Researchers Explain Why Some Mushrooms Glow
Researchers have figured out why some mushrooms are bioluminescent after studying a variety of mushroom which grows among decaying leaves underneath young palm trees in Brazil, known as "flor de coco."
According to the researchers, the big yellow mushroom attracts insects and other creatures using its bioluminescence, which then spread its spores to different areas of the forest.
"The answer appears to be that fungi make light so they are noticed by insects who can help the fungus colonize new habitats," said biochemist Cassius Stevani of Brazil's Instituto de Química-Universidade de São Paulo.
Researchers said the study explains why fungi make light, first asked by Aristotle over 2,000 years ago.
Bioluminescence has independently evolved in many different life forms, including fungi, insects and fish, another researcher added.
"Most of these make light in their own way, that is, with biochemistry that is unique to each organism," said Jay Dunlap, a geneticist and molecular biologist at Dartmouth College's Geisel School of Medicine in the press release.
Of the total 100,000 known species of fungus, 71 are bioluminescent and "flor de coco" is one of the biggest and brightest of them.
"Because it has evolved so many times in so many different organisms, each with their own biology, studying bioluminescence gives one a window on living things in all their wonderful diversity, and it sends you off to questions that you did not know existed," added Dunlap.
