John Miller
Mushrooms are fungi that can take on any shape and colour, and one of their most fascinating qualities is bioluminescence. More than 70 species of fungi can glow in the dark, emitting a greenish light at a wavelength of 520–530 nm. The light is produced through a chemical reaction between oxyluciferin molecules, an enzyme called luciferase, and oxygen—the same process that fireflies use to light up. While the purpose of bioluminescence in mushrooms is not yet fully understood, one theory suggests that it helps attract insects and other arthropods that can help spread their spores.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of bioluminescent mushroom species | 70+ |
| Purpose of bioluminescence | To attract insects and spiders that help spread spores |
| Bioluminescence occurrence | In mycelia and fruit bodies, or only in mycelia, young rhizomorphs, spores, or sclerotia |
| Bioluminescence mechanism | A chemical reaction between oxyluciferin molecules, luciferase, and oxygen |
| Mushroom examples | Panellus stipticus, Panellus pusillus, Armillaria mellea, Armillaria gallica, Mycena chlorophos, Omphalotus olearius, Collybia tuberosa, Roridomyces roridus |
| Mushroom locations | Brazil's Atlantic Forest, North America, Asia, Europe, South Africa |
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What You'll Learn
The science behind bioluminescence
Bioluminescence is the emission of light by an organism through a chemical reaction known as chemiluminescence. This process involves the conversion of chemical energy to radiant energy, resulting in the production of light. It is worth noting that bioluminescence is different from biofluorescence, which is when an organism emits light only under a UV light.
Bioluminescence occurs in a wide range of organisms, from marine vertebrates and invertebrates to fungi, bacteria, and terrestrial arthropods. On land, it is observed in certain fungi, bacteria, and some groups of invertebrates, including insects. In the ocean, bioluminescence is exhibited by fish, bacteria, and jellyfish, among others. It is not commonly found in freshwater habitats or in true plants, amphibians, reptiles, birds, or mammals.
The light produced by bioluminescent organisms is often referred to as "cold light" because it generates little thermal radiation or heat. This light is the result of a chemical reaction between two unique chemicals: luciferin and either luciferase or photoprotein. Luciferin is a substrate, or compound, that produces light in a chemical reaction. Luciferase, on the other hand, is an enzyme that facilitates the binding of oxygen and luciferin to form oxyluciferin. Oxyluciferin is an unstable compound that releases photons, resulting in the emission of light.
The colour of bioluminescence varies and is determined by the arrangement of luciferin molecules. For example, fireflies emit a yellow-green light, while lanternfish produce a greenish light. The intensity and duration of the light can also differ, with some organisms emitting continuous light, while others flash or glow intermittently.
The physiological and ecological function of bioluminescence varies among organisms. Some deep-sea fishes use bioluminescence to dangle luminous lures to attract prey or to disguise their form from predators. In contrast, fireflies use light to attract mates or signal to other individuals of the same species. Fungi, including mushrooms, may use bioluminescence to attract insects that help disperse their spores.
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Where to find bioluminescent mushrooms
Brazil's Atlantic Forest is a hotspot for biodiversity and home to 27 of the 100 known species of bioluminescent mushrooms. The Ribeira Valley, in particular, is known for its high concentration of diverse bioluminescent mushroom species. Ecotourism initiatives in the area offer treks to see these mushrooms in their natural habitat.
Mycena lucentipes are one of the six new species of bioluminescent mushrooms discovered in the Atlantic Forest. During the day, they appear ordinary, but at night, they emit a luminous neon-green glow and flourish in the humidity on tree trunks and fallen branches.
Panellus stipticus is another well-known bioluminescent mushroom species with a global distribution. However, only certain strains found in specific parts of North America exhibit bioluminescence. These mushrooms are characterised by their flat, fan-like shape and dull yellow-beige colour during the day, transforming into a dazzling display of light at night.
The Armillaria genus, commonly known as "honey mushrooms," includes several bioluminescent species. Armillaria mellea is the most widely distributed luminescent fungus, found across Asia, Europe, North America, and South Africa. Armillaria gallica has a smaller distribution but can be found throughout Asia, North America, and Europe.
While bioluminescent mushrooms are typically associated with tropical and temperate forests, you can also find glow-in-the-dark mushroom kits available online, allowing you to grow your own bioluminescent mushrooms at home.
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Theories on why mushrooms glow
There are over 70 species of mushrooms that can glow in the dark, a phenomenon called "foxfire". This ability to produce light is called bioluminescence, which is caused by a series of chemical reactions within the mushroom.
Scientists have several theories about why mushrooms glow:
Attracting insects to spread spores
One theory is that glowing attracts insects to the mushrooms, which then inadvertently carry the mushroom's spores to new locations, aiding in their dispersal. This is similar to how flowers and pollinators work together. This theory is supported by the fact that mushrooms tend to glow more intensely at night, when it is dark and most effective for attracting insects.
Attracting predators of arthropods that feed on unprotected hyphae
Another theory is that the light emitted by the mushrooms attracts the predators of arthropods that feed on unprotected hyphae. This hypothesis has not yet been tested, but it is based on observations of spiders sitting on glowing mushrooms and ambushing arriving insects.
Discouraging animals from eating the mushrooms
Scientists have also hypothesized that glowing mushroom caps may serve to discourage animals from eating them. This theory is based on the observation that some mushrooms only glow in the mycelia, a part of the mushroom that is usually not visible.
Protection against the damaging effects of wood decay
Bioluminescence is an oxygen-dependent metabolic process that may provide antioxidant protection against the potentially damaging effects of reactive oxygen species produced during wood decay.
While these theories provide some insight into why mushrooms glow, the physiological and ecological function of fungal bioluminescence has not yet been fully understood.
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The ecological function of bioluminescent mushrooms
Bioluminescent mushrooms, also known as glowing fungi, emit a greenish light at a wavelength of 520–530 nm. This phenomenon occurs only in living cells. More than 70 species of bioluminescent mushrooms have been discovered, with some sources estimating over 125 known species. These mushrooms are typically found in temperate and tropical climates, growing on dead bamboo, tree trunks, roots, decaying wood, and fallen leaves.
Another hypothesis suggests that the glowing mushroom caps may serve as a signal to discourage animals from eating them. Additionally, bioluminescence may provide antioxidant protection against the damaging effects of reactive oxygen species produced during wood decay.
The study of fungal bioluminescence has intrigued researchers, who continue to explore its ecological significance and potential applications. For example, historical reports indicate that certain tribes in India and Indonesia used glowing mushrooms to navigate through dense forests. In contrast, Aboriginal people in Australia associated glowing mushrooms with spiritual entities.
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The number of bioluminescent mushroom species
There are more than 70 known bioluminescent mushroom species, out of around 120,000 total described fungi species. These bioluminescent species are found largely in temperate and tropical climates. They are members of the order Agaricales (Basidiomycota), with one possible exception belonging to the order Xylariales (with extremely faint light).
The Omphalotus lineage (Omphalotus and Neonothopanus) contains 12 bioluminescent species, the Armillaria lineage has 10, and the Mycenoid lineage (Favolachia, Mycena, Panellus, Prunulus, Roridomyces) has more than 50. The recently discovered Lucentipes lineage contains two species, Mycena lucentipes and Gerronema viridilucens, which belong to a family that has not yet been formally named.
Some well-known examples of bioluminescent mushrooms include Panellus stipticus, which is one of the brightest-glowing species on Earth. It has a global distribution, but only some strains in certain parts of North America are bioluminescent. Panellus pusillus, a member of the same genus, is also bioluminescent and is found on every continent except Africa and Antarctica. Armillaria mellea is the most widely distributed of the luminescent fungi, found across Asia, Europe, North America, and South Africa.
Most of the world's glowing mushrooms belong to the genus Mycena. The Mycena chlorophos has a pale-green glow that is brightest when it's just one day old and the temperature is around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Mycena pura, commonly known as the lilac bonnet due to its soft purple caps, is also bioluminescent and is most common throughout Great Britain and Ireland.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are more than 100 known species of bioluminescent mushrooms.
You can find bioluminescent mushrooms in forests around the world, especially in temperate and tropical climates. Brazil's Atlantic Forest is known for having the world's highest concentration of glowing mushrooms.
Bioluminescent mushrooms emit a greenish light at a wavelength of 520-530 nm. They appear brighter at night and dim during the day.
Scientists have proposed two theories for why bioluminescent mushrooms glow. The first theory suggests that the light attracts insects and arthropods that help spread their spores. The second theory posits that the light is an accidental byproduct of metabolism and provides antioxidant protection during wood decay.
Bioluminescent mushrooms glow due to a chemical reaction between oxyluciferin molecules, an enzyme called luciferase, and oxygen. This process is similar to the bioluminescence produced by fireflies.
