By releasing more water than transpiring plants, many fungi can change the density of air surrounding their fruitbodies ultimately resulting in more efficient spore dispersal.
Read moreFungi Friday; The bleeding tooth fungus (Hydnellum peckii)
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Read moreFungi Friday; The fungal communities that occupy your home
Homes are small-scaled ecosystems, and the different surfaces within them function as completely separate ecological niches. Today I learned that communities of fungi that live on indoor surfaces are structured differently than residential bacteria. Natural selection is occurring literally beneath your feet, in the drains of your showers. These assemblages of microorganisms live all over the surfaces in your home, and there's really nothing you can do about it.
Read moreMushrooms make it rain, literally
Other than the passing of genetic information to subsequent generations, recent research has revealed yet another ecological function fungal spores may provide- the formation of raindrops!
Read moreFungi Friday-Pisolithus arhizus
Not all fungi had it easy evolving in water and nutrient rich habitats. Learn about a not so pretty looking fungus and appreciate the adaptations it evolved that ultimately helped it spread across the planet.
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