Researchers from Tohoku University and Nagaoka College investigated the cognitive abilities of fungi, revealing that these organisms can demonstrate decision-making skills despite lacking a brain. Their study focused on how a mycelial network responds to different spatial arrangements of wood blocks, leading to insights about the fungus’s ability to communicate and adapt its growth patterns. The results showed that fungi not only have memory and learning capabilities but also engage in complex decision-making about resource allocation. This research enhances our understanding of the cognition in non-brain organisms and the functioning of biotic ecosystems.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fungi exhibit surprising intelligence | From ignorance to recognition | Expanded understanding of cognition | Curiosity about ecological systems |
| Mycelial networks can make decisions | From simple to complex behavior | Enhanced insights into fungal life | Research into biotic communication |
| Decision-making in non-brain organisms | From brain-centric to inclusive | Broader definition of intelligence | Interest in cognitive evolution |
| Fungi communicate through mycelium | From isolated to interconnected | Ecosystem functioning understood better | Desire to comprehend ecosystems |
| Cognitive research on fungi evolves | From limited to extensive inquiry | Multiperspective on life forms | Exploration of unconventional intelligence |