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Native" and "Introduced" Populations

A 1995 study (Kerrigan et al.) finds that Agaricus bisporus exists in North America both as a native species and as an introduced species. Genetically distinct, genuine North American populations are recorded from coastal California (under cypress), desert California (under mesquite), and montane Alberta (under spruce). All other studied North American populations represent "escapees" from mushroom cultivation and consumption, and have European genetic roots.

Kerrigan et al. speculate that there is a potential biodiversity problem on the horizon:


The observation that foreign germ plasm of this species apparently outnumbers the native population of coastal California in a 3:2 ratio and has become well established even in native habitat in only about a century is alarming. An esculent weed may still be a disrupter of natural ecosystems. A weed that is extensively cultivated and can disperse on 18 wheels, thence from kitchen refuse as well as by microscopic aerospores having great potential range, is not amenable to control. . . . The consequence of these germ plasm invasions is that the native gene pool is diminished both by displacement (competition) and by dilution (interbreeding).

Kerrigan, et al. (1995). Indigenous and introduced populations of Agaricus bisporus, the cultivated button mushroom, in eastern and western Canada: implications for population biology, resource management, and conservation of genetic diversity. Canadian Journal of Botany 73: 1925-1938.

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C12H16N2O said:
Filters on their grow buildings ventilation systems are about the only thing that could stop that. Perhaps somebody needs to create genetically modified buttons that don't drop spores?

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tripsis said:
Yeah, but people grow from clones due to them being proven fruiting strains of homogeneous size and density. The same goes for most agricultural products, we breed them until a specific set of characteristics are expressed in all individuals, which simultaneously reduces genetic diversity.[/color]

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AdoreChampignons said:
Interesting.  That is absolutely true!  Hmmm..., then it kind of makes me wonder about how the pollen of cloned agricultural produce affects the non-cloned varieties too?  Wow!!!  This has interesting ramifications doesn't it?  I wonder if it's the mass release of pollen from cloned genetically engineered produce that is causing the rapid decline of the honey bee population?    

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Funny that you should mention that!  If you get the chance, check out two books by food writer and Slow Food poster child Michael Pollan, "The Botany of Desire" and "The Omnivore's Dilemma."  The state of the agricultural system in the US is actually quite unsettling.  Monoculture requires massive efforts to squeeze more production out of dying soils, which is in turn spurning the GM crop industry.  Monsanto makes Roundup, and GM modified crops that are Roundup resistant.  Of course, this breeds more Roundup resistance in nature, not to mention the cross-pollination issue...

You should check out Percy Schmeiser's web page.  Mr. Schmeiser is a canola farmer in Saskatchewan, Canada who was unexpectedly served with a lawsuit by the Monsanto Corporation for planting "Roundup Ready" canola seed on his farm without paying them their technology fee.  Schmeiser had done this inadvertently by saving some of his crop from the previous year for seed.  At some point his canola had come into contact with wind borne pollen from a Roundup Ready crop nearby.  He technically lost the case, but wasn't required to pay anything.

Regarding your thoughts about mushroom spores, we carry them with us all over the world.  Someone gets on a plane in China and winds up in Spain, carrying spores in their clothes, hair, luggage, the kids, whatever... But the issue of sheer spore volume is another thing!  Let me know the next time you find some buttons growing wild in your back yard.