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Bioluminescence Patterns Among North American Armillaria Species

Summary

This research discovered that more species of mushroom-forming fungi in the Armillaria genus can produce their own light (bioluminescence) than previously known. The study found five new glowing species and confirmed four others, showing that this characteristic is more common in these fungi than scientists thought. Impact on everyday life: • Helps in identifying harmful tree-rotting fungi in forests and gardens • Advances our understanding of natural light production in organisms • Could lead to development of natural lighting technologies • Improves forest management and tree health monitoring • Contributes to potential biotechnology applications using bioluminescent organisms

Background

Bioluminescence is widely recognized among white-spored species of Basidiomycota, with most reports based on visual light perception. When using instruments like photomultipliers to measure fungal luminescence, more taxa have been discovered to produce light at varying magnitudes.

Objective

The study aimed to determine the prevalence of bioluminescence among North American Armillaria species, compare luminescence of haploid and diploid mycelia, explore light production dynamics of nine species, characterize emission spectra of newly confirmed bioluminescent species, and examine how mechanical disturbance affects luminescence magnitude.

Results

Consistent bioluminescence was detected for the first time in five Armillaria species (A. calvescens, A. cepistipes, A. gemina, A. nabsnona, and A. sinapina) and confirmed in four previously known species. All species showed maximum light emission in the 515-525 nm range. Time series analysis revealed non-random variation patterns, and eight species showed significant luminescence shifts in response to mechanical disturbance.

Conclusion

Bioluminescence within the Armillaria genus is more widespread than previously known, with five additional species now confirmed to exhibit this characteristic. The study demonstrated that all examined species produce true bioluminescence with specific wavelength patterns and respond to mechanical stimuli with measurable changes in luminescence intensity.
  • Published in:Fungal Biology,
  • Study Type:Laboratory Research,
  • Source: 10.1016/j.funbio.2015.02.004
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