Roles of Fungal Volatiles from Perspective of Distinct Lifestyles in Filamentous Fungi

Volatile compounds (VOCs) are not only media for communication within a species but also effective tools for sender to manipulate behavior and physiology of receiver species. Although the influence of VOCs on the interactions among organisms is evident, types of VOCs and specific mechanisms through which VOCs work during such interactions are only beginning to become clear. Here, we review the fungal volatile compounds (FVOCs) and their impacts on different recipient or- ganisms from perspective of distinct lifestyles of the fila- mentous fungi. Particularly, we discuss the possibility that different lifestyles are intimately associated with an ability to produce a repertoire of FVOCs in fungi. The FVOCs discussed here have been identified and ana- lyzed as relevant signals under a range of experimental settings. However, mechanistic insight into how specific interactions are mediated by such FVOCs at the molec- ular levels, amidst complex community of microbes and plants, requires further testing. Experimental designs and advanced technologies that attempt to address this question will facilitate our understanding and applica- tions of FVOCs to agriculture and ecosystem manage- ment.