Emma Wilson
Underwater mushrooms, or marine fungi, are rare but they do exist. The discovery of Psathyrella aquatica, a species of gilled mushroom that grows completely underwater, was first reported in 2010. It was found in Oregon's Rogue River, growing out of water-logged wood, silt, gravel, and volcanic substrate. This discovery was surprising because mushrooms need oxygen to respire, and gills to take up that oxygen, which poses a challenge underwater. However, fungi have a much slower metabolism than animals, so they need less oxygen. This adaptation potential of fungi is of great interest to scientists, especially since more than 80% of the ocean remains unexplored, and it is estimated that 99.999% of marine fungi are yet to be discovered.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of underwater mushroom species | 1 (Psathyrella aquatica) |
| Location | Oregon's Rogue River, freshwater lakes |
| Depth | Half a meter underwater |
| Water type | Cold, fast-moving, spring-fed, aerated, volcanic |
| Growth medium | Water-logged wood, silt, gravel |
| Height | 10 cm |
| Cap color | Brown |
| Seasonality | Fruiting observed from mid-June to late September |
| Edibility | Unknown, assumed food source for small insects |
| DNA | Unique fingerprint |
| Related species | Ingoldian hyphomycetes |
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What You'll Learn
Psathyrella aquatica: the only gilled mushroom that grows underwater
Underwater mushrooms are rare, but they do exist. Psathyrella aquatica is the only gilled mushroom in the world that grows completely underwater. It was first discovered in 2005 by Robert Coffan, a professor at Southern Oregon University, who spotted the mushrooms growing in the Rogue River. Coffan and his colleagues, Darlene Southworth and Jonathan Frank, published their findings in 2010, officially recognizing P. aquatica as a new species.
P. aquatica has a unique habitat, growing in the fast-moving, cold, clear, and volcanic waters of the Rogue River. It has been observed growing from youth to maturity completely underwater over 11 weeks. The mushroom grows about half a meter underwater, anchored up to 1.6 feet (0.5 m) deep in the sediment to withstand the strong river currents. Its fruiting body consists of a small convex cap and a long stipe or stem, with gills underneath. The young mushroom has a veil that disappears as it matures. The cap is brown, and the stipe is covered in thin, hair-like structures.
The underwater environment is a new habitat for gilled mushrooms, and P. aquatica's ability to fruit underwater is remarkable. Its fruiting season is typically from mid-June to late September, and it is believed to be a food source for small insects in the river. The mushroom grows in water-logged conditions, often on wood, silt, gravel, or a fine volcanic substrate. Its discovery adds to the biodiversity of stream fungi that degrade woody substrates.
The unique characteristics of P. aquatica have intrigued mycologists, who are now trying to understand how this mushroom adapted to aquatic life. They are also searching for additional populations of this mushroom in other streams and rivers in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. P. aquatica's discovery highlights the importance of studying underwater fungi, a field that has historically lacked funding and interest, partly due to the challenges of isolating DNA from water samples.
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Underwater mushrooms are rare
The rarity of underwater mushrooms may be due to several factors. Firstly, it is challenging to get spores to stick to surfaces underwater, and ocean currents can carry spores away, making it unlikely for them to land on a suitable surface. Additionally, most fungi require oxygen, which can be difficult to access underwater. However, some fungi have slower metabolisms and can adapt to low-oxygen environments. The study of marine fungi is also understudied due to a lack of funding and interest, as well as the difficulty of isolating DNA from water samples.
Despite the rarity of underwater mushrooms, fungi play a critical role in aquatic ecosystems. For example, Ingoldian hyphomycetes feed on decaying leaves in streams, making it easier for aquatic invertebrates to consume them. Additionally, some fungi provide plants with better protection mechanisms, and their resilient properties can help heal damaged ecosystems through mycoremediation. The discovery of Psathyrella aquatica highlights the potential for more underwater mushroom species to be discovered and the importance of further exploration and research in this area.
While underwater mushrooms may be rare, the existence of Psathyrella aquatica and the presence of fungi in aquatic environments showcase the adaptability and diversity of these organisms. As Dr. Cassie Ettinger notes, the transition of mushrooms back into the marine environment is "a testament to fungi in their adaptation potential." With over 80% of the ocean remaining unexplored, there is much to be discovered about the fascinating world of underwater fungi and their importance in marine ecosystems.
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How does Psathyrella aquatica reproduce underwater?
Psathyrella aquatica, or Oregon's aquatic mushroom, is a unique species of fungus that was discovered in 2005 in the Rogue River in Oregon, United States. It is the only known mushroom species that fruits and grows completely underwater.
The reproduction of P. aquatica specifically in underwater environments is a fascinating but not yet fully understood process. Here is what we know so far about how this remarkable fungus reproduces in its aquatic habitat.
Sporocarp Production
The first crucial aspect of P. aquatica's reproduction is its ability to produce sporocarps, the reproductive structures of fungi. In a 2014 study, it was observed that P. aquatica only produces these sporocarps when it is completely submerged under cold water. This is a significant adaptation to its aquatic environment, as producing spores and disseminating them effectively underwater poses unique challenges.
Spores and Dissemination
The dissemination of spores underwater is more complex than in terrestrial environments. Ocean currents can carry spores over great distances, but the chances of them landing on a suitable substrate to support a new organism are slim. This makes the successful establishment of new P. aquatica individuals a challenging task. However, P. aquatica has been observed growing out of water-logged wood, silt, and gravel, indicating that these substrates may serve as suitable surfaces for spore germination.
Fruiting and Habitat
P. aquatica fruits underwater, a trait that sets it apart from other mushroom species. Its fruiting season typically ranges from mid-June to late September, and it has been observed growing from youth to maturity completely underwater over an 11-week period. This mushroom species favours a specific habitat: it thrives in cold, fast-moving, spring-fed waters with plenty of woody debris and a shallow depth of about half a meter.
While the specific mechanisms of spore dissemination and germination underwater are still being studied, the discovery and ongoing research on P. aquatica provide valuable insights into the diverse and adaptable nature of fungal species. The unique ability of this mushroom to reproduce underwater showcases the fascinating ways in which certain fungi have evolved to thrive in aquatic environments.
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How was Psathyrella aquatica discovered?
Psathyrella aquatica, also known as Oregon's aquatic mushroom, is a unique species of gilled mushroom that grows completely underwater. It was first discovered in 2005 by Southern Oregon University professor Robert Coffan in the Rogue River, Oregon, United States.
During a picnic with his family, Professor Coffan waded into the river and spotted tiny pale mushrooms growing out of the riverbed in the flowing water. Recognizing that he had come across something unusual, he contacted two mycologists at Southern Oregon University, Darlene Southworth and Jonathan Frank, to investigate the mysterious aquatic mushrooms.
It took five years of research for the team to confirm that Psathyrella aquatica was indeed a new species. The mushroom had a unique DNA fingerprint, and it was named one of the most significant species discovered in 2010. The species epithet "aquatica" is derived from the Latin word meaning "water" or "watery," reflecting the mushroom's aquatic habitat.
The discovery of Psathyrella aquatica opened up new avenues for exploration in mycology and aquatic biology. It is the only known mushroom to fruit and grow completely underwater, and it has sparked interest in understanding its life cycle and adaptations to an aquatic environment. It is also believed to be a food source for small insects in the river ecosystem. However, the lack of funding for further studies and the challenge of collecting samples from its underwater habitat have slowed down the pace of research.
The mushroom has only been found in a 1-kilometer stretch of the Rogue River, fruiting from mid-June to late September. It grows about half a meter underwater, in fast-flowing, cold, and clear water. While its discovery has expanded our understanding of aquatic fungi, the rarity of Psathyrella aquatica and the difficulty in accessing its habitat present ongoing challenges in the study of this fascinating species.
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What does the future hold for the study of underwater mushrooms?
Underwater mushrooms, or marine mushrooms, are rare, with Psathyrella aquatica being the only known mushroom that fruits and thrives underwater. First discovered in 2005 in Oregon's Rogue River, P. aquatica is the first-ever recorded gilled mushroom to fruit underwater. It has since been found in a freshwater lake, and there are suggestions that it could exist in other streams in the Northwest and beyond.
The future of underwater mushroom studies looks promising, with the potential for significant contributions to various fields. The study of P. aquatica, for instance, has already led to a better understanding of the resilience of mushrooms and their ability to adapt to different environments. This knowledge can be leveraged to address global issues such as climate change and advance mycoremediation techniques.
Additionally, the discovery of P. aquatica underscores the importance of exploring and documenting new underwater mushroom species. It is estimated that 99.999% of marine fungi remain unknown, and with more than 80% of the ocean yet to be explored, there is a vast opportunity for new discoveries. Encouragingly, researchers like Dr. Cassie Ettinger are actively promoting the exploration of marine fungi and providing guidance on how individuals can get involved in marine mycology, including through citizen science initiatives like Ocean Sampling Day.
However, the field of underwater mushroom studies also faces challenges, primarily the lack of funding and interest, as well as the technical difficulties in isolating DNA from water samples. These hurdles have hindered progress in understanding unique species like P. aquatica and their specific adaptations to an aquatic lifestyle. Nevertheless, with increased awareness and participation, it is hoped that these obstacles can be overcome, leading to further insights into the fascinating world of underwater mushrooms and their potential benefits to other areas of research and application.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are mushrooms that grow underwater. Psathyrella aquatica is the only known mushroom that fruits underwater.
Psathyrella aquatica was first discovered in the Rogue River in Oregon, USA.
Psathyrella aquatica has a fibrous stem, a brown cap, and gills, similar to other mushrooms.
It is believed that aquatic invertebrates and other animals may carry and disperse the spores of Psathyrella aquatica.
Yes, there are other types of fungi that can survive and thrive in underwater environments. However, underwater mushrooms are considered rare.
