Emma Wilson
Parasitic mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of parasitic fungi that obtain their nutrients from a living host. Parasitic fungi attack living organisms, penetrate their defences, and extract nourishment from their cytoplasm, causing disease and sometimes death. Most parasitic fungi are tiny and do not produce mushrooms, but a few species do. These include poplar mushrooms, found in New Zealand and Australia, which grow on weak or unhealthy trees, and lion's mane mushrooms, which grow on dead trees and wounds on living trees.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Fruiting bodies of parasitic fungi that get the nutrients they need to survive from a living host |
| Examples | Chaga, elm oyster mushrooms, poplar mushrooms, lobster mushrooms |
| Fungi classification | Semi-parasitic |
| Host | Plants, animals, insects, fungi |
| Relationship with host | Only the fungi benefit, and the host is often harmed |
| Fungi growth | In dense algal populations, fungal zoospores can travel short distances and easily attach to and infect hosts |
| Fungi reproduction | Spores are released into the air, ready to float off and infect more hosts |
| Fungi pathogenicity | Host-specific toxins produced by several species of plant pathogens |
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What You'll Learn
Parasitic mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of parasitic fungi
While most mushrooms are saprotrophs, a few parasitic fungi produce mushrooms that are both saprotrophic and parasitic. Mycologists refer to parasitic fungi that use plant hosts as phytopathogenic fungi, and mildews, rusts, and smuts are examples of these. Phytopathogenic fungi form networks inside the tissue of their plant hosts and absorb food from the host's cells. In addition to plants, parasitic fungi can also infect animals and insects. For example, the parasitic fungus Cordyceps infects ants, causing them to exhibit "zombie-like" behaviour. This behaviour was first recorded by Alfred Russell Wallace in Indonesia in 1859 and has since been attributed to chemical interference in the brain by the fungus, which causes the infected ant to behave in ways that facilitate the spread of the fungus's spores and its reproduction.
Some parasitic mushrooms, such as elm oyster mushrooms, are classified as both parasites and saprotrophs because it is unclear whether they feed on living or dead tissue. Poplar mushrooms are another example of edible parasitic mushrooms with culinary applications, known for their meaty texture and savoury, umami flavour. Chaga is a parasitic fungus sought after for its medicinal compounds and mild, fruity flavour with vanilla undertones. It is commonly ground into a powder and used to make tea. Lobster mushrooms are edible mushrooms that form when a parasitic fungus, Hypomyces lactifluorum, feeds on the mushrooms of another fungus.
Parasitic fungi have unique pathogenicity factors, such as host-specific toxins produced by several species of plant pathogens. Each of these molecules is produced by only one genotype of a fungal species and is required for pathogenesis by that genotype. The alternative explanation for parasitism/symbiosis is differential gene expression, exemplified by the presence of conserved elements of signalling pathways for infection-related development in diverse pathogenic species. The MAP kinase PMK1, for instance, is related to the pheromone response MAPK FUS3 in S. cerevisiae, while it is required for appressorium development and invasive growth in the phytopathogen M. grisea.
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They invade and feed on other living organisms
Parasitic mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of parasitic fungi. They invade and feed on a range of living organisms, including plants, animals, insects, and other fungi. They are not the largest group of fungi, meaning most fungi are not parasites.
Parasitic fungi invade and feed on the organic matter of living organisms. They extract nutrients from the organism's living tissue, causing damage and sometimes killing the host. This is in contrast to saprotrophic fungi, which decompose dead and decaying organic matter. Most mushrooms are saprotrophs, and only a few parasitic fungi produce mushrooms.
Parasitic fungi can form complex relationships with their hosts. For example, mycorrhizal fungi form mutually beneficial relationships with their hosts, where both the fungus and the host benefit. In contrast, parasitic fungi form relationships where only the fungus benefits, and the host is often harmed.
Parasitic fungi have unique pathogenicity factors and can produce host-specific toxins. They can also exhibit "zombie" behaviour, where they take control of living insects and alter their behaviour to improve their chances of spreading spores and reproducing. This has been observed in "zombie ants," where the parasitic fungus Cordyceps causes the ant to sink its jaws into a leaf vein, leading to the growth of a stalk that releases spores to infect other ants.
Some parasitic mushrooms, such as elm oyster mushrooms and Chaga, grow on trees and can cause heart rot, eventually killing the tree. Poplar mushrooms are another example of parasitic mushrooms with culinary applications, often grown on logs or hardwood sawdust.
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They can infect insects and turn them into zombie ants
Parasitic mushrooms are a fascinating but sinister group of fungi. They are often beautiful to look at, with strange and wonderful shapes and colours, but they have a dark and deadly secret: they are parasites. These fungi have evolved to infect and manipulate their hosts, which are often insects, in order to complete their life cycles. One of the most intriguing and well-studied examples of this is the way certain parasitic mushrooms can infect ants and manipulate their behaviour, causing them to act like "zombies".
The process begins when a spore from the parasitic mushroom lands on the body of an ant. The spore germinates and the fungus begins to grow, sending out thread-like hyphae that penetrate the ant's exoskeleton and invade its body. Over time, the fungus takes control of the ant's muscles and nervous system. One of the most remarkable examples of this behaviour is seen with the fungus Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, which specifically targets ants.
Under the influence of the fungus, the behaviour of the ant changes dramatically. Often, the infected ant will leave its colony and climb to a specific height on a plant stem or tree branch. Once it reaches the desired height, the ant bites down on the vegetation, securing itself in place. This behaviour is thought to be advantageous for the fungus as it provides an optimal location for spore dispersal. The fungus then continues to grow within the ant, eventually killing its host. As the fungus grows, it absorbs the ant's nutrients, causing the ant's body to slowly mummify. Finally, the fungus is ready to release its spores, which will infect other unfortunate ants, starting the cycle anew.
This manipulative behaviour is a strategy evolved by the fungus to ensure its survival and propagation. By controlling the ant's movements and behaviour, the fungus can improve the chances of its spores reaching new hosts and completing their life cycle. It is a dark and fascinating example of the intricate and often deadly relationships that exist in nature. The study of these parasitic mushrooms and their impact on insect behaviour contributes to our understanding of the complex ecological dynamics and the ongoing evolutionary arms race between parasites and their hosts.
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They can be medicinal, like the parasitic fungus Chaga
Parasitic mushrooms are a unique type of fungus that grows on living plants, including trees and shrubs, and derives its nutrients from them. While some parasitic mushrooms can be detrimental to their hosts, others can form mutualistic relationships, providing benefits to both the fungus and the host. Interestingly, some parasitic mushrooms also have medicinal properties, and one well-known example is the fungus Chaga (Inonotus obliquus).
Chaga is a parasitic fungus that primarily grows on birch trees in cold climates, including Northern Europe, Russia, Siberia, and Alaska. It has a tough, charcoal-like appearance on the outside, but the interior is a bright orange colour, and it has been used medicinally for centuries. Chaga is rich in antioxidants, and its extracts have been studied for their potential immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. In traditional medicine, Chaga has been used to enhance immunity, improve digestive health, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and even potentially slow the growth of cancerous tumors.
The betulinic acid present in Chaga is a compound that is being studied for its potential anti-cancer and anti-HIV properties. Additionally, Chaga contains a wide array of phytochemicals, including melanin, polysaccharides, betulin, and triterpenes, which are believed to contribute to its medicinal properties. While most of the research on Chaga's medicinal benefits has been conducted in laboratories and on animals, there is growing interest in further exploring its potential for human health.
Beyond Chaga, other parasitic mushrooms have also been explored for their medicinal value. For example, the fungus Cordyceps sinensis, which parasitizes caterpillars in high-altitude regions of China, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries to enhance energy, improve respiratory health, and boost athletic performance. Similarly, the mushroom Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus), which parasitizes hardwood trees, has been studied for its potential neuroprotective effects, including enhancing cognitive function and potentially supporting nerve regeneration.
The medicinal properties of parasitic mushrooms like Chaga highlight the potential benefits that can be derived from these unique organisms. While further research is needed to fully understand and validate their therapeutic effects, the interest in parasitic mushrooms as a source of medicinal compounds underscores the importance of exploring the potential benefits that nature has to offer.
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They are classified as semi-parasitic and usually grow on weak or unhealthy trees
Parasitic mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of certain fungi that extract nutrients from their host's living tissue, often causing damage and sometimes killing the host. They are classified as semi-parasitic and usually grow on weak or unhealthy trees, causing heart rot that eventually kills the tree. This is in contrast to saprotrophic fungi, which decompose dead and decaying organic matter.
One example of a parasitic mushroom is the elm oyster mushroom, which grows on living elm and box elder trees. Scientists classify elm oyster mushrooms as both parasites and saprotrophs, as they are unsure whether they feed on living or dead tissue. Poplar mushrooms are another example, typically growing on logs, hardwood sawdust, or wood chips. These mushrooms are prized for their culinary applications, with a meaty texture and savoury, umami flavour.
Chaga is another parasitic fungus that grows on birch trees in cold climates. It takes 3 to 5 years for the chaga fungus to form and up to 20 years to weaken the host until the tree disintegrates from the inside out. Many of chaga's medicinal compounds are formed through its relationship with its host birch tree, and cultivated chaga does not possess these properties.
Parasitic fungi are not the largest group of fungi, with most fungi being saprotrophs. However, they can cause significant damage to their hosts, including plants, animals, insects, and other fungi.
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Frequently asked questions
Parasitic mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of parasitic fungi that get their nutrients from a living host.
Parasitic fungi invade and feed on other living organisms, including plants, animals, insects and other fungi. They extract nutrients from the organism’s living tissue, which can cause damage to or even kill the host.
Poplar mushrooms, elm oyster mushrooms, and Chaga are all examples of parasitic mushrooms.
Parasitic fungi can disrupt the normal behaviour of their hosts through chemical interference in the brain, causing the infected organism to behave in ways that will improve the opportunities for the fungus to spread its spores and reproduce.
