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[170_do_fun]

Do Fungi Recognize Shapes?

  * 2024-10-08

Can organisms without a brain still show signs of intelligence?
Researchers at Tohoku University and Nagaoka College had this
question in mind when conducting a study to measure the
decision-making processes in fungi. While it may sound like science
fiction, this level of basal cognition is possible even in fungi.

"You'd be surprised at just how much fungi are capable of," remarks
Yu Fukasawa of Tohoku University, "They have memories, they learn,
and they can make decisions. Quite frankly, the differences in how
they solve problems compared to humans is mind-blowing."

Fungi grow by releasing spores, which can germinate and form long,
spidery threads underground (a mycelium). We typically only see the
tiny mushrooms on the surface without realizing that there's a vast
network of interconnected mycelium beneath our feet. It is through
this network that information can be shared, somewhat like neural
connections in the brain.

The present study examined how a wood-decaying mycelial network
responded to two different situations: wood blocks placed in a circle
versus cross arrangement. For example, if the fungi didn't display
decision-making skills, they would simply spread out from a central
point without consideration for the position of the blocks.
Remarkably, this is not what the researchers witnessed.

[170_do_fungi_recognize_shapes_fig1] Fungal mycelial networks
connecting wood blocks arranged in circle (left) and cross (right)
shapes. (c)Yu Fukasawa et al.

For the cross arrangement, the degree of connection was greater in
the outermost four blocks. It was hypothesized that this was because
the outermost blocks can serve as "outposts" for the mycelial network
to embark in foraging expeditions, therefore more dense connections
were required. In the circle arrangement, the degree of connection
was the same at any given block. However, the dead centre of the
circle remained clear. It was proposed that the mycelial network did
not see a benefit in overextending itself in an already
well-populated area.

These findings suggest that the mycelial network was able to
communicate information about its surroundings throughout the entire
network, and change its direction of growth accordingly based on the
shape.

Our comprehension of the mysterious world of fungi is limited,
especially when compared to our knowledge of plants and animals. This
research will help us better understand how biotic ecosystems
function and how different types of cognition evolved in organisms.

These results were published in Fungal Ecology on September 12, 2024.

    Publication Details:

        Title: Spatial resource arrangement influences both network
        structures and activity of fungal mycelia: A form of pattern
        recognition?
        Authors: Yu Fukasawa*, Kosuke Hamano, Koji Kaga, Daisuke
        Akai, Takayuki Takehi
        Journal: Fungal Ecology
        DOI: 10.1016/j.funeco.2024.101387

[arrow] Press release in Japanese

Contact:


Yu Fukasawa
Forest Ecology Laboratory, Graduate School of Agriculture
Email: yu.fukasawa.d3[atmark]tohoku.ac.jp
Website: https://sites.google.com/view/yu-fukasawas-website/english


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