First Report of Bioluminescence in Omphalotus flagelliformis (Omphalotaceae, Basidiomycota) Revealed Through Photographic Evidence

The gilled macrofungus Omphalotus flagelliformis, a member of the family Omphalotaceae, has not previously been confirmed to exhibit bioluminescence. Although previous references have suggested possible light emission, no verifiable photographic or field documentation has been available until now. In this study, we present the first confirmed observation and photographic evidence of bioluminescence in O. flagelliformis, collected from a subtropical region in Yunnan Province, China. Bioluminescence was consistently observed in mature basidiomata and mycelium of living cultures under dark conditions, primarily emanating from the gills. Morphological and phylogenetic analyses based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region confirmed the species identity as O. flagelliformis. The outcomes of this study provide significant insights into the known distribution of bioluminescent capacity within the genus Omphalotus and contribute to the understanding of the evolution of this trait in Basidiomycota.