Hydnellum peckii is a Basidiomycota fungus belonging to the Bankeraceae family that reproduces by spores that form in spiniform or dentiform structures located on the lower surface of its fruiting body. It is known by many common names, including bleeding gum fungus.
It is a fungus that can establish mutualistic relationships of the ectomycorrhizal type with the roots of a great diversity of coniferous plants. It prefers humid mountainous or alpine soils, having a wide distribution in the northern hemisphere, mainly in North America and Europe, although it has recently been found in Asia and South America.
Hydnellum peckii adult form. Taken and edited from: Bernypisa.
It is not a toxic species, however, it is inedible due to its extremely bitter taste, even after dry. It produces a bioactive compound called atromentin, which has anticoagulant properties equivalent to those of heparin.
Reproduction
The reproduction of Hydnellum peckii is of the heterothalic type, that is, it requires the union of two different and compatible hyphae. When a spore germinates, a primary mycelium is produced that can grow and thrive until it eventually finds another compatible mycelium, fusing and forming a secondary dicariont mycelium.
When the environmental conditions are appropriate, the fruiting body emerges from the earth and presents a hymenophore full of tooth-shaped structures inside which are the basidia.
Karyogamy occurs in basidia and the cells become mononucleated diploid, then a meiotic division occurs that will produce four haploid basidiospores. Once ripe, the spores will be released and dispersed by the wind to start a new cycle.
It can also produce resistance spores, which have a thicker wall and are capable of going into dormancy if environmental conditions are not suitable for hatching.
Young (immature or juvenile) form of Hydnellum peckii. Taken and edited from: This image was created by user Darvin DeShazer (darv) at Mushroom Observer, a source for mycological images.You can contact this user here.English - español - français - italiano - македонски - português - +/− The original uploader was Alan Rockefeller at English Wikipedia..
Nutrition
The fungus Hydnellum peckii establishes ectomycorrhizal relationships with conifers. These are mutualistic relationships, which means that the two species involved in the relationship benefit.
At the beginning of the relationship, the hyphae of Hydnellum peckii will come into contact and colonize the secondary and tertiary roots of the conifers. Then they begin to grow around these forming a pod.
In parallel, the hyphae grow towards the interior of the roots, between the outermost cells, without actually entering their interior, forming a Hartig network. This allows the exchange of nutrients and other substances between both symbionts.
This fungus is capable of bioaccumulating cesium, a heavy metal used in various biological activities, making it available directly to plants and indirectly to the entire food web.
Production of atromentine
Hydnellum peckii produces a bioactive substance with anticoagulant properties similar to those of heparin. This substance is called atromentine or 2,5-dihydroxy-3,6-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) -1,4-benzoquinone.
In addition to its anticoagulant properties, atromentine has antibacterial activity against species such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, by inhibiting enzymes essential for the biosynthesis of fatty acids.
References
- C. Lyre. Ectomycorrhizae and endomycorrhizae. Recovered from: lifeder.com.
- Hydnellum peckii. On Wikipedia. Recovered from: en.wikipedia.org.
- Hydnellum. Recovered from: revolví.com.
- HJ Banker (1913). Type studies in the Hydnaceae: V. The genus Hydnellum. Mycology.
- Life history and reproduction. Recovered from: bioweb.uwlax.edu.
- Hydnellum peckii. Recovered from: ecured.cu.