Optimal gill packing in agaric sporocarps
1991
McKnight, K.B. | Roundy, R.O.
Packing configurations for radially arranged reproductive surfaces were studied by means of mathematical models and morphometric measurements of 32 sporocarps representing 25 species of gilled mushrooms. Sporocarp capradius, gill width, and the distance between gills had the greatest effect on the modeledmaximum amount of surface area and in determining which of the packingconfigurations was optimal. The stalk radius, minimum gill length, and loss of gill area dueto tapering at attachment had less effect on the amount of surface area that ispossible to pack in a given radial arrangement. Our model based on the power of two assumption used by previous workers was able to predict 95% of the variation inthe observed sporocarp surface area. Analysis of the surface area data for the32 sporocarps suggests that many species of gilled mushrooms do not use optimal solutions to gill packing problems and consequently have somewhat lower fecunditythan might be possible. The models and data given here provide evidence thatmany species of gilled mushrooms may exhibit a form of developmental constraint.
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