| Abstract Scope |
Although fungal spores encounter environmental stressors throughout dispersal and dormancy, the impact of these stressors on spore wall mechanics, structure, and surface chemistry has rarely been studied, especially in basidiomycetes. To address this, we studied spores of eight basidiomycete species: Montagnea arenaria, Battarrea stevensii, Ganoderma applanatum, and Ustilago maydis (stressed group), and Hericium erinaceus, Hypsizygus ulmarius, Lentinula edodes, and Pleurotus djamor (less stressed group). We assessed spore wall structure, chemical composition, mechanical, and wettability behavior for each group. Stressed species produced pigmented spores with higher melanin content, thicker walls, superior hydrophobicity, and higher mechanical strength than the hyaline, hydrophilic, thin-walled spores of the less stressed group. This reflected a quality-quantity trade-off where the stressed group invested in fewer, stronger, energetically costly spores, while the less stressed group produced numerous inexpensive spores. Our results provide the first quantitative link between melanization and spore-wall mechanics, with implications for bio-inspired protective materials. |