Emily Johnson
Mushrooms, or the kingdom Fungi, have a mysterious origin and evolutionary history. The earliest fossils with features typical of fungi date back to the Paleoproterozoic era, around 2,400 million years ago. However, recent studies suggest that the first mushrooms may have appeared between 715 and 810 million years ago, much earlier than previously believed. The discovery of fossilized mycelium, a network of interconnected microscopic strands, in ancient rocks from the Democratic Republic of the Congo provides evidence for this earlier origin. The delicate nature of mushrooms, with their soft, fleshy structures, makes fossilization rare, contributing to the challenges in unraveling their evolutionary history. The term mushroom itself may have derived from the French word mousseron, referring to moss. Today, mushrooms are classified based on their macroscopic and microscopic structures, and they continue to fascinate scientists and foragers alike.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First appearance of mushrooms | Between 715 and 810 million years ago |
| First appearance of fungi | 2,400 million years ago |
| First appearance of psilocybin-producing mushrooms | 65 million years ago |
| First appearance of psilocybin in mushrooms | 40-9 million years ago |
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What You'll Learn
The first mushrooms may have appeared between 715 and 810 million years ago
The presence of fungi in this transitional area between water and land suggests that mushrooms were important to the first plants that colonized the Earth's surface around 500 million years ago. This discovery contributes to our understanding of the evolution of the kingdom Fungi, commonly known as mushrooms, which has been mysterious due to the rarity and difficulty of identifying mushroom fossils.
The earliest fossils with features typical of fungi date to the Paleoproterozoic era, around 2,400 million years ago. These multicellular benthic organisms had filamentous structures capable of anastomosis, where hyphal branches recombine. Other studies estimate the arrival of fungal organisms at about 760-1060 million years ago, based on comparisons of evolution in closely related groups.
Fungi diverged from other life forms around 1.5 billion years ago, and probably colonized the land during the Cambrian, over 500 million years ago. The earliest known mushroom-forming fungi, the extinct species Archaeomarasmius legletti, appeared during the mid-Cretaceous, 90 million years ago.
The term "mushroom" may be derived from the French word "mousseron", referring to moss. A "mushroom" may be edible, poisonous, or unpalatable, and typically refers to fungi with a stem, a cap, and gills that produce microscopic spores. Many species of mushrooms grow and expand rapidly, leading to expressions such as "to mushroom" and "to pop up like a mushroom".
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The oldest mushroom fossils
The fossilized remains of mycelium, a network of interconnected microscopic strands, were discovered in rocks whose age is between 715 and 810 million years old. These ancient rocks, found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, formed in a lagoon or coastal lake environment. The discovery of these fossils pushed back the known existence of mushrooms by 300 million years.
Previously, the oldest confirmed mushroom fossil was 460 million years old. The fossils discovered in the Democratic Republic of Congo were formed during a time when life on Earth's surface was in its infancy. The presence of fungi in this transitional area between water and land suggests that mushrooms were important partners of the first plants that colonized the Earth's surface around 500 million years ago.
The early fossil record of fungi is meagre, and the oldest fossils possessing features typical of fungi date to the Paleoproterozoic era, some 2,400 million years ago. These multicellular benthic organisms had filamentous structures capable of anastomosis, in which hyphal branches recombine. Other studies estimate the arrival of fungal organisms at about 760–1060 million years ago, based on comparisons of the rate of evolution in closely related groups.
Fungi diverged from other life around 1.5 billion years ago, with the glomaleans branching from the "higher fungi" (dikaryans) around 570 million years ago, according to DNA analysis. Fungi probably colonized the land during the Cambrian, over 500 million years ago, and possibly 635 million years ago during the Ediacaran. However, terrestrial fossils only become uncontroversial and common during the Devonian, 400 million years ago.
The term "mushroom" may refer to an edible, poisonous, or unpalatable fungus. Most mushrooms are basidiomycetes and gilled, producing microscopic spores on their gills to help the fungus spread.
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How mushrooms are identified
According to a new study, the first mushrooms appeared on Earth between 715 and 810 million years ago, 300 million years earlier than previously thought. The earliest fossils with features typical of fungi date back to the Paleoproterozoic era, around 2,400 million years ago.
When it comes to identifying mushrooms, it is important to exercise caution as many poisonous and non-poisonous varieties look alike. Some mushrooms can even change their appearance depending on growing conditions, making identification challenging. Here are some ways to identify mushrooms:
Characteristics
One way to identify mushrooms is by examining their characteristics, such as size, shape, texture, and colour. For example, the Agaric family has members with pink to brown/black gills, a white cap, and a stout stem with a skirt. However, there are toxic members of this family that look very similar. If you bruise the cap and it stains bright chrome yellow, it is likely poisonous, while a pale yellow, pink, or red stain suggests it is edible. The Boletus, Suillus, and Leccinum families are also distinctive, as they lack gills but have sponge-like pores and generally stout stems.
Smell
Smelling the mushroom can provide clues to its identity. Edible Agarics, for instance, have a pleasant mushroom smell, sometimes with hints of aniseed or almond, while toxic varieties may smell like Indian ink, iodine, or chemicals.
Taste
Tasting a tiny amount of a mushroom can help determine its edibility. If it burns like chilli when placed on the tongue, it is likely poisonous. However, this method should be approached with caution, as some poisonous mushrooms may not have an immediate effect.
Habitat
Identifying the mushroom's growing environment can also be helpful. For example, porcini mushrooms are typically found near spruces, firs, and pines, while Chanterelles are often found under hardwood trees and conifers in the fall to early spring.
Expert Consultation
If you are unsure about a mushroom's identity, it is recommended to consult a knowledgeable expert, such as a mycologist or a local mycological group. Incorrectly identifying a mushroom can have serious consequences.
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Mushrooms and their evolution
Mushrooms, part of the Fungi kingdom, have a long and intriguing evolutionary history. The earliest fossils with features typical of fungi date back to the Paleoproterozoic era, approximately 2.4 billion years ago. These ancient organisms had filamentous structures capable of anastomosis, where hyphal branches recombine. However, the evolution of fungi remains largely mysterious, with only a small percentage of species identified and their delicate nature making fossils extremely rare.
Recent studies have shed new light on the origin of mushrooms. Fossilized remains of mycelium, a network of interconnected microscopic strands, were discovered in rocks from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, dated between 715 and 810 million years old. This finding suggests that mushrooms were present on Earth much earlier than previously believed. The presence of these fossils in a transitional area between water and land indicates that mushrooms played a significant role in the colonization of the Earth's surface by plants around 500 million years ago.
The evolution of fungi has been influenced by their aquatic origins. For much of the Paleozoic Era, fungi were aquatic and resembled extant Chytrids with flagellum-bearing spores. Over time, fungi lost their flagellum, and the transition to terrestrial environments led to the development of diverse ecological strategies, including parasitism, saprobism, and mutualistic relationships. This adaptability has contributed to the survival and diversification of fungal species.
The term "mushroom" may refer to a variety of gilled fungi, with the standard being the cultivated white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus. Mushrooms typically have a stem (stipe), a cap (pileus), and gills (lamellae) underneath the cap, which produce microscopic spores for propagation. The rapid growth and expansion of mushrooms have inspired common expressions like "to mushroom" and "to pop up like a mushroom."
Additionally, certain types of mushrooms, such as the genus Psilocybe, have gained attention for their psilocybin-producing capabilities. Research suggests that Psilocybe arose around 65 million years ago, coinciding with a mass extinction event caused by an asteroid impact. The synthesis of psilocybin in mushrooms may have occurred through multiple independent gene transfers, resulting in two distinct gene orders within the gene cluster. The evolutionary advantage of psilocybin remains unknown, but its molecular structure mimics serotonin and binds strongly to serotonin receptors.
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Mushrooms and their medicinal uses
Mushrooms first appeared on Earth between 715 and 810 million years ago, according to a new study. This discovery pushes back the previous estimate by 300 million years. The fossilized remains of mycelium, a network of interconnected microscopic strands, were discovered in rocks in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Medicinal Uses of Mushrooms
Medicinal mushrooms have been used to treat infections for hundreds of years, especially in Asia. They have been used alongside standard cancer treatments in China and Japan for over 30 years. They are also being studied for their potential to treat lung diseases and cancer.
Medicinal mushrooms have been found to exhibit a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, antioxidant, anticancer, antiallergic, antihyperlipidemic, and prebiotic properties. They are also being studied for their antitumor and immunomodulatory properties.
Mushrooms are a powerful source of ergothioneine, an amino acid and antioxidant that prevents or slows cellular damage. Certain varieties of mushrooms, such as shiitake, oyster, maitake, and king oyster, have higher amounts of ergothioneine. Research has shown that eating just 18 grams of mushrooms a day may lower your risk of cancer by as much as 45%.
Additionally, mushrooms are naturally low in sodium, helping to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. They are also a good source of vitamin D when exposed to UV light or sunlight. The polysaccharides in mushrooms stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut, contributing to overall health and well-being.
Some common types of medicinal mushrooms include Ganoderma lucidum (reishi), Trametes versicolor or Coriolus versicolor (turkey tail), Lentinus edodes (shiitake), and Grifola frondosa (maitake).
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms first appeared between 715 and 810 million years ago, 300 million years earlier than previously thought.
The earliest mushrooms were microscopic and likely important partners of the first plants that colonized the Earth's surface.
The fossilized remains of mycelium, a network of interconnected microscopic strands, were discovered in rocks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These rocks are between 715 and 810 million years old.
Previous mushroom fossils were identified based on the morphology of organic remains extracted from rocks using corrosive acid compounds. However, this method can lead to incorrect interpretations. The identification of the fossils as mushrooms in this study was based on multiple lines of evidence, including scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence labelling.
Fungi, the group of organisms that include mushrooms, diverged from other life around 1.5 billion years ago. The earliest fossils with fungal features date to the Paleoproterozoic era, about 2,400 million years ago. The first psilocybin-producing mushrooms likely arose as wood-decomposing groups and later transitioned to soil and herbivore dung.
