Bioluminescent Toxic Mushrooms Found In Kerala; Here's All About It

1. Discovery In The Dense Forests Of Kasaragod

[{"selector":"#anim-71521025-42e1-4a89-9320-09a820bc5abc","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2afbe561-a164-4afc-8c68-f41b4efb87fc","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Discovered deep in the dense forests of Kasaragod, Kerala, scientists have made a ground-breaking discovery: a rare bioluminescent mushroom. Credits: Canva

2. The Illuminating Glow Of Filoboletus Manipularis

[{"selector":"#anim-04a715af-e7fb-4725-9929-42982aa19b1e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4037efc9-6762-450c-a25f-6d9ccd4fbe66","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 205.55549%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] This amazing fungus, Filoboletus manipularis, is known for its vivid green glow that it emits at night, illuminating the forest floor and captivating researchers. Credits: Canva

3. A Treasure Found In Ranipuram Forest

[{"selector":"#anim-9f8cd93b-dc20-404e-be00-7d34ec178de5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b840658d-070c-43e0-9b5b-c5cdcb000ac5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 167.14980%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] According to DNA India reports, the discovery was made during a thorough survey of microfungi in the Ranipuram forest, which is well-known for its ecological diversity. Credits: Canva

4. Collaborative Efforts In Discovery

[{"selector":"#anim-ffa392bc-1ab7-4b93-aca9-fe1a1d1d8255","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3a3528e9-699e-4b68-b7b4-7480636f73b8","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 140.30822%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The survey's goal was to compile a list of the region's fungal diversity. It was headed by a team from the Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department's Kasaragod division and worked with the Mushrooms of India Community. Credits: Canva

5. The Science Behind The Glow

[{"selector":"#anim-8ded5750-7bb9-4b24-831a-838463d47697","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3a542533-3f85-448b-8135-234439e48f69","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 167.14980%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] These mushrooms' bioluminescence is thought to result from a chemical reaction between the light-producing molecules luciferin and luciferase when they come into contact with oxygen. Credits: Canva

6. Cautionary Notes On Consumption

[{"selector":"#anim-e82a76d6-b155-4f61-93b6-c5d707965b13","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e8ccea6e-6743-4969-b51a-328db18fd229","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 140.30822%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Although Filoboletus manipularis has an enticing appearance, scientists advise against eating it because of possible toxicity risks related to the chemicals that cause bioluminescence, as per the reports from DNA India. Credits: Canva

7. Significance For Biodiversity Conservation

[{"selector":"#anim-945054de-25a8-4975-a752-56741ee8f8e4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-71a95aa8-1c6b-442f-866c-7f2ff33005c9","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The finding highlights Kasaragod's importance as a hub for fungal biodiversity and motivates requests for more investigation and learning. Credits: Canva

8. Conservation And Exploration

[{"selector":"#anim-4180eb72-32e6-4bca-b6e3-574e5e1a31ab","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b317e264-0cce-4ee4-ae2e-e34da93712e6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] As research progresses, scientists hope that insights gained from these luminous mushrooms will inspire conservation efforts. Credits: Canva

[{"selector":"#anim-4f204789-0f19-4baf-b65a-569191e1e4dc","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1cb6f1c1-c782-4d5b-8d0f-fbc699d9130a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 369.75295%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Canva The discovery of Filoboletus manipularis highlights the rich biodiversity of Kerala's forests.