Your path towards ecological understanding

Fungi Friday; Clavogaster virescens

December 21, 2018 Philip Pinzone

The brilliant Clavogaster virescens. Photo by Michael Wallace.

What does this peculiar fungus and the first reptiles that took to the air have in common? They both represent transitional organisms! Transitional organisms tell us so much about evolution and allow us to paint an ecological picture of Earth's past as well as Earth's future. In today's edition of Fungi Friday, I talk about this living transitional fungus, as well as the most famous transitional organisms of them all; Archaeopteryx.

#FungiFriday Gravitropism in fungi (Flammulina velutipes)

November 10, 2017 Philip Pinzone

Flammulina velutipes, the velvet shank. Note the dark, velvety foot of the stipe and the light colored gills. Photo by

 
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&n… — *Flammulina velutipes*, the velvet shank. Note the dark, velvety foot of the stipe and the light colored gills. Photo by Hamilton.

This week’s edition of Fungi Friday is featuring Flammulina velutipes. Find out how this species can sense gravity and mount a gravitropic response.

Fungi Friday-Lichenomphalia altoandina, a new species discovered in Chile

October 20, 2017 Philip Pinzone

Lichenomphalia altoandina; a new species of desiccation and salt tolerant basidiolichen. Sandoval-Leiva et al. 2017. — *Lichenomphalia altoandina*; a new species of desiccation and salt tolerant basidiolichen. Sandoval-Leiva et al. 2017.

A newly discovered Chilean basidiolichen lives in an exotic place I didn't even know about. Learn about the adaptations required to live in the harsh Altiplano.

Mushrooms make it rain, literally

August 29, 2017 Philip Pinzone

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!