The Fungi Formerly Known as Dentinum Repandum :: Hydnum Repandum Fungus Essays

The Fungi Formerly Known as Dentinum Repandum This paper will cover a description of Hydnum repandum, its ecology, and some research involving the species. The first topic to be discussed in this paper is a description of Hydnum repandum, which was until recently referred to as Dentinum repandum. The description of the fungi will start with the appearance of H. repandum, and will be followed by the life cycle of the noted species. The appearance of Hydnum repandum is quite unique. The stipe of the fungi can range from two to seven centimeters tall, and one to three centimeters thick (Wood). The surface of the stipe can range from cream to yellow in color, and is dry and smooth. The cap of the mushroom is two to ten centimeters broad, with a smooth, dry surface (Graham 84). The caps color can range from cream to orange. It has a thick flesh that is very brittle, with a mild taste and odor. The hymenophore has teeth that are 0.4 to 0.6 centimeters long. They are cream colored, and also brittle (Wood). The life cycle of Hydnum repandum is fairly simple, as you can see from Figure 2. It falls into the subdivision of Eumycota, called Basidiomycotina (Ross 18). This group contains many large, fleshy fungi, To begin this discussion on the life cycle of Hydnum Repandum, this text will start with the basidiospore germination (Webster 295). This results in a haploid mycelium with a single nucleus in each cell. It is then referred to as the monokaryon, or the primary mycelium (Ross 141). Following this, two genetically different thalli come together, and the nuclei move from one thallus into another. The migration of nuclei usually results in both of the thalli becoming dikaryotic (Ross 142). This nuclear migration is very quick, and every hyphal tip becomes binucleate. The subsequent growth of the mushroom is all dikaryon (Ross 143). The next step includes the two nuclei of the dikaryon fusing through karyogomy (Ross 146). The resulting diploid zygotic nucleus then undergoes meiosis, and four haploid nuclei are formed in the basidium (Webster 280). The haploid nuclei move into projections on the basidium, which turn into spores. The spores are attached to the sterigmata until they are released (Ross 146). The cycle then starts over again. The next topic for discussion in this paper is ecology. This will include, preferred habitats and interactions with abiotic and biotic elements of the environment.