No ultrasounds detected from fungi when dehydrated

Ultrasonics. 2023 Dec:135:107111. doi: 10.1016/j.ultras.2023.107111. Epub 2023 Jul 31.

Abstract

Many organisms (including certain plant species) can be observed to emit sounds, potentially signifying threat alerts. Sensitivity to such sounds and vibrations may also play an important role in the lives of fungi. In this work, we explore the potential of ultrasound activity in dehydrating fungi, and discover that several species of fungi do not emit sounds (detectable with conventional instrumentation) in the frequency range of 10kHz to 210kHz upon dehydration. Over 5 terabytes of ultrasound recordings were collected and analysed. We conjecture that fungi interact via non-sound means, such as electrical or chemical.

Keywords: Acoustics; Fungi; Hyphae; Mycelium; Ultrasonics.

MeSH terms

  • Fungi
  • Sound*
  • Ultrasonography
  • Vibration*