Direct Evidence of Apex-Hypha Interactions During Vegetative Growth of Fungal Thallus via Comprehensive Network and Trajectory Extraction

TL;DR

This study investigates apex-hypha interactions in fungal growth by analyzing hyphal trajectories with a Langevin model, revealing signs of active feedback during vegetative expansion.

Contribution

It introduces a method to detect apex-hypha interactions through trajectory analysis and modeling, advancing understanding of fungal network regulation.

Findings

Identified abrupt deceleration and reorientation as signatures of apex-hypha interactions.

Reconstructed all apical trajectories post-branching for detailed analysis.

Compared isolated and non-isolated hyphae to distinguish interaction effects.

Abstract

The mycelium of a filamentous fungus is a growing, branching network of numerous entangled hyphae exhibiting polarised apical growth. Expansion occurs during the vegetative phase from a single ascospore, driven by the need to explore and occupy surrounding space-limiting competitors, enhancing nutrient uptake, and promoting spore dispersal. Radial, rapid, and rectilinear growth combined with frequent branching appears adaptive. However, passive growth without interactions or feedback may produce suboptimal networks, as neither local density nor potential connectivity is considered. Reorientations of the apex near existing hyphae suggest apex-hypha feedback. Yet, the diversity of behaviours, spontaneous fluctuations, and limited apical trajectories studied leave open the question of active regulation. To investigate possible apex-hypha interactions, we analyse a dataset of Podospora anserina thallus growth by reconstructing all apical trajectories post-branching and fitting them with a classical Langevin model that incorporates potential interactions. Comparing isolated and non-isolated hyphae trajectories allows to identify a clear signature of interaction composed of abrupt deceleration and reorientation. This work opens the path towards a systematic exploration of hyphal interactions.