Clathrus archeri
| Clathrus archeri | |
|---|---|
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| Octopus stinkhorn (Clathrus archeri) with suberumpent eggs | |
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| Species: | C. archeri
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| Binomial name | |
| Clathrus archeri | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
Clathrus archeri | |
|---|---|
 | Glebal hymenium |
 | No distinct cap |
 | Hymenium attachment is irregular or not applicable |
| Lacks a stipe |
 | Spore print is olive-brown |
 | Ecology is saprotrophic |
 | Edibility is unknown |
Clathrus archeri (synonyms Lysurus archeri, Anthurus archeri, Pseudocolus archeri), commonly known as octopus stinkhorn or devil's fingers,[2] is a fungus which has a global distribution. This species was first described in 1980 in a collection from Tasmania[3]. The young fungus erupts from a suberumpent egg by forming into four to seven elongated slender arms initially erect and attached at the top. The arms then unfold to reveal a pinkish-red interior covered with a dark-olive spore-containing gleba. In maturity it smells like putrid flesh. Recently, C. archeri var. alba with white tentacles or arms has been reported from the Shola Forests in the Western Ghats, Kerala, India.[4]
Morphology
Clathrus Archeri grows in 2 distinct stages, first and egg stage followed by the fungi’s “arms” emerging. During the egg stage Clathrus Archeri forms a white ball-like egg shape, usually 2-3cm in diameter. Next, the thallus emerges from the egg in a sharfish-like shape with 4-6 arms on average (up to 8). Each arm can grow up to 10cm in length and is coated in gleba on the upper surface. Fruiting bodies produce a red-orange color due to the production of carotenoids. Fungal spores are oblong, smooth, and 3.5-6 x 1.5-2µm in size.
In a laboratory setting Clathrus Archeri was found to grow best in 26℃ on a Compost agar (CA) media with a pH of 6.0. Under these conditions, the thallus grew an average of 2.9mm a day over 4 weeks and in a radial shape. Clathrus Archeri produces white and fluffy mycelium and eventually turns a pink color. Mycelia strands are 0.5 to 1.5mm in diameter and branch in a tree-like manner. Fungal hyphae create irregularly shaped vesicles that contain lipids. On the surface of the hyphae calcium oxalate crystals are secreted. It is hypothesized that this outer layer of crystals creates a protective hydrophobic layer around the hyphae.
Ecology
Clathrus Archeri grows best in environments rich in decaying vegetation. The fungus is a Saproproph. It is most commonly found in leaf litter or mulch below vegetation. The most abundant acid secreted by the fungus is oxalic acid, this acid binds to metal cations and increases the bioavailability of some minerals. Fungal mycelium exhibits calcium pooling which changes soil pH and availability of P for surrounding flora.
Habitat
Common in environments with abundant decaying organic matter. Clathrus Archeri is most commonly found in leaf litter, mulch, woodlands, and grasslands. Saprophytes prefer areas with high moisture or water, access to oxygen, neutral pH, and low-medium temperatures.
Geographic Distribution
The species is native to New Zealand and Australia, but has been spreading to other continents and is often invasive. It was first discovered in the UK over a century ago (~1914) and has spread across much of Europe. Clathrus Archeri was likely introduced via wool fabric in supplies for WWI. The fungus has also been found in Southern Africa, Northern South America, and California.
Unique Characteristics
References
- ^ "GSD Species Synonymy: Clathrus archeri (Berk.) Dring". Species Fungorum. CAB International. Retrieved 2015-12-08.
- ^ Clathrus archeri (devil's fingers)
- ^ Dring, D. M. (1980). "Contributions towards a Rational Arrangement of the Clathraceae". Kew Bulletin. 35 (1): 1. doi:10.2307/4117008.
- ^ Mohanan, C. (2011). Macrofungi of Kerala. Kerala, India.: Kerala Forest Research Institute. ISBN 978-81-85041-73-5.
Bibliography
- Arora, D; Burk, WR (1982). "Clathrus archeri, a stinkhorn new to North America". Mycologia. 74 (3): 501–504. doi:10.2307/3792972. JSTOR 3792972.
- Calonge, Francisco D. (1998) "Gasteromycetes, I. Lycoperdales, Nidulariales, Phallales, Sclerodermatales, Tulostomatale" in Flora Mycologica Iberica, Vol 3, J Cramer, Berlin, Germany. p. 271.
- Dring, DM (1980). "Contributions towards a rational arrangement of the Clathraceae". Kew Bulletin. 35 (1): 1–96. doi:10.2307/4117008. JSTOR 4117008.
- Pegler, DN et al. (1995) British Puffballs, Earthstars, and Stinkhorns, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, England. p. 255.
