"Stranger than science fiction." That's how an ecologist describes a strange fungus that hijacks cicadas’ bodies and behavior, turning them into "zombies."
CNN reports on the the fungus Massospora cicadina and how it's impacting some of the cicadas emerging this year: https://flip.it/cxfw5K
@FotoVorschlag #FotoVorschlag
'x wie ...'
xylaria hypoxylon
die geweihförmige holzkeule.
das ist ein schlauchpilz der totholz zersetzt und diese fruchtkörper, die aussehen wie abgebrannte streichhölzer, aus alten stümpfen und herabgefallenen ästen sprießen lässt
Been too tired to chase auroras the past few nights but really happy for those of you that saw it, and thankful for the amazing pictures you've plastered over Mastodon.
I did get out today in the autumn foliage and was lucky to see my first Mycena Interrupta, or cute little blue mushy, since moving to Tasmania.
These wonderful little Q-tip sprouty things are Swamp Beacon [Mitrula elegans] mushrooms, and up until yesterday I had never found one. In fact they aren’t listed in many of my guides or fungi websites I visit. They mostly grow on fallen conifer needles IN BOGS… so you can see why they don’t get a lot of press!
A few more bioluminescent ghost fungi (Omphalotus nidiformis) are starting to appear around Corunna, NSW after a week of rain - including this big fella (trusty Tobisho SR-2s for scale). Might pop back tonight for a couple of bioglow photos if the rain eases off a bit...
Fungi: A Very Short Introduction by Nicholas P. Money, 2015
This Very Short Introduction highlights the variety and extraordinary natures of fungi, revealing the remarkable facts of fungal biology and the global significance of these enchanting organisms.
Researchers said the study is the 1st to look at [how] the…variety of #environmental problems can compound #disease risks. It combined hundreds of studies & thousands of observations of …— #humans & other mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, worms & arthropods — & all kinds of #pathogens, such as #viruses, #bacteria & #fungi.
The analysis reinforced…findings…: a hotter world of ravaged #ecosystems is one that is more hospitable to many #parasites, & less so to humans & other #life.
For #FungiFriday some:
Carbon Balls!
King Alfred’s Cakes!
Cramp Balls!
Coal Fungi!
Ulcer Clumps!
Ok, I made that last one up. Found this ash branch loaded with them as they age from a dirty brick red to black. The second picture is if you slice one open - you see concentric rings, like a tree.