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Fungi

Fungi Basics

How many species of fungi have been identified?

Scientists have identified between 70,000 and 80,000 species of fungi; almost 2,000 new species are discovered each year. For example, in 2013, two new species of mushrooms were discovered on the Iberian Peninsula—both belonging to the Hydnum genus (known as ox tongue mushrooms), a type of fungus commonly used in cooking. Some mycologists estimate that about 1.5 million species exist worldwide—placing fungi second only to insects in the number of different species.



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