Bioluminescent Mushrooms: Interesting Facts
Bioluminescent Mushrooms: Interesting Facts
It has long been known that certain living organisms, such as fish, insects, and even mushrooms, can emit visible light. The latter have been mentioned in the works of ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle and writer Pliny the Elder. However, to this day, researchers still have many questions about the nature of bioluminescent mushrooms.
According to various estimates by scientists, there are approximately 68 to 71 species of bioluminescent mushrooms known. Three-quarters of the bioluminescent mushrooms studied to date belong to the genus Mycena. This group of mushrooms thrives on the decomposition of organic matter.
The largest number of these mushrooms is found in Japan — 10 species, and another 8 in South America, particularly in Brazil. Their faint greenish glow is the result of chemical oxidation reactions that occur within the mushroom cells during oxygen absorption. Scientists have found that the bioluminescent process in mushrooms is similar to that in glowing bacteria and other bioluminescent organisms.
It is worth noting that mycologists have identified at least 7 species of bioluminescent mushrooms whose glow is characterized by a rather eerie yellow-green light, which they emit almost continuously, 24 hours a day... The study of these mushrooms has shed light on the evolution of bioluminescence in nature.
Bioluminescent mushrooms emitting a fairly bright yellow-green light have been discovered in Belize, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Japan, Malaysia, and Puerto Rico. Interestingly, if the daylight is not very bright, the glow of these mushrooms can be seen during the day, although their greenish-yellow light is poorly visible against the background of daylight, making them difficult to notice unless you are aware of them. However, if you place such mushrooms in a dark room and allow your eyes to adapt to the darkness for a short time, you can observe their glow very well at any time of day.
Mycologists have determined that bioluminescent species within the genus Mycena originate from 16 different lineages, indicating that bioluminescence has evolved from a single point, with some species of this genus losing their ability to glow during evolution. Many questions remain unanswered for scientists about these mushrooms, including how and why they begin to glow. There is speculation that some mushrooms glow to attract nocturnal animals that help spread their spores across the territory.
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