Spores are reproductive structures disseminated from and by the parent fungus. Species within these phyla, commonly known as hat throwers, employ a unique catapulting technique (as their name may suggest) for dispersing their spores.
The phyla examined in this study were Ascomycota and Zygomycota (Note 1). Moreover, different species may operate under different modes of reproduction and employ varying methods for spore dispersal. For example: fungal organisms respond differently to separate environments, hence thrive in their own unique ecosystems. Owing to its vast genetic pool, fungi of different species exhibit different behaviors and characteristics. Indeed, it has only been with the recent development of high speed imaging technologies that scientists have been able to peek into this invisible world and discover what is now believed to be some of the fastest known flights in nature.įungi - a kingdom within the domain Eukaryota - is comprised of an enormous population of micro-organisms such as yeast, mold and mushrooms. But how fast is fast? It turns out that if you can see it with your eyes, it's not nearly quick enough. No, not the fastest man alive nor the fastest mammal alive - the fastest thing alive. To be crowned as "the fastest thing alive" has been a title long sought after by competitors across our planet.