Honorable Mention: Fungus Among Us

Photo by Christopher Spagnolia, researcher, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science

Although many people don't recognize fungi in their everyday lives; they're undoubtedly benefiting for these organism's existence. Fungi are ubiquitous in the air, soil and marine settings. These distinct organisms form their own kingdom because of their unique diversity and function. These lifeforms form complex soil webs; connecting plants from vast distances as they share nutrients and water. Fungi are marvelous for how they react to other life and capitalize on resources and energy. For example, Cordyceps fungi are known to parasitize arthropods and fruit through their exoskeleton. Others are important decomposers and help to recycle matter upon Earth's crust. Furthermore, they are continuously competing with bacteria and have readily contributed to antibiotics; for example, Penicillium and the infamous penicillin. These beings are even found on dinner plates and in the human imagination as they are major themes in video games such as "The Last of Us". Admire this image of Dacryopinax spathularia, often called the yellow-fanned jelly fungus, growing throughout a stump. This photo was captured after several days of consistent rain that the fungus needed to proliferate through the wood and eventually fruit to release its spores to the world. No matter where you go on Earth you can never escape the complexities, workings and wonders of fungi.