Agaricus crocodilinus

Mechanisms and impacts of Agaricus urinascens fairy rings on plant diversity and microbial communities in a montane Mediterranean grassland

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Fairy rings created by the mushroom Agaricus urinascens dramatically transform Mediterranean grasslands. These fungal rings create zones of dead plants and altered soil conditions, killing vegetation and reducing plant species diversity by 40% at the fungal front. The fungi coat their mycelium with calcium oxalate crystals and create water-repellent soil conditions that essentially drown plants by preventing water absorption, ultimately favoring fast-growing grasses over diverse wildflower communities.

Mechanisms and impacts of Agaricus urinascens fairy rings on plant diversity and microbial communities in a montane Mediterranean grassland

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Fairy ring fungi create circular patterns in grasslands by forming dense underground networks that dramatically change soil properties and plant communities. The study found that these fungal rings reduce plant diversity by 40% at their advancing edge while boosting grass growth inside the ring, creating a stark ecological shift. The fungi produce calcium oxalate crystals that make soil very water-repellent, causing nearby plants to dry out and die. This research shows how a single fungus species can reshape entire ecosystems through physical and chemical changes in the soil.

Identification of two metallothioneins in Agaricus crocodilinus reveals gene duplication and domain expansion, a pattern conserved across fungal species

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A common edible mushroom called A. crocodilinus can accumulate dangerous levels of cadmium from soil without being harmed. Scientists discovered this mushroom produces two different proteins called metallothioneins that work together to safely trap and store the toxic cadmium. One protein handles constant, everyday cadmium storage in the mushroom fruiting body, while the other activates quickly when the roots encounter sudden heavy metal stress. This same protective strategy appears in other mushroom species, showing it’s an important evolutionary adaptation.

Fungal Species: Agaricus crocodilinus

Mechanisms and impacts of Agaricus urinascens fairy rings on plant diversity and microbial communities in a montane Mediterranean grassland

Mechanisms and impacts of Agaricus urinascens fairy rings on plant diversity and microbial communities in a montane Mediterranean grassland

Identification of two metallothioneins in Agaricus crocodilinus reveals gene duplication and domain expansion, a pattern conserved across fungal species