Yes, there are various carnivorous mushrooms, one of the most common is Pleurotus ostreatus: it is capable of killing nematode worms within a minute.
One of the most common carnivorous mushrooms is the Pleurotus ostreatusalso known as “big ear”, edible. These fungi, in addition to decomposing wood, are capable of paralyzing and killing nematodes, small millimeter worms, to absorb nitrogen from their bodies.
Killer mushroom. In case of lack of nitrogen, the filaments of the mycelium (the underground part of the fungus) form cysts containing 3-octanone, a volatile substance that blocks the neurons and muscle cells of nematodes, killing them in a minute. The mushroom then absorbs the necessary nutrients.
When nitrogen is missing. Other carnivorous fungi use different methods, such as adhesive substances or attractants to capture worms, while some species, such asOphiocordyceps unilateralisthey parasitize insects and manipulate them to encourage the spread of spores.
These mechanisms allow fungi to survive in nitrogen-poor environments, where the natural decomposition of organic matter is not sufficient for their nutritional needs.
