Pilobolus: Ultra-High-Speed Fungus Spore Discharge

The fungus Pilobolus fires off its sporangiophore using a water cannon or “squirt gun,“ reaching accelerations that are among the fastest in nature. Here we present a montage of high-speed video clips showing sporangiophore discharge in the fungus Pilobolus kleinii. The videos were obtained at camera frame rates of up to 250,000 fps. Each discharge is completed in less than milliseconds; an eye blink takes 100 milliseconds, or 400 times longer! The music is Verdi’s Anvil Chorus. For more infor