generated by natural selection.
Supporting Evidence
- AS strains had threefold higher melanin concentration than ES strains.
- AS strains showed better resistance to UVA irradiation than ES strains.
- Shady conditions on the AS did not influence melanin selection.
Takeaway
This study shows that some fungi can change their color to protect themselves from the sun's harmful rays.
Methodology
Measured conidial melanin concentration of 80 strains using a spectrophotometer and tested UV resistance.
Limitations
The strains were identified based only on morphological features, which may not accurately represent the species.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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