February 2007 Glowing Fungi

One of the best-known bioluminescent fungi in Australia possibly Pleurotus nidiformis. This large, irregular-shaped fungus with a small stem often grows in dense clusters at the base of living or dead eucalypts. Bioluminescent mushroom light is created by a chemical reaction with a substance called luciferin which reacts with an enzyme, luciferase, causing the luciferin to oxidise, with the consequent emission of light. Fireflies, glow-worms and a number of marine organisms, such as fish, use bioluminescence to attract prey or mates.

One of the best-known bioluminescent fungi in Australia possibly Pleurotus nidiformis. This large, irregular-shaped fungus with a small stem often grows in dense clusters at the base of living or dead eucalypts. Bioluminescent mushroom light is created by a chemical reaction with a substance called luciferin which reacts with an enzyme, luciferase, causing the luciferin to oxidise, with the consequent emission of light. Fireflies, glow-worms and a number of marine organisms, such as fish, use bioluminescence to attract prey or mates.

Come the hottest and most humid time of the year, strange things happen in the forest you would never expect. Bioluminescent mushrooms. From 6pm to 3am, we snapped away until our batteries ran dry.

Yogi photographing glowing fungi in the forest.

Yogi photographing glowing fungi in the forest.

About the Author:

Jürgen Freund’s aim as a wildlife photographer is to shoot pictures that tell stories which matter. A mechanical engineer by training, he started his career as an industrial photographer in Germany, acquired an underwater camera, went scuba-diving in the alpine lakes and then discovered the marine environment. Since 1982, he has done underwater and nature photography, making much of his own equipment to suit his needs. Jürgen’s work, on land and under water, has been widely published all over the world. He has had solo exhibitions and has been a prize-winner in international competitions, including Wildlife Photographer of the Year. In partnership with his wife Stella, a producer, he works closely with WWF, which uses his photographs in many of its conservation campaigns. For 18 straight months, he and Stella travelled the Asia / Pacific region of the Coral Triangle, photographing the richness of this hotspot of marine biodiversity on behalf of WWF.