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Hysterangium bonobo is a species of fungus found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Also known as simbokilo, the truffle-like species is named for bonobos, one of the species known to eat the fruiting bodies.[1]
| Hysterangium bonobo | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Hysterangiales |
| Family: | Hysterangiaceae |
| Genus: | Hysterangium |
| Species: | H. bonobo |
| Binomial name | |
| Hysterangium bonobo Elliot et al. (2020) | |
Naming and taxonomy
In the Bantu language Bongando, Hysterangium bonobo is known as simbokilo,[2] which is linked to a longer phrase that translates roughly as "don't let your brother-in-law leave because traps baited with this will bring in plenty of food".[3]
Hysterangium bonobo was first described in the journal Mycologia in 2020 based on specimen gathered within the Kokolopori Bonobo Reserve in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.[2] It is named for bonobos (Pan paniscus), a primate species known to unearth and consume the fruiting bodies.[4] Primatologist Alexander Georgiev observed wild bonobos consuming the fungi in the reserve and collected samples for analysis.[5]
Description
The basidiocarp of Hysterangium bonobo is hypogeous to partially emergent, as wide as 50 mm. It is dull to light brown and irregularly globose.[2][5] Its outer layer is lined with crystal-encrusted microscopic filaments[3] which may play a role in aroma diffusion or defense.[6] Analysis of Hysterangium bonobo indicated that the fungi had high concentrations of sodium.[7]
Use
Hysterangium bonobo is a food source for bonobos. The truffles are probably located through their scent, detected either in the air or on the hands of bonobos after digging through soil.[6] A 2021 article in the American Journal of Primatology addressed the nutritional content of Hysterangium bonobo and bonobo feeding patterns. The research indicated that while the fungi were not a staple food source, they could be a supplemental source of sodium in the bonobo diet.[7]
During forest hunting expeditions, some Congolese trappers use Hysterangium bonobo as bait for various small mammals.[2]
References
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