bah, they cut off my quote. Here's what it should say after 'what gets me is this':
'In other research, scientists have determined that fungi are more closely related to human beings and animals than to other plants.

Moreover, while humans and most species are divided into only two sexes, mushrooms contain over 36,000 sexes.'

--ok the first part, strange wording maybe..makes it seem like mushroom are like people. Second part--36,000 sexes?? I thought most fungi reproduced asexually or with spores or something..can anyone explain???

I actually think spores are sexual reproduction. Not sure though. I do know, however, that pollen is the plant equivalent of sperm.

'In other research, scientists have determined that fungi are more closely related to human beings and animals than to other plants.'


Puspucker do you get your fungi info from the Weekly World News? Fungi are more related to organisms that have chitin shells such as insects, etc since the fungi also have chitin in their cellular structures. I was not aware that humans have chitin shells like insects, with the exception of the SexninjaMcWillywacker who is part spider and part butt munch.

ButtMunchMcWillieWhacker! Thanks Skull. I laughed so hard I barked at both ends.

Some times in the grocery store I look at a portobello and I think 'If only...'

you could put it in your ass?

No.

If only they were magic

and then you could put it in your ass?

LOLZ

--yeah spores are sexual--i meant they have 2 ways--asexual and sexual which is the spores shit
--yeah skullfuck i think that part was very wwn-ish..i think they meant to the animal kingdom in general but their word choice sucked

Monochariotic Spore Reproduction results from a single spore sprouting into a single souce genetic mycellium. This gives a pure clonic strain but seldom results in a fruiting source. This is the 'Asexual' type of reproduction referred to.

Dichariotic Spore Reproduction results from two monochariotic mycellium fusing into a mixed genetic strain. Although these strains are more likely to fruit, the resulting plants may have unpredictable properties, as they are a new strain. This is the 'Sexual' type of reproduction referred to.

If you want to raise mushrooms that are just like the ones that Grandma used to fry on, pick them FRESH, then clone (take a bit of core material from a live shroom and innoculate your growth medium) to get a fruiting exact replica. Spore reproduction is for microbiologists and commercial growers. Home cookers should stick to pressure cooked rice and mason jars.


The Giant Underground Fungi in the article is a single strain monochariotic mass. It's one BIG mycellium ball.