Reproductive Spores Are Remarkably Aerodynamic

The reproductive spores of many species of fungi have evolved remarkably drag-minimizing shapes, according to new research by mycologists and applied mathematicians at Harvard University.

In many cases, the scientists report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the drag experienced by these fungal spores is within one percent of the absolute minimum possible drag for their size. But these sleek shapes are seen only among spores distributed by air flow, not those which are borne by animals.

Morel fungus. The reproductive spores of many
species of fungi have evolved remarkably drag-minimizing
shapes, according to new research by mycologists and applied
mathematicians at Harvard University.
(Credit: Wikimedia commons, public domain photo)

"We set out to answer a very simple question: Why do fungal spores have the shapes that they do?" says co-author Marcus Roper, who contributed to the research as an applied mathematics graduate student in Harvard's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. "It turns out that for forcibly ejected spores, the shape can be explained by simple physical principles: The spores need to have a close to minimum possible air resistance for their size. As projectiles, they are close to perfect."

Roper is now a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California, Berkeley.

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