Misena Crocata is a long-known bacterial species that has been frequently reported from Europe and Japan, but until now it was thought that it did not emit light.
heintzelman others. report evidence of bioluminescence in Misena Crocata And we show that the genome of this species is fully populated with genes related to fungal bioluminescence. Image credit: Heintzelman others., doi: 10.47371/mycosci.2024.03.001.
Misena Crocata It is a species of fungus Misena It is known in Europe, North Africa, Asia, and North America.
It occurs primarily in fallen beech leaves and woody debris, but occasionally in other hardwoods such as oak, ash, alder, and birch.
Misena CrocataThe fruiting bodies of this plant appear from summer to autumn, so they can be easily identified.
It reaches a height of 5-15 cm, has a narrow stalk and exhibits a characteristic color gradation from bright orange at the base to red and pale yellow or cream at the top.
In addition, yellow-red or orange-red stains may be present on the whitish gills.
But most impressively, Misena Crocata When cut, it oozes a distinctive saffron red sap. This is reflected in the common name Saffron Drop Bonnet Mushroom and the Latin epithet of the species. Kurokata It means saffron color.
evidence of bioluminescence Misena Crocata It was discovered by Zurich-based artists Heidi Bagenstos and Andreas Rudolph.
“We wanted to show that bioluminescent mushrooms exist in Swiss forests and that you don't have to travel far to find them,” Bagenstos said.
“One evening, as I was walking through the Albisrieden forest near Zurich, I saw a green light shining through my camera.”
“The bioluminescence of fungi can be so weak that it cannot be seen with the naked eye.”
Bagenstos, Rudolf and Dr. Renate Heintzelmann from the Swiss Federal Institute for Forestry, Snow and Landscape Research further investigated the large collection. Misena Crocata.
They investigated the bioluminescent properties of its fruiting bodies and mycelium using digital imaging and photomultiplier tubes.
Furthermore, they captured the bioluminescence spectrum emitted by the species and confirmed the presence of bioluminescence-related genes in its genome.
“Light measurements show that the fruiting bodies Misena CrocataThe mycelium showed the most bioluminescence, except for the base of the stalk, which was non-luminescent,” the researchers explained.
“As a result, the rotten trees Misena Crocata The mature wood also emits a green glow when split, which lasts up to 4 hours before the wood dries. ”
“When we grew pure mycelial cultures under optimal conditions, they remained bioluminescent for up to 164 days.”
According to the authors, the ecological role of bioluminescence in fungi remains a mystery.
“For some fungal species with intensely luminescent fruiting bodies, bioluminescence may attract arthropods at night, which may facilitate spore dispersal,” the researchers said.
“The spores of Misena Seeds are usually dispersed by wind and in species that do not have luminescent fruiting bodies. Misena CrocataBioluminescence probably plays another, but as yet unknown, role. ”
“As a result of our research, we conclude that it is very likely that there are others that may be more familiar. Misena It is a species whose bioluminescent properties are yet to be discovered,” they added.
“As a result, existing studies of fungal bioluminescence may underestimate the frequency of bioluminescence in mysenoid lineages.”
“In the absence of clear evidence for the absence of bioluminescence, further studies on the evolution of luminescence within the mysenoid lineage are recommended to validate the luminescent properties of putative non-luminescent species.”
a paper The survey results were published in a magazine mycoscience.
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Renate Heintzelman others. 2024. Many bioluminescent Misena An overlooked species? – Case study from M. crocata In Switzerland. mycoscience 65 (4): 173-179;doi: 10.47371/mycosci.2024.03.001
Source: www.sci.news
