Its spore-producing structure is reminiscent of the Pilobolus sporangium, but discharges a single spore, or conidium, rather than a sporangium. ranarum flourishes in the dung of amphibians and reptiles and causes rare infections in mammalian hosts, including humans. kleinii produces a bulbous, fluid-filled stalk or sporangiophore, that squirts a spore-filled sporangium from the dung on which the fungus thrives. anserina, produces its asci within a flask-shaped ascoma or perithecium its spores are harnessed to one another by means of mucilaginous appendages. immersus is a coprophilous ascomycete that discharges eight spores from each of its multiple asci that are exposed on the surface of a gelatinous fruiting body or ascoma. The fungi chosen for analysis were: Ascobolus immersus, Podospora anserina, Pilobolus kleinii, and Basidiobolus ranarum. The spectroscopic data show that spore discharge mechanisms are driven by very modest levels of pressure that are characteristic of the majority of fungal cells. We address this using a pair of complementary spectroscopic methods to provide an inventory of inorganic ions and sugars. Previous authors have suggested that enormous turgor pressures might be required to discharge spores, requiring the accumulation of very high concentrations of ions and sugars. In addition to these ballistic questions, there is considerable uncertainty about the magnitude of the pressures that power spore discharge and the identity of the compounds responsible for generating these pressures. These data allow the experimental evaluation of different drag models.
In this paper, we provide unambiguous measurements of launch speeds and acceleration using ultra-high-speed video recordings of discharge processes in four coprophilous fungi. Thus, the validity of these inferred estimates of launch speed is limited by the assumptions of the drag modeling.
However, typical spore launches involve initial velocities that are characterized by intermediate Reynolds numbers (Re≈10–100). Other studies have relied on models that could only infer velocity from measured distances of discharge. In the absence of highspeed photographic records of these processes, estimates of launch speeds have been based on spore capture on discs spinning at known angular velocity, and from the interruption of light beams. The range of these mechanisms necessitates very high launch speeds to counteract the otherwise overwhelming influence of viscous drag on the flight of microscopic projectiles. In the so-called “coprophilous” fungi in both phyla, specialized for growth on herbivore dung, these squirt gun mechanisms propel spores over distances of many centimeters or even meters onto fresh vegetation where they may be consumed by their host animals. Squirt gun mechanisms are responsible for launching spores at the highest speeds and are most common in the Ascomycota, including lichenized species, but have also evolved among the Zygomycota. Mechanisms include a catapult energized by surface tension that launches mushroom spores, the explosive eversion of a pressurized membrane in the artillery fungus, and the discharge of squirt guns pressurized by osmosis. Make grotesque beasts or cuddly critters, then watch them do the robot, zombie walk, break dance and more! Includes over 100 new items.The nature of spore release mechanisms among fungi has been investigated since the eighteenth century, and contemporary analysis of these extraordinary processes has implications for the fields of plant disease control, terrestrial ecology, indoor air quality, atmospheric sciences, veterinary medicine, and biomimetics –. Complete quests, collect rewards, and even create and share your own missionsĪdd horror and humor to your universe. For the first time, beam down with your allies to take on action-packed, planetside adventures. Get out of your starship and turn your Spore creatures into legendary Space Captains. What you do with your universe is up to you. You can play how you choose start in Cell and nurture one species from humble tidepool organism to intergalactic traveler, or jump straight in and build tribes or civilizations on new planets. Each stage has its own unique style, challenges, and goals. Play through Spore's five evolutionary stages: Cell, Creature, Tribe, Civilization, and Space. The MORE SPORE bundle includes the base game, the expansion Galactic adventures and the Creepy and Cute Parts Pack.įrom Single Cell to Galactic God, evolve your creature in a universe of your own creations.