Evolution: Complex Multicellular Life with 5,500 Genes Laszlo G. Nagy  Current Biology  Volume 27, Issue 12, Pages R609-R612 (June 2017) DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2017.04.032 Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd Terms and Conditions

Figure 1 Proteome size and complex multicellularity in fungi. (A) Distribution of the number of protein coding genes in unicellular and complex multicellular fungi. (B–D) examples of complex multicellular fungi with yeast-like genomes. (B) Tremella mesenterica; (C) Testicularia cyperi; and (D) the classic fruiting-body-forming fungus Hygrophorus. Photo credits: Tremella, Balint Dima; Testicularia, courtesy of George Rogers; Hygrophorus, Laszlo Nagy. Current Biology 2017 27, R609-R612DOI: (10.1016/j.cub.2017.04.032) Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd Terms and Conditions

Figure 2 Convergent evolution of complex multicellularity in eukaryotes. The phylogenetic distribution of complex multicellularity in fungi may be explained by two models. The multiple-origins model assumes seven independent gains (black bars) of complex multicellularity across the Fungi, whereas the single-origin model assumes a single gain (black dot) and several losses. The exact number depends on the phylogenetic structure of clades not consisting entirely of fruiting-body-forming fungi. Gray circles denote lineages containing at least one complex multicellular species. Note that among the fungi, only the Agaricomycotina and the Pezizomycotina are composed (nearly) entirely of complex multicellular species, while the others contain only a few. Current Biology 2017 27, R609-R612DOI: (10.1016/j.cub.2017.04.032) Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd Terms and Conditions