New Zealand Fungi and Lichens

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DSC_0733 Anemone stinkhorn fungus, or puapua-a-autahi (Aseroe rubra) recognizable for its foul faecal odour, is visited here by a European blue bottle fly (Calliphora vicina). The brown spore-carrying mucus at the base of the stinkhorn's arms is smelly and attracts flies which disperse the spores. Stinkhorns bioaccumulate manganese, and this element is thought to help enzymes breakdown the spore-carrying mucus, while simultaneously forming the smelly attractant. Flagstaff, Dunedin *

DSC 0733 Anemone flower sea anemone fungus starfish fungus bioaccumulate manganese stinkhorn fungus Aseroe rubra European blue bottle fly Calliphora vicina brown spore carrying mucus base attract blowflies dispersal spores Flagstaff Dunedin