Diversity, Distribution, and Evolution of Bioluminescent Fungi

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Bioluminescent fungi, exclusively basidiomycetes in the Agaricales order, emit light continuously with a circadian rhythm.
• The known diversity of bioluminescent fungi has significantly increased, more than doubling in the last 15 years.
• Five distinct lineages of bioluminescent Agaricales have been identified: Omphalotaceae, Physalacriaceae, Mycenaceae, Lucentipes lineage, and Cyphellopsidaceae.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document the current diversity and distribution of known bioluminescent fungal species.
• To review the evolutionary origins and genetic pathways of fungal bioluminescence.
• To understand the patterns of luminescence loss in Agaricales.

Main Methods:

• Species identification and taxonomic classification of bioluminescent fungi.
• Global distribution mapping based on reported occurrences.
• Phylogenetic analysis to infer evolutionary history and origins of bioluminescence.

Main Results:

• The number of known bioluminescent fungal species has increased from 64 to 132.
• Five distinct lineages are recognized, with Mycenaceae being the most species-rich (96 species).
• Highest species diversity is found in subtropical forests, with notable concentrations in Japan, South America, and North America.

Conclusions:

• Fungal bioluminescence likely originated a single time early in Agaricales evolution.
• Independent evolutionary losses of the bioluminescence trait explain its absence in many related species.
• Continued exploration is needed, as many regions remain undersampled for bioluminescent fungi.