Roridomyces Phyllostachydis: Bioluminescent variety of mushroom
Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Biodiversity
In news
A mushroom documentation project in the forests of Northeast India has led to a new discovery: a bioluminescent (light emitting) variety of mushroom.
Key takeaways
The new species — named Roridomyces phyllostachydis — was first sighted in August in Meghalaya’s Mawlynnong in East Khasi Hills district and later at Krang Shuri in West Jaintia Hills district.
It is now one among the 97 known species of bioluminescent fungi in the world.
The new species is important because it is the first mushroom in the Roridomyces genus to be found in India.
It was the only member in its genus to have light emitting from its stipe or stalk.
Important value additions
Bioluminescence is the property of a living organism to produce and emit light.
Animals, plants, fungi and bacteria show bioluminescence.
Bioluminescent organisms are usually found in the ocean environments, but they are also found on terrestrial environments.
The colour of the light emitted by the organism depends on their chemical properties.
In the case of fungi, the luminescence comes from the enzyme, luciferase.
