Sarah Brown
While mushrooms and fungi seem like plants, they are not, as they cannot make their own food. Fungi are usually found in darker places where plants cannot grow, as they do not need sunlight to survive. They are also low in calories. Fungi are key to our survival, but they have historically been left out of conservation initiatives. There are currently around 12,469 taxa in the Recently Extinct Fungi Database, and 65 species of fungi in New Zealand are considered threatened. Some species of mushrooms are also under the threat of extinction in Switzerland. While it is unclear if any giant mushrooms have gone extinct, it is speculated that they were outcompeted by plants, specifically trees, and could not survive mass extinction events.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of fungi species | Between 1 million and 6 million |
| Number of extinct fungi species | 12,469 (as of June 2025) |
| Fungi that are endangered | Fischer's egg, Septate-spored Polypore, White Ferula, Hazel Fingers |
| Possible reasons for extinction | Out-competed by plants, inability to withstand animal teeth and claws, dehydration, habitat destruction, mushroom pickers |
| Fungi that may be extinct | Prototaxites |
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What You'll Learn
Giant mushrooms
While it is unclear if any mushrooms are extinct, there is evidence of giant mushrooms in the form of fossils. These fossils, known as Prototaxites, are believed to be the remnants of a giant fungus that existed between 420 million and 350 million years ago, during the Late Silurian and Devonian periods. Prototaxites formed large trunk-like structures up to 1 metre (3 feet) wide and reaching heights of 8 metres (26 feet). They were the largest land-dwelling organisms of their time.
The classification of Prototaxites has long been a subject of debate. Initially, scientists described the organism as a cone-bearing plant or tree in 1859. However, over the years, various researchers have proposed alternative classifications, including kelp-like aquatic algae, fruiting bodies of fungi, or lichens, which are partnerships between fungi and algae. The debate has persisted due to the similarity of Prototaxites' microstructure to that of early plants and algae.
In 2007, a team of researchers, including Hueber and K.C. Boyce from the University of Chicago, performed isotopic analyses of Prototaxites fossils. They examined the ratio of carbon isotopes (carbon-12 and carbon-13) and found that the ratios differed significantly from those typically found in plants. This provided strong evidence that Prototaxites was not a plant but a fungus, as fungi absorb carbon from sources other than atmospheric carbon dioxide.
The giant size of Prototaxites is believed to have been a reproductive strategy to spread its spores over wider distances. However, the emergence of land plants and animals may have made their large size detrimental, as they became a more visible and accessible food source. Additionally, the rise of trees may have blocked sunlight and smothered other plant life, including Prototaxites, contributing to their eventual extinction.
Today, the largest known organism on Earth is still a huge fungus located in eastern Oregon, covering nearly four square miles of forest. While it doesn't protrude high into the sky, its massive size is a reminder of the ancient giant fungi that once dominated our planet's landscape.
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Possible causes of mushroom extinction
While there is no clear record of mushroom extinction, some factors could contribute to the extinction of mushrooms.
Habitat Loss
Habitat loss, especially due to the expansion of residential areas, logging, and the conversion of forests to plantations, poses the most significant threat to fungi, accounting for approximately 62% of assessed fungi extinctions. Timber production, for instance, can reduce the availability of deadwood and old trees that fungi depend on for survival. Climate change also contributes to habitat loss, with changes in temperature and moisture levels directly impacting fungi populations.
Climate Change
Climate change is having detrimental effects on fungi, with almost half of the 976 species examined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) showing widespread extinctions. The IPCC predicts that at 2°C of global warming, one in ten species is likely to face a "very high" risk of extinction. This risk increases with higher temperatures, rising to 15% at 5°C. Any climate-related habitat change that negatively impacts plants will also affect co-existing fungi, as fungal diversity depends on plants.
Human Activities
Human activities that cause environmental changes, such as agricultural expansion, urbanization, mining, and logging, can reduce the population size of fungi and lead to eventual extinction. Construction and habitat destruction by humans have been identified as specific threats to certain mushroom species.
Competition from Plants
The introduction and dominance of trees and other plant species may have contributed to the extinction of giant mushrooms. Trees can outcompete mushrooms by blocking sunlight, dropping leaves that smother other plant life, and dispersing seeds that can survive harsh conditions. Additionally, the presence of trees may have made the existence of giant mushrooms detrimental, as their height made them more susceptible to dehydration and an easy source of food for animals.
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The rediscovery of previously extinct mushrooms
While it is unclear if any mushrooms are extinct, Prototaxites, a genus of large macroscopic eukaryote, is widely considered a fungus and is believed to be extinct. It formed large trunk-like structures, reaching up to 8 metres in length and 1 metre in width. The exact relationship of Prototaxites with extant fungus lineages is uncertain, and its taxonomy has long been debated. While some consider it a fungus, others propose it was a lichenised autotroph or a complex fungal rhizomorph with a varied growth pattern, including horizontal and subterranean expansion.
The extinction of Prototaxites may have been caused by animal inhabitation, as mazes of tubes with the fungus re-growing into the voids have been found. However, evidence also suggests that it survived the stress of arthropod boreholes for millions of years, indicating that it was a resilient organism. Another possible factor in its extinction is the rise of vascular plants, which may have outcompeted it.
While there is limited information on the rediscovery of previously extinct mushrooms, it is important to note that the determination of extinction is complex. The absence of suitable habitat does not necessarily indicate extinction, and some organisms may still persist in captivity or unknown locations. Rediscovery often occurs due to a failure to survey significant parts of known or suitable habitats adequately.
Additionally, the conservation status of fungi is challenging to evaluate due to their poorly understood ecology and biology. The IUCN has evaluated the status of a limited number of fungus species, and regional efforts, such as the New Zealand Threat Classification System, have identified threatened species. However, the taxonomic validity and synonymy of taxa can be subjective, and there is a risk of conscious or subconscious biases in declaring extinctions.
Overall, while Prototaxites is believed to be an extinct fungus-like organism, the complexities of determining extinction and the limited understanding of fungal ecology make it challenging to definitively conclude the extinction or rediscovery of specific mushroom species.
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The impact of human activity on mushroom extinction
While there is no clear record of when humans started consuming mushrooms, they are now a common ingredient in dishes worldwide. Mushroom hunting is a popular activity, especially in the fall when wild mushrooms grow abundantly. However, human activities such as habitat destruction and over-picking have contributed to the decline and possible extinction of certain mushroom species. For example, Switzerland has reported the possible future disappearance of one-third of its mushroom species, with 937 out of 3000 documented species under the threat of extinction. Similarly, New Zealand has listed fifty species of fungi as Nationally Critical in its Threat Classification System Lists.
In addition to habitat destruction and over-picking, the rise of dominant species such as trees has contributed to the extinction of giant mushroom species. Trees block sunlight, drop leaves that smother other plant life, and their seeds can survive harsh conditions, outcompeting mushrooms and other plant species. The giant Prototaxites fungus, which could reach up to 8 meters in height, is believed to have gone extinct due to the emergence of vascular plants and the resulting competition for resources.
While the direct impact of human activity on mushroom extinction is evident in some cases, the complex interplay of ecological factors also plays a role. The advantage of height in spreading spores was lost for giant mushrooms when trees and other taller species blocked their access to sunlight and dispersed their spores. Additionally, the large size of these mushrooms made them an easy target for animals, and their soft structure was unable to withstand animal predation. The extinction of giant mushrooms may also be attributed to a combination of ecological changes and competition from other species, in addition to human activities such as habitat destruction and over-exploitation.
Fungi, including mushrooms, play a crucial role in the survival of trees and the climate of the planet. Despite their importance, fungi have often been left out of conservation initiatives. Citizen science communities, mushroom-hunting clubs, and websites have emerged as valuable tools for generating field data and rediscovering species previously thought to be extinct. However, the true biodiversity of fungi is estimated to be between one million and six million species, and there may be many endangered fungi that have gone unnoticed due to their lack of culinary appeal or human consumption.
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The conservation status of mushrooms
While mushrooms and fungi may seem abundant, some species are endangered and at risk of extinction. In fact, one-third of Switzerland's mushroom species are at risk of vanishing, and New Zealand reported similar concerns in 2002, with 50 species listed as Nationally Critical in the New Zealand Threat Classification System Lists.
The white ferula mushroom, once found in just 38 square miles on Sicily's Madonie mountain range, is now listed as critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. It was the first mushroom to be recognized for the impact humans were having on its survival, as foraging and habitat destruction are major contributors to the decline of mushroom species. Citizen science initiatives, such as mushroom-hunting clubs and websites, have helped generate more field data for scientists to monitor and protect these species.
The conservation of mushrooms and fungi is crucial, as they are key partners for trees and affect the climate of the whole planet. However, fungi have historically been left out of conservation initiatives due to their poor understanding relative to other organisms. Extinct fungi, such as Prototaxites, which may have been a giant fungus or lichen, are not well understood, and the reasons for their extinction are still debated.
While giant mushrooms may no longer exist, some modern species can grow to a similar size, but their growth is inhibited by competition with trees and other plant species. The advantage of being tall and spreading spores over a wide area is lost when competing with taller plant species, and larger mushrooms become more susceptible to animal consumption.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, some mushrooms are extinct. For example, Prototaxites, a genus of large eukaryote that formed trunk-like structures, is believed to be extinct. However, the exact relationship of Prototaxites with extant fungus lineages is uncertain and the subject of ongoing debate.
Yes, some mushroom species are considered endangered. For example, the white ferula mushroom, once found in Sicily's Madonie mountain range, was the first mushroom to be recognised for the impact humans were having on its survival. From 2006 to 2015, it was the only mushroom globally recognised as endangered. While it has since been discovered in other parts of Sicily and Greece, leading to its status being downgraded from critically endangered to endangered, it is still at risk. Additionally, Switzerland has reported the possible future disappearance of one-third of its mushroom species, with 937 out of 3000 documented species under the threat of extinction.
There are several hypothesized reasons why some mushrooms may have gone extinct. One theory suggests that giant mushrooms were outcompeted by plants and trees, which blocked sunlight and smothered other plant life. Another factor could have been the vulnerability of large mushrooms to animal consumption, as their outer shell was not hard enough to protect them. Additionally, the onset of land plants and animals may have made it detrimental for mushrooms to grow to giant sizes, as they became more prone to dehydration and were easier targets for spore dispersal by wind.
