Udaipur : A remarkable discovery has been made in Rajpura village, Mandalgarh region of southern Rajasthan. Dr. Anil Sarsawan, a field ecologist with the Foundation for Psychological Security, and Dr. Satish Sharma, a retired Assistant Conservator of Forests and environmental scientist from Udaipur, have discovered a unique fungus. This fungus is scientifically named Spirobolus jaisukhiensis, but is locally known as the ‘bullet-shooting fungus’.
Why is it called the ‘bullet-shooting fungus’?
Retired forest officer Dr. Satish Sharma explained that when this fungus is touched, it rapidly releases small, black balls, or spores, resembling a cannon firing bullets. This is why it is called the ‘artillery fungus’ in English. If you touch this fungus while wearing white clothes, these balls will stick to your clothes and be easily visible from a distance.
Second recorded occurrence in India
According to Dr. Sarsawan and Dr. Sharma, this is the first time this fungus has been recorded in Rajasthan and the second time in India. Previously, this fungus was recorded in Gujarat in 2020. In Rajpura village of Mandलगढ़, the fungus was found in the garbage accumulated near a pond. This research has been published in the 25th issue of the Species Journal, published from Tamil Nadu.
A significant discovery
Dr. Sarsawan and Dr. Sharma believe that this research clearly shows that biodiversity is not limited to protected areas but is also abundant in our village fields, ponds, and pastures. We need to understand the importance of these common resources and continue to research them to discover and conserve many unknown species.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
