Diversity+of+Life-Fungi

= Diversity of Life = = ﻿Kingdon: Fungi =
 * Amanita phalloides **


 * Contents


 * 1) Taxonomy
 * 2) Introduction
 * 3) Morphological Features
 * 4) Anatomical/Physiological Features
 * 5) Range of Habitat
 * 6) Interesting Facts
 * 7) References ||


 * Taxonomy **


 * Kingdom || Fungi ||
 * Phylum || Basidiomycota ||
 * Class || Agaricomyetes ||
 * Order || Agaricales ||
 * Family || Pluteaceae ||
 * Genus || Amanita ||
 * Species || phalloides ||

The kingdom Fungi consists 70 000 confirmed species, of which the phylum Bastiomycota consists of about 30 000 species, about 37% of the species of true Fungi. The phylum Bastiomycota consists of the well-known mushrooms, as well as several yeasts and asexual species. Many Bastiomycota obtain nutrition though decomposing dead organic matter, playing a huge role in the recycling of carbon in nature. However, Bastiomycota also constantly attack the wood structure in buildings.


 * Introduction **

Well known to many as the most poisonous fungi in the world, Amanita phalloides is a mushroom that is part of the phylum Bastiomycota. The body of the mushroom itself appears in the autumn and summer. Amanita phalloides are responsible for the majority of fatal and serious poisoning cases of mushrooms, and is the main cause of the fear of humans for consuming wild mushrooms.


 * Morphological Features **

Amanita phalloides are easily identified by their wide, smooth cap, which is usually between 6 to 16 centimeters wide with greenish to yellowish pigments. The cap is usually slippery or sticky, but can be dry sometimes, and often adorned with one to several patches of thin, white veil tissue. The stalk is usually white, up to 15 centimeters tall, with a large rounded bulb at the base which is often buried in the soil. There is also a sacklike volva around its base, which is also encased in the soil. The gills are white and crowded, and usually finely attached to the upper stalk, and a white ring around the adjoined part of the stalk and cap.




 * Anatomical/Physiological Features **

As we know, Amanita phalloides is catergorized as an extremely poisonous mushrooms. This is due to the dangerous toxin amanitin that is found within the mushroom. The symptoms of the poison are usually delayed from six to twenty-four hours after Amanita phalloides is consumed, which gives the body plenty of time to absorb the amanitin. The initial symptoms of the poison include violent vomiting, acute abdominal cramps, and bloody diarrhea. In the end, the poison often causes severe damage on the liver and kidneys. The reason for Amanitin phalloides containing poison is due to self-defense against predators.




 * Range of Habitat **

Amanitin phalloides is found throughout much of Europe, but is more common towards the south the south end of the continent. It occurs in New Zealand, and also North America and South Africa, with oak trees imported from Europe. Amanitin phalloides is rare in most parts of North America, but locally common in such areas such as the San Francisco Bay region. It is primarily a European species, not a North American species. In California, it occurs under living oak and cork trees.


 * Interesting Facts **


 * Amanitin phalloides is responsible for over 90% of fatal and serious mushroom poisoning cases.
 * In 2006 alone, there were 55 cases of Amanitin phalloides poisoning, causing 24 cases of severe liver damage and 3 cases of kidney failure.


 * References **


 * 1) "AmericanMushrooms.com - The Death Cap Mushroom (Amanita Phalloides)." Edible Wild Mushrooms, Photos, Identification, Descriptions - David Fischer's AmericanMushrooms.com. Web. 15 Nov. 2010. .
 * 2) "Basidiomycota." Tree of Life Web Project. Web. 15 Nov. 2010. .
 * 3) "Amanita Phalloides." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 15 Nov. 2010. .
 * 4) "Fungi." Tree of Life Web Project. Web. 15 Nov. 2010. .
 * 5) "NAMA: 30-Plus Years of Mushroom Poisoning." North American Mycological Association. Web. 15 Nov. 2010. .
 * 6) "On the Trail of the Death Cap Mushroom : NPR." NPR : National Public Radio : News & Analysis, World, US, Music & Arts : NPR. Web. 15 Nov. 2010. .