A reproductive system in fungi and algae where sexual reproduction requires two genetically different individuals or mating types.
From 'heterothallic' with the '-ism' suffix. Established in mycological terminology as scientists discovered sexual reproduction in fungi.
Heterothallism explains why some fungi need two 'parents' to make spores—nature essentially said 'no cloning allowed,' which forces genetic mixing and creates variation. It's a microbial version of male and female, except some fungi have dozens of mating types instead of just two.
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