Ileodictyon is a genus of fungi in the family Phallaceae. Basidiocarps (fruit bodies) are clathroid (resembling those in the genus Clathrus), emerging from egg-like peridia and forming spongy "arms" which connect to create a cage-like lattice. The basidiospores on the arms are covered by a foetid slime that attracts flies, the agents of spore dispersal.[1][2] There are three named species (Ileodictyon cibarium, Ileodictyon giganteum, Ileodictyon gracile)[3] and one currently unnamed. The unnamed species, called "the green cage fungus", is endemic to New Caledonia and is considered globally threatened. It is assessed as "endangered" on The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.[4]
| Ileodictyon | |
|---|---|
| |
| Ileodictyon cibarium | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Phallales |
| Family: | Phallaceae |
| Genus: | Ileodictyon Tul. & C. Tul. (1844) |
| Type species | |
| Ileodictyon cibarium Tul. & C. Tul. (1844)
| |
| Species | |
|
I. cibarium | |
The genus may have originated in Australia, New Zealand, and the southern Pacific islands, but species have been found worldwide (including Europe), probably as unintentional introductions.[2][5]
References
edit- ^ Dring DM (1980). "Contributions towards a rational arrangement of the Clathraceae". Kew Bulletin. 35 (1): 1–96. Bibcode:1980KewBu..35....1D. doi:10.2307/4117008. JSTOR 4117008.
- ^ a b Laessoe T, Pegler DN, Spooner B (1995). British Puffballs, Earthstars and Stinkhorns: An Account of the British Gasteroid Fungi. Kew, UK: Royal Botanic Gardens. p. 184. ISBN 0-947643-81-8.
- ^ "Encyclopedia of Life: Ileodictyon (Basket Fungi)". Retrieved 2024-01-17.
- ^ "Green Cage Fungus: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species". Retrieved 2022-09-30.
- ^ Saitta A, Compagno R, La Rosa A, Lopez D, Venturella G (2011). "Ileodictyon gracile, new to Italy". Mycotaxon. 116 (116): 121–124. doi:10.5248/116.121.
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