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Nidulariaceae
The Nidulariaceae ('nidulus' - small nest) are a family of fungi in the order Agaricales. Commonly known as the bird's nest fungi, their fruiting bodies resemble tiny egg-filled birds' nests. As they are saprobic, feeding on decomposing organic matter, they are often seen growing on decaying wood and in soils enriched with wood chips or bark mulch; they have a widespread distribution in most ecological regions. The five genera within the family, namely, '' Crucibulum'', ''Cyathus'', '' Mycocalia'', '' Nidula'', and '' Nidularia'', are distinguished from each other by differences in morphology and peridiole structure; more recently, phylogenetic analysis and comparison of DNA sequences is guiding new decisions in the taxonomic organization of this family. History Bird's nest fungi were first mentioned by Flemish botanist Carolus Clusius in ''Rariorum plantarum historia'' (1601). Over the next couple of centuries, these fungi were the subject of some controversy regarding whe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cyathus
''Cyathus'' is a genus of fungi in the Nidulariaceae, which is a family (biology), family collectively known as the bird's nest fungi. They are given this name as they resemble tiny bird's nests filled with "eggs"structures large enough to have been mistaken in the past for seeds. However, these are now known to be reproductive structures containing spores. The "eggs", or ''peridioles'', are firmly attached to the inner surface of this basidiocarp, fruit body by an elastic cord of mycelia known as a funiculus. The List of Cyathus species, 45 species are widely distributed throughout the world and some are found in most countries, although a few exist in only one or two locales. ''Cyathus stercoreus'' is considered endangered in a number of European countries. Some species of ''Cyathus'' are also known as splash cups, which refers to the fact that falling raindrops can knock the peridioles out of the open-cup fruit body. The internal and external surfaces of this cup may be r ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Crucibulum Laeve
''Crucibulum'' is a genus in the Nidulariaceae, a family of fungi whose fruiting bodies resemble tiny egg-filled bird's nests. Often called "splash cups", the fruiting bodies are adapted for spore dispersal by using the kinetic energy of falling drops of rain. The "eggs" inside the bird's nests (technically known as peridioles) are hard waxy shells containing spores, and tend to stick to whatever nearby herbage they land on, thus increasing the odds of being consumed and dispersed by herbivorous animals. Members of this genus are saprobic, obtaining nutrients from dead organic matter, and are typically found growing on decayed wood and wood debris. The three known ''Crucibulum'' species (''C. laeve'', ''C. parvulum'', and ''C. cyathiforme'') are distinguished from other genera of the Nidulariaceae by their relatively simple funiculus – a cord of hyphae that connects the peridiole (the "eggs") to the exterior of the bird's nest. History Bird's nest fungi were f ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Nidula
''Nidula'' is a genus of fungi in the family Agaricaceae. Their fruit bodies resemble tiny egg-filled birds' nests, from which they derive their common name "bird's nest fungi". Originally described in 1902, the genus differs from the related genera ''Cyathus'' and '' Crucibulum'' by the absence of a cord that attaches the eggs to the inside of the fruit body. The life cycle of this genus allows it to reproduce both sexually, with meiosis, and asexually via spores. Species in this genus produce a number of bioactive compounds, including 4-(''p''-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone, a major component of raspberry flavor and insect attractor used in pesticides. Taxonomy The genus ''Nidula'' was originally proposed by Violet S. White in her monograph on the North American species of the Nidulariaceae, and included the species ''N. candida'' and ''N. microcarpa''. The genus name is derived from the Latin ''nidula'', meaning "little nest".Brodie, ''The Bird's Nest Fungi'', p. 142. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mycocalia
''Mycocalia'' is a genus of fungi in the family Nidulariaceae. Basidiocarps (fruit bodies) are minute (typically under 5 mm in diameter) and irregularly spherical. Each produces one or more peridioles which contain the spores and are released from the disintegrating fruit bodies at maturity. Species are usually found growing on herbaceous stems and other plant debris. The genus was originally described in 1961 by British mycologist J.T. Palmer and has a north temperate distribution. Description Species have small barrel- to lens-shaped fruit bodies, 0.5–5 mm broad, that grow singly or in small groups. The peridium consists of loosely interwoven clamped hyphae. The peridioles, of which there may be one to several, are disc-shaped, yellow- to red-brown, and sit in a gelatinous matrix when young and fresh. Spores are elliptical, smooth, and hyaline. See also *List of Agaricales genera This is a list of fungal genus, genera in the order (biology), order Agaricales. The list ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Nidularia
''Nidularia'' is a genus of nine species of fungi in the family Agaricaceae. Their fruit bodies resemble tiny egg-filled bird nests. The name comes from the Latin meaning ''nest''. The related genus ''Mycocalia'' was segregated from ''Nidularia'' in 1961 based on differences in the microscopic structure of the peridium. Taxonomy The name ''Nidularia'' first appeared in the scientific literature in 1790 when Pierre Bulliard published ''N. vernicosa'' and ''N. laevis''. This name, however, was not validly published, as it predated the starting point for naming of gasteroid fungi (1801), and it lacked a generic description. Jean Bulliard gave a generic description in 1791 when he added ''N. striata''. ''N. striata'' and ''N. vernicosa'' are now placed in ''Cyathus'', while ''N. laevis'' is in '' Crucibulum''. Bulliard's concept of ''Nidularia'' is synonymous with ''Cyathus''. ''Nidularia'' was again circumscribed in 1817 by Swedish mycologist Elias ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Funicular Cord
A funicular ( ) is a type of cable railway system that connects points along a railway track laid on a steep slope. The system is characterized by two counterbalanced carriages (also called cars or trains) permanently attached to opposite ends of a haulage cable, which is looped over a pulley at the upper end of the track. The result of such a configuration is that the two carriages move synchronously: as one ascends, the other descends at an equal speed. This feature distinguishes funiculars from inclined elevators, which have a single car that is hauled uphill. The term ''funicular'' derives from the Latin word , the diminutive of , meaning 'rope'. Operation In a funicular, both cars are permanently connected to the opposite ends of the same cable, known as a ''haul rope''; this haul rope runs through a system of pulleys at the upper end of the line. If the railway track is not perfectly straight, the cable is guided along the track using sheaves – unpowered pulleys that si ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Biconvex Lens
A lens is a transmissive optical device that focuses or disperses a light beam by means of refraction. A simple lens consists of a single piece of transparent material, while a compound lens consists of several simple lenses (''elements''), usually arranged along a common axis. Lenses are made from materials such as glass or plastic and are ground, polished, or molded to the required shape. A lens can focus light to form an image, unlike a prism, which refracts light without focusing. Devices that similarly focus or disperse waves and radiation other than visible light are also called "lenses", such as microwave lenses, electron lenses, acoustic lenses, or explosive lenses. Lenses are used in various imaging devices such as telescopes, binoculars, and cameras. They are also used as visual aids in glasses to correct defects of vision such as myopia and hypermetropia. History The word ''lens'' comes from , the Latin name of the lentil (a seed of a lentil plant), because ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Basidiospore
A basidiospore is a reproductive spore produced by basidiomycete fungi, a grouping that includes mushrooms, shelf fungi, rusts, and smuts. Basidiospores typically each contain one haploid Ploidy () is the number of complete sets of chromosomes in a cell (biology), cell, and hence the number of possible alleles for Autosome, autosomal and Pseudoautosomal region, pseudoautosomal genes. Here ''sets of chromosomes'' refers to the num ... nucleus (biology), nucleus that is the product of meiosis, and they are produced by specialized fungal cells called basidium, basidia. Typically, four basidiospores develop on appendages from each basidium, of which two are of one Strain (biology), strain and the other two of its opposite strain. In gills under a cap of one common species, there exist millions of basidia. Some gilled mushrooms in the order Agaricales have the ability to release billions of spores. The puffball fungus ''Calvatia gigantea'' has been calculated to produce about ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hyaline
A hyaline substance is one with a glassy appearance. The word is derived from , and . Histopathology Hyaline cartilage is named after its glassy appearance on fresh gross pathology. On light microscopy of H&E stained slides, the extracellular matrix of hyaline cartilage looks homogeneously pink, and the term "hyaline" is used to describe similarly homogeneously pink material besides the cartilage. Hyaline material is usually acellular and proteinaceous. For example, arterial hyaline is seen in aging, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus and in association with some drugs (e.g. calcineurin inhibitors). It is bright pink with PAS staining. Ichthyology and entomology In ichthyology and entomology Entomology (from Ancient Greek ἔντομον (''éntomon''), meaning "insect", and -logy from λόγος (''lógos''), meaning "study") is the branch of zoology that focuses on insects. Those who study entomology are known as entomologists. In ..., ''hyaline'' denotes a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Birds Nest Spores
Birds are a group of warm-blooded vertebrates constituting the class Aves (), characterised by feathers, toothless beaked jaws, the laying of hard-shelled eggs, a high metabolic rate, a four-chambered heart, and a strong yet lightweight skeleton. Birds live worldwide and range in size from the bee hummingbird to the common ostrich. There are over 11,000 living species and they are split into 44 orders. More than half are passerine or "perching" birds. Birds have wings whose development varies according to species; the only known groups without wings are the extinct moa and elephant birds. Wings, which are modified forelimbs, gave birds the ability to fly, although further evolution has led to the loss of flight in some birds, including ratites, penguins, and diverse endemic island species. The digestive and respiratory systems of birds are also uniquely adapted for flight. Some bird species of aquatic environments, particularly seabirds and some waterbirds, have further ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
