Page 95 - BBC Wildlife Volume 36 #06

Q&A

Q MARINE MAMMALS
How far do northern
elephant seals swim?

Q FUNGI
A Northern elephant seals undertake
two long migrations per year. In total,
males cover some 21,000km; Why are some
females 18,000km. However,
a 2016 study showed that a mushrooms magic?
female (named Phyllis) had
swum further west than
any tagged seal, covering A Magic mushrooms are named for their
nearly 6,000km on just mind-altering effects on human consumers. The
one outward leg. SM liberty cap is the most famous example, but a wide
range of other species also produce psilocybin, the
psychoactive compound that interferes with the
signals between nerve cells. These fungi are not
closely related, suggesting that they have evolved
Kingfishers usually the ability to manufacture psilocybin independently
choose an area of each other. What they have in common is
free of vegetation that they grow in habitats with high numbers of
to avoid predators.
fungus-eating arthropods. Psilocybin messes with
the minds of insects, too, but rather than inducing
hallucinations, it reduces their appetite. Psilocybe
Stuart Blackman cyanescens – a
'magic' mushroom.

Q MALACOLOGY

A Slime is produced by a variety of animals. than 10 per cent) of glycoprotein polymers –
In many, including humans, it serves a large, complex molecules that link together to
protective function, forming a barrier between give the slime its distinctive properties. Snail
the inside of the body and a world of germs. slime is secreted by glands located all over the
In the gastropod molluscs, slimes are used body, though the largest, and that responsible
for lubrication, adhesion, signalling and for the silvery trails, is at the front of the foot.
protection against abrasion and pathogenic or When resting, snails produce enough mucus
predatory attack. Chemically, snail mucus is a to glue themselves to a substrate and create
watery gel containing a small proportion (less a membranous seal called an epiphragm
covering the opening of the shell. The seal
dries gradually and can become quite crispy,
while the snail inside stays moist. Medical
researchers have taken slug and snail
slime as the inspiration for new
surgical glues with the ability
to bind wet, moving tissues
without damaging them.
Amy-Jane Beer

A white-lipped snail
excreting its highly
useful slime as it
meanders over a rock.

BBC Wildlife 95