Elsevier

Fungal Biology

Volume 125, Issue 4, April 2021, Pages 257-259
Fungal Biology

Hyphal and mycelial consciousness: the concept of the fungal mind

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.funbio.2021.02.001Get rights and content
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open access

Highlights

  • This is a provocative and timely paper.

  • Hyphae and mycelia show decision-making capabilities.

  • Mycelia exhibit spatial recognition, learning, and short-term memory.

  • The study of fungal ethology should be recognized as a distinctive discipline.

Abstract

Like other cells, fungal hyphae show exquisite sensitivity to their environment. This reactiveness is demonstrated at many levels, from changes in the form of the hypha resulting from alterations in patterns of exocytosis, to membrane excitation, and mechanisms of wound repair. Growing hyphae detect ridges on surfaces and respond to restrictions in their physical space. These are expressions of cellular consciousness. Fungal mycelia show decision-making and alter their developmental patterns in response to interactions with other organisms. Mycelia may even be capable of spatial recognition and learning coupled with a facility for short-term memory. Now is a fruitful time to recognize the study of fungal ethology as a distinctive discipline within mycology.

Keywords

Cellular consciousness
Mycelia
Decomposers
Fungal pathogens
Wood wide net

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