Fungal Species: Mycena

Fungal guild interactions slow decomposition of boreal forest pine litter and humus

mycolabadmin

In boreal forests, different types of fungi compete with each other to break down dead plant material. This study found that the fungi living in partnership with tree roots actually slow down the decomposition of fresh pine needles, especially after droughts. However, in older, partially decomposed soil material, the fungi associated with tree roots actually speed up decomposition, while fungi associated with shrubs slow it down. These findings suggest that how quickly different types of fungi decompose forest material depends on what type of dead material they are breaking down.

Read More »

Nomenclatural review of names published in the fungal genus Dermoloma (Basidiomycota, Agaricales, Tricholomataceae) based on morphological analyses of type specimens

mycolabadmin

Scientists have carefully re-examined nine fungal specimens from the genus Dermoloma that serve as the reference standards for naming these mushroom species. Using detailed microscopic analysis, they found that some specimens previously classified as Dermoloma actually belong to different genera, while others represent distinct species. This work helps clarify the true identity of Dermoloma mushrooms and provides a stable foundation for accurately naming new species discovered in the future.

Read More »

Stage-Specific Lipidomes of Gastrodia elata Extracellular Vesicles Modulate Fungal Symbiosis

mycolabadmin

Researchers studied how a special orchid called Gastrodia elata communicates with its fungal partner Armillaria. They found that tiny fat-like packages called extracellular vesicles carry specific molecules that help the orchid and fungus work together. These special molecules, including compounds like 7,8-dehydroastaxanthin, are most abundant when the orchid is actively absorbing nutrients from the fungus.

Read More »

Integrated peloton and fruiting body isotope data shed light on mycoheterotrophic interactions in Gastrodia pubilabiata (Orchidaceae)

mycolabadmin

This study examined how a special orchid called Gastrodia pubilabiata obtains nutrients from fungi by comparing the chemical signatures of fungal cells found inside the orchid’s roots with those of mushroom fruiting bodies. The researchers found that the fungal cells inside the roots had nearly identical chemical signatures to the mushroom fruiting bodies, confirming that scientists can accurately study this relationship by analyzing extracted fungal cells. This finding helps validate a scientific method that has been increasingly used to understand how orchids feed on fungi without performing photosynthesis.

Read More »

Integrated peloton and fruiting body isotope data shed light on mycoheterotrophic interactions in Gastrodia pubilabiata (Orchidaceae)

mycolabadmin

Some orchids don’t photosynthesize and instead get their nutrients directly from fungi they associate with. This study examined an unusual orchid species whose roots grow in direct contact with mushroom fruiting bodies. By analyzing the chemical signatures of different parts of this system, researchers confirmed that examining fungal threads extracted from orchid roots accurately reflects the fungal partner’s composition, validating a method that helps scientists study these fascinating plant-fungus partnerships when mushrooms cannot be easily found.

Read More »

Unholy marriages and eternal triangles: how competition in the mushroom life cycle can lead to genomic conflict

mycolabadmin

Mushrooms reproduce in an unusual way where two separate genomes coexist peacefully in the same fungal body. However, this arrangement creates opportunities for selfish genetic elements to cheat and pursue their own interests at the expense of the whole organism. The authors explore how competition between these genetic components could drive evolution of new mating systems and characteristics in mushroom fungi.

Read More »
Scroll to Top