Aquascypha
Aquascypha | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Fungi |
Division: | Basidiomycota |
Class: | Agaricomycetes |
Order: | Polyporales |
Family: | Meruliaceae |
Genus: | Aquascypha D.A.Reid |
Type species | |
Aquascypha hydrophora (Berk.) D.A.Reid |
Aquascypha is a genus of fungi in the family Meruliaceae. It is a monotypic genus, containing the single species Aquascypha hydrophora, found in Central and South America. This species forms cup-like structures with dimensions of 2.7 to 14.9 cm (1.1 to 5.9 in) (average 9.2 cm (3.6 in)) and heights of 6.1 to 18 cm (2.4 to 7.1 in) (average 16.3 cm (6.4 in)).[1] Study of this fungus in the Amazon rain forest showed that on average, these cups hold 35 millitres of water, in addition to organic matter such as leaves, flowers and fruits that fall from trees;[1] this provides an ideal environment for various insect species (especially filter-feeding species like mosquitoes) to breed.[1][2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Ferreira RLM, Oliveira AF, Pereira ES, Hamada N. (2001). "Occurrence of larval Culicidae (Diptera) in water retained in Aquascypha hydrophora (Fungus: Stereaceae) in central Amazonia, Brazil". Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz 96 (8): 1165–7. doi:10.1590/s0074-02762001000800023.
- ↑ Serpa A, Menezes Ferreira R, Barbosa,UC. (2007). "Occurrence of Polypedilum (Tripodura) amataura Bidawid-Kafka, 1996 (Diptera; Chironomidae) in Aquascypha hydrophora (Berk.) Reid (Fungi; Stereaceae), with description of the pupae in the Central Amazonian, Brazil". Acta Amazonica 37 (1): 151–56. doi:10.1590/s0044-59672007000100020.