Michael Davis
The origin and evolution of mushrooms, part of the Fungi kingdom, are still largely mysterious. However, according to a recent study, the first mushrooms appeared between 715 and 810 million years ago, 300 million years earlier than previously believed. This discovery sheds light on the early history of fungi and their role in the evolution of plants and the planet's surface. The study also suggests that mushrooms were important partners for the first plants that colonized the Earth's surface. Additionally, the study of psychedelic mushrooms, specifically the Psilocybe genus, has revealed that they evolved around 65 million years ago, providing insights into their psychedelic compounds and potential therapeutic benefits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Age of the oldest mushroom fossils | 715-810 million years old |
| Age of the oldest non-controversial mushroom fossils | 460 million years old |
| Age of the earliest mushroom-forming fungi fossils | 90 million years old |
| Age of the earliest fossil with mushroom-like features | 635-551 million years old |
| Age of the earliest terrestrial fungus fossils | 635 million years old |
| Age of the earliest fossils with typical fungal features | 2.4 billion years old |
| Age when fungi became abundant | 250 million years ago |
| Age of the earliest fungal fossils | 1 billion years old |
| Age when mushrooms first evolved | 65 million years ago |
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What You'll Learn
- The first mushrooms may have evolved 300 million years before humans
- Fungi are more closely related to humans than plants
- Humans have used mushrooms for medicine for thousands of years
- The oldest mushroom fossils are 460 million years old
- Mushrooms may have helped the first plants colonize the Earth's surface
The first mushrooms may have evolved 300 million years before humans
The evolution of fungi, or mushrooms, is a fascinating area of study, and one that has been ongoing for centuries. The first mushrooms may have evolved between 715 and 810 million years ago, according to research led by Steeve Bonneville from the Université libre de Bruxelles. This discovery was based on the fossilized remains of mycelium, a network of interconnected microscopic strands, found in ancient rocks in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This finding pushes back the date of the first mushrooms by 300 million years, a significant advancement in our understanding of fungal evolution.
The study, published in Science Advances, sheds light on the role of mushrooms in the early history of life on Earth. Bonneville suggests that mushrooms were important partners for the first plants that colonized the continental surface around 500 million years ago. This discovery adds to our understanding of the evolution of both fungi and plants, as well as the development of life on Earth's surface. The fossil record of fungi is sparse due to their delicate nature and the difficulty of preserving their remains, making this discovery all the more significant.
Fungi, including mushrooms, play a crucial role in the ecosystem. They break down organic matter, cycle nutrients, and have a symbiotic relationship with plants, exchanging goods and facilitating communication between different plant species. They also have a long history of use by humans, featuring in traditional Chinese medicine and ancient Greek medicine, as well as modern therapeutic contexts for mental health treatment.
The genomic study of mushrooms has revealed that psilocybin-making in the Psilocybe genus, commonly known as "magic mushrooms", evolved around 65 million years ago. This has deepened our understanding of the psychedelic compounds found in these mushrooms and their potential therapeutic benefits. The study of mushroom genetics holds promise for the discovery of new therapeutic compounds and synthetic versions of hallucinogenic compounds.
In conclusion, the first mushrooms may have evolved around 300 million years before humans, and their evolutionary history is closely tied to the development of life on Earth. Fungi play a crucial role in the ecosystem and have a long history of interaction with humans. The study of mushroom genetics has opened up new avenues for research and therapeutic applications.
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Fungi are more closely related to humans than plants
The earliest fossils with features typical of fungi date back to the Paleoproterozoic era, approximately 2.4 billion years ago. In 2019, scientists discovered a fossilized fungus in the Canadian Arctic, named Ourasphaira giraldae, which may have grown on land a billion years ago, before plants. The first mushrooms are believed to have evolved between 715 and 810 million years ago, much earlier than previously thought.
Fungi, including mushrooms, are more closely related to animals and, specifically, humans, than they are to plants. This is because they share genetic characteristics with animals that are absent in plants. For example, both mushrooms and humans store carbohydrate energy as glycogen, while plants use starch. Fungi and insects use chitin, a polysaccharide, to build cell walls, whereas plants use cellulose. Mushrooms, like humans, also produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. According to Paul Stamets, a mycologist and author, humans share nearly 50% of their DNA with fungi.
The evolutionary history of fungi and their relationship with animals were first hypothesized in the 1950s. Scientists later tested and confirmed these hypotheses. The dramatic increase in evidence of fungi immediately after the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event, approximately 66 million years ago, further supports their close relationship with animals.
The close relationship between fungi and humans has important implications for biotechnology and medicine. For instance, the discovery of the non-typical arrangement of genes in mushrooms has expanded the ingredients available for developing synthetic versions of hallucinogenic compounds. Additionally, the psychedelic compounds in mushrooms, such as psilocybin and psilocin, have shown promising potential in treating mental illnesses and providing end-of-life care.
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Humans have used mushrooms for medicine for thousands of years
The use of mushrooms as medicine dates back thousands of years. The Greek physician Hippocrates, circa 450 BCE, classified the amadou mushroom (Fomes fomentarius) as a potent anti-inflammatory and for cauterizing wounds. Ötzi, the Ice Man, who lived nearly 5300 years ago, carried amadou and birch polypore in a pouch to help him survive in the Alps of northern Italy. The First Peoples of North America used puffball mushrooms (Calvatia genus) as wound healers. In ancient China, Coriolus versicolor, commonly known as turkey tail, was used as a "magic herb" to promote good health, strength, and longevity. Its medicinal properties were recorded in ancient texts such as the "Compendium of Materia Medica" and "Shen Non-Compendium Medica".
Modern science has recently begun to rediscover the medicinal properties of mushrooms, which were known to ancient cultures. Clinical studies have indicated the potential medical value of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy in treating depression, anxiety, and certain addictions. Additionally, P. ostreatus (PO) has been found to suppress the growth of breast and colon cancer cells effectively. The oyster mushroom has also been studied for its cholesterol-lowering properties.
The evolutionary history of mushrooms dates back millions of years. Recent studies suggest that the first mushrooms evolved between 715 and 810 million years ago, much earlier than previously believed. Fossilized remains of mycelium, a network of interconnected microscopic strands, have been discovered in rocks from this time period. The phylogenetic relationship between humans and mushrooms may contribute to the enhanced medicinal benefits observed.
The array of human responses to mushrooms is remarkable, with a magnitude and diversity of effects that surpass our responses to plants. This may be due to the closer phylogenetic relationship between the animal kingdom and mushrooms compared to plants. The study of medicinal mushrooms is ongoing, and modern science is now cultivating and experimenting with different solvents to unlock their full medicinal potential.
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The oldest mushroom fossils are 460 million years old
The existence of mushrooms predates that of humans by millions of years. The oldest mushroom fossils are 460 million years old, according to research.
In 2020, a team of researchers led by Professor Steeve Bonneville from the Université libre de Bruxelles discovered a new mushroom fossil—the oldest ever identified from its molecular composition. The fossilized remains of mycelium (a network of interconnected microscopic strands) were discovered in rocks in the Democratic Republic of Congo, dating between 715 and 810 million years old. This discovery sheds light on the early history of mushrooms, which had long been a mystery due to their delicate nature and rarity in the fossil record.
The study, published in "Science Advances," suggests that mushrooms played an important role in the evolution of life on Earth. Bonneville explains that the presence of fungi in the transitional area between water and land indicates that these microscopic mushrooms were crucial partners for the first plants that colonized the Earth's surface around 500 million years ago. This finding highlights the significance of fungi in the development of plant life and the planet's ecosystem.
Furthermore, the study of mushroom genomes has revealed intriguing insights into their psychedelic compounds. Researchers from the US, UK, and Mexico analyzed the genomes of over 50 mushrooms from the Psilocybe genus, finding that psilocybin-making in this group emerged around 65 million years ago. This discovery has deepened our understanding of the therapeutic potential of these mushrooms in treating mental illnesses.
The evolution of fungi, including mushrooms, is closely intertwined with the history of life on Earth. With their ability to break down detritus and release nutrients, early fungi paved the way for the development of plant life. Additionally, fungi played a role in oxygenating the Earth's atmosphere after the Cryogenian glaciations. While much remains to be discovered about these ancient organisms, ongoing research continues to enhance our understanding of their ecological significance and potential benefits to humanity.
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Mushrooms may have helped the first plants colonize the Earth's surface
Mushrooms, or fungi, have been around for far longer than humans. The earliest fossils with features typical of fungi date back to the Paleoproterozoic era, around 2.4 billion years ago.
A 2020 study led by Steeve Bonneville from the Université libre de Bruxelles discovered fossilized mycelium (a network of interconnected microscopic strands) in rocks between 715 and 810 million years old. These ancient rocks were found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and their formation in a lagoon or coastal lake environment suggests a transitional area between water and land. This indicates that mushrooms may have played a significant role in the colonization of the Earth's surface by plants around 500 million years ago.
The presence of fungi in this transitional environment is particularly notable because it coincides with the early stages of life on the continental surface. Bonneville emphasizes that this discovery prompts a reconsideration of our understanding of the evolution of organisms on Earth. Indeed, the study suggests that mushrooms could have been crucial partners for the first plants that colonized the land.
Fungi and plants are believed to have played a pivotal role in the Earth's climate change during the Snowball Earth events, approximately 750 million to 580 million years ago. The presence of lichen fungi and plants on land may have contributed to the lowering of the Earth's surface temperature and the subsequent emergence of new species during the Cambrian Explosion era.
Furthermore, the symbiotic relationship between fungi and plants, known as mycorrhiza, is essential for the health and success of plant life. Fungi colonize the plant's root system, facilitating the exchange of critical nutrients. They can also protect plants from insects and enable communication between plants to warn of potential dangers.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, mushrooms have been around for far longer than humans. The earliest fossils with features typical of fungi date back to the Paleoproterozoic era, around 2,400 million years ago.
The first mushrooms are believed to have evolved between 715 and 810 million years ago, 300 million years earlier than previously thought.
The oldest mushroom fossils are around 460 million years old. However, fossils with fungus-like features have been found in South China and are believed to be around 635 million years old.
The fossilized remains of mycelium, a network of interconnected microscopic strands, were discovered in rocks that are between 715 and 810 million years old. These ancient rocks were found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Yes, mushrooms have been used for medicinal and dietary purposes for thousands of years. They are also believed to have played a crucial role in the evolution of life on Earth by helping to break down detritus and release nutrients, making plant life possible. Additionally, mushrooms have psychoactive compounds that are being studied for their potential therapeutic benefits.
