Fungi on Mars? Evidence of Growth and Behavior From Sequential Images
Artículo; https://www.greenme.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/funghi-su-marte_no.pdf
Abstract
Fungi thrive in radiation intense environments. Sequential photos document that fungus-like Martian specimens emerge from the soil and increase in size, including those resembling puffballs (Basidiomycota). After obliteration of spherical specimens by the rover wheels, new sphericals--some with stalks--appeared atop the crests of old tracks. Sequences document that thousands of black arctic “araneiforms” grow up to 300 meters in the Spring and disappear by Winter; a pattern repeated each Spring and which may represent massive colonies of black fungi, mould, lichens, algae, methanogens and sulfur reducing species. Black fungi-bacteria-like specimens also appeared atop the rovers. In a series of photographs over three days (Sols) white amorphous specimens within a crevice changed shape and location then disappeared. White protoplasmic-mycelium-like-tendrils with fruiting-body-like appendages form networks upon and above the surface; or increase in mass as documented by sequential photographs. Hundreds of dimpled donut-shaped “mushroom-like” formations approximately 1mm in size are adjacent or attached to these mycelium-like complexes. Additional sequences document that white amorphous masses beneath rock-shelters increase in mass, number, or disappear and that similar white-fungus-like specimens appeared inside an open rover compartment. Comparative statistical analysis of a sample of 9 spherical specimens believed to be fungal “puffballs” photographed on Sol 1145 and 12 specimens that emerged from beneath the soil on Sol 1148 confirmed the nine grew significantly closer together as their diameters expanded and some showed evidence of movement. Cluster analysis and a paired sample ‘t’ test indicates a statistically significant size increase in the average size ratio over all comparisons between and within groups (P = 0.011). Statistical comparisons indicates that arctic “araneiforms” significantly increased in length in parallel following an initial growth spurt. Although similarities in morphology are not proof of life, growth, movement, and changes in shape and location constitute behavior and support the hypothesis there is life on Mars.
Conclusions
It is well established that a variety of terrestrial organisms survive Mars-like conditions. Given the likelihood Earth has been seeding Mars with life and life has been repeatedly transferred between worlds (Beech et al. 2018; Joseph et al. 2019; 2020c; Schulze-Makuch et al. 2005), it would be surprising if there was no life on Mars. However, in contrast to terrestrial organisms, Martian fungi, lichens, moulds, algae and other putative life-forms, would have evolved on and already be adapted to the low temperatures, intermittent availability of water, low amounts of free oxygen, and high levels of radiation that characterize the harsh Martian environment. Almost all scientists who have searched for current or past life on Mars, have reported positive findings. What would be surprising is if there was no life on Mars. Positive findings include reports of biological activity and specimens that closely resemble fossilized domical stromatolites, bacterial mats, algae, tube worms, and metazoans; bacterial residue in Martian meteorites; and a host of what may be living fungi, algae, lichens, mould. We have now presented sequential photographs of specimens that emerge from the soil, grow, change shape multiply or move to different locations and disappear; donut shapes resembling the lichen genus Ochrolechiaand “milkcap mushrooms” and “donut” shaped Russulas; networks of white specimens resemblingplasmodium, bulbous fruiting sporangia and interconnected clumps and sphericals--all of which may have become rigid, encrusted, calcified upon exposure to the surface; as well as specimens resembling puffballs with stalks or shedding what appears to be crustose and which are surrounded by white powder-chunky-leprose-spore-like material that also consists of what appears to be embryonic multi-open-tubular and stemmed mushroom-like formations; and statistical evidence that specimens in the arctic are growing in parallel, and that equatorial spherical specimens resembling fungal puffballs grow out of the ground, expanded in size and diameter, and grew closer together.Similarities in morphology are not proof of life. It is possible that all the specimens presented here are abiotic. We cannot completely rule out minerals, weathering, and unknown geological forces that are unique to Mars and unknown and alien to Earth. However, growth, movement, alterations in location and shape, constitute behavior, and coupled with life-like morphology, strongly support the hypothesis there is life on Mars.
