Collection and Collection and CurationCuration of of Fleshy FungiFleshy Fungi

Clark L. Clark L. OvreboOvreboDepartment of BiologyDepartment of Biology

University of Central OklahomaUniversity of Central OklahomaEdmond, OK 73034Edmond, OK 73034

Few collections of fleshy fungi preserved Few collections of fleshy fungi preserved in herbaria of TX and OKin herbaria of TX and OKLack of Mycologists who study taxonomy Lack of Mycologists who study taxonomy of fleshy fungiof fleshy fungiLack of knowledge of how to collect and Lack of knowledge of how to collect and preserve collections preserve collections

Fleshy Fungi (MacroFleshy Fungi (Macro--fungi)fungi)

BasidiomycotaBasidiomycotaAgarics (gilled fungi) and Agarics (gilled fungi) and boletesboletes ((AgaricalesAgaricales))PolyporesPolypores, bracket fungi, shelf fungi , bracket fungi, shelf fungi ((AphyllophoralesAphyllophorales))Jelly fungi (Jelly fungi (TremellalesTremellales, , AuricularialesAuriculariales, , DacrymycetalesDacrymycetales))Puffballs, earthstars, stinkhorns, birdPuffballs, earthstars, stinkhorns, bird’’s nest s nest fungi fungi —— ““GasteromycetesGasteromycetes””

AscomycotaAscomycota

larger cup fungi (various orders) larger cup fungi (various orders)

Excluded from this presentation:Excluded from this presentation:plant pathogens, water molds, fungus culturesplant pathogens, water molds, fungus cultures

Importance of VouchersImportance of Vouchers

Biodiversity/TaxonomyBiodiversity/TaxonomyCytologyCytologyEcologyEcologyPopulationPopulationMorphologyMorphologyPhylogeneticPhylogeneticMolecular studiesMolecular studies

Specimen collectionSpecimen collection

Agarics and Agarics and boletesboletes

Collecting equipmentCollecting equipmentCollecting basketCollecting basketKnifeKnifeWax paper, aluminum foilWax paper, aluminum foilCompass, GPS Compass, GPS

BeBe sure to get sure to get stipestipe basebase

Collect all stages of development

Wrap specimens in wax paper or Al foilWrap specimens in wax paper or Al foilkeep cool in hot weatherkeep cool in hot weather

When collecting . . .When collecting . . .

Site location Site location –– state, county, locality, GPSstate, county, locality, GPSGrowth habit Growth habit –– solitary, gregarious, solitary, gregarious, caespitosecaespitoseSubstrate Substrate –– soil, lawn, wood (logs and soil, lawn, wood (logs and sticks, mulch), living tree, dungsticks, mulch), living tree, dungForest type, tree associates Forest type, tree associates

Preserve by drying, but appearance of Preserve by drying, but appearance of sporocarpssporocarpschanges substantially upon dryingchanges substantially upon drying

Macroscopic features must be recorded when freshMacroscopic features must be recorded when fresh

Macroscopic charactersMacroscopic charactersPileusPileus size, shape, surface features, color,size, shape, surface features, color,

changes during maturationchanges during maturationLamellae size, attachment, color, Lamellae size, attachment, color,

discolorationsdiscolorationsStipeStipe size, shape, color, discolorationssize, shape, color, discolorationsPresence/absence of partial or universal Presence/absence of partial or universal

veilveilOdor and tasteOdor and tasteChemical spot testsChemical spot tests

Use Color GuideUse Color Guide

Recording fresh charactersRecording fresh characters

Photography helps . . . Photography helps . . .

Make a spore printMake a spore printuse white paperuse white paper

Preserve by dryingPreserve by drying

Storage with labelsStorage with labels

Dried tissue suitable for DNA extractionDried tissue suitable for DNA extractionPreserve a small piece of Preserve a small piece of pileuspileus/lamellae in silica /lamellae in silica gelgel

LiteratureLiterature

Field guides Technical literature/monographs

Mushroom Clubs/ForaysMushroom Clubs/ForaysNorth American Mycological Association North American Mycological Association Texas Mycological SocietyTexas Mycological SocietyNew Mexico Mycological SocietyNew Mexico Mycological SocietyGulf States Mycological SocietyGulf States Mycological Society

Summer ForaySummer ForayWinter Foray, DecemberWinter Foray, December

Kansas Kansas –– Kaw Valley Mycological SocietyKaw Valley Mycological SocietyArkansas Mycological SocietyArkansas Mycological SocietyColorado Colorado –– ColoradoColorado Mycological Society, Pikes Peak Mycological Society, Pikes Peak Mycological SocietyMycological SocietyOklahoma Oklahoma –– OklahomaOklahoma Native Plant Society, Mycology Native Plant Society, Mycology ChapterChapterArizona Mushroom ClubArizona Mushroom Club

ConclusionsConclusionsProgress is slow in documenting macroProgress is slow in documenting macro--fungi diversityfungi diversityEphemeral nature, dependence on Ephemeral nature, dependence on moisture moisture Many areas poorly documentedMany areas poorly documentedYou do not have to be a Mycologist to You do not have to be a Mycologist to collect and preserve fungi, e.g., collect and preserve fungi, e.g., contribution of field biologists, amateurscontribution of field biologists, amateurs