Epichloe endophytes: fungal symbionts of grasses

Recent developments have increased our understanding of the evolution of mu tualistic associations between Epichloe endophytes and their grass hosts. M ost of the asexual species appear to be interspecific hybrids. Although end ophytes form compatible associations with their natural hosts, transfers to other hosts elicit a range of incompatible reactions. Recently, the genes involved in the synthesis of the secondary metabolites ergot alkaloids and indole-diterpenes, which confer protective benefits on the association, hav e been cloned.