Science is on the alert for the “death hat”, the poisonous mushroom most poisonous in the world, responsible for 90% of deaths due to the ingestion of these mushrooms. It just so happens that a new study reveals that the species has found another way to reproduce capable of invading new lands.
It’s about Phalloid Amanitabetter known by names like death cap, death cap, or green hemlock.
Originally from northern Europe, it didn’t take long to spread across the continent, and it has been for some time spread to the United States.
Toadstool and identical DNA
scientists of the University of Wisconsin–Madison analyzed the genetic material of specimens of this fungus found in California and parts of Europe from 1978 to the present.
According to the published results gizmode from Scientific alarm , there are truly surprising conclusions. For example there are some mushrooms that are literally the same mushroom.
This means that they are two specimens collected in different areas of California genetically identical.
Alike, DNA analysis revealed that an Amanita phalloides specimen collected in 2004 is exactly the same mushroom as one found 10 years later at another site.
Asexual reproduction of the fungus
The answer to how two mushrooms have identical genetics has to do with finding a very effective way to reproduce and spread without the need to find a mate: asexual reproduction by spores.
Amanita phalloides normally reproduces by combining spores of two specimens of different kinds.
But the researchers noted that if the environmental circumstances aren’t suitable for finding a “mate,” the fungus is capable of doing so generate their own spores reproduce asexually.
In this way, the process generates new mushrooms that have exactly the same genetic material as its parent.
Specialists say mixing genetic material with a different one is always evolutionarily better, but their new way has allowed Amanita phalloides spread like an infection with unprecedented speed and effectiveness.
A technique that takes almost two decades
The authors of the study released by the site speculate that the species used this technique at least 17 years old.
One of the major problems with the species is that its similar appearance to other harmless species which are edible makes it a latent deadly weapon.
Hence, many people pick this mushroom believing it to be edible, a confusion that becomes a path to death.
His the toxin is slow to act (takes about six hours) but it causes severe liver injury and death from liver failure if no treatment is received.
Source: Clarin
Mary Ortiz is a seasoned journalist with a passion for world events. As a writer for News Rebeat, she brings a fresh perspective to the latest global happenings and provides in-depth coverage that offers a deeper understanding of the world around us.