User:Iheartfungi/Psathyrella aquatica

Discovery
It was found by Southern Oregon University professor Robert Coffan in the Rogue River in the U.S. state of Oregon. Coffan and his colleagues, Darlene Southworth and Jonathan Frank, found the mushroom in 2005. The biology department at Southern Oregon University confirmed that the mushroom was a unique discovery. Once their research was published, it was named one of the most significant species discovered in 2010. They have so far been discovered in a 1 kilometer stretch of the river, and have an observed fruiting season of mid-June to late September

Description
The fruiting body is comprised of a small convex cap and a long stipe. Its cap is brown, convex, and has gills underneath. The young mushroom develops a veil, which is lost as the mushroom grows to maturity. The mushroom's stipe appears to be quite strong, and is anchored up to 1.6 feet (0.5 m) deep in sediment, in order to stand up to the fast-moving river currents where it is primarily found. The stipe is covered in thin hair like structures. Spores released by the gills stay in gas bubbles underneath the gills before floating to the top of the water to spread. Underwater gills and ballistospores suggest that its underwater adaption is a relatively recent one.

Habitat
The mushrooms are found growing out of water-logged wood, silt, and gravel, a fine volcanic substrate, and was observed growing from youth to maturity completely underwater over 11 weeks. The mushroom grows submerged under fast, cold, running water of the river. The water is spring fed, aerated, and contains lots of woody debris and is shallow in depth. They are found growing about a half a meter underneath the water. The mushroom is also found growing on land in either grassy banks, or on gravel or water-logged wood next to the river.

Ecosystem Role
Though not enough is known about the species to consider it edible, scientist assume that it is a food source for small insects in the river. Though the river has low levels of nitrogen, nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria near mushroom discovery sites suggests they might provide a source of nitrogen.

Taxonomy
The taxonomy of the species is in reference to the habitat of the mushroom is found in. Aquatica is a latin word meaing water or watery.