Surprising research finds mushrooms share a closer DNA match with humans than with plants

The animal kingdom is incredibly diverse, yet surprising similarities exist across different species. Research reveals that mushrooms, part of the natural habitat, share more DNA with humans than plants, according to USA Today. Nikki De Vinny shared on Facebook, “Mushroom DNA is closer to humans than plants; that's why it tastes meaty.” While some found this amusing, experts shared their insights.

Matt Kason, Associate Professor of Mycology at West Virginia University, explained that mushrooms are more closely related to animals than plants. In the 1950s, researchers discovered connections between fungi and animals, which have since been further explored. John Walker, a professor at Appalachian State University, noted that fungi and animals share many traits not found in plants. For example, both store carbohydrate energy as glycogen, whereas plants use starch.

Secondly, genes of both categories reveal that some connections stretch back millions of years, per Science ABC. It was mentioned that animals and fungi had a common ancestor over a billion years ago and later branched out into their individual and unique traits. “Most likely, this common ancestor was a single-celled organism that exhibited sperm-like characteristics (like an animal) and then a later developmental stage with a stronger cell wall (fungi),” the research revealed. A 1993 research paper revealed that after comparing over 25 proteins and DNA sequences between bacteria, animals, plants and fungi, the closest matches were seen between animals and fungi.

“This congruence among multiple lines of evidence strongly suggests, in contrast to the traditional and current classification, that animals and fungi are sister groups, while plants constitute an independent evolutionary lineage,” researchers Baldouf and Palmer wrote in their paper. The relationship is undoubtedly very complex; there is much difference between the two groups as well. However, with further research underway, the temporary conclusion is that fungi bear closer resemblance with humans than plants.

Fungi have acquired a separate category in wildlife distribution. Despite the same, plants are still farther away than animals when comparing similarities with fungi. “There is enough evidence to suggest that you have more in common with a mushroom than a plant does,” the research mentioned. Coming to the taste and texture resemblance as mentioned by Vinny, Walker explained that the “meaty” taste is not something that comes from genetic association. He said, “There is a huge range of flavors in different species of mushrooms, but I do think they distinctly taste more meat-like in general and in some cases really meaty. I would say that this is due to their shared ancestry. However that is just a very safe assumption, not something I can back up with any actual genetic research."