15 results for "clade"
Discovery of the closest free-living relative of the domesticated ‘magic mushroom’ Psilocybe cubensis in Africa
Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences – March 11, 2026
Summary
A significant finding reveals that the psychedelic mushroom Psilocybe cubensis, widely cultivated for recreational and medicinal use, shares a common ancestor with the newly identified species Psilocybe ochraceocentrata. This ancestor existed approximately 1.5 million years ago, predating cattle domestication. Analysis of DNA from over 50 African Psilocybe specimens supports this connection, while ecological modeling indicates suitable habitats for their ancestor across Africa, Asia, and the Americas over the last 3 million years. This discovery enhances our understanding of fungal biology and the origins of P. cubensis.
Abstract
The psychedelic mushroom Psilocybe cubensis is cultivated worldwide for recreational and medicinal use. Described initially from Cuba in 1906, ther...
The one that abstained: Psilocybe fuscofulva genome suggests two recent origins of the psilocybin gene cluster in Psilocybe
OpenAlex – January 02, 2026
Summary
Psilocybin, the psychoactive compound defining the *Psilocybe* genus, surprisingly originated twice. Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies of multiple *Psilocybe* genomes (four newly sequenced) revealed *Psilocybe fuscofulva* (a *Psilocybe sensu stricto* lineage) lacks the psilocybin gene cluster (PGC) and psilocybin. Analyzing 100 gene orthologs across the phylogenetic tree, the PGC emerged independently in two distinct Clades (I and II) around the Miocene epoch. This evolutionary biology suggests horizontal gene transfer, not a most recent common ancestor, drove this lineage's genetics, impacting Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
Abstract Production of the psychoactive compound psilocybin is a defining feature of the genus Psilocybe , commonly referred to as “psychedelic mus...
Systematic study of Panaeolus (Agaricales, Galeropsidaceae) sensu lato and psilocybin-producing traits of species from China.
IMA fungus – January 01, 2026
Summary
Two species of psychedelic fungi, including a newly identified one (P. subfoenisecii), are confirmed psilocybin producers. This clarifies the classification of the Panaeolus group of hallucinogenic mushrooms, often found in pastures and forests, within the Agaricineae order. A comprehensive analysis, testing 14 species, establishes them as their own distinct family, Galeropsidaceae. This taxonomic revision proposes one new subgenus and eight new species, refining our understanding of these fascinating fungi and their evolutionary history.
Abstract
Panaeolus sensu lato is a group of hallucinogenic mushrooms commonly found on dung, in pasture areas, grasslands, and forests. Previous studies ind...
Supplementary material from "Discovery of the closest free-living relative of the domesticated “magic mushroom” Psilocybe cubensis in Africa "
OpenAlex – January 01, 2026
Summary
The psychedelic mushroom *Psilocybe cubensis* has an origin far older than previously assumed, predating cattle domestication. Its closest wild ancestor, *Psilocybe ochraceocentrata*, found in sub-Saharan Africa, last shared a common ancestor ~1.5 million years ago. Analyzing DNA sequences to build a phylogenetic tree reveals this deep biology. Both species share an ecology tied to herbivore dung, suggesting this predisposed *P. cubensis* to its current global geography. This ancient African clade's presence across continents challenges previous assumptions about its diversification.
Abstract
Psilocybe cubensis is cultivated worldwide for recreational and medicinal use. Described initially from Cuba in 1904, there has been substantial de...
Systematic study of Panaeolus (Agaricales, Galeropsidaceae) sensu lato and psilocybin-producing traits of species from China
Global Biodiversity Information Facility – January 01, 2026
Summary
A new species from China is among two of 14 *Panaeolus sensu lato* species confirmed to produce psilocybin, a key finding in fungal biology. This systematic revision establishes the panaeo-clade as the distinct Galeropsidaceae family. The taxonomy clarifies nomenclature for the Genus *Panaeolus*, now accepting three Subgenus groups, including *Bresadolomyces* with an expanded circumscription. Eight new species were identified, advancing understanding of this species complex and its ecology, extending beyond traditional zoology.
Abstract
This dataset contains the digitized treatments in Plazi based on the original journal article He, Mao-Qiang, Yang, Wen-Qiang, Phurbu, Dorji, Liu, F...
Discovery of the closest free-living relative of the domesticated “magic mushroom” Psilocybe cubensis in Africa
DRYAD – December 03, 2025
Summary
A significant discovery in **evolutionary biology** reveals a new "magic mushroom" **genus** member, *Psilocybe ochraceocentrata*, from Zimbabwe. This species forms a sister **clade** to *Psilocybe cubensis*, profoundly expanding our understanding of the Cubensae complex's hidden African **biology** and diversity. By modeling **geography** and **ecology**, this work aims to pinpoint *P. cubensis*'s debated origins. Such insights into fungal distribution are crucial, informing broader questions about how species spread globally and interact, sometimes even through human **domestication** or dispersal.
Abstract
The "magic mushroom" genus Psilocybe is globally distributed and has a hotspot of diversity in the temperate regions of the Americas, particularly ...
Clade III Synthases Add Cyclic and Linear Terpenoids to the Psilocybe Metabolome
ChemBioChem – May 03, 2025
Summary
*Psilocybe* mushrooms, known in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, produce a much richer array of natural products than just psilocybin. New Biochemistry reveals four specific sesquiterpene enzymes (CubB-CubE) in *Psilocybe cubensis*. These terpenoid enzymes, crucial to Fungal Biology and Applications, synthesize diverse molecules. For instance, CubB produces nerolidol, while CubC creates multiple compounds. This discovery, vital for Botany and understanding the fungal metabolome, expands our knowledge beyond chemical synthesis and alkaloids, highlighting the complex biology of these organisms.
Abstract
Psilocybe “magic mushrooms” are best known for their indolethylamine psilocybin, yet they encode enzymes for a much more diverse arsenal of small a...
Molecular Phylogeny and Morphology Reveal Four New Species of Conocybe (Bolbitiaceae, Agaricales) from the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, China
Journal of Fungi – January 07, 2025
Summary
Seven *Conocybe* species, including four new ones, were identified on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, revealing fungi with potential for drug development. Collected over a decade, these *Agaricales* *taxa* contain alkaloids suitable for *chemical synthesis*, offering hope for psychiatric treatments. *Molecular phylogenetics* built a *phylogenetic tree*, confirming these unique *clades* within the *genus*. This enriches *biodiversity* and our understanding of *fungal biology and applications* in extreme *ecology*, marking a new *plateau* of discovery.
Abstract
The Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, known for its high altitude, geological history of plate collision, crustal uplift, and special ecology factors, provid...
Cultivation, chemistry, and genome of Psilocybe zapotecorum
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – April 05, 2024
Summary
*Psilocybe zapotecorum*, a mushroom with historical ceremonial use, exhibits a potent chemical profile, averaging 17.9 mg/g of psilocybin across seven samples. This makes it a significant focus for Psychedelics and Drug Studies. Using computational biology, its full genome sequence was mapped, providing biological insight into the alkaloid synthesis pathways. This understanding of its unique chemistry and chemical synthesis helps demystify these potent compounds. Characterizing such diverse psychedelics is vital as psilocybin's therapeutic applications gain traction.
Abstract
Abstract Psilocybe zapotecorum is a strongly blue-bruising psilocybin mushroom used by indigenous groups in southeastern Mexico and beyond. While t...
Phylogenomics of the psychoactive mushroom genus Psilocybe and evolution of the psilocybin biosynthetic gene cluster
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences – January 09, 2024
Summary
The psychedelic alkaloid psilocybin, driving Psychedelics and Drug Studies, first evolved in the mushroom genus Psilocybe around 67 million years ago. Evolutionary biology indicates its biosynthetic gene cluster transferred horizontally 4 to 5 times to other fungi between 40 and 9 million years ago. Using 71 fungal metagenomes, Phylogenetics of 2,983 gene families reveals Psilocybe's deep Biology. Two distinct psilocybin gene cluster arrangements correspond to major clades, suggesting independent acquisitions of this alkaloid's chemical synthesis, impacting Fungal Biology and Applications.
Abstract
Psychoactive mushrooms in the genus Psilocybe have immense cultural value and have been used for centuries in Mesoamerica. Despite the recent surge...
Cultivation, chemistry, and genome of Psilocybe zapotecorum
OpenAlex – November 02, 2023
Summary
*Psilocybe zapotecorum*, a mushroom with historical indigenous use, contains a potent psilocybin concentration of 17.9 mg/g, ranging from 10.6-25.7 mg/g across seven samples. Its full genome, revealing the psilocybin gene cluster, offers new biological insights. Combining Fungal Biology and Applications with Chemical synthesis and alkaloids, the work profiles its complex tryptamine chemistry, including psilocin and baeocystin. A total tryptamine concentration reached 22.5 mg/g. These findings advance Psychedelics and Drug Studies by illuminating the diversity of naturally occurring psilocybin sources.
Abstract
Abstract Psilocybe zapotecorum is a strongly blue-bruising psilocybin mushroom used by indigenous groups in southeastern Mexico and beyond. While t...
A „Magic Mushroom“ Multi‐Product Sesquiterpene Synthase
ChemBioChem – August 24, 2023
Summary
Beyond their known psychotropic tryptamines, "magic mushrooms" produce diverse natural products. A single sesquiterpene synthase enzyme, CubA, from *Psilocybe cubensis* was characterized. Its biochemistry was explored by expressing it in *Escherichia coli*. This terpenoid-producing enzyme synthesizes compounds like cubebol, β-copaene, and δ-cadinene, also found in the mushroom. This work, relevant to Psychedelics and Drug Studies, reveals the broader metabolic biology and plant biochemistry of *Psilocybe* species. It advances our understanding of natural product biosynthesis and chemistry, including potential roles for these compounds beyond alkaloids, impacting chemical synthesis.
Abstract
Abstract Psilocybe “magic mushrooms” are chemically well understood for their psychotropic tryptamines. However, the diversity of their other speci...
Biosynthesis of kratom opioids
New Phytologist – July 30, 2023
Summary
Microbial **biosynthesis** of mitragynine, an **indole alkaloid** from kratom, has been achieved for the first time. Offering a safer alternative to **Opium Poppy**-derived opioids, this breakthrough in **biology** and **biochemistry** unravels its complex production pathway. Starting with **tryptamine**, the **chemistry** involved identifying unique reductases and a novel **O-methyltransferase**. This four-step process, crucial for **alkaloids: synthesis and pharmacology**, builds on insights from **traditional and medicinal uses** of plants, impacting areas like **Berberine and alkaloids research**. This advance allows for generating diverse kratom opioid analogs.
Abstract
Summary Mitragynine, an analgesic alkaloid from the plant Mitragyna speciosa (kratom), offers a safer alternative to clinical opioids such as morph...
The complete organellar genomes of the entheogenic plant Psychotria viridis (Rubiaceae), a main component of the ayahuasca brew.
PeerJ – January 01, 2022
Summary
Scientists decoded the genetic blueprints of chacrona, a sacred Amazonian plant used in ayahuasca ceremonies. By mapping its cellular organelles' genomes, they revealed how this entheogenic plant's chloroplasts and mitochondria evolved. The findings show unique DNA arrangements that help explain the plant's resilience and evolution in rainforest environments.
Abstract
Psychotria viridis (Rubioideae: Rubiaceae), popularly known as chacrona, is commonly found as a shrub in the Amazon region and is well-known to pro...
Evolution of the Toxins Muscarine and Psilocybin in a Family of Mushroom-Forming Fungi
PLoS ONE – May 23, 2013
Summary
Muscarine, a toxic alkaloid, evolved independently multiple times within *Inocybaceae* fungi, a key insight for evolutionary biology. Analysis of 30 new samples revealed its complex biology. Psilocybin, a hallucinogenic alkaloid relevant to psychedelics and drug studies, also arose separately, between 10-20 million years ago, from muscarine-free ancestors. Muscarine's chemical synthesis and pharmacology show it was ancestral for three of seven major lineages, around 60 million years ago, with its loss often preceding psilocybin's appearance.
Abstract
Mushroom-forming fungi produce a wide array of toxic alkaloids. However, evolutionary analyses aimed at exploring the evolution of muscarine, a tox...