| Abstract Scope |
Fungal biomaterials have emerged as promising engineering materials, yet the mechanisms responsible for their exceptional mechanical performance remain poorly understood. One challenge is determining how specialized hyphal types contribute to the strength and function of trimitic fungi across different species. We integrated Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and mechanical modeling to compare generative, skeletal, and binding hyphae from three trimitic fungal species representing three fungal orders. We quantified differences in cell wall chemistry, morphology, mechanical properties, and predicted mechanical behavior to identify how each hyphal type contributes to mycelial function. Skeletal hyphae exhibited higher elastic modulus, thicker cell walls, and greatest predicted collapse resistance, while generative hyphae possessed higher transport capacity, demonstrating that hyphal type is a stronger predictor of function than species identity. These findings establish a framework linking fungal microstructure to material performance and provide new insights into fungal mechanics. |