Lamella (mycology)

A gill, or lamella, is one of the papery ribs under the cap of a mushroom, most often but not always an agaric. As fungi are studied in more detail, several other types of fungi exhibit gills while not members of the Agaricales. It is now clear that this is a case of convergent evolution (i.e. gill-like structures evolved separately) rather than being an anatomic feature that evolved only once. The apparent reason that various basidiomycetes have evolved gills is that it is the most effective means of increasing the ratio of surface area to mass, which increases the potential for spore production and dispersal.

Other groups of fungi to bear gills include:

• The genera Russula and Lactarius of the Russulales.
• Several genera in the Boletales, including Gomphidius and Chroogomphus as well as Tapinella atrotomentosa (which has been traditionally named Paxillus atrotomentosus) and other species in that genus, the False chanterelle (Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca).
• Such polypore-like fungi such as Daedalea quercina, Daedaleopsis confragosa, Lenzites betulina, and Gloeophyllum sepiarium.

The gills are the hymenophore of the mushroom.

Classification

Morphologically, gills are classified into the following types:

External links

• IMA Mycological Glossary: Gill