Scientists have revealed that a newly discovered species of fungus is one of the “wild and wondrous species” found in the Scottish mountains.
The species of the genus Squamanite previously unknown to science has been discovered in Cairngorms National Park after hillwalkers collected hundreds of soil samples from the area.
DNA was extracted and sequenced by researchers at the James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen, discovering some 2,748 fungal species.
These include a ‘strangler’ fungus (Squamanita contortipes), which gets its name from its ability to take over other fungi, and the fungus amanita groenlandica, an arctic species native to Greenland that is more likely to be found no further south than Greenland. Scandinavia was found.
Plantlife project manager Keilidh Ewan said the study “helped us understand the threats this fragile habitat faces.”
She said: ‘There are more living organisms in just one teaspoon of soil than there are people on the planet, and soil biodiversity plays a hugely important role in the functioning of ecosystems.
“The coming together of researchers, conservationists and the local community has uncovered some wild and beautiful species and created an evidence-based foundation against which the effects of climate and environmental change can be monitored in the future.”
She added: “Ultimately, the more we understand, the better we can protect these beloved places for the future.”
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