MYCENA
CHLOROPHOS - SCI & TECH
News:
Rare bioluminescent mushroom spotted in
Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary
What's in the news?
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Recently, A team of researchers and the
forest department have found a rare bioluminescent
mushroom in the Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary (KKWLS).
About
Mycena Chlorophos:
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Mycena chlorophos is a species of agaric fungus in the family Mycenaceae.
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It was first discovered in 1860.
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This fungus is found in subtropical Asia, including India,
Japan, Taiwan, Polynesia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Australia and Brazil.
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In the Bonin Islands it is called "green pepe".
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It is characterized by a pristine white
disk with a shallow crater in its center and which emits a bright, green light
in the dark.
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The cap of Mycena species is bell shaped
and has a thin stem.
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It is a bioluminescent fungus.
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There are about 103 species of
bioluminescent fungi in the world, of which seven are found in India.
What
is bioluminescent?
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It is a natural phenomenon where living organisms emit light.
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This is caused by a biochemical reaction
involving oxygen, luciferin, and the enzyme luciferase.
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It serves various purposes, such as attracting mates, prey and playing an
important role in ecological balance by attracting insects for spore dispersal.