MYCOLOGIST NEWS
The newsletter of the British Mycological Society 2011 (1) Edited by Dr. Pieter van West, Dr. Anpu Varghese and Prof. Lynne Boddy
2011 BMS Council
BMS Council and Committee Members 2011
President Prof. Naresh Magan Vice-President Dr. Stuart Skeates 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. David Minter; Prof. Bruce Ing
Fungal Biology Research Committee Dr. Simon Avery (Chair) retiring 31.12. 2012 Dr. Elaine Bignell retiring 31.12. 2013 Dr. Mark Ramsdale retiring 31.12. 2013 Prof. Nick Read retiring 31.12. 2013 Dr. Pieter van West retiring 31.12. 2013 Dr. Peter Crittenden retiring 31.12. 2011 Dr. Fordyce Davidson retiring 31.12. 2011 Dr. David Minter (FMC link) retiring 31.12. 2011
Fungal Education and Outreach Committee Dr. Paul S. Dyer (Chair and FBR link) retiring 31.12. 2013 Dr. Matt Fisher retiring 31.12. 2011 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 KS4 representative still needed
Field Mycology and Conservation Committee Dr. Stuart Skeates (Chair and website) retiring 31.12. 2011 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 Dr. Dave Minter (FBR Link) retiring 31.12. 2011 Dr. Derek Schafer (membership database and accounts) retiring 31.12. 2011 Mrs. Sheila Spence (Recorders network co-ordinator) 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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Appeal for Secondary Schools Expert to Help on BMS FEO Committee
The Fungal Education and Outreach (FEO) committee of the BMS has a vacancy for a member with expertise in the secondary school sector, who would be willing to advise the committee on matters relating to promoting fungal biology within secondary schools. The role would likely involve commenting on and updating current BMS resources for secondary schools, and designing new materials/activities such as those recently developed for primary schools. http://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/education/resources-and-materials/primary-school-resources/
There will also be the opportunity to represent the BMS at various science festivals/educational exhibitions relating to secondary schools. The post might ideally suit someone currently working in the secondary school sector and/or with experience of secondary school curricula, and who have an interest in fungal biology and desire to promote the subject at secondary school level. The FEO committee normally meets twice a year with other communication and support between the members throughout the year by e-mail.
If interested, or you know of any potential relevant person, please contact the chair of the FEO committee, Dr Paul Dyer, ideally by 1 May 2011. E-mail: [email protected].
From the Office
Hello and welcome to the first issue of the Newsletter for 2011. After a terrific 2010 and a Contents hugely successful main scientific meeting in Stan Hughes - Order of Canada 4 Edinburgh as part of IMC9, the number of new members joining stands currently at 60+.We Obtaining Cultures for Teaching 5 would like to extend a huge welcome to these people and with their help and the continued Dr Alexandra Brand - Berkeley Awardee 6 support of the current membership 2011 should BMS Spring Foray 2010 Report 7 also be a great year for the BMS. As ever we welcome ideas and articles you think may be of In the Media 8 interest to your fellow members. BMS Upland Foray 2010 Report 9 TTFN, The BMS Office Team Obituary - Robert J. W. Byrde 11 Obituary - Pat Livermore 12 2011 Field Meeting Programme 14 2011 BMS Annual Scientific Meeting 18 2nd International Fungal Cell Wall Meeting 19
Deadline for article submission into Norman Porrett Sophie Embleton next issue: 1st June 2011 Administrator BMS Office Field Mycology Assistant
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Stan Hughes - Order of Canada
proudly displayed the bound manuscript to his colleagues, who marvelled at the scope of the study and the professional quality of the drawings.
Following his BSc studies, Stan was exempted from military service and spent three years with the ‘WarAg’ department, acting as a plant pathologist, resulting in an MSc. 1945 and the end of WWII allowed him to continue his mycological studies at the Commonwealth Mycological Institute before a position became available in Ottawa. Hughes ‘53 followed and the rest is history.
Throughout his period of exile in Canada, Stan and his Canadian wife Lyndell have made frequent Dr Stan Hughes with Governor General Michaëlle pilgrimages to the home country, usually at Easter Jean. Photograph © MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall. to attend the Old Students’ Reunion at Aberystwyth, 2010 Office of the Secretary to the Governor General as well as visiting his siblings. Gareth’s father knew of Canada Stan through the OSA, and he was aware of Stan’s existence from an early age but we have It was with immense pleasure that we learned in corresponded regularly in the past 10-15 years July 2010 of the award of the Order of Canada to since I (GWG) was appointed at Aberystwyth. One Dr. Stan Hughes, and particularly gratifying that the focus of our discussions was Stan’s strong desire to BMS President Lynne Boddy highlighted this award donate his collection of taxonomic books and papers in the opening ceremony of IMC9 in Edinburgh. He to Aberystwyth University. I was equally keen that was presented with his medal by the Governor this collection should not languish in the basement General of Canada, her excellency Michaëlle Jean, of a library but rather be located near an active the Queen’s immensely personable and popular laboratory undertaking taxonomic research with representative, in one of the last official acts of her fungi. Sadly I am no taxonomist but the opening of tenure. the National Botanic Garden of Wales in 2000, sited only a few miles from Stan’s birthplace, was a much Stan was born and raised in Llanelli. In 1938 he better prospect and despite a few initial hiccups and went to the University College of Wales in large part thanks to the efforts of Margot Greer, Aberystwyth. He initially intended to study Zoology Nigel Stringer and others, the Stan Hughes but, having been sent by the eminent parasitologist collection now takes pride of place in its library. The Gwendoline Rees FRS to study the intestinal opening of this collection was reported in Mycologist parasites of fish caught by a trawler on the News issue 2, 2009. Porcupine Bank (+ attendant U-boat risk), he decided to study for Honours Botany. His Honours In Ottawa, Stan continues to spend most mornings dissertation dealt with coprophilous fungi and, in the classic (by Canadian standards) ambience of having discovered this covered in a thick layer of the William Saunders Building, named after the dust in the basement store off the Biology building at entomologist who founded the Central Experimental Aberystwyth, I (GWG) used to routinely show it to Farm in Ottawa, and whose son brought Marquis Honours students as an example of the quality of wheat to the world. Herbarium cabinets with Stan’s dissertation that I expected them to produce. Their specimens, many collected during his sabbatical in worried faces would eventually soften once they the 1960’s in that other country of his heart, New noticed the date (1941) on the front cover. Sadly for Zealand, overflow his office into the hallway. The me, during a recent visit to Aberystwyth in 2009, sooty moulds continue to absorb him, and the piles Stan asked if he could have his dissertation back, so of herbarium folders shift around his office like the not quite in line with out current procedures for snow drifts outside his window. He continues to return of coursework within three weeks, our vice- share his knowledge with colleagues and visitors, Chancellor Prof. Noel Lloyd was kind enough to frequently using his office sink to demonstrate the organise a small ceremony where we reunited Stan use of sooty mould colonies as tinder. with his dissertation. Upon return to Ottawa, Stan Gareth Griffith and Keith Seifert
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Obtaining cultures for teaching practicals in mycology
In order to run effective and inspiring microbiology mycological dimension to their ‘A’ level Biology practicals for undergraduate students, it is courses, subject to curriculum constraints. necessary to have access to cultures of suitable fungi and other microbes. Over the course of my I would welcome feedback from any readers who time at Aberystwyth, I have on several occasions might find this information useful. Others of you experienced the loss of valuable cultures used in may have ideas for novel but tractable class teaching, usually due to reorganisation or staff experiments, details of which could be shared via changes affecting technical support staff. Such short articles in Mycological News. An increase in problems are exacerbated by the progressive the number of undergraduate and ‘A’ level students reduction in technical support in all universities. exposed to exciting lab experiments involving living Once lost, it can prove extremely difficult to obtain cultures cannot fail to spread the word about the replacement cultures and the costs associated with fascinating world of the fungi. obtaining fresh cultures from international culture Gareth Griffith collections (usually upwards of £70 each) can prove prohibitive. References Alexander Idnurm, I., F.J. Walton, A. Floyd & J. One excellent example is Phycomyces Heitman (2008). Identification of the sex genes in blakesleanus, useful not only to exemplify sexual an early diverged fungus. Nature, 451, pp.193-196. reproduction in fungi but also to illustrate phototrophic responses, following a convenient 7 Sanza, C., J. Rodríguez-Romerob, A. Idnurm, J.M. days of incubation. Recent advances (e.g. Idnurm Christie, J. Heitman, L.M. Corrochano and A.P. et al., 2008; Sanza et al., 2009) in our Eslava (2009). Phycomyces MADB interacts with understanding of mating genes and light perception MADA to form the primary photoreceptor complex in this organism have also enhanced our ability to for fungal phototropism. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.USA, link theoretical concepts presented during lectures 106(17), pp.7095-7100. to experiments conducted by the students themselves. Doubtless others who put on Fig. 1. Three slopes undergraduate practical classes have other fungi of 3% malt extract that are similarly useful, and it is also likely that agar inoculated with cultures of these organisms are also difficult to Phycomyces replace and, like P. blakesleanus, on occasion blakesleeanus and temperamental in long term storage. then covered in silver foil. A small For some years now, I have relied on cultures ’window’ (ca. 2x2 mm) supplied by companies which specialise in the is scraped near the provision of microbial and other cultures top of one tube (right) (Drosophila, rotifers, Daphnia etc.), mainly to to allow entry of light, schools e.g. Sciento (http://www.sciento.co.uk), a second tube is left Blades Biological (http://www.blades-bio.co.uk) or untouched (dark Timstar, Crewe (http://www.timstar.co.uk). Since incubation; left) whilst the costs are a fraction of those charged by the for the third tube the larger international collections, these companies window is covered can in effect serve as a repository for longer term with a filter of blue or storage, essentially charging me an annual fee to red cellophane provide these cultures. However, since these (centre). Following a companies need to turn a profit, they are only likely week’s incubation on a to maintain their fungal collections if there is windowsill, the demand. It is quite possible that others exist in the phototropic growth of the sporangiophores is readily UK or beyond, and if so it would be useful for such visible (inset). Counting of the number of information to be shared via the pages of this sporangiophores attracted to ‘windows’ covered Newsletter. In fact, some readers may be with various filters can be used to examine the schoolteachers who may (presumably as ardent spectral sensitivity of the tropic response. amateur mycologists) be keen to provide some
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Dr Alexandra Brand – BMS Berkeley Awardee 2011
Dr Alexandra Brand. Photograph © N. Gow.
Alex Brand is a member of the Aberdeen hyphal tropisms. Once in the laboratory, she Fungal Group and her primary research interest demonstrated that she could combine existing is the hyphal tip growth and orientation of skills in time and people management and a Candida albicans and other medically important fearless approach to the unknown, with a fungi when adhered to surfaces. Alex is an natural flair for microscopy, molecular genetics unusual Berkeley awardee since she entered and fungal cell biology. After her second science and academia late in her career in postdoctoral position, she pulled off a 1996, via an Access course at Aberdeen remarkable double success in winning two University. Prior to this, her career independent fellowship awards – from the MRC encompassed a truly wide range of activities and from the Royal Society. With this resource, including working as au pair, an advertising she has since set up her own independent account executive, a sales manager, sports research group to investigate the fundamental commentator and a small-holding farmer at her mechanisms by which fungal hyphae can orient home near Inverurie, in Aberdeenshire, where in three dimensional space with the objective of she kept goats and sheep. During the pre- describing, in molecular terms, the equivalent of science era of her career, she lived in Paris, the “fungal steering wheel”. She is also London, New York, Qatar and Jakarta, before interested in how growth on a surface settling with her family in the Aberdeen area. influences the behaviour of fungal cells in the Throughout all this activity, she retained a context of fungal infections. Dr Brand is not fascination for science and, in particular, only an inspiring mycologist, but an inspiration microbiology. After the Access course lit her and mentor to women and people who will academic flame, she went on to obtain a first benefit from the assurance that it is never too class degree in biochemistry before doing a late to become a career scientist. PhD and postdoctoral fellowship with Prof Neil Neil Gow Gow on Candida cell wall biosynthesis and
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BMS Spring Foray
Pencaitland, East Lothian, 22-29 May 2010
BMS Spring Foray Group. Photograph © C Hobart.
“Cauld winter was howlin’ o’er moor and o’e r Scotland. The judges awarded three faults to Mary mountain - and wild was the surge of the dark rollin’ Clarkson for a failure at a water jump – fortunately sea……” without injury.
The above extract from ‘The Road To Dundee’ well Monday 24 May - Hopes Valley suited our arrival at the Spring Foray in East Lothian The party sought the elusive Gymnosporangium - only one day late due to an un-missable wedding - clavariiforme this was found on Craetaegus leaf, it and certainly it was dark when Enid and I roused had been recorded previously in this locality in 2009 Martin Gregory from his slumbers to let us into our and is possibly reacting to the northerly movement of accommodation. The BMS had of course already had mycologists by appearing more common in Scotland a day searching the countryside for fungi, during (118 records for the British Isles, 22 in Scotland). which time it cannot be said that a large number of Also found was Gymnosporangium cornutum on specimens had been found. In fact it was remarkable Juniperus communis, along with a small ascomycete that anything at all raised its head above ground this Metacapnodium juniperi. This species has only 9 being near the extended end of the hardest winter for previous records, all of them from Scotland. As usual several years. In the event some fourteen hardy for spring forays most of the other finds were small souls made it to the two sturdy farmhouses in ascomycetes on decaying wood although I did find Pencaitland which were our extremely comfortable Entoloma clypeatum lurking in damp ground at the homes for the week. edge of the path.
Sunday 23 May - Yester Estate Tuesday 25 May - Dalkeith Country Park The sun shone as we arrived in Gifford to record at I’ve been driving through Dalkeith for many years en Yester Estate. This 500 acre estate is entered by a route to Edinburgh and never suspected the long drive bordered by the largest and most beautiful existence of this splendid park with many fine trees array of parkland trees. We were joined by members and bordered by steep-sided glens, on the North- of the fungus group of SE Scotland including Eastern side very close to the Dalkeith Bypass, but it Elizabeth Farquharson who is probably our oldest seems to have escaped a nasty fate at the hands BMS member. Unfortunately there was not much and machinery of the road-builders. Don McNeil fruiting but Alan Lucas, recorded Byssocorticium recorded Boletus luridiformis (B. erythropus), pulchrum and Sue Rodgerson found Marasmius possibly the earliest record for Scotland - co- hudsonii on an Ilex leaf (much to my disgust as I incidentally only a week later than I myself had have been hoping to find this for years) and Puccinia recorded the same fungus in Yorkshire, this despite buxi, with only 2 previous records from this part of the preceding cold weather. 7 ► Two unusual Hydnotrya species were recorded by things but Sue Rogerson inadvertently found what Carol Hobart H. cubispora second record for was (mycologically) for myself the highlight of the Scotland and H. michaelis (new to Scotland). foray – Nectria mammoidea on a bit of rotten wood Sue gave me so that I could look at some Wednesday 26 May - Scutellinia species thereon. This is not uncommon John Muir Country Park (am) & (108 records in FRDBI) but it was new to me and Yellowcraig (pm) quite satisfying to photograph. Two species of These are coastal areas and good for a walk along Geastrum species were recorded by Don Mcneil G. the beach and bird-watching. There is also pectinatum and G. triplex. Three species of evidence of that ‘curse of Scotland’ the caravan Hymenogaster were recorded by Carol Hobart all site, fortunately in abeyance at this time of year. three relatively uncommon in the UK, H. griseus, H. The weather was really cold and most terrestrial olivaceaous and H. vulgaris. fungi had obviously decided to keep their heads Our evenings were enlightened by two talks "fungi down. Nevertheless Geastrum triplex was found by on dung" by Mike Richardson and "Local Don McNeil at Yellowcraig – which accords with the mycological recording and mycologists" by Roy photograph taken on this spot by Alan Silverside in Watling. 1980 and linked to the FRDBI. The same fungus was also found at Tyningham Links Wood by Sue Finally. For financial reasons the organisers Rogerson. Sue also found Coprinus sterquilinus decided to forego the catering services of the Vulnerable / B (Red Data List, ed. 2) in a rabbit Winton Estate and instead to employ a trained scrape among the dunes of the John Muir CP, this mycologist - Dave Jefferies - as chef. This was confirmed by Roy Watling. Vararia gallica, arrangement worked astonishingly; we feasted on found by Alan Lucas at Tyninghame Bay, was new such delicacies as Olive Focaccia, Sicilian Pork and to Scotland. Also found were two fungi vegetables, Mushroom and Cauliflower Curry, characteristic of coastal habitats:- Phellinus Cassoulet, Tabouleh with Lamb, Artichoke, Bean hippophaeicola on Sea-Buckthorn and Agaricus and Lemon Tagine with Couscous, Ginger Cream devoniensis. Log . . . not all on the same day. Strange for a foray to be more memorable for the food than the Thursday 27 May - Colstoun Estate fungi, but a compliment to the organisers ingenuity. Another very cold day, in an extensive pine woodland with bracken and brambles but few On the whole the sites chosen were promising, the terrestrial fungi. We did find a ‘nest’ of Phallus last two being much the best and there is some impudicus ‘eggs’. argument for putting the most likely places at the beginning of the foray week so that one has more Friday 28 May - Roslin Glen time to identify difficult species and not have to rush things on the last evening. But nothing can defeat This is a local ‘beauty spot’ and for scenery this was the weather. The area would certainly merit a revisit probably the best time of year to visit. My finds were in the autumn but perhaps not in the Scottish Spring the usual little black dots on wood that one falls after a hard winter. back on identifying for want of more conspicuous Alan Braddock In the Media
Society for General Microbiology appoints new delighted to have been appointed as the new Chief Chief Executive Officer Executive of the Society for General Microbiology. I will look forward to meeting the staff, Council and members of the Society in the months ahead to The Society for General Microbiology (SGM) is gain a better understanding of the challenges we pleased to announce that its governing Council has face and the role of the SGM.” appointed Dr Simon Festing as the next SGM Chief Executive Officer. He will take over from Dr Ron Professor Hilary Lappin-Scott, President of the Fraser later this year. Simon brings to the role over SGM, said: “I am delighted with this appointment. 20 years’ experience in policy and communications Simon will take over as Chief Executive when Dr in the environmental movement and in the Ron Fraser retires in July this year. Ron has bioscience sector. provided excellent leadership for 15 years, during which time the Society has gone from strength to Simon is currently Chief Executive of strength. I am confident that Simon will be a worthy Understanding Animal Research. He is a medical successor.” doctor by training and worked in a hospital before Society for General Microbiology completing an MSc in Environmental Technology at Monday 24 January 2011 Imperial College London. Simon said: “I am
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BMS Upland Foray Kindrogan Field Centre, 7-14 August 2010
Upland Foray Group. Photograph © C. Hobart
Kindrogan in Perthshire, overlooking the River old dung pile. This was an exciting find, as it is Ardle and surrounded by planted woodland, its first sighting since being described in both deciduous and coniferous, was our base Scotland, although it has been recorded in Italy. for the week. Some of our party were staying in Other good discoveries were the mildew Kirkmichael further down the glen from Podosphaera delphinii on garden delphinium, Enochdhu, but joined us for evening meals and probably the first British record and, in the shared the excellent laboratory facilities alpine garden, the rust Melampsora epitea var. provided by the Field Centre. This separation reticulatae on Salix lanata, its origins being did not spoil our ‘bonding’, although it did mean unknown. Also found was the rust Chrysomyxa that those travelling after dinner had to be rhododendri on Spruce, as well as a smut, careful about how well they used the bar! The Anthracoidea pratensis, on Carex flacca. residents in the Centre had the interesting experience of making a packed lunch for a As the weather was not suitable for hill work on fellow mycologist who was ‘living out’ to save our next day, we departed from the planned unnecessary travel. It was reminiscent of a relay programme and visited instead Stormont Loch race handing over the aforesaid goodies from and Hare Myre, wetland areas lying south of car to car. Blairgowrie. This mixed woodland was rich in agarics, and Alick Henrici discovered Our first day was spent exploring the grounds Hyphodontia abieticola now accepted as British immediately surrounding the Centre, which on the basis of this collection. This wood also included the woodland, walled garden and produced the powdery mildew, Erysiphe riverside walk. Later in the day some people vanbruntiana on Sambucus racemosus, a climbed the Crag (the hill behind the Centre), species recorded as new to Britain at the now covered with mature coniferous Kindrogan Foray of 1997. In addition to this, the plantations, whilst others explored the area uncommon sedge smut Anthracoidea around the curling pond. A few walked through subinclusa was seen on Carex riparia at the to Kirkmichael and others climbed up behind edge of the loch. Kindrogan Hill to the heather moorland beyond. A notable find by Carol Hobart was an immature The following day we visited the Blackwood of specimen of Hydnotrya tulasnei, a rare truffle Rannoch, famous for its native Caledonian pine found under Thuja plicata, only the second forest…and midges! We marvelled at the pines record for Scotland. No foray would be looking beautiful in the forest sunlight and complete without a look at dung heaps and it cursed the midges. Interesting finds were was near Dalreoch Farm that Derek Schaefer Tubulicrinis propinquus which is a second came across the yellow veiled inkcap, British record (Alick again!), Cantharellus Coprinopsis luteocephala, on the remains of an aurora, Russula paludosa, Inocybe jacobi 9
and Exobasidium splendidum. The latter was rarities. At this point it felt more like December noted from five different sites within the than August. Cystoderma cinnabarina was found woodland; it was first recorded from here in 2003 by Anne Andrews and we also saw three and then as a new British record. species of Lichenomphalia as well as the rare alpine rust Puccinia septentrionalis on Persicaria We next explored the limestone pavement at vivipara Lochan an Daim. Here in the birch and bog myrtle wood, Inocybe mytiliodoro was recorded, Others in the party visited Killicrankie, a wooded a first for the UK; it has a very unpleasant smell valley through which the river Garry runs. With a of mussels. Also found was the rare and basic-rich soil flora and woods of oak, birch, beautiful, Cortinarius cyanites, growing with aspen, alder, willow and wych elm, this splendid Helianthemum. We did not stop to admire the glen, as well as being famous for the ‘Soldier’s Queen’s View of Loch Tummel as the weather Leap’ is now famous for the beautiful violet-blue had once again deteriorated. Cortinarius eucaeruleus, espied by John Bailey and subsequently admired by all. Our next day’s visit was to Morrone Birkwood by Braemar, the best example of sub-alpine During the week Exobasidium uvae-ursi was birchwood with juniper in Britain. Despite being spotted by Mary Clarkson growing on the wettest of all the days, there were good Arctostaphylus uva–ursi in the planted alpine collections including Amanita nivalis, growing at garden of Kindrogan. This recording is only the a surprisingly low altitude, Amanita flavescens, a second for Scotland and Britain and has an speciality of the site, Psathyrella frustulenta, the interesting history as the plant came from a rare rust, Puccinia bistortae on Persicaria roadside near Dalwhinnie. Later searches for the vivipara and the uncommon myxomycete, plant in this area found the plant colony, but Diderma ochraceum. Some of the party found a without the Exobasidium. Was it blown from its warm spot for a drink in Braemar, whilst others first site in Aberdeenshire or did it come on a stopped off at the Cairnwell café to enjoy a little local mycologist’s boots? haggis meal! Although the rain came most days, it did not That same day a small group looked in the affect our collecting or enthusiasm and many an pinewoods of Inverey where they discovered afternoon tea (if we managed to master the Coniophora fusispora, which is new to Scotland, mysteries of the eco kettle!) was enjoyed sitting and only found in Surrey and Norfolk previously. outside the lab in the sunshine, eating delicious Also seen were Lactarius quieticolor and cake supplied by the Centre, thus restoring us Gomphidius roseus. Tubicrinus propinquus was for the studies to follow. refound too in its first British site and Hyphoderma obtusiforme was confirmed as a Eleanor Ing British species. On the same day others visited the Linn of Dee, a small fragment of Caledonian pinewood by the river. An especially interesting find here was Gomphidius maculatus.
Our next day was spent at the Birks of Aberfeldy, a river valley of native oak and birch wood with planted beech. Here we were joined by Roy Watling and Alan Hills. Having had a wettish week the Falls of Moness were spectacular and fungi were to be seen everywhere. Particular finds were Amanita virosa, Russula aurea and Asterophora parasitica on an old Russula delica.
Our final day was spent on the Cairnwell, some of us walking to the top, whilst others used the chairlift- a brave decision in the light of considerable wind which had initially closed it A return to Kindrogan for the centre's first down until our large party appeared! The warden Bruce Ing and his wife Ellie. vegetation was bilberry dominated moorland with Photograph © C. Hobart base-rich flushes of saxifrages and mosses. Despite the growing wind and rain we managed to make it to the sugar limestone and see its
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Obituary
Robert J.W. Byrde 1922-2010
Robert Byrde, who has died Plant Pathology” and the research made an aged 88 years, was a important contribution to the debate. The key focus pioneering plant pathologist was on cell wall degrading enzymes (CWDE) who made important produced by the fungus, and their role in lesion contributions to the practical development. Unlike many rot pathogens, Monilinia control of diseases of fruit, spp did not actively macerate host tissues, but as well as fundamental nonetheless host cells died. As early as 1962, in a insights into plant-pathogen Nature paper, Byrde and Fielding had shown that interactions and especially tissue breakdown in these diseases was unrelated the role of cell wall to the action of pectolytic enzymes, but instead degrading enzymes in was associated with activity of a hemicellulase pathogenesis. enzyme, α-L-arabinofuranosidase. Over the next 15 years detailed research was undertaken to Robert did a BSc in Horticulture at the University of biochemically analyse a range of CWDE produced Reading, and after a period of war service returned by these fungi and assess their contribution to to Reading in 1947 to do a PhD in plant pathology pathogenesis. While this painstaking work with Professor R.H Stoughton. Within one year he significantly advanced the field, it did not provide moved to Long Ashton Research Station near definitive proof of function for individual enzymes in Bristol to complete his studies on “Experiments on disease. With hindsight this is not surprising as the control of Brown Rot of Apple and Plum”. This molecular genetics has shown that the enzymes was the start of a lifelong interest in fruit rots, occur as isoforms encoded by multigene families, management of these diseases, and how the fungi and disease is due to the combined action of responsible caused disease. Thirty years later he complexes of enzymes. co-authored a monograph on The Brown Rot Fungi of Fruit – Their Biology and Control (Byrde and In spite of the complexity that was emerging from Willetts, 1977). this research, Robert was developing innovative approaches for analysing host-pathogen Robert spent almost his entire professional career interactions. The 1968 annual report from Long at Long Ashton, but productive collaborations, Ashton records research aimed at creating fungal changes in the research focus of the Institute, and mutants, by mutagenesis, lacking particular his own progressive approach to science ensured enzymes, and by implication, the ability to cause that he never became “institutionalized”. His early disease. This strategy, based on inactivation of research on use of fungicides to control damaging specific genes, set the technical agenda for work to diseases of fruit, such as apple scab, powdery follow. While mainly unproductive, the approach mildew, canker and brown rots, laid the predated gene replacement or knockout foundations for effective management of these techniques by more than 20 years. diseases. He worked closely with the advisory services and the University of Bristol and in 1965 In 1971 Robert co-organised an international became Head of the Plant Pathology section at symposium on plant-pathogen interactions at Long Long Ashton, and by 1975, in recognition of his Ashton that was attended by many of the leading distinguished research record, was awarded a scientists in the field. The proceedings were Readership at the University. subsequently published as a book (Fungal Pathogenicity and the Plant’s Response, ed Byrde Writing in the 1974 Long Ashton Annual Report he and Fielding, Academic Press, 1973). stated “Our approach…includes studies on the Robert was elected President of the British basis of action of successful fungicides and of the Mycological Society in 1981, and awarded mechanisms by which pathogens attack plants… Honorary Membership of the British Society of Know your enemy has long been a maxim in Plant Pathology in 2004. These were noteworthy military strategy. This project aims at better achievements for a modest, self-effacing scientist understanding of fungal pathogenicity”. With his who never sought the limelight, but whose interest in brown rots of fruit, Robert and scholarship and scientific foresight were widely colleagues had set out to determine how these recognised. fungi colonise host tissues and kill host cells. This John Lucas was a live area during the era of “Physiological 11
Obituary
Pat Livermore (nee Christie) 1928 - 2010
Pat was born in Lancaster on 5 July 1928, only preparing dinner, with the iguana clinging to her, child of Lynley (‘Lyn’) and Violet Christie. Her warm inside her cardigan, its head against her father worked at the family furniture business on neck and the final inches of its tail protruding Chapel Street. from the bottom. Hobbies were a big part of Pat’s life. Her She had a happy childhood, growing up on interests complemented Len’s and centred Ulster Road in Bowerham, camping with the Girl around plants, flowers and natural history in Guides and canoeing with her father at general. In the 1960s she won prizes for flower Cockerham. She went to Dallas Road School, arrangements at local shows where Len then the Girls’ Grammar. She didn’t want to go displayed houseplants and cut flowers. By the to the Grammar - she hated the school’s 70s they had shifted to wild plants and spent summer hat - and deliberately failed the each spring criss-crossing the northwest entrance exam. But the ploy backfired, for her hunting wild orchids, which Pat photographed. parents paid for her to go privately, as you then Autumns went in photographing fungi in the could. Afterwards she was grateful to the Silverdale woods and learning the intricacies of LGGS for the education it gave her and for identifying them. The airing cupboard filled lifelong friends she made. with dried specimens to be sent to the Botanical Gardens at Kew and Edinburgh for adjudication. The War came at about the time Pat went to the At Sunderland Point she found the Belted LGGS, and Pat’s father joined the RAF to teach Beauty Moth, previously thought to be extinct in airframe maintenance. He was stationed in the Lancashire. Midlands and Pat visited, seeing the air-raids on Coventry. This she always remembered but the These interests gradually became more abiding effect of the War was an addiction to scientific and, with Len retiring in 1980, they bananas. She had loved them as a child and began to record systematically, believing that was deprived from 1939-45. Afterward she such data were vital to conservation. The result made up for lost time…. was a jointly-written book on the Flowering Plants and Ferns of North Lancashire, Pat left the LGGS in 1944 and took clerical jobs published in 1987. This was followed by with the City Transport Dept and the Food monographs on the plants of the canal, disused Office (food rationing was still in place). She left railways, the coast, Lancaster itself, and on the the second job in a huff when a boss’s relative fungi of Gaitbarrows Wood in Silverdale, where was promoted over her head and, around 1947, Pat recorded over 900 species. became secretary at the family business, by then run by her father. Such interests led to Pat being involved in many local societies and committees, particularly the In 1949 Pat married her husband, Len Lancashire Naturalists’ Trust, for whom she Livermore, then a laboratory technician - later once had to open a bank account. Works Chief Chemist - at the Lansil textile Unfortunately, the clerk misheard ‘naturalist’ as factory. In the early years of a happy ‘naturist….. She also became Foray Secretary partnership they walked the mountains of the for the British Mycological Society, organising Lake District, Arran and Glencoe. fungus ‘hunts’ up and down the country.
I (David) am their sole child and was born in After Len became sick in 1992 they were less 1958. Early memories of my mother are of her able to botanise and their interests moved from patience, tempting me - when sick with all too natural history to family history, a topic that Pat frequent winter colds - by uncurling a chocolate continued to pursue following Len’s death in roll and feeding it to me, inch by inch. A tolerant 1994. She knew that her Christie ancestors and loving mother, she accepted my mess and were Scots, from Alyth in Perthshire, and traced chaos - including when, aged 11 to 15, I filled them back into the early 18th Century. Other the house with reptiles and amphibians energies were put into being Chairman of the including a yard-long iguana called Claudius, local Trefoil Guild, a group for former Girl which outgrew its tank and had the run of the Guides, and into editing the Old Girls’ living room. Claudius has a particular, affection Newsletter. for my mother. She would stand at the cooker, 12 ►
Both before and after Len’s death Pat travelled together. widely - last to David’s wedding to Shu-Hsien in Taiwan in 2001 My family in Taiwan was absolutely delighted to welcome her; wanting to know her and to show Sometime around 2000 Pat’s memory started to her their country and culture when she went to slip, at first almost imperceptibly. Insidiously, a Taiwan for our wedding in 2001. We were new chaos crept into her life, whilst old interests worried, though, when Mum confused Taiwan sputtered. with California--- a sign of the illness to come
When she came to London we’d find she’d The six years I spent in England before Pat brought winter clothes in Summer and summer Mommy moved to the nursing home are very clothes in Winter. She stopped cooking and precious to me. We both wandered in Lancaster lived on salmon sandwiches. Brewing tea, she and London, and spent three Christmas put the milk into the kettle, creating a foaming holidays together in the Lake District. We hope monster. In 2003 she was diagnosed with the George Hotel forgives the chaos we Alzheimer’s Disease. brought!
I will always remember some of Pat Mommy’s She tried to respond as she had to other usages -- so confusing then amusing for challenges---- with intellectual interest. But, a someone from abroad - such as ‘a frog in my cruel disease, it robbed her of any chance…. throat’, ‘spend a penny’, ‘a flat Pat, meaning she The family are grateful to the Alzheimer’s couldn’t sing’. How very lost I felt when I heard Society, the GP and the Community Mental Pat Mommy and late Margaret Baker praise the Health Trust, who provided so much help to ‘snowdrops’ on our first outing together. I could support Pat at home until 2007, and to the staff not see any snow around at all…. of Moorside Hall, which became her final home until she passed away on 30 Nov 2010. Things around will constantly remind me of Pat Mommy: plants and natural beauty; a love of the But, to end, some notes from a ‘Chinese colour green; Classic FM; theatre plays, Gilbert from Taiwan’ daughter-in-law: Shu-Hsien & Sullivan’s ‘Mikado’; old tins containing (Teresa): traditional pastries; very neat handwriting; lovely knitting and lots of English tea. Thanks Since I first visited Pat Mommy in 1998, indeed… many blessings. everyone who knew her tried to tell me that I didn’t see the best of her. Even so, I truly David & Shu-Hsien Livermore treasure every experience of knowing this English Mum and spending many lovely times
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Field Meeting 2011
Autumn Field Meeting: Exeter
10th September - 17th September 2011 eat in nearby Lopes Hall and have a workroom in the Local Organiser: Dr David Farley old dining room in Hope Hall. This campus is set in Guest Tutor: Dr Peter Roberts 300 acres of woodland and landscaped gardens and is recognised as probably the most beautiful and The autumn meeting will be based in Exeter alongside interesting botanical garden of any British University. the BMS scientific meeting. Autumn Forays have been held in Exeter in 1901, 1947 and 1978 so this will Accommodation has been provisionally booked for 30 be an opportunity to revisit some of the previously individuals and participants have the option of shared recorded sites and compare data. or single rooms all are ensuite and are serviced daily (the university can accommodate additional bookings). Devon supports an outstandingly rich and varied Options will be available to join the Scientific meeting natural environment due in part to the relatively for the main dinner and it is hoped that this meeting unpolluted atmosphere, mild climate and the varied will provide the opportunity for both sectors of the geology. This combination provides ideal and rare society to meet socially and participate in our conditions in which a diverse range of plant and respective meetings. animal species can thrive. Habitat distribution and character varies hugely across the County. The Cost: £380 single en suite with breakfast and 3 nearby upland National Park, Dartmoor, has large course evening meal. (£20 discount for BMS areas of heath, bog and mire, acidic grassland and members) steep river valley slopes blanketed in oak woodland. Local sites bordering the Exe are damp and even in Workroom and/or Forays (without accommodation) early September have the potential to yield good £70.00 (£20 discount for BMS members) mycological data. Chemicals will be available.
Accommodation will be at the University of Exeter on the Streatham Campus in Pennsylvania Court. We will BMS supporting the Groups in The Forest of Dean Starting To Identify Fungi Workshop, and Identifying Fungi with the Aid of a Microscope
The Forest of Dean house in Parkend which is situated in the centre of the forest enabling many sites to be within walking Starting To Identify Fungi: distance of the workrooms. There will be sufficient Sat 24th Sept – Tues 27th Sept 2011 (3 nights) space for up to 9 places in the workroom ensuring individual attention and help for those requiring Identifying fungi with the aid of a microscope: assistance with microscope technique. Weds 28th - Sat 1st Oct 2011 (3 nights) Prices are based on shared ensuite 4* The Forest of Dean has been the site of mycological accommodation in 1 Hazledene, Parkend with the interest for many years and has seen several garden room used as a lab. This workshop is workshops but none specifically for beginners who are designed for beginner and intermediate level and will members of our Local Groups Network. be led by Carol Hobart and Derek Schafer.
The "Starting to identify fungi workshop" will focus The cost of each workshop is £100, which includes on macroscopic features, sorting out genera and an shared ensuite, B&B + packed lunch and coffees introduction to the benefits of using the microscope for (evening meal taken in local pub at extra cost). better identification to species level. Offsite Singles might be possible at approx £145. "Identifying fungi with the aid of a microscope" will focus on more advanced identification skills, use of A Full week (both workshops) in 1 Hazledene is specialist keys and microscopic technique. The possible but there is no tutored session during the turn workshop will be arranged as a low key affair and will around period priced @ £230. have two tutors. The workroom will be based in a
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Field Meeting 2011
Dune/Nutrient Deficient Grassland Workshop: Snowdonia National Park Centre, Plas Tan y Bwlch, North Wales
7th October - 14th October 2011 National Park Centre, Plas Tan y Bwlch, N. Wales Strandline, foredune and mobile dune Organiser: Carol Hobart communities. Event Tutor: Dr Eef Arnolds Semi-fixed/fixed dune grassland communities. Dune slack/mire communities. The upland meeting will be based in the Snowdonia Heathland and dune heath communities. National Park Centre at Plas Tan y Bwlch, North Nutrient deficient grasslands. Wales. Following the successful Inocybe workshop in 2009 and many request to continue work on this Accommodation has been provisionally booked for 30 genus, it has been decided to use this week to study individuals and participants have the option of shared the Dune and Grassland flora of the North Wales or single rooms. coast. This will enable further study of Inocybe as well as allowing us the opportunity to look in detail at the This event is being supported by the Kew waxcap extensive mycological flora that exists within the project team who will be attending this event along diverse nutrient deficient grassland and sandune with Danish expert Dr David Boertmann. habitats. It is expected that this week will contribute
The dune systems of Anglesey (Abermenai - substantially to the wax cap project as well as Aberfraw SSSI), Morfa Harlech and Morfa Dyffryn providing an impetus to the recording of the UK Dune SAC and Ynyslas, within the Dyffi Unesco Biosphere systems. Reserve, are all within a relatively short drive of Maentwrog (Plas Tan y Bwlch). Visits to these sites Cost* £486 standard room, £539 ensuite room are likely to be interspersed with shorter trips in the (£20 discount for BMS members) locality of the centre. These national and international Chemicals will be available. reserves offer opportunities to record:
Overseas Foray: Semiramis Hotel, Platres, Cyprus
16th November - 25th November 2011 understanding of its mycobiota. It will be the first visit Semiramis Hotel, Platres, Cyprus to Cyprus by the BMS. Local Organiser: Michael Loizides The Semiramis Hotel can accommodate 20 people in The foray will be hotel based in Platres in the Troodos shared accommodation but there are a number of mountains. The Cyprus Mediterranean Forests of other more expensive local hotels in this winter ski High mountain ranges and low plains, include a wide resort that can be booked if numbers exceed our range of habitats. Oak, Strawberry, Juniper, and expectations (Forest Park Hotel being one). It is Cypress trees thrive at lower elevations. Coastal hoped that there will be a number of local mycologists areas, river basins and exposed hill tops are covered joining us. The local foray organiser will be Michael with Helianthemum and Cistus and other shrub-like Loizides the secretary of the CMA. vegetation. The driest areas of these also include wild There are regular flights from the UK (Manchester, olives and carob trees. Acres of mountain pine forests Luton, Gatwick & Bristol) and driving is on the same and juniper woodlands cover the mountain summits. side of the road as the UK.
Until recently relatively little fungal recording has been Costs are likely to be approx £600 - £700 inc done on the Island. Nattrass recorded 37 species in flights. 1937 and these were the only records until Deryck Viney in his larger Fungi of North Cyprus published in It is envisaged that the BMS will book the hotel for 2005 described about 200 species. delegates who will pay for their own accommodation and travel costs. In 2007 the Cyprus Mycological Association (CMA) was set up and they have subsequently identified well Cost £70.00 inc additional BMS costs such as over 800 species. This active, newly formed group workroom, local foray organiser etc, (£20 discount for are keen that we should visit the Island to extend their BMS members).
15 Booking Form 2011
ry 2011 st Februa ication: 1 te for Appl Closing Da
16 Booking Procedure for Forays and Workshops
The programme of events organised by the Field NOTES ON EVENTS Mycology & Conservation (FMC) committee appear on the Society’s website www.britmycolsoc.org.uk Workshops are usually held over a weekend, are along with a booking form which can be downloaded mainly indoors and combine lectures and from the website. There is a £20 non-refundable examination of prepared material from the workshop booking fee per person per event which should be tutor, with individual study using both fresh and sent to the Foray Manager with a completed booking herbarium fungal specimens as appropriate. A form for each participant. For some events it is microscope is essential. In some cases, some possible to attend on a part time basis or to be non- outdoor foray activity may be part of the workshop. resident. There will still be a fee for workroom space, Numbers are limited, usually to around 25 administration and tutoring costs. The Society participants, and the courses are generally fully welcomes non-members to its events but anyone booked. with a keen interest in field mycology can become a member of the Society. (Benefits of joining the BMS Residential Forays have a long tradition extending include reduced costs of attending field meetings, back to the 19th Century and provide an opportunity subsidised costs of Field Mycology and the increased for participants to study the fungi of a particular area. opportunities to interact with mycological experts and The days will include a programme of field outings to to participate in conservation and education outreach collect material to study after returning to the activities). BMS members and accompanying non workroom, where investigations often continue late participants are entitled to a £20 reduction for each into the evening or the early morning! Although there event. is only a limited programme of formal lectures, if any, the forays provide an opportunity for exchange of At least six weeks before the event (depending on knowledge on current developments in taxonomy the conditions imposed by the venue chosen), the and conservation, and an intensive learning organiser will ask for payment in full. If you do not environment for those with a serious interest (though pay this, then your place will be forfeited. Nearer the not necessarily extensive expertise) in fungal event and after full payment, refunds will need to be identification. The records of fungi made during BMS negotiated with the organiser, who may be able to forays are added to the Fungal Records Database of find a substitute; otherwise a refund may not be Britain and Ireland which is then made accessible possible. Participants should consider travel through the online NBN gateway. As part of this insurance to cover late cancellation. recording activity, forays also provide an opportunity to add herbarium specimens to the National The Foray Manager will send your booking details to collections and the active participation by members the organisers of each event. Your booking will be of the Kew Mycology Department, as well as other acknowledged by email. If you do not have an email herbaria, is a welcome part of the events. The please enclose a stamped, addressed envelope if evening round-up sessions, in which the outstanding you require acknowledgement. Please bear in mind finds of the day are viewed and discussed, conclude that some events have a limited number of places each day’s activities. and may become fully booked quite early. First time participants to a BMS event - The The form also allows you to indicate your Society is keen to encourage new participants with preferences for accommodation in more detail. The an interest in fungi to extend their expertise and available accommodation varies with the venue and, participate in its forays and workshops, including field while we would like to try to meet everyone's mycologists in affiliated local groups throughout the individual needs as far as possible, this may not British Isles. The organisers provide help and always be possible. Additional charges will usually encouragement to new or less experienced apply, for example single rooms or ensuite facilities attendees and are happy to be approached to when they are available. Please contact the Foray discuss your particular needs. The organisers are Manager with any queries. keen to foster a friendly atmosphere to make it possible for all participants whatever their level of The BMS small grant scheme is open to students expertise to experience a friendly, informative and attending any field meeting and if you are eligible and enjoyable event. would like to apply please contact the Foray Manager.
17 BMS ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC MEETING 2011
FUNGAL DEVELOPMENT AND PATHOGENESIS
School of Biosciences, University of Exeter
Tuesday 13th September, 2011 - Friday 16th September, 2011
Meeting Chairs: Mark Ramsdale, Nick Talbot
Advisory Committee: Steve Aves, Steve Bates, Tom Richards, Darren Soanes, Gero Steinberg, Chris Thornton
Why Exeter? The City of Exeter, at the heart of Devon has something for everyone, whether your tastes are for exploring the delights of city life or enjoying the countryside. With a population of about 110,000, Exeter is a friendly city which happily combines modern life with a sense of the past. Cafes, restaurants, pubs and modern shops mix easily with historic buildings, including the Cathedral, the ancient Guildhall which is the oldest civic working building in the country, Mol's Coffee House and the Ship Inn (both favourite haunts of Francis Drake and Walter Raleigh). The excellent selection of funky bars, cafes and restaurants also makes Exeter a vibrant place to be after dark. Exeter University's Streatham Campus is widely acknowledged as one of the most beautiful in the UK and is built around a former botanic garden, an ideal setting for the School of Biosciences. Exeter Biosciences houses a number of fungal biology groups with research interests ranging from basic cell biology, host-fungal interactions to community structure. The department has a long association with the Society and will provide a great setting for the meeting.
Travel Arrangements to Exeter The University campus is ideally situated for all travel links, whether they are by road, rail or air:
Exeter International Airport: 6 miles M5 motorway link: 4 miles Exeter St David's rail station: 2 miles
Accommodation: Holland Hall can accommodate up to 400 guests in en suite bedroom facilities just five minutes walk away from the lecture theatres
Meals Lunches: Holland Hall The venue enjoys sweeping views across the Exe estuary in its panoramic glass restaurant. Holland Hall can accommodate 360 guests in its restaurant. The glass fronted split-level mezzanine bar is perfect for a drinks reception.
Dinners: Reed Hall, Holland Hall, Venue TBA Enjoy eating in the splendour of our majestic Italianate Mansion, Reed Hall, set within beautifully landscaped gardens, complete with Koi carp lake. Large opening doors, leading directly into the gardens, add an extra special dimension to all summer celebrations. For the evening, the centre of the room is cleared to reveal an excellent dance floor, where guests can dance the night away. The University's Refresh dining room, Gallery Restaurant and Balcony Bar are centrally located beside the Great Hall Complex and can be used in conjunction with the Great Hall or independently, providing a range of dining options. The Refresh dining room can accommodate up to 300 guests while the Gallery Restaurant and Balcony Bar are suitable for smaller, more intimate, occasions.
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ANNOUNCEMENT BMS 2011 Annual Open Meeting
Fungi: animal slayers, saviours and socialists
BMS Annual Open Meeting in partnership with Kew
Saturday 26th November 2011
This years meeting centres around the interactions between fungi and animals, especially invertebrates. These interactions range among killing of animals by fungi, feeding on fungi by animals, and mutualistic symbiotic nutritional relationships. Many fungi rely on animals for dispersal, and many invertebrates use fruit bodies as breeding grounds. The meeting will be wide-ranging and will hopefully include topics such as: Invertebrate grazers change fungal behaviour; Fungus killer of insects – biocontrol; Cordyceps and Hypocrella: dramatic killers of invertebrates; the ecology of Conidiobolus spp. and Basidiobolus; insect galls and fungi; Amphibian extinction by Bd; Invertebrate inhabitants of basidiocarps. The full programme will appear in the next issue of Mycologist News.
Lynne Boddy
Past copies of Mycological Research for donation
A Member of the BMS wishes to donate his 45 year run of Mycological Research (formerly Transactions of the British Mycological Society) dating from 1958—2003, to an interested institution who will use them for research. It is not a complete set with 5 or 6 issues missing.
If you are interested in this please contact Norman Porrett at the BMS Office ([email protected]) for further information.
Please note: 1. Any costs incurred for collection/transportation/delivery etc will be your responsibility 2. The donation is offered in its entirety only.
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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