It looks like the evolutionary advantage is still debated. There’s a newer hyopethsis that, because psilocybin evolved during a period of heightened gastropod diversity, it could be defence against slugs and snails.
Comment on Plant Protection
shalafi@lemmy.world 21 hours ago
I don’t understand how psilocybin evolved multiple times. I don’t see it as a defense because animals aren’t likely to conflate tripping balls with something they ate an hour previous.
CrackedLinuxISO@lemmy.dbzer0.com 20 hours ago
untorquer@lemmy.world 18 hours ago
In confused as to how it’s not considered a spore distribution strategy because mammals like tripping balls and spores can survive digestion… 🤷
greedytacothief@lemmy.dbzer0.com 17 hours ago
I believe Psilocybin cubensis evolved with this in mind, where the spores get on grass, then they do their funky thing in the cow guts. Cow poops them out and the mushrooms come out of the cow pies.
untorquer@lemmy.world 12 hours ago
The spores in the cap are also active but with cubensis in low wind they tend to drop on neighboring caps. So being eaten directly and spread should have a higher load transited.
I’m no scientist either so take my thoughts with a cow pie.
LH0ezVT@sh.itjust.works 7 hours ago
“Hey Grug, this shroom makes me understand the will of the great mammoth in the sky, let’s plant a shit-ton of it, just in case we need mammoth-advice in the future”