Reposted by Toby SpribilleDr. Az Klymiuk @klymiuk.ca · 29/09/2026What if, and just hear me out here, you DIDN’T invoke Indigenous dispossession in the name of higher education? 1177
Reposted by Toby SpribilleWill Ratcliff @wcratcliff.bsky.social · 28/09/2026New paper out with @kaylastoy.bsky.social: academic.oup.com/evlett/advan... 812256
Reposted by Toby SpribilleJoseph W. Brown @josephwb.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Early-diverging lineages provide little information about ancestors academic.oup.com/sysbio/advan... From @phylieu.bsky.social @sinkingdiatom.bsky.social @omearabrian.bsky.socialacademic.oup.comEarly-diverging lineages provide little information about ancestorsAbstract. Large phylogenetic trees are often unbalanced near the root, with a species-depauperate lineage sister to a far more species-rich clade. The spec 411052
Reposted by Toby SpribillePeter Gleick @petergleick.bsky.social · 27/09/2026Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring" was released on this day 62 years ago. I have a first edition & come back to it often, including this paragraph in the chapter "Obligation to Endure." It's worth reading. "We urgently need an end to these false assurances, to the sugar coating of unpalatable facts." 511037
Reposted by Toby SpribilleMonika S. Fischer @mofisch.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Honestly one of the best articles I’ve ever seen on mushroom poisonings. Thank you @thetyee.ca and @michellegamage.bsky.social ! 💖🍄 153
Reposted by Toby SpribilleSummerfield Books @summerfieldbooks.com · 25/09/2026𝗣𝗲𝘇𝗶𝘇𝗼𝗺𝘆𝗰𝗲𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗲 𝟭 [𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻] (tr.ee/pob_MLmobO) A major new work bringing together the expertise of several European authorities, edited by Nicolas Van Vooren. The first of 3 volumes, you can preview some of the text and images by following the link.tr.eePezizomycetes of Europe; volume 1 from Summerfield BooksBuy Pezizomycetes of Europe; volume 1, the first in a series of three, by Nicolas van Vooren and published in Hardback ISBN: 9782958755539 021
Reposted by Toby SpribillePaul Foth @paulrfoth.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Lichen hike update: this is my third time looking at lichens on this range, but I was much more prepared than in years past. Highlights include two Western Waterfan (Peltigera gowardii) thalli in one stream, a semi-aquatic leafy little lichen. 🌿🧵inaturalist.orgwestern waterfan lichen (Peltigera gowardii)western waterfan lichen from Cariboo, CA-BC, CA on September 19, 2026 at 11:07 AM by Paul Foth. Mostly wet. Dry thallus nearby: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/401893985 1306
Reposted by Toby SpribilleEd Yong is offline @edyong209.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Briefly popping my head back in to unveil the cover of my upcoming book, LIFE BEYOND MEASURE: Nature's Hidden Wonders at Every Scale. It’ll be out on April 6 in the U.S. and April 29 in the U.K. and you can pre-order it right now! www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/757705... 1/ 261613358
Reposted by Toby SpribilleVaughn Cooper @vscooper.micropopbio.org · 21/12/2023Friends don't let friends publish in MDPI journals. Pass it on. For more info, check out the Wikipedia page: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MDPI 🔥en.wikipedia.orgMDPI - Wikipedia 36030
Reposted by Toby SpribilleMycoKeys @mycokeys.pensoft.net · 16/09/2026🍃 A taxonomic revision of the lichen genus Bunodophoron in New Caledonia has identified four species living in the region's montane rainforests, two of which are new to science: B. flagellare and B. imbricatum. Access the full study: doi.org/10.3897/mycokeys.140.197771 0114
Reposted by Toby SpribilleHåvard Kauserud @drhyfe.bsky.social · 12/09/2026Why? Why not conduct more proper science? Punk attitude is sometimes fun, but not in science 😟 www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...biorxiv.orgDiscovering 25 novel phyla that fill gaps in the eukaryotic tree of lifeProtists play important roles in food chains and symbioses in soil and aquatic environments, displaying an enormous morphological and functional diversity[1][1],[2][2]. While most commonly found proti... 242
Reposted by Toby SpribilleGenome Biology and Evolution @genomebiolevol.bsky.social · 10/09/2026@guyleonard.eurosky.social @brockhurstlab.bsky.social et al. report a T2T genome for Micractinium conductrix, an endosymbiont of Paramecium bursaria, publishing one of the most complete Chlorellaceae algal genome assemblies to date 🔗 academic.oup.com/gbe/article/... #societyjournal #genome #algaeacademic.oup.comDe Novo Genome Sequence Assembly of the Algal Endosymbiont Micractinium conductrix Derived From Its Host Paramecium bursaria 186bAbstract. Endosymbiosis is a major driver of evolutionary innovation and underpins the function of diverse ecosystems. The origins and evolution of endosym 098
Reposted by Toby SpribilleAlejandro Fábregas-Tejeda @alejandrofabregastejeda.com · 08/09/2026Interesting 📰 @theguardian.com by @samanthsubramanian.bsky.social on non-neural cognition: www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte... Confronted with this polarizing debate, @philosobio.bsky.social & I wrote a balanced take on basal #cognition from an #evobio lens 👇 link.springer.com/article/10.1... #HPStheguardian.com‘This is dangerous’: slime moulds and the bitter debate over the nature of intelligenceThe long read: Scientists are battling over whether supposedly simple organisms should be considered ‘intelligent’. The outcome could reshape our understanding of the natural world – and our own place... 45023
Reposted by Toby SpribilleElena Kazamia @drkazzie.bsky.social · 08/09/2026We reach for "symbiosis" as a shorthand for harmony or neat partnership. But from 19th-century botany to modern lichen biology, the true nature of living together is far stranger. On heartbreak, de Bary, and why a lichen is actually a song: splashofelectricink.substack.com/p/a-lichen-i...splashofelectricink.substack.comA lichen is a songWe treat "symbiosis" as a synonym for ideal partnership, but the true nature of lichen reveals a much stranger, fluid reality. 172
Reposted by Toby SpribilleCiaran Kelly @ciarankelly.bsky.social · 08/09/2026Our new preprint is out! 🍄 Decoupled evolution of antimicrobial repertoires in lichen-forming fungi We compared many lichen-forming fungal genomes to ask how different photobiont associations relate to their antimicrobial repertoires. 13719
Reposted by Toby SpribilleAnthony Speca | Aspen Ecology @aspenecology.com · 05/09/2026Collemopsidium pelvetiae: extraordinary 3-part #lichen involving #fungus, #cyanobacterium and #seaweed! Vanishingly few records in Britain. I suspect it's not quite so rare: I found it on 3 of 6 beaches searched on summer holiday in Scotland. Grows only on channelled wrack (Pelvetia canaliculata). 2299
Reposted by Toby SpribilleField Naturalist @fieldnaturalist.bsky.social · 04/09/2026Kaernefeltia californica Coastal thornbush lichen 082
Reposted by Toby SpribilleJoe DiMeglio @dimeglio.bsky.social · 03/09/2026experiment.com/projects/hid... Biodiversity & conservation research is becoming increasingly difficult to fund through traditional academic, state, and federal sources. If you can support-or simply share-we’d be incredibly grateful.experiment.comHidden in plain sight: Discovering the macro lichens of the American Southwest and Northern MexicoThe American Southwest and northern Mexico harbor remarkable lichen diversity, yet many regions remain poorly documented. We will conduct targeted field surveys, preserve voucher specimens, identify c... 043
Reposted by Toby SpribilleMisha Tri-Flow Glow @spoketension.bsky.social · 01/09/2026Really enjoy this lichen-covered speed limit sign in my neighborhood 24415
Reposted by Toby SpribilleMichelle Momany @mcmomany.bsky.social · 01/09/2026We knew that A. fumigatus conidia were bigger when produced at 50C vs 37C. We never imagined that genes encoding master regulators of asexual & sexual development would be differentially expressed in conidiophores at each temp. New, surprising work from Momany lab. journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...journals.asm.orgTemperature during conidiophore development primes Aspergillus fumigatus spore transcriptome for asexual or sexual reproduction | mBioThe human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus has been found in natural and agricultural environments around the world. Disease is acquired when susceptible individuals inhale airborne asexual spores from ... 0165
Reposted by Toby SpribilleEmma Cameron @ecameron.bsky.social · 01/09/2026#wendellberry #thepeaceofwildthings #RIP #poetry #naturewriting #booksky 0105
Reposted by Toby SpribillePLOS Biology @plosbiology.org · 29/08/2026Giant viruses are known across eukaryotes. This study by @hyphaltip.bsky.social &co identifies Mycodnaviridae, a global giant #virus family that persistently infect zoosporic #fungi, providing a promising model for studying #giantVirus infection in eukaryotes. 🧪 #AcademicSky plos.io/3Sq4ioL 1153
Reposted by Toby SpribilleMary Williams @PlantTeaching @plantteaching.bsky.social · 27/08/2026In a global first, Mexico approves use of RNA-based fungicide. Oifirax, created by GreenLight Biosciences, uses RNA molecules to kill the fungus responsible for powdery mildew on grapes. www.science.org/content/arti...science.orgIn a global first, Mexico approves use of RNA-based fungicideOifirax, created by GreenLight Biosciences, uses RNA molecules to kill the fungus responsible for powdery mildew on grapes 02612
Reposted by Toby SpribilleJames Hughes @dystopian-fashion.bsky.social · 24/08/2026A beautiful dialogue with the environment. This textile installation intricately mimics the growth patterns of moss and lichen, seamlessly blending fiber craft with the living bark of the tree. In memory of the brilliant artist Hannah Streefkerk (1973–2018). Artwork title: "Symbiosis" 0417
Reposted by Toby SpribilleYoshihito OHMURA @lichenom.bsky.social · 23/08/2026【日本産地衣類および関連菌類チェックリストを公開】 現在、地衣類1,960分類群、関連菌類186種、計2,146分類群。学名、和名、分類体系などの確認にご活用ください。 掲載内容へのご意見,訂正,追加情報を歓迎します。 lichenjapan.jp/checklist/ #地衣類 #lichen #菌類 #分類学 #taxonomylichenjapan.jpChecklist of Lichens and Allied Fungi of Japan 1115
Reposted by Toby SpribilleÁkos T Kovács @evolvedbiofilm.bsky.social · 19/08/2026A bacterial metabolite rewires fungal metabolism, triggering the hyphae-to-yeast transition @currentbiology.bsky.social by Manasa Bharathwaj @mbharathwaj.bsky.social et al from Ana Traven www.cell.com/current-biol...cell.comA bacterial metabolite rewires fungal metabolism, triggering the hyphae-to-yeast transitionThe hyphae-to-yeast morphological transition promotes dissemination of the pathogen Candida albicans, but the mechanisms underlying this process are poorly defined. By identifying a bacterial metaboli... 24314
Reposted by Toby SpribilleMarco Festa-Bianchet 🇨🇦 @marcofesta.bsky.social · 20/08/20265 former chairs of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, myself included, raise alarm over the Carney gov't proposed 'major projects' initiative. It will lead to extinctions, likely including southern resident killer whales www.cbc.ca/news/politic...cbc.caProposed changes to endangered species law would 'stab it to death,' says scientist | CBC NewsThe former chairs of a panel that advises the federal government on endangered wildlife have published an open letter highlighting concerns over proposed changes to the Species At Risk Act, which they... 710954
Reposted by Toby SpribilleSergio Muñoz-Gómez @sergiophyceae.bsky.social · 18/08/2026A new preprint from the lab! "Green algal symbionts are stably retained and provisioned in the dark despite a clear physiological cost" www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...biorxiv.orgGreen algal symbionts are stably retained and provisioned in the dark despite a clear physiological costPhotosymbioses, or associations between heterotrophs and photoautotrophs, are widespread and indispensable in today's ecosystems. The chloroplasts of algae and land plants, which are at the heart of m... 14618
Reposted by Toby SpribilleThe Sainsbury Laboratory @thesainsburylab.bsky.social · 13/08/2026New Publication: Tangerine: A new family of Starships from lichen-forming fungi (2026) www.tsl.ac.uk/publications...tsl.ac.ukTangerine: A new family of Starships from lichen-forming fungiLichens are symbiotic associations between filamentous fungi and photosynthetic micro-organisms, such as green algae and/or cyanobacteria, that result in a single anatomically complex structure that… 02514
Reposted by Toby SpribilleGulnara Tagirdzhanova @metalichen.bsky.social · 11/08/2026Our study on giant transposons Starship 🚀🧬 in the genome of the lichen fungus Xanthoria is now out in @pnas.org! What did we find out about Starships in #lichen fungi? 👇Updated thread below 🖥️ 🧪 🦠 🧫 #SymbioSky 1/6 www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/... 17145
Reposted by Toby SpribilleJohn Vaillant @johnvaillant.bsky.social · 10/08/2026"As long as we burn #fossilfuels without limits, #wildfires will do the same in our forests, cities, and towns." time.com/article/2026... #wildfiretime.comWhat Happens When the World is on Fire"From America to Algeria, dangerous blazes are occurring around the world, giving us a glimpse into an age ablaze," writes John Valliant. 22918
Reposted by Toby SpribilleS. Lorena Ament @loreament.bsky.social · 05/08/2026How do fungi distinguish conspecific self from non-self? The genetics of this fascinating topic are plagued with misunderstandings even amongst mycologists. We wrote a review/rant to address this confusion, out now! 🍄 #fungi #allorecognition #HETgenes www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...sciencedirect.comDrawing the line: Clarifying fungal allorecognition from HET domains to het genes to heterokaryon incompatibilityThe iconic networks of filamentous fungi are connected through hyphal fusions. While fusion is beneficial among hyphae from the same fungal individual… 12313
Reposted by Toby SpribilleArkadiy Garber @ironark.bsky.social · 04/08/2026The last chapter of my PhD work is now live on MBE. This has been an incredible project, combining genomics, proteomics, as well as transcriptomics that resolves total mRNA from ribosome-associated mRNA (which we infer to be in the process of translation). 2138
Reposted by Toby SpribilleGulnara Tagirdzhanova @metalichen.bsky.social · 03/08/2026It was great to present my postdoc work at #IAL10, the International Association for Lichenology congress in Trieste! Thanks to the organizers for the invitation! 0163
Toby Spribille @spribille.bsky.social · 02/08/2026How is this not the lead news story right now? A major chunk of an American metropolitan area of half a million is burning 001
Toby Spribille @spribille.bsky.social · 01/08/2026I guess this might be Calogaya pusilla #lichen #Teloschistaceae 0253
Reposted by Toby SpribilleCiaran Kelly @ciarankelly.bsky.social · 31/07/2026Thanks to everyone who organized the great event and selected me for a Margalith Galun Award! Congratulations to the other winners. Already looking forward to following up on all the new connections and ideas #IAL10 4235
Reposted by Toby SpribilleCiaran Kelly @ciarankelly.bsky.social · 30/07/2026@metalichen.bsky.social Congratulations on your award, I can for sure agree that I have also been inspired by your work on lichens! 🥳 1145
Reposted by Toby SpribilleIoana Brännström @ioanabrannstrom.bsky.social · 30/07/2026#IAL10 day 2 Coming with new ideas on why sterility could evolve in Icmadophilaceae lichen forming fungi! Could it be a #STARSHIP transposable element breaking their mating locus? 082
Reposted by Toby SpribilleIoana Brännström @ioanabrannstrom.bsky.social · 30/07/2026Proud of my PhD student Beatrice Bylén who did a great job in presenting #Thamnolia phylogeography and #photobiont community inside. #IAL10 #lichens #Trebouxia 1102
Toby Spribille @spribille.bsky.social · 31/07/2026Congratulations to Gulnara Tagirdzhanova @metalichen.bsky.social on receiving the Aino Henssen Award last night for outstanding postdoctoral research on lichen symbiosis from the International Association for Lichenology! #IAL10 2214
Reposted by Toby SpribilleCamille Puginier @puginiercamille.bsky.social · 28/07/2026Very happy to attend the 10th International Association for Lichenology symposium in Trieste ! #IAL10 And very honoured to be presenting tomorrow our work on lichenization in Xanthoria parietina 0277
Reposted by Toby SpribilleCiaran Kelly @ciarankelly.bsky.social · 27/07/2026It was very nice to present some of our work on antimicrobial proteins in lichens at the IAL10! Stop by at my poster number 4 today or tomorrow afternoon for further discussion #IAL10 0255
Reposted by Toby SpribilleGulnara Tagirdzhanova @metalichen.bsky.social · 29/07/2026Absolutely ground breaking stuff presented by @veera-t-nogerius.bsky.social. Structurally chimeric lichen made by intertwined hyphae of an ascomycete and a basidiomycete present in nearly 1:1 ratio! #IAL10 1132
Reposted by Toby SpribilleGulnara Tagirdzhanova @metalichen.bsky.social · 29/07/2026Very clever study design by @ddiazescandon.bsky.social, who grouped lichen fungi based on which sugar they receive from their symbiotic partner and discovered patterns in their genomes that reflect how this fungi evolve to rely on their partners. Coming soon to the bioRxiv near you! #IAL10 1132
Reposted by Toby SpribilleGulnara Tagirdzhanova @metalichen.bsky.social · 29/07/2026Excited to see @puginiercamille.bsky.social presenting on secreted proteins in Xanthoria. I'm blown away by the work on algal cultures and protein-protein interaction modeling! #IAL10 2215
Reposted by Toby SpribilleGulnara Tagirdzhanova @metalichen.bsky.social · 29/07/2026A teaser from @spribille.bsky.social on lichen fungi G protein-coupled receptors in the context of the symbiosis evolution. A lot of independent data points to them being a key to the symbiosis #IAL10 2144
Toby Spribille @spribille.bsky.social · 28/07/2026Sergio Perez Ortega talking about photobiont community networks: networks simplify with greater air pollution #IAL10 061
Toby Spribille @spribille.bsky.social · 28/07/2026Veronika Vesela presenting on their fascinating work with @skaloud.bsky.social on algae and algal symbionts inside and outside of lichens in a great study in CZ #IAL10 061
Reposted by Toby SpribilleGulnara Tagirdzhanova @metalichen.bsky.social · 27/07/2026The workshop features @ddiazescandon.bsky.social talking about machine learning. Some serious galaxy brain stuff, using ML magic to whole lichen genomes and making accurate predictions about the biology of the fungus #IAL10 181