Wet Rot Mushroom/Coniophora puteana

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 7:06 am

These things are commonly found on rotting wood most everywhere, even on your home, if you happen to live in a wood structure like I do. I never considered these to be "mushrooms," thinking along the lines of the classic stem and cap variety. However, in my Smithsonian Handbook of Mushrooms, they are so defined as such.

This sample was found on an old rotting tree limb at the edge of the woods, close to home.

Coniophora puteana
Meiji EMZ-13TR stereo microscope (10X = FOV @ 22 mm)
Sony DSC-W5
1/10 sec. @ f/2.8 ISO 100
Halogen illumination, built-in w/blue diffuser

Bruce Williams · Post by **Bruce Williams** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:29 am

Excellent photo Ken!

You know your pic immediately reminded me of the villi that line the intestinal wall. The main reason we have villi (rather than just a smooth intestine) it that the finger-like structures greatly increase the surface area of the intestine so making the digestive processes more efficient. I wonder if there is a parallel of some kind that might explain the structure we see with this fungus?

Bruce

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 11:23 am

There is one thing about these forums Bruce and that is being able to get anothers perspective on things. Now that you have brough it up, your right, they do look like th villi that line the intestinal tract. However, I always thought of the villi as structures that helped to move along digested material through the intestine and may even secrete a digestive protein or two.

But hey, you never know. There could be a possible relationship here, however, I believe these finger-like projections are more in the line of being spore producing structures. As Albert once said; "never stop asking questions."

Bruce Williams · Post by **Bruce Williams** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 12:18 pm

Ken,

The main function of the intestinal villi is to absorb nutrients from our food into the blood stream. Although villi do produce lubricating mucus, their presence actually slows down the passage of food in order to prolong the digestive process and increase absorption.

The shape of the individual villus and their close/tight organisation and density along the intestinal wall greatly increases the overall surface area of the small intestine, thus increasing the efficiency of the nutrient absorption process.

Your suggestion that the function of the fungus' villi-like fingers may be related to spore production seems quite probable. It was the "increased surface area" aspect that I felt might also be a possible reason for their shape and organisation.

Bruce

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 12:32 pm

Okay...so a lot I know about "guts!"

You learn something new everyday around here Bruce. Yes, I see what you mean about surface area. You're probably right in that aspect. Out of the millions of spores released by one reproductive body seldom if any germinate, so the more the better and greater the possiblity of carrying on the species. Thanks Bruce.