Following rainfall, the forest teems with the sounds of its inhabitants, from the chirping of birds to the buzzing of insects and the croaking of frogs. However, a type of conversation takes place underground, beyond the reach of human ears.
Recent research out of Japan suggests that rain may prompt certain fungi to communicate with each other through electrical signals. The study focused on bicolored deceivers, a type of mushroom that develops symbiotic relationships with select plants.
These mushrooms create subterranean sheaths around the roots of their host trees using hyphae, filamentous structures that fuel fungal growth. When hyphae interconnect underground, they form mycorrhizal networks facilitating nutrient exchange between plants and fungi.
Previous studies have shown fungi generate electrical signals in response to environmental changes. The latest research adds to human understanding of how these networks function and their potential as a "wood-wide web."
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