jeannot
Posts: 1200
Joined: Jan. 2006
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From Henry on the other thread | Quote | Maybe the coloration is caused by chemical(s) that serve some other purpose for the organism? In that case the color could be merely a side-effect.
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Maybe, but as closely related species have different colors, its seems unlikely that they serve particular physiological purposes.
For example, the color of blood (a side effect) is the same in all mammals.
And color is often localized on the cap, so it looks like it's there to be seen. I think underground mycelia are devoid of pigments, although I don't know.
I'd be curious to know if some mushrooms grow in caves, and in that case, if they are colored.
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