Omphalotus subilludens

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Omphalotus subilludens, commonly known as the Southern Jack O'lantern mushroom, is a basidiomycete fungi in the genus Omphalotus [1] . It has been definitively recorded in Florida and Texas with reports of species in Arizona and Mexico. [2] [3] [1] [4] [5] It fruits on dead and dying trees during warmer parts of the year, producing a fairly large orange to brown-orange fruiting body that occurs in clusters. [4] [3] It is most closely related to O. olivascans, O. olearius, and O. japonicus and has high cross compatibility with O. olivescans and O. olearis. [5] [2] It is poisonous to humans and animals when eaten but rarely produces life-threatening symptoms, usually poisonings are resolved in 24-48 hours, with the majority of symptoms being gastrointestinal. [6] [7] Compounds in these mushrooms have pharmacological potential with potential applications in anti-coagulants, cancer therapies, and antibiotics. [8] [9] [10] It is also bioluminescent producing a faint glow around the gills through the oxidation of luciferase. [11]

Contents

Omphalotus subilludens
Omphalotus subilludens (Murrill) H.E. Bigelow 590967.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Agaricales
Family: Omphalotaceae
Genus: Omphalotus
Species:
O. subilludens
Binomial name
Omphalotus subilludens
Synonyms

Clitocybe subilludens (Murrill) Murrill 1945 [12]
Monodelphus subilludens Murrill 1945

Description

Fruiting Body Morphology

O. subilludens is a mushroom that fruits on dead and dying wood in the spring, summer, and fall with the most observations of the species being recorded in late summer and fall. [3] [4] The basidiocarp grows in clusters, has an unpleasant smell, and an unpleasant taste. [3] The pileus has an orange to dark reddish brown surface that is convex to subexpanded and depressed to cone shaped in the center. [3] [13] The pileus can be up to 15cm wide. [3] It is either glabrous, smooth, or wrinkled and the margin even, undulate, or lobed. [3] The pileipellis has refractive hyphae and an orange to brown encrusting pigment. [13] The gills can be bioluminescent and can be orange, orange-brown, to reddish brown in color and darken with age. [13] [3] [11] [1] The gills are decurrent and tightly packed around the margin. [3] The stipe is a deep yellow to orange-yellow and the interior context is deep yellow to orange-yellow as well. [13] The stipe is firm, often has eccentric placement and is subequal with longitudinal lines running down it and a glabrous texture. [3]

Genetics and Spore Morphology

O. subilludens has a tetrapolar mating system. [5] The spores are white in color ellipsoid, elongated, or ovoid in shape, and smooth. [3] Spores are approximately 7-9 micrometers by 5 micrometers and no cystidia are found with the basidia. [3] Another source states spores have an average length 7.0±0.5 micrometers with a range from 6.3 to 8.1 micrometers and an average width of 4.8±0.3 micrometers with a range from 4.2 to 5.8 micrometers. [13] Spore morphology is a key characteristic in identifying O. subilludens from other Omphalotus species. [13] [3]

Phylogeny

Young O. subilludens cluster collected from Fort McCoy, Florida O.subilludens 1.jpg
Young O. subilludens cluster collected from Fort McCoy, Florida

First collected by William A. Murrill on April 21, 1944 growing on a Phoenix carariensis palm tree in Gainesville, Florida, it was described as Monodelphus subilludens and synonymous with Clitocybe subilludens, later it was moved to the genus Omphalotus by H.E. Bigelow. [3] [5] Originally it was thought to be very closely related to O. illudens due to similar morphology with the only notable difference being spore morphology; however, this was found to not be true through ITS sequencing with a 7.35% difference in sequences calculated for the two morphologically similar species. [3] [14] [2] It has been found through crossing studies and ITS sequencing that the genus Omphalotus comprises two distinct species complex clades. [5] [2] One clade is the O. olearius clade that includes O. subilludens, O. olivascens, O. japonicus, and O. olearius as its closest relatives and O. nidiformis being a distant outgroup in the clade as well. [2] The other clade was the O. illudens clade which includes O. illudins and O. mexicanus. [2] Crossing studies showed that O. subilludens had high compatibility with O. olearius and O. olivascens, yet all three species had low compatibility with O. illudens with O. subilludens and O. olivascens having dikaryon from only occurring in 1/3 of pairings with O.illudens and O. olearis having successful dikaryon in only 1/20 pairings with O.illudens. [5] Some have even made a case for O. olearius, O. olivascens, and O. subilludens being considered one species due to the numerous morphological similarities; however, due to their different geographical ranges and slight differences in morphology are they still considered different species. [2]

Ecology

Habitat

O. subilludens is a saprobe that colonizes the stumps and roots of dead and dying hardwoods and palms. [3] Some sources suggest a specialization to palms. [14] However, both formal and informal observations counter this, with the species being sited on various wood types. [3] [4] O. subilludens is commonly found in hardwood forests and suburban areas where dead and dying trees occur. More research needs to be implemented to fully understand its life history.

Range

Specimens have been found in Florida and Texas with possible observations in Arizona and Mexico. [3] [2] [13] [4] [1]

Poisonings

One significant interaction this mushrooms has with its environment is the potential poisoning of humans and animals. [6] [7] Although rarely life-threatening, the illudins contained in Omphalotus species can cause gastrointestinal distress and symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and sweating. [7] Poisoning symptoms can vary between species in the genus Omphalotus, with some species like O. olearius being shown to possibly have additional symptoms such as vertigo and drooling. [7] Yet, species specific reports of poisoning from O. subilludins are lacking. Commonly this species is mistaken for chanterelles that also occur in its habitat. [7]

Biochemistry

Bioluminescence

O. subilludens, along with other members of the genus Omphalotus (but not all members) are able to produce a distinct glow from their gills via the action of the enzyme luciferase in the basidiocarp. [11] This glow can be quite bright and be picked up with stunning detail in photography of the species in the dark.

Pharmacology

Atromentin and thelephoric acid are chemical compounds found in cultures of O. subilludens. [10] Atromentin is an effective anticoagulant, and similar in biological activity to the well-known anticoagulant heparin. [8] Atromentin also possesses antibacterial activity, inhibiting the enzyme enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (essential for the biosynthesis of fatty acids) in the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae . [9]

O. subilludens has been found to contain illudins, a group of compounds with great potential in cancer therapies and antibiotics. [13] [15] Specifically the illudins illudidine and illudin M. [13] Illudin M has been shown to have anti-bacterial activity against M. smegmatis and have high toxicity to leukemia cells. [15] Because illudins are too toxic in their natural state for use in treatment, further research and development is needed. [15] However, preliminary compounds have been derived from them and have shown promise. [15] Illudin derivatives have been shown to be effective in vitro, in vivo, and made it to early clinical trials with promising effects. [15]

Older O subilldens cluster from Fort McCoy, Florida O. subilluden 2.jpg
Older O subilldens cluster from Fort McCoy, Florida

Related Research Articles

<i>Omphalotus olearius</i> Species of fungus

Omphalotus olearius, commonly known as the jack-o'-lantern mushroom, is a poisonous orange gilled mushroom that to an untrained eye appears similar to some chanterelles. It is notable for its bioluminescent properties. It is found in woodland areas in Europe, where it grows on decaying stumps, on buried roots or at the base of hardwood trees. It has also been reported from the Western Cape Province, South Africa. A similar, but phylogenetically distinct species found in eastern North America is Omphalotus illudens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mushroom poisoning</span> Harmful effects from ingestion of toxic substances present in a mushroom

Mushroom poisoning is poisoning resulting from the ingestion of mushrooms that contain toxic substances. Symptoms can vary from slight gastrointestinal discomfort to death in about 10 days. Mushroom toxins are secondary metabolites produced by the fungus.

<i>Omphalotus illudens</i> Species of fungus

Omphalotus illudens, commonly known as the eastern jack-o'lantern mushroom, is a large, orange mushroom that is often found in clumps on decaying stumps, buried roots, or at the base of hardwood trees in eastern North America. Its gills often exhibit a weak green bioluminescence when fresh. This green glow has been mentioned in several journal articles, which state that the phenomenon can persist up to 40–50 hours after the mushroom has been picked. It is believed that this display serves to attract insects to the mushroom's gills during nighttime, which can then distribute its spores across a wider area.

The illudins are a family of sesquiterpenes with antitumor antibiotic properties produced by some mushrooms. In their isolated form, illudins show selective toxicity for myelocytic leukemia and other carcinoma cells.

<i>Clitocybe</i> Genus of fungi

Clitocybe is a genus of mushrooms characterized by white, off-white, buff, cream, pink, or light-yellow spores, gills running down the stem, and pale white to brown or lilac coloration. They are primarily saprotrophic, decomposing forest ground litter. There are estimated to be around 300 species in the widespread genus.

<i>Pleurotus</i> Genus of fungi

Pleurotus is a genus of gilled mushrooms which includes one of the most widely eaten mushrooms, P. ostreatus. Species of Pleurotus may be called oyster, abalone, or tree mushrooms, and are some of the most commonly cultivated edible mushrooms in the world. Pleurotus fungi have also been used in mycoremediation of pollutants, such as petroleum and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

<i>Tapinella atrotomentosa</i> Species of fungus

Tapinella atrotomentosa, commonly known as the velvet roll-rim or velvet-footed pax, is a species of fungus in the family Tapinellaceae. Although it has gills, it is a member of the pored mushroom order Boletales. August Batsch described the species in 1783. It has been recorded from Asia, Central America, Europe and North America. Tough and inedible, it grows on tree stumps of conifers. The mushroom contains several compounds that act as deterrents of feeding by insects.

<i>Gymnopilus junonius</i> Species of fungus

Gymnopilus junonius is a type of mushroom-forming fungus in the family Hymenogastraceae. Commonly known as the spectacular rustgill, this large orange mushroom is typically found growing on tree stumps, logs, or tree bases. Some subspecies of this mushroom contain the neurotoxic oligoisoprenoid gymnopilin.

<i>Omphalotus</i> Genus of fungi

Omphalotus is a genus of basidiomycete mushroom, in the family Omphalotaceae, formally circumscribed by Victor Fayod in 1889. Members have the traditional cap and stem structure. They are saprobic, and fruit in clumps on the ground, adjacent to host trees. The best known and type species is the jack-o'-lantern mushroom (Omphalotus olearius). Species of Omphalotus have been mistaken for chanterelles. All Omphalotus species are presumed poisonous, causing gastrointestinal symptoms. Some Omphalotus species have bioluminescent properties.

<i>Omphalotus nidiformis</i> Species of bioluminescent fungus in the family Marasmiaceae

Omphalotus nidiformis, or ghost fungus, is a gilled basidiomycete mushroom most notable for its bioluminescent properties. It is known to be found primarily in southern Australia and Tasmania, but was reported from India in 2012 and 2018. The fan or funnel shaped fruit bodies are up to 30 cm (12 in) across, with cream-coloured caps overlain with shades of orange, brown, purple, or bluish-black. The white or cream gills run down the length of the stipe, which is up to 8 cm (3 in) long and tapers in thickness to the base. The fungus is both saprotrophic and parasitic, and its fruit bodies are generally found growing in overlapping clusters on a wide variety of dead or dying trees.

<i>Entoloma rhodopolium</i> Species of fungus

Entoloma rhodopolium, commonly known as the wood pinkgill, is a poisonous mushroom found in Europe and Asia. In fact, it is one of the three most commonly implicated fungi in cases of mushroom poisoning in Japan. E. rhodopolium is often mistaken for edible mushroom, E. sarcopum. Symptoms are predominantly gastrointestinal in nature, though muscarine, muscaridine, and choline have been isolated as toxic agents.

<i>Hydnellum</i> Genus of fungi in the family Bankeraceae

Hydnellum is a genus of tooth fungi in the family Bankeraceae. Widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere, the genus contains around 40 species. The fruitbodies of its members grow by slowly enveloping nearby bits of grass and vegetation. There is great variability in the form of Hydnellum fruitbodies, which are greatly influenced by environmental conditions such as rainfall and humidity, drying winds, and temperature. They are too tough and woody to eat comfortably. Several species have become the focus of increasing conservation concern following widespread declines in abundance.

<i>Albatrellus subrubescens</i> Species of fungus in the family Albatrellaceae found in Asia, Europe and North America

Albatrellus subrubescens is a species of polypore fungus in the family Albatrellaceae. The fruit bodies (mushrooms) of the fungus have whitish to pale buff-colored caps that can reach up to 14.5 cm (5.7 in) in diameter, and stems up to 7 cm (2.8 in) long and 2 cm (0.8 in) thick. On the underside of the caps are tiny light yellow to pale greenish-yellow pores, the site of spore production. When the fruit bodies are fresh, the cap and pores stain yellow where exposed, handled, or bruised.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thelephoric acid</span> Chemical compound

Thelephoric acid is a terphenylquinone pigment that is found in several fungi, such as Omphalotus subilludens and Polyozellus multiplex. Thelephoric acid has been shown to inhibit prolyl endopeptidase, an enzyme that has a role in processing proteins in Alzheimer's disease. Chemicals that inhibit prolyl endopeptidase have attracted research interest due to their potential therapeutic effects. It is derived from atromentin, and its precursor can be from cyclovariegatin. Fragmentation patterns have suggested that polymers of thelephoric acid exists.

<i>Amanita bisporigera</i> Poisonous species of fungus in the family Amanitaceae endemic to North America

Amanita bisporigera is a deadly poisonous species of fungus in the family Amanitaceae. It is commonly known as the eastern destroying angel amanita, the eastern North American destroying angel or just as the destroying angel, although the fungus shares this latter name with three other lethal white Amanita species, A. ocreata, A. verna and A. virosa. The mushroom has a smooth white cap that can reach up to 10 centimetres across and a stipe up to 14 cm tall with a white skirt-like ring near the top. The bulbous stipe base is covered with a membranous sac-like volva. The white gills are free from attachment to the stalk and crowded closely together. As the species name suggests, A. bisporigera typically bears two spores on the basidia, although this characteristic is not immutable. A. bisporigera closely resembles a few other white amanitas, including the equally deadly A. virosa and A. verna.

Jack o' lantern mushroom is a common name for several fungus species in the genus Omphalotus:

<i>Omphalotus olivascens</i> Species of fungus

Omphalotus olivascens, commonly known as the western jack-o'-lantern mushroom, is an orange to brown-colored gilled poisonous mushroom native to California and Mexico. It is sometimes mistaken for chanterelles.

<i>Omphalotus japonicus</i> Species of fungus

Omphalotus japonicus, commonly known as the tsukiyotake(月夜茸), is an orange to brown-colored gilled mushroom native to Japan and Eastern Asia. It is a member of the cosmopolitan genus Omphalotus, the members of which have bioluminescent fruit bodies which glow in darkness. A 2004 molecular study shows it to be most closely related to a clade composed of Omphalotus nidiformis of Australia, Omphalotus olivascens of Western North America and Omphalotus olearius of Europe.

<i>Volvopluteus earlei</i> Species of fungus

Volvopluteus earlei is a species of mushroom in the family Pluteaceae. It was originally described in 1911 by American mycologist William Alphonso Murrill as Volvariopsis earlei, based on collections made in a Cuban banana field. The fungus was later shuffled to the genera Volvaria and Volvariella before molecular studies placed it in Volvopluteus, a genus newly described in 2011.

References

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  12. ↑ Murrill, W.A., 1945, Quarterly Journal of the Florida Academy of Science 8(2): 198
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  15. 1 2 3 4 5 Schobert, R.; Knauer, S.; Seibt, S.; Biersack, B. "Anticancer Active Illudins: Recent Developments of a Potent Alkylating Compound Class". Current Medicinal Chemistry. 18 (6): 790–807. doi:10.2174/092986711794927766.
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