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Faculty Mentor

Amy Keagy EdD

Faculty Mentor Department

Department of Biology

Abstract

Artist Statement

Latticed Stinkhorn is a watercolor piece originally created for the special gallery of the 2023 Scientific Illustration course at the University of North Florida. It was inspired by my enduring fascination with the world of fungi, particularly specimens of the family Phallaceae. This watercolor piece offers a simple perspective of Clathrus ruber, a species commonly referred to as Latticed Stinkhorn. Like many members of the family, the reproductive fruiting body first surfaces encased in a cream-colored soft shell with a texture comparable to a leathery reptile egg. As the body ages, the initial shell disintegrates to reveal a delicate spongy cage with a dark spore-filled slime lining the interior. This slime, also known as “gleba”, is a gelatinous tissue with a viscosity that decreases as the above-ground body deteriorates. Unlike the spores of other fungi that may be dispersed via wind, the sticky mass of C. ruber spores requires close physical contact with other species for successful distribution. Interestingly, the gleba carries a rancid scent that deters the approach of most humans and other large animals. Instead, the odor encourages the attraction of interested insects, such as flies, who readily partake in the consumption of the fungus. Through this interaction, insects aid in the dispersal of spores, thus solidifying both additional generations of C. ruber and contributing to the geographical range of the species.

My reason for selecting watercolor as the medium for this piece was to emphasize the fragile morphology of these organisms along with their superficially modest habitat. Moreover, watercolor requires precision and adaptability on behalf of the artist, conditions similarly experienced by a fungus that seeks maximum fecundity. My objective with this art piece is to bring to light the delightfully odd existence of C. ruber as well as their importance to the environment as a decomposer. Despite the objectively offensive scent of this species, I believe they are a wonderfully unique addition to the fungi kingdom. The smelly structure we see on the surface is just a small feature of the amazing organism carefully amending the components of the planet’s soil.

I recently graduated from the University of North Florida with a degree in Biology in December of 2023. It is my greatest hope that I can utilize my academic and artistic experience to help conserve and illustrate the natural wonders of the world. Through my art, my goal is to effectively represent the appearance, behavior and habitat of species to educate myself and viewers. It is my sincere wish that through this method of outreach, others will feel encouraged to develop a passion for the environment and strive to protect it.

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