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Updated: Jul 7, 2026
05:52
In Situ Measurement and Correlation of Cell Density and Light Emission of Bioluminescent Bacteria
Published on: June 28, 2018
Fungi bioluminescence revisited
Dennis E Desjardin1, Anderson G Oliveira, Cassius V Stevani
1San Francisco State University, Department of Biology, 1600 Holloway Ave., San Francisco, CA 94132, USA.
Summary
This review details 64 bioluminescent fungi species across three lineages, covering their distribution, evolution, and light-emitting mechanisms. It synthesizes 30 years of research on fungal bioluminescence.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Biochemistry
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Fungal bioluminescence is a fascinating natural phenomenon with diverse ecological roles.
- Understanding the evolution and mechanisms of light production in fungi is crucial for various scientific disciplines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive review of luminescent fungi research over the past 30 years.
- To catalog known species, their distributions, and bioluminescent characteristics.
- To explore the ecological, physiological, and mechanistic aspects of fungal bioluminescence.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of research published over the last three decades.
- Taxonomic and phylogenetic analysis of bioluminescent fungal species.
- Compilation of data on species distribution, luminescence, and evolutionary lineages.
Main Results:
- Identification of 64 recognized species of bioluminescent fungi.
- Classification of these species into at least three distinct evolutionary lineages: Omphalotus, Armillaria, and mycenoid.
- Detailed accounting of species names, distributions, and luminescence in mycelium and/or basidiomes.
Conclusions:
- Fungal bioluminescence is a complex trait with multiple independent evolutionary origins.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the ecological functions and biochemical pathways of fungal bioluminescence.
- This review serves as a foundational resource for future studies on light-emitting fungi.
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