MYCOLOGIST NEWS
The newsletter of the British Mycological Society 2012 (3) Edited by Prof. Pieter van West and Dr Anpu Varghese
2012 BMS Council
BMS Council and Committee Members 2012
President Prof. Naresh Magan Vice-President Prof. Bruce Ing President Elect Dr. Geoff Robson Treasurer Prof. Geoff M Gadd Secretary Position vacant Publications Officer Dr. Pieter van West International Initiatives Adviser Prof. AJ Whalley Fungal Biology Research Committee representatives: Dr. Simon Avery; Prof Nick Read Fungal Education and Outreach Committee: Dr. Paul S. Dyer; Ms. Carol Hobart Field Mycology and Conservation: Dr. Stuart Skeates, Mrs Dinah Griffin Fungal Biology Research Committee Prof. Nick Read (Chair) retiring 31.12. 2013 Dr. Simon Avery retiring 31.12. 2012 Dr. Elaine Bignell retiring 31.12. 2013 Dr. Mark Ramsdale retiring 31.12. 2013 Dr. Pieter van West retiring 31.12. 2013 Dr. Sue Crosthwaite retiring 31.12. 2014 Prof. Mick Tuite retiring 31.12. 2014
Fungal Education and Outreach Committee Dr. Paul S. Dyer (Chair and FBR link) retiring 31.12. 2013 Dr. Ali Ashby retiring 31.12. 2013 Ms. Carol Hobart (FMC link) retiring 31.12. 2012 Dr. Sue Assinder retiring 31.12. 2013 Dr. Kay Yeoman retiring 31.12. 2013 Prof.Lynne Boddy retiring 31.12. 2014 Alan Williams retiring 31.12. 2014
Field Mycology and Conservation Committee Dr. Stuart Skeates (Chair, website & FBR link) retiring 31.12. 2014 Prof. Bruce Ing (Conservation) retiring 31.12. 2012 Dr. Paul Kirk (Database) retiring 31.12. 2012 Ms. Carol Hobart (Events and FEO link) retiring 31.12. 2012 Prof Richard Fortey retiring 31.12. 2013 Mrs. Sheila Spence (Recorders network co-ordinator) retiring 31.12. 2013 Mrs Dinah Griffin retiring 31.12. 2014 Dr. Martyn Ainsworth retiring 31.12. 2013
Contacts
BMS Administrator President: [email protected] British Mycological Society Treasurer: [email protected] City View House Mycologist News: [email protected] Union Street BMS Administrator: [email protected] Manchester M12 4JD BMS Membership: [email protected]
Tel: +44(0) 161 277 7638 / 7639 Fax: +44(0) 161 277 7634
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From the Office
Hello and welcome to the third issue of the BMS member’s Contents newsletter for 2012. 2012 Annual Scientific Meeting—Report 4
It’s been a busy year to-date and the foray season is barely underway. The programme of Member Achievements 5 workshops organised by Carol Hobart and the Field Committee go from strength to strength as BMS Amanita Workshop 6 the articles on page 6 & 11 illustrate. These build on the initial success of those held in 2011 and were greatly oversubscribed, so anyone MiSAC Competition Results 8 considering attending the 2013 workshops needs to think about booking early. Group Leaders Meeting 9
The BMS Biennial meeting of the Fungus Group Leaders took place in Hereford in June and was Bursary Report—Roxanne Lau 10 very well attended. It was as ever a chance for the various fungus groups across the UK to BMS Corticoid Workshop 11 forge strong links and new friendships, as well as a chance to share ideas and information. Sheila Spence, the Group Leaders Co-ordinator, Bursary Report—Laura Hathway 12 reports back on the event on pages 9 & 10 as she comes to the end of her term as Small Grant Report—Pankaj Mehrotra 13 co-ordinator, making way for David Harries of the Pembrokeshire Fungus Recording Network. Small Grant Report—Dr Richard O’Hanlon 14 The summer brought the Annual BMS Main Scientific Meeting, this year held outside the UK Small Grant Report—Jaleh Bahri-Esfahani 15 in Alicante. The event was organised by the BMS Fungal Biology Research committee in tandem with local organisers at the University of BMS 2013 Workshop Programme 18 Alicante, and from the article on page 4, was a resounding success. Obituary—Roger Norman Hilton 24
As we go to press there is an event which will hopefully become a regular fixture on the BMS calendar, an annual Fungus Day in the National Botanic Garden of Wales (page 16). If this is as popular and successful as the organisers hope, it might be something the other members of the United Kingdom would wish to emulate. Watch this space, and this newsletter for a report of all the day’s activities,
Bye for now, Norman Porrett Sophie Embleton The BMS Office Team Administrator BMS Office Field Mycology Assistant
Copy deadline for next issue: 12th November 2012
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BMS Annual Scientific Meeting 2012:
Fungal Interactions
Sun, sea, sand – what more could one want in a venue for a BMS meeting?! The University of Alicante was host to this year’s main meeting at the beginning of September. Three days in the beautiful setting of the University of Alicante brought a veritable feast of mycological research. The proceedings got off to a great start with a lecture by the President, Professor Naresh Magan, on ‘We are all made in the same mould but some are mouldier than others’. This was followed by a wine and tapas reception in the grounds of the University, on a balmy evening. The scientific sessions covered mutualistic interactions, pathogenic interactions, cell and molecular basis of fungal interactions, applications of fungal interactions, and interactions and ecosystem dynamics. Each day sessions were streamed onto the internet, so that they could be seen by members who were unable to attend the Campus of the University of Alicante meeting. This seems to have been a great success, Photograph © L Boddy. and is an area that we must explore further in future. As well as spoken presentations there were over 50 posters.
Poster winners:
Aurelie Deveau - Fungal-bacterial interactions and tree nutrition: deciphering the mechanisms of the mycorrhiza helper effect. Jennifer Hiscox - Quantifying the effect of antagonistic interactions on decay rate. Corina Junker - Do Chara fraxinea’s secondary metabolites correlate with its virulence? Tida Sangsawang (and Leka Manoch) - In Viro efficiency of mitosporic fungi from chilli plantations to control Meloidogyne incognita. Eric Pereira, Eugénia Gouveia, Rui Tavares, Teresa Lino-Neto, Paula Baptista - Evaluation of Hypholoma fasciculare for control of chestnut ink disease under greenhouse conditions
Lunch time was two hours long, and over super food, science was discussed informally and new liaisons and collaborations were founded.
Left: Santa Barbara Castle seen from beyond the marina. Centre and Right: The archaeological remains of the city of Lucentum. Photographs © L Boddy
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Manyana was in great evidence, but who is to say that there is anything wrong with that? Our hectic academic lives often leave us with little space for thought and talking about science. The conference dinner was set in the imposing Santa Barbara castle, after a tour with dramatic presentations in Spanish! A second social event took us on a trip to the old Roman city of Lucentum, where we strolled around the Archaeological site, before being plied with wine again.
The 2013 main meeting in Cardiff will find it impossible to follow the Alicante meeting in terms of weather and ambience, but we hope to have a similarly exciting scientific programme and some mycological trips too. The draft programme will appear on the web pages in the next month or so. Lynne Boddy
Member Achievements
Congratulations to Professor Geoffrey M. Gadd who was the winner of one of the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s inaugural prizes. The Society’s awards have been created to recognise the achievements of people at the top of their profession as well as those in the early stages of their career who have shown great promise.
The Sir James Black prize, named after the late Nobel winner and chancellor of Dundee University, was awarded to Professor Geoffrey M. Gadd from the Dundee University’s college of life sciences.
He is a world pioneer in the field of geomicrobiology, which looks at the roles of microbes in geological and environmental processes.
He said: “I am so pleased our research on important environmental roles of microbes has been recognised in this way. An important part of our research examines ways in which microbes can be used to combat pollution.”
Request for Newsletter Articles
Do you have any items you would like to see published in the Newsletter which would be of interest to members?
We would love to receive short reports of any activities, upcoming events, items of interest, etc.
Please send items to the office or email to:
5 BMS Amanita Workshop Report 8th—10th June 2012
Twenty people from all over England (but sadly of fresh specimens posed no real problems. not Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland) Otherwise it was bed or bar. gathered for a workshop on the genus Amanita at Northern College, near Barnsley – a favourite Saturday began with a further brief talk about site for such events. Tutored by our own morphology and how to examine material and Geoffrey Kibby (GK) it was an excellent then we were off on a lengthy lab session, workshop (one of the best in my view) and as we charged with two specific tasks: observe the settled into our roomy lab (the old library) the hugely inflated acrophysalid cells in longitudinal first treat emerged from our welcome pack – a stem sections (a special feature of the genus); draft (but printed) copy of ‘The Genus Amanita in and find clamps(not always easy), which can be Great Britain’. This is GKs latest identification a distinguishing feature of some species. handbook and follows the same format as its Everyone achieved these aims (I think) and predecessors (Russula, boletes, Agaricus) and whenever there were problems, GK was on hand to the same high standard. It provided a with helpful advice. Good preparations were also splendid backbone to the weekend and will be displayed on the video microscope which was an available soon after final editorial ‘tweaking’ invaluable aid in the lab. which this workshop contributed to. After a brief foray (walk?), the afternoon session Work began in earnest on Friday with a 6-30 talk began with a bit more on detailed morphology. by GK (the evening meal is VERY early at For example, when there are cap striations, the Northern College!). After a review of the percentage of the cap radius occupied is a literature on and history of the genus came the constant for the species – and is worth recording first shock: the number of species. GK (probably best done from good photographs at recognises 41 (cf 32 in the Checklist and 31 in home). Then GK embarked on a masterly Funga Nordica). Most of this inflation comes review of British Amanita species, beginning with from the Vaginatae Section (the old the sub-genus Amanita. It was whilst working Amanitopsis) and is based on recent through the 21species in section Vaginatae, morphological work in the USA by Rob Tulloss, subsection Vaginatae that we learnt about newly whose excellent website amanitaceae.org is well recognised species and species that were worth a visit. We then learnt about probably often misidentified in the past. Among distinguishing features of the genus and how an the former were A. ‘helianthemicola’ (a understanding of development from the button provisional name), a greyish to buff species that stage really helps to interpret features of the grows with Helianthemum (rockrose); and A. fruitbody. Which features are ‘primitive’ (evolved biovigera, previously know from a single early) and which ‘advanced’ (evolved later) was collection in Surrey but found this week growing reviewed and then, with oaks in Windsor Great Park. A. betulae, a getting down to the birch associate, has probably often been practical details, what misidentified as A. vaginata or fulva: it’s a hazel features should be brown species with a white volva, brown gill examined – and how. edge and the flesh goes a deep vinaceous-red Accurate with phenol. After this talk there was a break for measurement of more lab work – plus sustaining tea or coffee- spores to obtain when we could examine several of the species precise Q values just described. Another early meal and then (length:width ratio) Geoff continued the species survey at 6-30 was emphasised and talking about the subgenus Lepidella. GK recommended Working in the labs. Photograph © S. Skeates photographing + a The two exceptionally poisonous species – scale and measuring Death Cap and Destroying Angel- are in Section only those in perfect Phalloideae of Lepidella, so anybody who sideways orientation. Those with sufficient considers eating an Amanita (few people do and energy embarked on lab work after the talk and rumour has it that one eminent mycologist wore the abundance of dried material meant that lack gloves when handling these two species!)
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should be absolutely sure of identification. described several tests and features that are Subgenus Lepidella is characterised by having not usually looked at but could be useful in amyloid spores and is the more ‘primitive’ of the distinguishing between species. The K-K two subgenera. It contains, for example, reaction is one example (amyloid staining of species that are non-mycorrhizal whereas most cross walls in stipe cells at the cap junction) and amanitas evolved into the ectomycorrhizal trama structure is another. We all practised condition. Although not nearly as problematic Archie McAdam’s lovely method for sectioning as the Vaginatae, GK pointed out some the trama (published in FM) but suggested by problem areas in Lepidella. Is A. excelsa var Stuart Skeates and it worked very well for most spissa a separate species (GK thinks it is)? people. It seems quite likely that morphological Likewise A. citina var alba and A. rubescens (and ecological) characters that are not used in probably contains several species. Chemical keys and not often described could be useful in tests might help to resolve these problems but characterising cryptic species identified from few have been done and GK urged us to try DNA work – and I’m sure that applies to many new tests. other genera besides Amanita.
The last day of the workshop began with a short Overall then, an excellent and very enjoyable talk about the future of Amanita taxonomy. The workshop. We worked hard and learnt a lot – message was that if you want an Amanita and could not have had a better tutor. All who challenge, go to North America, where the attended owe a great debt of gratitude to Geoff genus underwent a massive evolutionary Kibby, who must have been exhausted at the radiation. In New Jersey alone there may be end of the weekend, and also to Carol Hobart 150 species and many N. American species are who organized the whole thing and to the BMS still distinguished only by DNA work and have who sponsored it. not been named or described. GK then Irene Ridge
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The Society of Biology are now running a range of personal development courses, for which members of the BMS are eligible to receive a 50% discount.
The first two of these courses, which take place in October 2012 are:
"Persuasive Scientific Report Writing" (discount code: MOPDW0110), and
"The Nuts and Bolts of Drug Discovery and Development" (discount code: MOTNABODD2910)
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Annual Competition 2012 Fit for purpose: microbes and healthy living
As 2012 is the year of the London Olympics the theme for those entries which met the required brief of being of fitness and a healthy lifestyle, so important to written as an article, taking account of the intended competitors in the Games, was chosen for the annual readership, confining attention to one aspect, and MiSAC Schools Competition. The competition, incorporating the specified points, i.e. names and roles entitled 'Fit for purpose: microbes and healthy living', of microbes and their possible benefits. Many entries was sponsored by Yakult UK Limited. met these stringent requirements well which made the adjudication a difficult but rewarding process. The requirement of the 24th Annual Microbiology in Schools Advisory Committee (MiSAC) Competition Appropriately illustrated and attention-grabbing was to produce a one-page, illustrated news article for layouts found favour as did evidence of good science a healthy living magazine with the main aim of and use of an entrant’s own words. The requirement to improving understanding of the contribution of the give a name to the magazine, a title to the article and activities of microbes to a healthy life style. The sources of further information provided an outlet for broader aim was to use this knowledge for promoting imaginative and witty talents. For the KS4 (S3/4) entry the importance of healthy eating habits. Special group, the continuing increase in quality and sponsorship for the competition was generously participation rate (a record 40% of all entries) was provided by Yakult UK Limited. welcomed. When writing the name of a micro- organism, students need to learn the rule of As usual, entries were invited in two groups: Key nomenclature whereby upper case and lower case Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 (Secondary 1/2 and 3/4, initial letters are used for the genus and species, respectively, in Scotland). More than 60 group entries respectively, e.g. Lactobacillus acidophilus. Also there from 55 schools and colleges yielded over 400 is still a long way to go in understanding the correct separate entries consisting of some 250 from KS3 use of singular and plural cases, e.g. ‘alga’, (S1/2) and 160 from KS4 (S3 /4). Overall, nearly 500 ‘bacterium’, ‘fungus’, ‘mycelium’ (singular); ‘algae’, students were involved from England, Wales, ‘bacteria’, ‘fungi’, ‘mycelia’ (plural). Scotland, Northern Ireland and Eire, and from British schools in Belgium and Germany. About a half of the Money awards totalling £1,000 were made to all 1st, participating establishments took part for the first time, 2nd and 3rd prize winners and their schools or joining those from the large pool of frequent colleges; in addition, several entries were Highly participants that look forward to the competition as an Commended for scientific merit or design. All other important annual event. student participants were awarded a certificate of entry, a much appreciated feature of the competition, Entrants were required to consider only one aspect of and Yakult has kindly provided some microbiology the role of microbes in healthy living. Guidance was teaching resources for each establishment. The provided through a list of 6 suggested aspects but results list and winning entries will be put on the choice was not limited to the list. The aspect that MiSAC Annual Competition page on www.misac,org found most favour overall from those suggested was and in Yakult News and Events on www.yakult.co.uk. ‘mycoprotein’, most noticeably in the KS4 (S3/4) group, closely followed, particularly in the KS3 (S1/2) MiSAC thanks all the students who entered this year’s group, by ‘the normal flora of the gut’. There was also competition and also their teachers for encouraging considerable interest in ‘modification of the normal gut them and for providing guidance. The topics chosen flora (probiotics, prebiotics)’. Smaller numbers of for the competition are always linked to the National entries dealt with ‘micro-algae’, ‘fermented oriental Curriculum but the requirements are framed so as to foods’ and ‘food supplements (vitamins, amino acids, draw students into looking beyond its confines. It is enzymes)’. Yeasts were the focus of the few who hoped that this approach has provided an enjoyable chose their own aspect. experience that has also increased an interest in microbiology and will encourage interest in the 2013 The Chairman and other members of MiSAC were competition to be sponsored by the Society for Applied joined on the judging panel by representatives from Microbiology. the sciene team at Yakult UK: Dr Linda Thomas Dr John Grainger, MiSAC Chairman (Science Director and a microbiologist) and Leanne www.misac.org.uk Hewitt (a nutritionist). The judges looked particularly
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Group Leaders Meeting Report – Hereford 2012
Twenty-five BMS affiliated groups sent talk which Dave Genney had planned to give on representatives to the 2012 BMS Group Leaders behalf of Scottish Natural Heritage plus a brief look at Meeting held in Hereford over the weekend of 29th the wonderful fungal web resource- Scottish Fungi. June to 1st July. The meeting was held at the Three We then heard from Vice President and Counties Hotel in Hereford and was, I believe, Conservation Advisor, Bruce Ing, who gave us enjoyed by all. updates on many different conservation matters including the results so far from the Common The event started with Dr Rosie Plummer from the Species project which was started last Autumn. National Botanic Garden of Wales who gave an enthusiastic and informative talk about the Garden, Following a finger buffet lunch we welcomed Kevin its wealth of fungi and how they engage the public, Izzard from FERA who spoke about the increasing particularly children, and of course the From Another problem of Phytophthora, particularly ramorum and Kingdom exhibition which had originated at the IMC9 kernoviae invading our woodlands and heathland. in Edinburgh. She also informed us about their Wales Although initially found to be common in the South Fungus Day, the inaugural event is due to be held on West of England it is now spreading right up the west October 12th, 2012. coast and along the south coast too.
The following morning the business started with Bryn Dentinger gave the next presentation about the apologies, including a message from President-Elect people who work at Kew and some of their on-going Geoff Robson, then Sheila asked Stuart Skeates to projects. We were also delighted to hear that he had lead the introductions, followed by Lynne Boddy just been made Head of Mycology at Kew, so we getting the meeting up to date with BMS news. Stuart were able to give him our many congratulations. then took over again for further discussion and reports. The after dinner agenda took in a very short update from Paul Kirk, the FRDBI Manager, followed by After a much needed coffee break we heard from many questions and much discussion about how Nev Kilkenny who gave a cut-down version of the best to cope with a database that for the moment 9 ► only Paul Kirk could update but which needed a lot of The last speaker of the weekend was Justin Smith cleaning up before it could be taken any further. It was giving a presentation on a Rare Fungi Project he had also discussed whether it might eventually go to Kew been involved with for Natural England. Looking at once it had eventually been cleaned up and all the possible SSSI status sites for fungi, involving amongst backload of records entered. Stuart Skeates was others, waxcaps and stipitate hydnoid fungi; he left us going to look at this possibility and how it might be with a very positive attitude and enthusiastic outlook for arranged, also to see if someone could be employed to the future of fungi in this country. clean it first. A final, rather more relaxed, session after the coffee This was followed by another discussion on databases break allowed everyone to revisit some of the earlier led by Stuart using different systems and software. No discussions, bring up new subjects and, taking firm answers were achieved but Stuart would take advantage of the diverse network of knowledge and away the comments and try to move things forward. enthusiasm in the room, find answers to questions old and new. And finally, David Harries from After dinner Stuart led a Question and Answer session Pembrokeshire Fungus Recording Network was based on the suggestions put forward on participants unanimously elected to take over as BMSRN Co- booking forms when originally received. They ranged ordinator from January 2013. from FRDBI, which it was decided not to raise again as it had already been discussed fairly fully, how to I felt a great deal of positivity was achieved over the encourage new members to join field groups and weekend culminating in an array of very welcome queries about Red Data Lists and Insurance. A long comments about the successful weekend that but helpful discussion took place, several small groups participants had enjoyed. I was very taken aback and continuing discussions late into the night but eventually most grateful for the lovely flowers and bottles of wine retreating to the bar for much needed relaxation and which Dinah Griffin kindly presented at the end of the sustenance. meeting, organised I believe by Stuart Skeates in his absence. We were all very grateful to Stuart for his Sunday morning we heard from Dinah Griffin of input, especially as he was supposed to be on holiday Warwickshire Fungus Group who gave an interesting at the time! presentation on The Silene Rust Puzzle on behalf of Gill Brand who had got several groups involved in a I was also surprised and delighted when Bruce Ing project over the last year. A general update on the gave a final vote of thanks, saying that he thought it project was given alongside a short powerpoint had been the best GLM yet, on which very positive presentation and we look forward to Gill’s paper being note the 2012 Group Leaders Meeting drew to a close. published in the not too distant future when the final results will be revealed. Sheila Spence BMSRN Co-ordinator, July 2012 BMS Bursary Report
Ectomycorrhizal density as an indicator of forest health. Roxanne Lau Supervisor: Martin Bidartondo
The aim of Roxanne Lau’s summer project at Kew negative correlation between total throughfall of Gardens was to test for correlations between nitrogen deposition and root density supports the ectomycorrhizal root density and environmental view that that members of this diverse guild of parameters that affect forest health (e.g., mutualistic forest fungi can respond negatively to nitrogen deposition, soil chemistry). Should such a nitrogen pollution. Roxanne also characterised the correlation exist, ectomycorrhizal root density may mycorrhizal community of an ICP Forests oak serve as a more sensitive indicator of forest health plot using a DNA-based approach and found that the than current indicators (e.g., crown condition). single most abundant species belowground was Lactarius quietus, a common oak specialist. Roxanne examined 1,632 samples of ectomycorrhizal roots from 17 oak forest plots During her project Roxanne gained experience in (Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, Romania and ecology, molecular ecology, data management, Spain) of the ICP Forests biomonitoring network bioinformatics and statistics. She is now finishing her (www.icp-forests.org). The parameters with a BSc in Biology with an emphasis on plant- significant relationship to ectomycorrhizal root density microbial interactions at Imperial College London and were precipitation and total throughfall of then plans to pursue post- graduate study leading to nitrogen deposition. Higher precipitation can lead to a PhD. greater root growth, and thus a higher density. A Roxanne Lau
10 BMS Corticoid Workshop 24-26 February 2012
A BMS Workshop is something special. This one at This workshop was in some ways unique as it Northern College on 24-26 February 2012 happened opened up an area of commonly found fruitbodies in a beautiful little settlement in the country near which are usually difficult to identify and obscure. Sheffield. The main workshop was a large room in Karl-Henrik’s key, prepared especially for the the main building which accommodated all the workshop works very well indeed. He is to be people, the microscopes, the books that the people congratulated and thanked most sincerely for a brought and the projecting microscopes which wonderful achievement. allowed every one of us to see what the leader, Karl- Henrik Larsson could see under his objectives. The bedrooms were scattered throughout the building and the sturdy outhouses. The food was You were surrounded by enthusiasts, from the excellent, the bedrooms comfortable and the company that Carol drew together around her was just delightful. What more can anyone ask of a workshop? Archie McAdam
Addendum
For some time, several of us in the far north had been talking about a self help workshop weekend to get together and scratch our heads over keys, microscopes and resupinate corticioids. The organisation of the BMS workshop in late Feb, really energised me to organise the workshop and that took place at Mar Lodge two weeks later in March. In the end 14 of us had lots of fun and made lots of Workshop room. © C Hobart progress. Many interesting records were identified during the weekend - some microscopically beginner in cortic exploration to the world expert. delightful and rarely recorded species. Everyone spoke to everyone on equal terms and shared their knowledge freely. Your workplace was I also began to collect more than the 'one a day' that comfortable and the one next to you was congenial. I had started with and found so helpful leading up to It is hard to imagine a better environment for the BMS workshop. I decided to collect 20 from learning. each of the eight Mar Lodge Estate old growth pine wood compartments and see what I could come up Karl-Henrik gave a series of short talks throughout with. Well, what fun I have had! As a summary, 6 the workshop, first outlining his own journey into the species not previously included in CBIB have been fascinating field of crusts. Then he introduced us to recorded and confirmed at Kew. Along with Alan the classification, the relatives in the many genera of Lucas and his wonderful collection of Tretomyces agarics that formed part of each corticioid genus and microsporus, Phlebia subcretacea was featured in he explained how each line in the phylogeny was the latest edition of British Wildlife (Vol 23.5 June formed. Those who knew a lot got to the bottom of 2012) - surely a high visibility outcome of the Feb things and those who knew nothing were drawn into workshop! a fascinating world that will never be the same again. He not only talked but also showed his own The plan is to run a further weekend self-help techniques in the workshop and in the field. He took workshop in Scotland next spring - and of course, care to visit each participant at the workbench and hopefully to get to the Forest of Dean too. he was a delightful ‘big friendly giant’ to approach if you had a problem. Since the workshop participants I need to thank Karl-Henrick Larsen, Roy Watling, have used their new skills to discover many rare Alick Henrici, Alan Lucas and Martyn Ainsworth all British species and already a good number of of whom have been enthusiastic and helpful in equal species new to Britain. At least one participant has measures and of course Carol for organising the first passed on her skills in what she calls a ‘waterfall workshop. effect’ to achieve rare records from one of her Liz Holden pupils. 11 BMS Bursary Report
Anaerobic fungi (Neocallimastigales): life beyond the herbivore gut?
Laura Hathway, School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University. Supervisor: Dr James E McDonald
Anaerobic chytrid fungi of the order Neocallimastigales with CO2 and an antibiotic mixture was included to possess the most potent cellulase enzymes in the confirm the absence of bacterial contaminants. All known biological world (Wilson & Wood, 1992), and are cultures were incubated at 41°C. Using a phase recognised as major colonisers and degraders of contrast microscope, we observed the growth of lignocellulosic plant material in the herbivore gut. unbranched, filamentous organisms that did not Recently, members of the Neocallimastigales were resemble the morphologies of any known members of detected in landfill sites using molecular biological the Neocallimastigales. Large filamentous aggregates techniques (Lockhart et al., 2006), challenging the of material were visible at the base of the culture tubes widely accepted paradigm that the ecology of the and could be suspended within the culture media on anaerobic fungi is restricted to the herbivore gut. agitation. We attempted to amplify DNA extracted from However, their role of anaerobic fungi in the these cultures with both general eukaryotic and degradation of cellulose, the most abundant form of anaerobic fungi specific primer sets targeting the ITS organic carbon on the planet, has not been established region and 18S rRNA gene, but amplification was not beyond the herbivore gut. observed with any of these primer sets. Subcultures of this enrichment (single isolated strain not confirmed) The aim of this project was to utilise anaerobic fungi- into broth culture demonstrated the utilisation of a specific 18S rRNA gene and ITS1 PCR primer sets to number of carbon sources (glucose, cellobiose, starch assess the distribution of Neocallimastigales in and Whatman filter paper). Using the Hungate agar roll- terrestrial, aquatic and managed environments where tube method, a one in ten dilution series of microcosm cellulose degradation occurs (Objective 1). The cultures enabled visible growth of individual colonies in microbial communities of cellulose enrichment cultures the agar. However, attempts to select and inoculate in landfill leachate microcosm experiments were also individual colonies into fresh Hungate tubes were analysed by PCR and microscopy in an attempt to unsuccessful. We could not ascribe the isolated observe the activity of anaerobic fungi (Objective 2). eukaryotic microorganisms to the anaerobic fungi either by specific PCR detection or by morphological Objective 1: DNA extracted from a range of attributes. However the detection of this anaerobic environmental samples was amplified via PCR using eukaryotic organism provides a captivating foundation anaerobic fungal-specific primer sets targeting the for further research into its identity and phenotype. highly conserved 18S rRNA gene (Lockhart et al., 2006) and the variable Internal Transcribed Spacer While the data reported here suggest that anaerobic region 1 (ITS1) (Brookman et al. 2000). Nested PCR fungi may be detected in non-gut environments using amplification products were detected in DNA extracted molecular techniques, further work is required to from ovine and bovine rumen fluid samples, equine determine if these are novel centres of variation within manure, sand dunes, peat, compost, and landfill the anaerobic fungi and if they play a role in cellulose leachate cellulose enrichment cultures. These data hydrolysis in these environments. suggest that the ecological range of the anaerobic fungi may include terrestrial and aquatic environments where Lab experience is essential, and this 10 week project cellulose degradation occurs. However, further has been awe-inspiring, providing me with an analyses including cloning, sequencing and opportunity to develop important skills and expertise phylogenetic analysis of these amplification products that will be of benefit in my future research. I express and the isolation and cultivation of anaerobic fungi from great gratitude to my supervisor Dr. James E these environments would be necessary to confirm their McDonald, Emma Ransom- Jones (2nd year PhD activity beyond the herbivore gut. student) and also the British Mycological Society for this invaluable experience. Objective 2: In order to assess the activity of anaerobic fungi in landfill leachate samples, cellulose enrichment References cultures were produced. Anaerobic fungi-specific PCR Brookman, J L., Mennim, G., Trinci, A P J., primer sets (ITS1 and 18S rRNA gene) were used to Theodorou, M K. and Tuckwell, D S. Identification confirm the presence of anaerobic fungi in the and characterization of anaerobic gut fungi using enrichment cultures. Anaerobic cultivation was molecular methodologies based on ribosomal performed using the roll tube method of Hungate ITS1 and 18S rRNA. Environmental Microbiology (1969). Briefly, Hungate tubes and microbiological 2000 146 pp 393-403. media supplemented with landfill leachate were gassed
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Hungate, R E. Chapter IV A Roll Tube Method for Neocallimastix patriciarum sp. nov., a new Cultivation of Strict Anaerobes 1969. http:// member of the Neocallimasticaceae inhabiting web.mit.edu/velsonj/Public/UROP/09/papers/ the rumen of sheep. J. Gen. Microbiol. 91. Hungate.pdf. Accessed September 2011. 1975. Pp249-262. Lockhart, Robert J., Van Dyke, Michele I., Beadle, Wood, T M., and Wilson C A. 1995 Studies on the Ian R., Humphreys, Paul and McCarthy, Alan capacity of the cellulase of the anaerobic J. Molecular Biological Detection of Anaerobic fungus Piromonas communis P to degrade Gut Fungi (Neocallimastigales) from Landfill hydrogen bond ordered cellulose. Appl. Sites. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 43 pp 572-578. August 2006 72 No. 8 pp 5659-5661. Orpin, Colin G. and Edward A. Munn. Laura Hathway
Small Grant Scheme - Reports
Small Grants Report:
18th Congress of the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology (ISHAM)
I would like to thank the British Mycological Society potential funding agencies for postdoctoral (BMS) for awarding me a Small Grant which enabled fellowships. I really liked the keynote lecture on the me to attend the 18th Congress of the International topic – ‘Fungal Infections: from Laboratory to clinic- Society for Human and Animal Mycology (ISHAM) and back’ by Prof. Bart-Jan Kullberg, Nijmegen. Prof which was held in Berlin, Germany, from June 11-15, Kullberg’s talk and his research interests were very 2012. inspiring.
I am a 2nd year international PhD student at the During my poster presentation, I was able to interact Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen with leading experts in my field of work and received pursuing my PhD research under supervision of Prof. invaluable comments and suggestions over my Neil A.R. Gow of the Aberdeen Fungal Group. I was projects which will undoubtedly help me in exploring able to present the research findings of my PhD new collaborations and gain new insights into my project in the form of a poster entitled “Immune research projects. This meeting also allowed me to recognition of Candida albicans influenced by defects improve my communication and networking skills, in cell signal transduction pathways”. which will eventually help me in my career development. ISHAM meeting is held once in three years, this 18th meeting was attended by more than 1200 visitors Attending this conference not only provided me with which included academicians, scientists, students up to date knowledge and developments in my field and clinicians from 73 different countries. There were of work but also in other areas of immunology and more than 110 talks and around 700 poster chemistry. presentations, which included subjects from basic microbiology to clinical studies in the field of medical It is partly due to this financial support awarded to me mycology. The major highlights of the conference by the BMS society that I was able to attend the 18th were the introduction of a new journal – ‘Medical ISHAM conference. This is the first time I attended Mycology Case Reports’ and the formation of a new this meeting and it was a great experience to be a group for the young researchers – ‘Young part of this international conference and the complete ISHAM’ (YISHAM). The YISHAM session included experience was really enjoyable. three workshops; a) Manuscript writing and Pankaj Mehrotra reviewing, b) Research grants, fellowships and Early Stage Researcher scholarships, c) How to start a successful career. I Aberdeen Fungal Group, was a great experience to get useful tips which will Institute of Medical Sciences help me in writing a publication as well as plan my future research career and to plan ahead to apply to
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Small Grant Scheme - Reports
Fungi in plantation forests
A report on a BMS small grant funded presentation at the IUFRO conference in Cork Ireland
On august 27-31 the Second International Conference on Biodiversity in Forest Ecosystems and Landscapes was held at University College Cork, Ireland. This conference was organised through a large collaborative including the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) and members of the School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences at UCC. The conference facilitated three internationally renowned forest ecologists as keynote speakers: Prof. John O’Halloran, UCC; Prof. Martin Hermy, University of Leuven and Prof. John Spence, University of Alberta as well as numerous other forestry researchers. The conference also allowed me the chance to make my work on fungi in Irish forests known to a worldwide selection of researchers.
I presented work from my PhD thesis at the University Of Limerick, Ireland. My results were especially important and suitable for dissemination at this forum as my results revealed that contrary to the commonly held belief, non-native plantation forests of Sitka spruce can support just as much fungal biodiversity as native tree species forests. The findings and theme of my talk fit in well with the vast number of other presentations at the conference, as overall I believe the conference showed that non-native plantations may have an important part to play in the conservation of native fungi in both Ireland and Britain. In Ireland and Britain, the non-native tree species Sitka spruce is now the most planted species, and this is most likely going to increase even more. What my work has shown is that this increase in non-native tree species may actually have a beneficial effect for the conservation of native fungal biodiversity as long as native forests as not cleared to make way for the plantations.
In closing, I would like to thank the BMS for supporting my participation at this conference through a small grant. The eminent mycologists Prof. Roy Watling and Prof. David Hawksworth have often written that mycologists need to interact with other scientists in order for fungi to be considered in conservation plans. I believe that supporting the inclusion of mycological works as conferences such as those organised by IUFRO are an excellent way of bringing mycology out of the dark.
Dr Richard O'Hanlon www.rohanlon.org
Title slide of presentation O’Hanlon, R.and Harrington, TJ. (2012) Fungal biodiversity in Irish forests: Non-native species support similar richness but different communities of fungi from native forests. Oral presentation at Second International Conference on Biodiversity in Forest Ecosystems and Landscapes, UCC Ireland. 29th August 2012.
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International Society of Microbial Ecology Symposium -
“The Power of the Small”
This summer was a first for me; with the generous help from BMS I was able to attend my only overseas conference to date, the 2012 ISME (International Society of Microbial Ecology) Symposium, fondly referred to as “The Power of the Small”. It was held in Copenhagen, in the beautiful Bella Centre, which proudly hosted well over 2000 delegates throughout the week.
The talks came from all over the field – I learned more about the balance between symbionts, the effects of climate change on a range of processes and about microbial habitats, all the way from deep sea sediments to clouds. The talks involving adaptation strategies and nutrient deprivation I found especially inspiring, and have now dozens of related potential experiment plans to attempt.
My own project at both the University of Dundee and The James Hutton Institute aims to characterize the processes involved in the fungal abilities to break down phosphate minerals in soils and investigate whether this could be of use in agriculture as a fertilizer enhancement. This work was presented as a poster on the first full day of the conference, alongside nearly 570 others, with a total of 1800 posters presented over the course of the week!
Despite this, I found myself busy for the entire poster session, meeting people from a huge range of scientific backgrounds, based all over the world. Delegates from different agricultural institutes and various microbial backgrounds asked questions from angles I had not previously considered; effects of my work on soil structure and microbial communities, whether a range of imaging techniques were possible for my line of work, different methods of labelling, all of which sparked ideas to try. One of the most interesting people I met during my poster session was a fantastic lady from Novozyme, Poster room in the Bella Centre to whom I am indebted. She had spent the best part of her working life enhancing fertilizers for a wide range of crops, and through her invaluable experience she was able to suggest possible ways to develop my system. Importantly, she urged me to consider the translational effects of my work – how would growers use it? What would be the cost implications? Is there a way in which I could make my work stand out? I will openly admit that focussing so severely on a single topic meant that I hadn’t considered wider fields, and that other people’s perspectives would not likely match my own, which is something I will now keep in mind.
Through the ISME-fuelled insight, questions, and theories that came to be (all scribbled down in a now very tattered-looking notebook), I came back to my supervisors in Dundee with a head full of designs and plans to validate and improve my work. I would like to thank the society again for allowing me this experience. With a year left of my PhD, I now hope to progress further in my studies and make a difference, however powerfully small.
Jaleh Bahri-Esfahani Supervisors: Geoffrey Gadd (UoD) and Timothy George (JHI)
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The National Botanic Garden of Wales is to host Wales’ first Fungus Day on Sunday 14th October 2012.
There will be:
• • a fungi recording blitz around the Garden and its adjoining Waun Las NNR, • • a fungus foray to an internationally important waxcap- rich meadow on Waun Las NNR, • • Fairy Ring Frolics – a walk to the Garden’s fungal hotspots uncovering Welsh mythological and scientific secrets of fairy rings, • • family activities linked to From Another Kingdom, the UK’s first major exhibition on fungi that is on tour from Royal Edinburgh Botanic Gardens – model making, drawing, microscopes, spore printing and quiz, • • close encounters with micro- fungi, • • French fungi cooking, • • Fungi in cheese tasting, • • Professor Lynne Body will give the inaugural Wales Fungus Day Talk. Photograph © Bruce Langridge Linked to Wales Fungus Day, there will be a nationwide search for Wales’ largest fairy ring. The Welsh public including BMS members, wildlife trusts, the National Trust and park managers, will be asked to look for, measure, photograph and possibly identify, the biggest fairy ring on their patch in the weeks leading up to Wales Fungus Day. A rolling record of these finds will be viewable on the Garden’s webpage and a dedicated Wales Fungus Day Facebook page.
For more information, contact Bruce Langridge on [email protected] or phone Bruce on 01558 667162.
Entry into the Garden on 14th October 2012 will be free to BMS members who can show proof of membership.
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The British Mycological Society Autumn Open Meeting in partnership with The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
Saturday 17 November 2012 Kew Gardens, Jodrell Lecture Theatre
Wood decay fungi: more than just a load of rotters
Join us to find out more about wood decay fungi in the natural environment and in buildings too. There is also the opportunity to visit Kew Gardens at lunch time.
10:00-10:30 Registration, coffee & tea,
10:30-11:00 Lynne Boddy (Cardiff University) A lot of rot: from standing tree to complete decay on the forest floor
11:00-11:30 Sarah Watkinson (Oxford University) Serpula lacrimans and other fungi in buildings
11:30-12:00 Dmitry Schigel (Helsinki, Finland) The secret life of Christmas trees: molecular ecology of wood-decaying fungi 12:00-14:00 Lunch break & time to visit the Gardens
13:00-14:00 BMS AGM
14:00-14:30 Jan Stenlid (SLU Uppsala, Sweden) Conservation biology of wood decay fungi
14:30-15:00 Jen Hiscox (Cardiff University) What is present affects what is to come
15:00-16:00 Jacob Heilmann-Claussen (Copenhagen) What can citizen science tell us about wood-inhabiting fungi?
16:00-16:30 Dan Eastwood (Swansea University) What -omics can tell us about wood decay fungi
16:30-16:45 Jogeir Stokland - Highlights from new book on Fungal Biodiversity
16:45 Tea and end
A contribution of £5 will be requested (payable on the day) for tea/coffee and subsidising students. If you would like to access the herbarium or the library, you must make arrangements before the meeting ([email protected]).
17 BMS 2013 Foray and Workshop Programme
BMS Workshop - Corticioids of Dean: close encounters with crust fungi Saturday 9th to Saturday 16th March 2013 Tutor: Dr Martyn Ainsworth, Senior Researcher in Fungal Conservation - RBG Kew; Senior Specialist, Fungi - Natural England
Based in Parkend in the Royal Forest of Dean, this relevant literature they have and microscopes. BMS workshop will provide a full week of study, Activities and accommodation will be based at 1 allowing short field visits to collect fresh materials to Hazeldene, Parkend in the heart of the Royal Forest work on and time to get to grips with the techniques of Dean (www.deanholidays.co.uk), with some and literature needed for identification. As well as overflow accommodation in adjacent B&B. The guiding participants through this task, collectively and number of places on the course is limited to 12 and individually, Martyn will select a number of habitats/ early booking is essential. To book your place, please tree species to visit and begin to build up a picture of contact Carol Hobart to check availability “what lives where”. ([email protected])
The workshop will be particularly useful for those who The price of the week's residential course is £235* attended the 2012 workshop in Stainborough but who per person, sharing; £355 single*. Materials will be would like more identification practice in a workshop provided for a cereal/toast breakfast. Packed lunch & setting and also for those who didn’t attend but who dinner is extra and dinners will be taken at a nearby would like to come away knowing how to recognise Restaurant/Inn. When a place is confirmed, we will more members of this deceptively diverse and ask for a deposit of £67.50, made payable to The ecologically important group. British Mycological Society and sent to C. Hobart, 84 Stafford Road, Sheffield, S2 2SF with the booking Attendees may bring along any annotated dried form (BMS booking form available on line at BMS collections they would like to discuss or work on but field events) the balance to be paid by 12th January we envisage most work will be with fresh material, 2013 cheques made payable to the BMS. which is easier for those not expert in these species to use and will allow participants to go out, find, In addition to accommodation, the house provides identify and become familiar with some of these workroom facilities, projection facilities for talks and species and where they fruit. books on fungi for use during the course.
The main literature sources for the workshop will be *an additional charge of £30.00 is payable by non Bernicchia & Gorjon’s Fungi Europaei Volume 12, the BMS members. Corticiaceae of Northern Europe series, B&K 2 and Karl-Henrik Larsson’s key as issued at the 2012 BMS Final payment required by 12th January 2013 Stainborough event. Participants should bring any Spring Foray & Workshop in Derbyshire 18th May - 25th May 2013 Tutor: Dr Brian Spooner Head of Mycology RBG Kew (retired)
The foray will be cottage based in Derbyshire near Dr Brian Spooner has been invited as a supporting Matlock. http://www.darwinlake.co.uk/ tutor, to assist and advise participants with their identifications. There will be no formal lecture The surrounds, within the nearby carboniferous sessions just a friendly self help week with an expert. limestone plateau , mill stone grits and local shale's It is hoped that we might concentrate on have varied habitats, including stunning ancient discomycetes, there should be plenty of available woodlands, willow carr, hazel groves, conifer material in the nearby damp areas at this time of plantations, and heather uplands many of these being year. Participants should bring any relevant literature SSSI sites. The BMS has visited the area three times they have and microscopes. before in the spring in 1915, 1924 and 1964. It is hoped that we might investigate some of the sites The accommodation is in three comfortable four star previously visited and add to the data.We also hope self-catering properties with a total of 10 bedrooms, to maintain impetus of ascomycete recording sleeping up to 23 people and is on Darwin lakes following the highly successful ascomycete workshop country cottages estate. This is 45 mins from held in the spring of 2011. Sheffield, Nottingham and Derby and there is easy
18 access from main trunk roads. We have hired a (A small subsidy grant is available from Heritage further building (conference accommodation) to use Lottery Fund for this event, details will be sent to you as a workroom. Other properties are available for hire when you book) should we require them. As the name suggests we are indeed alongside a very small lake with Cheques made payable to The British Mycological associated wooded muddy surrounds. Society and sent to C. Hobart, 84 Stafford Road, Sheffield, S2 2SF with the booking form (BMS The price of the week's residential course is £202 per booking form available on line at BMS field events). person sharing, £265 single room inc. B&B packed *prices shown are BMS members prices, an lunch materials.*. Materials will be provided for a additional charge of £30.00 is payable by non BMS cereal/toast breakfast & Packed lunch. Eve Dinner members. in nearby pub is not included in the price; final payment is required by 1st March 2013. Final payment required by 1st March 2013
Two Workshop Sessions in the Forest of Dean Why not look at Dung fungi? Dung workshop (Session 1) Sat 21st Sept – Tues 24th Sept. 2013 (3 nights) Dung workshop (Session 2) Weds 25th - Sat 28th Sept. 2013 (3 nights) Tutor Mike Richardson. Organiser: Caroline Hobart
Restricted to max 12 places only per Tutored should then have a extensive range of material to look course see below for full week* at and hopefully some good UK records emerging from the identifications. Fungi that grow on animal dung, usually undigested vegetable remains are easily cultured but not so This is a "hands on" three days, and should be a good easily identified. The hardy spores of coprophilous basis for your continuing studies. We are all getting on species are unwittingly consumed by herbivores from and this workshop topic is "ideal for the elderly" vegetation, and are excreted along with the plant "keeps you entertained in the winter" suitable for matter. The fungi then flourish in the faeces, before those that "like something a little different" good for releasing their spores to the surrounding area. The "keeping your partner out of the workroom" etc. and animal faeces provides an environment rich in after washing our hands we like the pub too. nitrogenous material, which has been largely sterilised Participants should bring any relevant literature they by the high temperature, as well as the enzymes in have and microscopes. the animal's digestive system. The spores themselves survive digestion by being particularly thick-walled, Activities and accommodation will be based at 1 allowing them to germinate in the dung with minimum Hazeldene, Parkend in the heart of the Royal Forest competition from other organisms. This thick wall is of Dean with some overflow accommodation in often broken down during digestion, preparing the adjacent B&B. The max. number of places on the spore for germination. The spores are so hardy that course is limited to 12 and early booking is essential. samples of dried dung can later be rehydrated, To book your place, please contact Carol Hobart to allowing the fungus to fruit weeks later. (wikipedia) check availability ([email protected]) the These fungi are easily cultured in tubs and provide price of the three days residential course is £100 opportunity to study the succession of fungal fruiting Shared ensuite. inc. B&B + packed lunch materials from zygomycetes, discomycetes, pyrenomycetes and teas & coffees (eve dinners in nearby Fountains through to the basiodiomycetes (often small coprinus Inn are not included)** Offsite B&B Singles might be species). Mike Richardson will guide us through our possible at approx £160** identification and be on hand to help. *Full week possible only if there are available It is suggested that participants will bring along their spare places but no tutored sessions during turn samples from different parts of the UK. Mike will around period. advise on collecting dates and Carol will remind **(non BMS members + £30.00 on total price) people what needs collecting and when. Material is easily stored in plastic tubs and kept damp. We Final Payment by 1st August 2013
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AUTUMN MEETING Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire Sat 19th October – Sat 26th October 2013 (7 nights) Tutor: Geoffrey Kibby Local Organiser: Richard Shotbolt
The autumn meeting will be based in Cambridgeshire collections using a microscope. Investigations often near Somersham at Lakeside Lodge Golf Centre continue late into the evening or the early morning! http://www.lakeside-lodge.co.uk/ and http://www.lakeside-lodge.co.uk/accommodation/ These forays provide an opportunity for exchange of gallery/ knowledge on current developments in taxonomy and conservation, and an intensive learning environment Accommodation will be at Lakeside Lodge a golfing for those with a serious interest (though not complex which has a huge workroom, beautiful Alpine necessarily extensive expertise) in fungal style lodge accommodation and excellent menus. identification. Occasionally there will be a formal Accommodation has been provisionally booked for 30 presentation by the guest tutor. The records of fungi individuals and participants have the option of shared made during BMS forays are added to the Fungal or single rooms all are ensuite and are serviced daily. Records Database of Britain and Ireland, which is then made accessible through the online NBN The area supports a surprisingly rich and varied gateway. Usually at 9.00 pm our guest tutor and natural environment with local birch/alder/willow and others organise an evening round-up session, in Woodwalton Fen and Holme Fen within ten miles. which the outstanding finds of the day are viewed and Large clay woods Monk's Wood, Brampton Wood discussed, this conclude each day’s activities prior to and Gamlingay Wood and small woods with small- the visit to the bar. leaved elm as the dominant species are nearby. In the north-west of the county there are mixed woods/ Participants should bring any relevant literature they plantations like Bedford Purlieus and Old Sulehay have and microscopes. Attendees are usually very Forest on limestone and greensand, locally there are friendly and willing to help newcomers. Absolute lots of quarries and gravel-pits which are usually beginners might be advised to attend their local group excellent mycological sites. October has the potential activities first. to yield very good mycological data. Cost As far as I can tell the area has been visited twice by £475.00 shared accommodation the BMS, both times (1963 & 1974) based in Single £503.00 (non BMS members + £30.00) Cambridge a spring and autumn foray. The event will follow the normal pattern of visiting foray sites in the Please note final payment for this foray is morning taking with us a packed lunch. We will return required by 1st January 2013 in the early afternoon and spend time working on our
BMS Overseas Foray - Corsica November 19th- 26th 2013* Tutors and local organisers: Dr Pierre-Arthur Moreau, Lille University and Dr Franck Richard Assos. Professor Montpellier University
The foray will be hotel based in Corsica on the to access to the Fango valley, which is a nice wild northern coast near Calvi. The ecoregion is home to complex of wetlands and old-growth oak forests several distinct forest communities, which vary with (reserve Man and Biosphere). elevation and exposure. Lower elevations 300m have forests of evergreen sclerophyll oaks Quercus ilex & Around Calvi the surrounding areas are coastal Q. suber and pinus pinaster on rich soil. Middle 500 thermomediterranean environments with Cistaceae to 1000 m elevations are predominantly forests of and Pinus pinaster, and dry forests of Quercus ilex Pinus pinaster interspersed with forests of mixed with a few Q. suber. There are also some coastal broadleaf deciduous trees, including Ostrya wetlands with Alnus glutinosa. The closest forests are carpinifolia, Alnus cordata and considerable areas of of Q.ilex with Arbutus unedo, some old-growth and of Castanea sativa. They are accessible in the Balagne patrimonial value. valley less than 1 h driving. Q. pubescens, Q. petraea are also present though these are rare and hardly Dr Pierre-Arthur Moreau of Lille University and his accessible without long walks. It will also be possible colleague Dr Franck Richard an assos. Professor
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from Montpellier University are to be our local finds or a general comment on the collections organisers assisted by members of the will take place. Corsican mycological societies. They are members of the scientific committee of the Professor Regis Courtequisse also at Lille Office of Natural Sites of Corsica. They have University is president of the French been working for the last ten years building up Mycological Society and is anxious to involve the Corsican database of predominantly macro their society in this event, although his fungi. Franck Richard worked as a forester in university commitments may prevent his Corsica for ten years so both know the island attendance. It is envisaged that there will be a well. There are three mycological groups on the group of French mycologist's specialists in island very active, enthusiastic and helpful and different genera also attending. This is an they will I believe join us whilst we are there. excellent opportunity to forge links with the Following a good breakfast 7.30-8.00, we leave French mycological community and will add for the field at 8.30-9.00, taking a lunch pack substantially to the expertise during the week. with us. We return to the workroom in the early afternoon. The dinner will be at 19-20pm and Cost Approx (not including flights) we expect hopefully be a local style menu. costs will be between 50-75€ per night half board + the usual £50.00 workroom fee. (non The first evening may be used for a talk about BMS members + £30.00 on total price) the landscapes, mycology in Corsica, etc., by local people Full details will be available in the autumn confirming the hotel and giving us a Franck specialises in the ecology of old-growth programme of sites forests and biology of post-fire fungi, Whilst Pierre-Arthur might speak about dry/coastal Further details will be sent to you after booking fungi, wetland fungi, high-mountain fungi in or if you register interest. Corsica communities associated with alders. At the end of each day a discussion on interesting
Please turn overleaf for 2013 Booking Form.
Request for Newsletter Articles
Do you have any items you would like to see published in the Newsletter which would be of interest to members?
We would love to receive short reports of any activities, upcoming events, items of interest, etc.
Please send items to the office or email to:
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Booking Procedure for Forays and Workshops
The programme of events organised by the Foray NOTES ON EVENTS Sub-Committee appear on the Society’s web site www.britmycolsoc.org.uk along with a booking form Workshops are usually held over a weekend, are which can be downloaded from the website. There is mainly indoors and combine lectures and a £20 non-refundable booking fee per person per examination of prepared material from the workshop event which should be sent to the Foray Manager tutor with individual study using both fresh and with a completed booking form for each participant. herbarium fungal specimens as appropriate. A For some events it is possible to attend on a part microscope is essential. In some cases, some time basis or to be non resident. There will still be a outdoor foray activity may be part of the workshop. fee for workroom space, administration and tutoring Numbers are limited, usually to around 25 costs. The Society welcomes non-members to its participants, and the courses are generally fully events but anyone with a keen interest in field booked. mycology can become a member of the Society. (Joining the BMS costs less than attending one event Residential Forays have a long tradition extending th and taking Field Mycology which is included with back to the 19 Century and provide an opportunity membership) BMS members and accompanying non for participants to study the fungi of a particular area. participants are entitled to a £20 reduction for each The days will include a programme of field outings to event. collect material to study after returning to the workroom where investigations often continue late At least six weeks before the event (depending on into the evening or the early morning! Although there the conditions imposed by the venue chosen), the is only a limited programme of formal lectures, if any, organiser will ask for payment in full. If you do not the forays provide an opportunity for exchange of pay this, then your place will be forfeited. Nearer the knowledge on current developments in taxonomy event and after full payment, refunds will need to be and conservation, and an intensive learning negotiated with the organiser, who may be able to environment for those with a serious interest (though find a substitute; otherwise a refund may not be not necessarily extensive expertise) in fungal possible. Participants should consider travel identification. The records of fungi made during BMS insurance to cover late cancellation. forays are added to the Fungal Records Database of Britain and Ireland which is then made accessible The Foray Manager will send your booking details to through the online NBN gateway. As part of this the organisers of each event. Your booking will be recording activity, forays also provide an opportunity acknowledged by email. If you do not have an email to add herbarium specimens to the National please enclose a stamped, addressed envelope if collections and the active participation by members you require acknowledgement. Please bear in mind of the Kew Mycology Department, as well as other that some events have a limited number of places herbaria, is a welcome part of the events. The and may become fully booked quite early. evening round-up sessions, in which the outstanding finds of the day are viewed and discussed, conclude The form also allows you to indicate your each day’s activities. preferences for accommodation in more detail. The available accommodation varies with the venue and, First time participants to a BMS event - The while we would like to try to meet everyone's Society is keen to encourage new participants with individual needs as far as possible, this may not an interest in fungi to extend their expertise and always be possible. Additional charges will usually participate in its forays and workshops including field apply for e.g. single rooms or en suite facilities when mycologists in affiliated local groups throughout the they are available. Please contact the Foray British Isles. The organisers provide help and Manager with any queries. encouragement to new or less experienced attendees and are happy to be approached to The BMS small grant scheme is open to students discuss your particular needs. The organisers are attending any field meeting and if you are eligible and keen to foster a friendly atmosphere to make it would like to apply please contact the Foray possible for all participants whatever their level of Manager. expertise to experience a friendly, informative and enjoyable event.
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Obituary
Roger Norman Hilton
1927 - 2012
Roger Norman Hilton was born in Harborne, Birmingham on 1st June, 1927.
Educated at Chigwell House Birmingham and Solihull Grammar School Warwickshire. He read Natural Sciences at Clare College Cambridge, 1945-1948, and came under the influence of Harry Godwin, Humphrey Gilbert-Carter and E.J.H.Corner, ex- Assistant Director of Singapore Botanic Gardens. Upon graduation he was appointed Plant Pathologist to the Rubber Research Institute of Malaya. He made a major contribution to the control of disease in rubber plantations in Malaya by the publication of his seminal Maladies of Hevea in Malaya, Rubber Research Institute, 1959, for which he commissioned a set of remarkable colour plates by Hoh Choo Chuan, printed by the Kynoch Press, Birmingham. In his review of the book S.D.Garrett wrote ‘The Rubber Research Institute of Malaya has led the world and has won a lasting place in the history of plant pathology: the mycologist will be no less in debt than the rubber planter to Mr Hilton for this admirable adjunct to his knowledge’.
On Malayanisation of his post at the Rubber Research Institute in 1964, he was appointed as a Lecturer in Botany at the University of Western Australia, Perth, where his experiences in South-east Asia, and delight in its people’s culture, was reassuring to students from that region. He and his students made many advances in the knowledge of the fungus flora of Western Australia: his former students Neale Bougher and Katrina Syme acknowledged his inspiration and help in their land-mark book Fungi of Southern Australia (University of Western Australia Press, Nedlands 1998), and he was instrumental in promoting the knowledge of the larger fungi to a wider public.
Overall, Roger’s very full life was devoted to research and teaching of mycology. His very active retirement was curtailed by heart failure and he died peacefully eighteen months later.
British Mycological Society CityView House Union Street Ardwick Manchester M12 4JD MycologistNews email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0) 161 277 7638 / 7639 BMS Website Fax: +44 (0) 161 277 7634 www.britmycolsoc.org.uk
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