Volume 47:4 July ⁄ August 2006 www.namyco.org
Silky Piggyback. It has gills, but they are frequently poorly devel- oped such that “normal” spore production from basidia is unreli- able. So what is their reproductive solution? The really odd feature of this mushroom is that the coating of the gills produces “chlamydospores,”— ”spores” of a different kind, which are able to create a new fungal organism without a need for mating with compatible spores. “Chlamydo-” translates to “mantle or exterior coat,” which is the part of the mush- room that produces these “spores.” The accompanying photos show Nyctalis parasitica on its host (see page 2; excuse my poor photo), and an enlargement of its smooth fusi- form chlamydospores, each with a large central oil drop (see page 16; photo by Michael Warnock). Your Nyctalis asterophora on a Russula or Lactarius. guidebook may have this species under its alternate name, Asterophora parasitica. Nyctalis duo: “Outlandish Oddballs” John captured his find of Nyctalis asterophora in the photo on by Tony Wright The genus name Nyctalis translates the left. This mushroom, of similar as “pertaining to night or darkness,” size, also selects as its hosts the “Outlandish Oddballs” are David perhaps a reference to the dark genera Russula and Lactarius, and is Arora’s words when he starts to talk putrescent mushroom mass on seen occasionally in both North about two species of mushroom in which they choose to grow. Nyctalis the genus Nyctalis, both of which are is in the same family as Tricholoma. Continued on page 13 to be found in our area but are Pat’s find at the Cain is known seldom seen. We have been very as Nyctalis parasitica and is seen In this issue: lucky—one was found at our recent occasionally in both North America Cain Foray by Pat Burchell, and the and Europe. It is rather fussy about President’s Message ...... 2 other a little earlier by John Sparling. the mushrooms it will parasitize, Forays and Announcements ...... 3 These two are clearly odd in that and is generally found only on Fungi in the News ...... 5 they grow on other dead or decaying several species of Russula and cer- Book Reviews ...... 7 mushrooms, but if you examine tain Lactarius. It grows in clusters them closer they are even odder or with a very thin, whitish, silky cap Mushroom Parasites ...... 8 “outlandisher.” Dr. James Scott’s talk up to 2 cm. wide on a stipe of up to Wildacres ‘06 Registration ...... 10 at this year’s Cain Foray has set us 3 cm. tall, on the decaying host NAMA Foray Registration ... 11, 12 up to be watchful of mushrooms that mushroom, which is seldom readily Bleeding Mycena Pinmold ...... 13 grow on other mushrooms, so it is recognizable as to species. The timely to review these two species, guidebooks will give you more Poetry Corner ...... 13 especially as we have photos of details (Barron, p. 270) and reveal Mushroom of the Month ...... 16 them and of their strange “spores.” that one of its common names is
1The Mycophile, July/August 2006 Moving? P R E S I D E N T ‘ S M E S S A G E Please send your new address, two weeks before you move, to Ann Bornstein It’s Annual Foray time again. While I enjoy the local club forays and the NAMA Membership Secretary NAMA regional forays, I really look forward to the big foray each year. The 336 Lenox Avenue mushrooms are only a small part of the experience. First, there is the Oakland, CA 94610-4675 opportunity to really get away for a few days on a mushroom excursion,
The Mycophile, July/August 2006 2 FORAYS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mycophile Community Suffers New Summer Forays in Mexico Alaska’s Wild Mushrooms Serious Loss August 25–27 July 9–16 Just as this issue was going to press Sierra Gorda Ecological Preserve, Contact owners Mary Jane and we received word that Dr. Orson Queretaro Tony Lastufka at (907) 235-3633/ Miller had died June 9 as a result of 345-2571; visit their website at a brain tumor diagnosed last fall. August 6–13 www. tentandbreakfastalaska.com; “Orson was North America’s Benito Juarez National Park, Oaxaca or first mycology superstar, who made For more information see the May/ he ycophile; e-mail them at
Dave Malloch, Faye Murrin, Ron Peterson, Stan Pieda, Greg Thorn, Andrus Voitk, Tom Volk (health permitting), and Gary Warren (others TBA: check the website.
Wildacres Regional NAMA Foray McIlvaineaTEUR MYCOLOGY Wildacres, North Carolina September 28–October 1 JOURNAL OF AMERICAN AMA Participants at this foray will be limited to 50 persons, double occupancy. There are no private rooms. The cost of the foray is $200 and covers 3 nights lodging and 8 meals beginning with an evening meal on Thursday, September 28, and ending with breakfast on Sunday, October 1. Registration form ◆ SPRING 2006 can be found in this issue of The ◆ NUMBER 1 Mycophile or at the NAMA website, VOLUME 16 www.namyco.org. For additional A Publication of the North American Mycological Association information contact Allein Stanley at
Good News from Tom Volk “Hi, Everyone. After what was appar-ently a successful heart trans- Mac Is Back! plant, I was “released” from the hospital today and moved into the Spring 2006 marks the return of McIlvainea after many years’ Gift of Life Transplant House—sort absence! All NAMA members will be receiving a copy of like a Ronald McDonald house for adults. I will have to stay in Roches- shortly. Although it has taken longer for Judith and me to put ter for a couple months, and I’m not it together (I’ll be the first to admit when I don’t know what sure when I can even travel out of I’m doing), I am confident that you’ll be pleased with our the city for short times, maybe after efforts, as well as with the efforts of those who contributed a month. They’re still keeping pretty the tremendous articles. The next issue is planned for fall close watch on me, and I even have and will be a tribute to Elizabeth Moses. —Britt to go for blood tests this weekend and four days next week. My heart rate has gone up some (this is good, as it had been low) as I try different drugs and their combinations. No pacemaker for now. My new heart is Last Chance to Nominate Officers! very strong, and sometimes it feels like it’s pounding in my chest with President Ike Forester, First Vice-President Bob Fulgency, and much more force than my old Treasurer Judith McCandless have all indicated a willingness to serve crummy heart did. . . It’s only going another term in their respective positions. Other nominations may be to get better from here. submitted by the general membership. The nominations must be I can have visitors. Anyone who received prior to the 2006 NAMA Annual Meeting in August for would like a vacation in Rochester, distribution to the Trustees. MN, for a day, a few days, or a A nomination must include in writing: (1) the nominee’s consent week during the summer, I’ll be to serve, and (2) a brief biographical description of the nominee’s qualifications and experience. Continued on page 15
The Mycophile, July/August 2006 4 F U N G I I N T H E N E W S
Environmentally sensitive protein restricted to regions of single conti- from additional A. muscaria isolates proves key to making yeast nents. Using specimens and cultures kept in the big international DNA pathogenic. Researchers have from Europe, North America, and sequence repository called GenBank. revealed a single gene that sets in Hawaii, a group of researchers from Although the researchers confirmed motion a pernicious makeover the U.S.A., France, Spain, and the the existence of the three above- whereby human body heat triggers U.K., led by Richard Kerrigan of mentioned clades, representatives of the transformation of a handful of Sylvan Research in Pennsylvania, all three groups were found to occur common soil molds from a benign analyzed DNA sequences from sympatrically in Alaska, suggesting fungus to a pathogenic yeast. among members of the section and that they represent cryptic phylo- In the April 28, 2006, issue of with representative taxa from other genetic species with partially the Science, researchers Julie C. sections of the genus. The study overlapping geographic distributions Nemecek, Marcel Wüthrich, and (Mycologia; 97[6]: 1292–1315) rather than being allopatric (that is, Bruce S. Klein published the results determined 21 discrete entities in completely separated) populations. of a study that helps to explain how Xanthodermatei, including 14 estab- All phylogenetic species share at microbial pathogens that normally lished species and seven new ones, least two morphological varieties inhabit our environment can adapt to three of which are described else- with other species, suggesting thrive inside mammalian hosts. where. Four species from California, ancestral polymorphism in pileus There are six dimorphic fungi that New Mexico, and France deserve and wart color pre-dating their cause disease worldwide: Blasto- further study before they are speciations. myces dermatitidis, Coccidioides described. Type studies of American So what does this mean? It immitis, Histoplasma capsulatum, taxa are particularly emphasized, seems that the ancestral population Paracoccidiodes brasiliensis, Sporo- and a lectotype is designated for A. of A. muscaria likely evolved in the thrix schenkii, and Penicillium marnef- californicus. Section Xanthodermatei Siberian–Beringian region and fei. Fungi that are dimorphic can formed a single clade in most underwent fragmentation. The data switch from nonpathogenic molds in analyses, indicating that the tradi- suggest that these populations later soil to pathogenic yeast after spores tional sectional characters noted evolved into species and expanded are inhaled and exposed to elevated above are good unifying characters their range in North America and temperature. Mechanisms that which appear to have arisen only Eurasia. In addition to range expan- regulate this switch remain obscure. once within Agaricus. sions, populations of all three The researchers show that a fungal species remained in Beringia and chemical (a kind of kinase enzyme) Deciphering the distribution history adapted to the cooling climate. senses host signals and triggers the of Amanita muscaria. I would bet transition from mold to yeast. The that 99% of our readers already Humans are not the only primate kinase also regulates cell-wall knew that Amanita muscaria has a mycophages! Though ≥ 22 species of integrity, sporulation, and expression wide geographic distribution—it Primates consume fungi, most do so of virulence genes in vivo. This occurs in Europe, Asia, Africa, at low rates, during less than five global regulator shapes how dimor- Australia, New Zealand, and North, per cent of their feeding time. phic fungal pathogens adapt to the Central, and South America. Pre- Goeldi’s monkeys (Callimico goeldii), mammalian host, which has broad vious studies have shown that three spend up to 29% of their feeding implications for treating and pre- geographic clades (i.e. ‘Eurasian,’ time year-round consuming fungal venting systemic fungal disease. ‘Eurasian-alpine,’ and ‘North sporocarps, the fruiting bodies of American’ groups) exist within A. fungi. Hanson et al. report in the Unraveling the problematic genus muscaria. But did you know that the latest issue of International Journal of Agaricus. Agaricus section Xantho- historical dispersal patterns of A. Primatology (27[1]: 323–46) dermatei comprises a group of muscaria are pretty much unknown? comprehensive data on the nutri- species allied to A. xanthodermus and In a recent issue of the journal tional characteristics of 4 species of generally characterized by basidio- Molecular Ecology, Geml et al. (15[1]: fungi consumed by C. goeldii mata having phenolic odors, tran- 225–39) set out to shed some light (Ascopolyporus polyporoides, siently yellowing discolorations in on this mystery. They collected Ascopolyporus polychrous, Auricularia some parts of the basidiome, Schaef- specimens from arctic, boreal, and auricula, and Auricularia delicata). fer’s reaction negative, and mild to humid temperate regions in Alaska, The composition of the fungi is substantial toxicity. The section has extracted DNA from their samples, similar to that of other fungi: a global distribution, while most and compared the DNA sequences to included species have distributions those of homologous sequences Continued on page 6
5The Mycophile, July/August 2006 Fungi in the News, contribute to their relatively large woodlands, which might impact on cont. from page 5 home ranges and low population the ability of these fungi to forage density compared to other Callitrichi- for and decompose dead organic predominantly fiber (66.2–83.0% dry nae. Research on the ability of material. matter) with small amounts of sugar Goeldi’s monkeys to digest fungi is Also from Mycological Research, (2.0–5.6% dry matter) and crude fat needed to understand fully the Virag and Harris look for answers to (0.9–1.6% dry matter). Though the nutritional value of fungi to them. that age-old question, “What the crude protein content is substantial The authors discuss adaptations heck is a Spitzenkörper, anyway?” in (5.5–13.4% dry matter), much of the C. goeldii may have for improving their paper “The Spitzenkörper: A nitrogen in the fungi is not likely to their ability to obtain nutrients from Molecular Perspective” (110[1]: 4–13). be available to C. goeldii because it fungi and potential ecological cor- is associated with indigestible food relates of mycophagy. It also would Beetles, too, eat fungi—to stay components or is in nonprotein be interesting to learn how the fungi healthy. Insects require sterols for form. The mineral content of the have coevolved with the myco- normal growth, metamorphosis, and fungi is within the normal range for phagic monkeys; are the fungi reproduction, yet they are unable to fungi generally, and the calcium-to- benefiting in any way from the synthesize these organic compounds phosphorus ratio is low (0.07–0.25). monkeys—say, through spore and are therefore dependent upon a With its silky black fur, the dispersal? dietary source. For phloephagous Goeldi’s monkey is a little larger species—such as bark beetles than a squirrel, and its charac- And speaking of mycophagy . . . (famous for spreading the fungal teristics closely resemble those of Cord-forming basidiomycetes are cause of Dutch elm disease, marmosets and tamarins. This important decomposers of dead Ophiostoma ulmi, which has wiped monkey was discovered in 1904 and wood in forest ecosystems, but the out most American elms in North given the name Callimico, which impact of mycophagous soil inver- America)—whose food does not means “beautiful little monkey.” Its tebrates on their mycelia is little necessarily contain appropriate types head is round with hairless ears, known. In a recent issue of the or adequate quantities of sterols, usually covered by the hair crown, journal Mycological Research, Tordoff fungal symbionts may provide an which is puffed out. Besides fungi, et al. (110[3]: 335–45) report the alternative source in the form of its diet consists of fruits, insects, effects of different grazing inten- ergosterol. bird eggs, and small vertebrates. sities of Collembola (tiny primitive In the latest issue of the Annals Gestation period is 4.5 to 5 months, insects) on mycelial foraging pat- of the Entomological Society of and only one young is born per litter. terns of the saprotrophic cord- America (99[2]: 189–94) Barbara J. These monkeys live in the tropical forming basidiomycetes Hypholoma Bentz and Diana L. Six determined rainforests of the upper Amazon fasciculare (the ubiquitous sulfur the ergosterol content of host tree River in South America. tuft), Phanerochaete velutina (a phloem naturally infested with Fungi appear to be a low-quality common resupinate white rotter), larvae (and their fungal symbionts) food resource for C. goeldii and may and Resinicium bicolor (another of bark beetles and compared it to common white rotter) growing from ergosterol contents in uninfested beech (Fagus sylvatica) wood block phloem tissue. Mycelia of Ophi- inocula in dishes of non-sterile soil. ostoma montium and O. clavigerum Collembola are completely unseen isolated from bark beetle mycangia and unknown to the average person, (little pouches on the underside of yet they are some of the dominant the adult beetles that have evolved animal species in the forest. Myce- to carry fungal tissue from tree to lial extension rate and hyphal tree) contained relatively large coverage decreased with increased quantities of ergosterol, although no grazing intensity. Resinicium bicolor significant differences in content was most affected, high grazing were found among these and other density resulting in only a few fungal species tested. Phloem major cords remaining. Grazing of colonized by beetle larvae contained H. fasciculare often resulted in significantly more ergosterol than points of more rapid outgrowth as did uninfested host phloem tissue. cords with a fanned margin. In Their results suggest that larval life grazed mycelia of P. velutina the stages of bark beetles may obtain main cords had fanned tips and vital nutrients not only from the host lateral cords became branched. tree phloem but also from fungal These results suggest that mycoph- symbionts, in the form of ergosterol, A cuddly Goeldi’s monkey at Milwaukee agy by Collembola may hinder the while mining larval galleries. Zoo. Photo by Britt Bunyard. growth of cord-forming fungi in
The Mycophile, July/August 2006 6 B O O K R E V I E W S
Fungi of the Antarctic: Evolution “Evolution, taxonomy and ecology of Fungi of Switzerland, Vol. 6 under Extreme Conditions. G. S. de the genus Thelebolus in Antarctica,” (Russulaceae) by Fred Kränzlin. Hoog, ed. Studies in Mycology 51:1–79. covers the fungi that dominate the Lucerne: Edition Mykologia, 2005. Utrecht, The Netherlands: Centraal- aquatic regions of the continent, at 317 pp. ISBN 3-85604-260-1 (English bureau voor Schimmelcultures, 2005. least so far as is known. Fungi of version). 158 Swiss francs (CHF), ISBN 90-70351-55-2. this genus (worldwide) are typically plus 23 for shipping to U.S. found in association with mammal Like most folks, when it comes to dung and often in cold climates. In I began my review of Volume 5 in life in the Antarctic, I know very Antarctica, species of Thelebolus this series (The Mycophile 42(3), little. But like most mycologists I seem to have moved into birds as May/June ‘01) by saying, “There’s am keenly aware that fungi are their animal host. In the environ- both good news and bad news to known to occur in just about every ment, they form pink mycelial mats report,” and that’s also true with corner of the Earth, and Antarctica on the bottom of frozen lakes. respect to Volume 6. First the good is no exception—but just barely. The authors of both papers news—the latest of the “Swiss Despite being at the very limits of hypothesize on the possible course books” is now available. The bad where organisms can eke out a of evolution for these fascinating news is that it is the final volume of living, Antarctica does support organisms. But why study Antarctic this fine project produced by a small members of the Fifth Kingdom. fungi? Aside from describing some group of Swiss amateur mycologists; And, as elsewhere, the fungi there new species (which both groups there are no more to look forward to. can be found in aquatic environ- have done, herein) and some Also in the bad news category is the ments and terrestrially. “Aquatic” uncommon lifestyles, what’s to be fact that our dollar is not doing as here means they’re covered with ice gained from investigating fungal well in late 2005 as it was in 2001 most of the time. And by “terres- life—or any life, for that matter—on so, although the price for this trial,” I don’t mean on the surface of the Seventh Continent? Possibly, volume is the same in Swiss francs rocks, I mean in the rocks. quite a bit! Of course, there is as the last two, it will cost U.S. Just a few paragraphs into Fungi always interest in extremophiles as buyers about 25% more. of the Antarctic and I quickly realized a source of novel antimicrobials or This is the last volume in a there is much to be learned about other important biomolecules (where series that documents the macro- Antarctic mycology. And if you’re a would we be without DNA polymer- fungi of Switzerland. The previous neophyte or expert this book is a ases isolated from thermophiles?). five volumes cover the larger great place to turn to for information. But there are some other “far out” ascomycetes (Vol.1); the non-gilled Basically, Fungi of the Antarctic is reasons to explore life in the Antarc- fungi—jellies, polypores, chan- an assemblage of two research tic. Some of the harsh Antarctic terelles, corals, puffballs, and the papers by several experts in the field. deserts are among the Earth’s like (Vol. 2); the boletes and a The first paper, “Fungi at the edge of closest analogues to that of Martian portion of the agarics—Hygro- life: cryptoendolithic black fungi from environments. And it seems that phoraceae, Tricholomataceae, and Antarctic desert,” discusses the Martian exploration, in general, and gilled Polyporaceae (Vol. 3); another terrestrial fungi that occur there. the search for life there, to be portion of the agarics—Entolomata- Interestingly, fungi of the Antarctic specific, is quite popular these days. ceae, Pluteaceae, Amanitaceae, are more apt to occur within porous Although the consensus is that Mars Agaricaceae, Coprinaceae, Bolbitia- rock—typically, sandstone—rather is currently inhospitable to life as ceae, and Strophariaceae (Vol. 4); than on the surface as lichens would we know it, it is thought that the and the Cortinariaceae (Vol. 5). in much of North America. This is Red Planet may have been more Coverage concludes here with the because the microclimatic conditions permissive in the past. The possibil- Russulaceae (Russula and Lactarius). just under the surface of rocks are ity that life is preserved there in a Altogether, over 2,400 species are somewhat buffered thermally and not resting form cannot be ruled out; described and illustrated, including subjected to such wide thermal thus, determining the limits of life 218 in the last volume. The earlier fluctuations as are the sterile surfaces on Earth is a logical area of study. volumes all have been praised for of Antarctic rocks. In addition to —Britt A. Bunyard their high quality, and the new physiological and growth habits in release does nothing to detract from culture, the authors have determined [See photos from this book on page 15. the series’s well deserved the phylogenetic positions for these The article originally appeared in reputation. curious fungi, based on DNA MSA’s Inoculum (2006; 57[2]: 12–13); The format is essentially the sequence analysis. it is reprinted here with permission.] The second paper, entitled Continued on page 9
7The Mycophile, July/August 2006 II: The Fungus That Loves the Oak-loving Fungus
The Collybia Jelly fungus, Syzygospora mycetophila (though you probably know it by its former name, Christiansenia mycetophila), parasitizes the ubiquitous mushroom Gymnopus dryophilus (which you may know from its previous name, Collybia dryophila), creating pale, jelly-like growths on the stem, gills, and cap. These growths look like strange tumors on its host Mushroom Parasites (which you might feel sorry for, were it not for the fact that it’s usually the most common mushroom in the by Britt Bunyard woods!)—but I digress. In the past, Syzygospora was actually thought to be a jelly fungus and went by the I: The Spore-Eating Fungus, Sporophagomyces name Tremella mycetophila. The Mushroom Expert website, run by Michael Kuo (author of the wonderful I first heard of the bizarre fungus called new book Morels), states that “Apparently Syzygospora Sporophagomyces during a talk by Dr. Daniel mycetophila is not, strictly speaking, the stuff that we Lindner Czederpiltz of the USDA Forest see on the mushroom; the jelly-like growths are Products Lab in Madison, Wisconsin. This composed of tissue from the mushroom itself and are strange creature (the fungus, not Dan!) makes induced by the parasite, which uses them for its own a living by capturing and consuming the spores ends.” And that, dear readers, usually means of other fungi—notably, the basidiospores of reproduction and spore dispersal. The photo below is by shelf-like polypores hanging off the side of David Work and won the First Place Award in the 2005 trees. It seems the parasite grows as a hyphal NAMA Digital Photo Contest. mat just below the hymenial surface of the polypore and catches the spores as they drop from its host. There are a few species in the genus Sporophagomyces; none of them particularly well known. Just about all that is known was published by Dr. Gary J. Samuels of the USDA-ARS Systematic Botany and Mycology Lab, in Beltsville, Maryland. The type species, S. chrysostomus (pictured on page 9; photo courtesy of D. Lindner Czederpiltz, taken in Belize), was known for a long time as Hypomyces chrysostomus. These fungi occur on members of the Ganodermataceae and are most conspicuous for the production of the anamorph on the underside of the conk, which starts out white and cottony and produces conidia. Later it becomes brown as basidiospores are trapped in it. The anamorph of S. chrysosostomus has been called Bombycina institale. Often this peculiar growth is removed from the polypore and preserved as a herbarium specimen, thus obscuring the identity of the host.
Collybia dryophila with Christiansenia mycetophila.
The Mycophile, July/August 2006 8 volumes, with one major exception: Previously, species descriptions were arranged three per two-page spread, one above another. Here there are only two species per two-page spread. As usual, on the left-hand page is the fungus’s name, including author, a short list of syno- nyms, a symbol denoting edibility, and the text descrip- tion. Each description includes information about habitat; macroscopic features of the pileus, flesh, lamellae, and stipe; microscopic features; taxonomic remarks such as how to distinguish similar species; and source and date of the collection. On the right-hand page are clear line drawings of microscopic features including spores, basidia, cystidia, and pileipellis, and a high-quality color photograph, usually taken in situ so that visual information about habitat is conveyed. The spore-print color swatches used in Volume 4 have returned, given the importance of spore-print color in . separating species within the Russulaceae. This is a another very nicely produced book—highly informative, aesthetically pleasing, and useful for, as well as usable by, amateurs and professionals alike. At over $100 it isn’t cheap; however, its high quality and value make it worth the price. If you’re serious about identifying mushrooms, you’ll find the set indis- pensable. —Steve Trudell, Seattle, Washington
[Note: For those interested in filling in missing volumes in your collection, all are still available in English, German, or French at the following prices: Volume 1 (118 CHF), Volumes 2 and 3 (148 each), and Volumes 4 and 5 (158 each). Shipping is 23 CHF for the first book ordered, and 14 for each additional book. Visa and MasterCard accepted. Contact Verlag-Edition Mykologia Lucerne, P.O. Box, CH-6000 Lucerne 6, Switzerland.] Sporophagomyces chrystotomus specimens from Belize
Continued on Book Reviews, continued from page 7 page 10 same as that of the earlier volumes. After the preface by mycologist Henri Clémençon, translators’ note, and author’s foreword, the book includes an introduction and synopsis of the taxonomic arrangement, spore-color chart, study methods, glossary, lists of abbreviations and symbols used, abbreviations of taxonomic authors’ names, and both Latin and English names for the plants that appear in the habitat descriptions. This is followed by a set of dichotomous keys to the included taxa and the species descriptions. The book conludes with an extensive bibliography, index, and a cumula- tive appendix with keys, family and genus lists, and an index to the entire series. The keys are based on a combination of macro- scopic features and basic microscopic observations, such as spore shape, ornamentation, and dimensions. The floristic part represents the main body of the book, and it will look familiar to users of the previous
9The Mycophile, July/August 2006 NAMA WILDACRES REGIONAL FORAY September 28–October 1, 2006 Wildacres, North Carolina
To register, complete this form and mail with a check for $200, payable to NAMA, to Allein Stanley, 136 Homeplace Drive, Mount Holly, NC 28120. Persons sharing a room may use the same form.
l. Name ______1. Name ______
1. ❏ Male ❏ Female 1. ❏ Male ❏ Female
1. Address______1. Address______1. Phone ______1. Phone ______2. Ernail ______2. Ernail ______3. I wish to room with ______3. I wish to room with ______4. Dietary requests______4. Dietary requests______5. Bedding preference: ❏ Double ❏ Single Bedding preference: ❏ Double ❏ Single
Participants at this foray will be limited to 50 persons, double occupancy. There are no private rooms. The cost of the foray covers 3 nights lodging and 8 meals beginning with an evening meal on Thursday, Sept. 28, and ending with breakfast on Sunday, October 1. Liability waiver: By signing below, I release the North American Mycological Association, its officers, and its members from any and all liability and loss arising from any accident, injury, or illness which may result from activities of the NAMA regional foray at Wildacres.
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Book Reviews, cont. from page 9 treatment, and flower pollinators If you’ve familiarized yourself needed for production of crops. The with the general roles of fungi in Fungi in Ecosystem Processes, by bottom line is that the value of natu- nature (a good way to do this would John Dighton. Mycology, Vol. 17. ral ecosystems is, in the authors’ be through reading Fungi, by Brian New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc., words, “big potatoes”—at least three Spooner and Peter Roberts (see the 2003. ISBN 0-8247-4244-3 (hard- times the value of all the goods and review following this one) and are bound) 432 pp; $175.00. services produced throughout the ready to learn more about the nuts world (Costanza et al., Nature, Vol. and bolts of their activities, this book Some years ago a group of ecolo- 387:253–60, May 25, 1997). Not can help you take that next step. gists/economists attempted to many of us appreciate that. Even John Dighton directs the Pine- estimate the economic value of fewer realize that fungi are an lands Field Station, in the New “ecosystem services,” everything indispensable part of nearly all these Jersey pine barrens and is a from the commodity value of natural ecosystems, thus making us utterly professor at Rutgers University. His resources like timber to less obvious dependent upon them, even as they things like climate regulation, waste are destroyed or degraded. Continued on page 14
The Mycophile, July/August 2006 10 The North American Mycological Association NAMA ’06 Hinton Training Center, Hinton, Alberta, Canada Thursday, August 17th, through Sunday, August 20th, 2006
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From the Editor: I hope you’re enjoying your current issue of The Mycophile. The theme this issue is “Mycoparasites,” a topic that’s a particular favorite of mine. I want to give an extra big “Thanks” to all who contributed articles and provided spectacular photos for this issue!
The Mycophile, July/August 2006 12 common in wet weather, and visually Outlandish Oddballs, continued Bleeding Mycena Pinmold striking when the light catches the from page 1 by Steve Nelsen “hairs.” You should look for it when- ever you see Bleeding Mycena, which America and Europe, but is much is likely on decorticated logs in oak more easily recognized when the Few lower fungi are of much woods anytime from late May until initially whitish surface of the cap interest to people who walk in the frost. A Google search showed that it becomes covered with a brownish woods looking for mushrooms was Tom Volk’s March 2004 Mush- powder. It then looks much like a because most are microscopic. The room of the Month (they reminded brown puffball. Again the thick gills Bleeding Mycena pinmold is an him of Albert Einstein) and gives of this species are often rudimentary exception that is big enough to see other pictures of it on Mycena epip- or even lacking, and the organism easily and is relatively common. The terygia and M. pura. has to find another way of creating Bleeding Mycena, Mycena haematopus effective spores for distribution. This (Fries) Quélet, is called “without [Steve is a member of the Wisconsin time it is the surface of the cap question one of the commonest and Mycological Society. This article was which transforms itself into one of the most easily identified of all first printed in the WMS newsletter and “chlamydospores,” and these are Mycenae” on page 212 of Bessette, is reprinted with the permission of the what make up the brown powder on Bessette, and Fischer (BB&F), author. —Britt] the cap. Not surprisingly, it carries a Mushrooms of Northeastern North common name of Powdery Piggy- America, and it appears in essentially back in some quarters. Michael’s all handbooks. The cap color varies photo of the chlamydospores (below) from pinkish to reddish-brown with POETRY CORNER shows them as remarkably star-like age, but it is the dark red-brown juice with blunt spines all around, and it that oozes from the stem when it is is this feature that gave rise to the broken which makes this species easy “Spinella, je t’adore!” species epithet asterophora, meaning to identify (see photo on page 15 of “star-bearing.” This species also is this issue). by Maggie Rogers known by an alternate name, BB&F is the only book I have Asterophora lycoperdoides: the species which names and illustrates the Mycena with a furry wig? epithet means “like a puffball.” pinmold that the Bleeding Mycena What is this thing you’ve found? gets as Spinellus fusiger. It is a member Growing on a rotting log, of a large group of lower fungi called Or on the mossy ground? Zygomycetes, which includes bread molds, fly fungi, animal traps, and Take out your magnifying lens Pilobolus, the spore thrower. It is a To see these hair-fine threads, Subphyllum, Class, or Subclass (with And note the wee black sphoroid slight difference in endings some- caps times), depending on where you look. Atop their glistening threads. Especially the higher groupings of fungi appear to be totally a matter of Inside (a microscope you’d need) taste, and hardly anybody seems shy You’d find miniscule spores about raising or lowering groups to Maturing from Mycena’s rich flesh, Nyctalis asterophora chlamydospores. suit himself. Zygomycetes have an The “rhomboid mitospores.” aseptate mycelium; that is, the Maybe now you will recognize threads that make up the main part of How do spores find that pink this pair when you are lucky enough the fungus (and are hidden in what is mycena to find them. growing upon) are long tubes instead Favorite, on its mossy bed? of being divided into sections with They leave that cap and float in [Used with permission from Tony partitions, as with higher fungi. The breezes: Wright, John Sparling and Michael pinmolds are in Family Mucoraceae “Mycena! Dead ahead!” Warnock, members of the Mycological (the Fly Fungus family), one of nine Society of Toronto, who teamed up on in the large Order Mucorales, which What is the name, you’ll surely ask? the genus Nyctalis for their club’s contains such economically important “Genus Sporella; sp. fusiger, (Family newsletter, “Mycelium,” Vol. 31 No. 4, fungi as the bread molds. Pin molds Mucor).” Oct.–Dec. ‘05. Incidentally, Tom Volk are characterized by production of But to most of us its name’s just points out that the genus Nyctalis is fruiting bodies with relatively long “Pin mold . . .” synonymous with Asterophora and tubes having an enlargement at the “Spinella, je t’adore!” that, technically, the latter is the end bearing the spores. This pin mold preferred name. You can see his is much larger than most, relatively website for details.—Britt]
13 The Mycophile, July/August 2006 Book Reviews, cont. from page 10 but not of a caliber likely to attract Collins’s longstanding commitment many new converts to matters of to including under-appreciated background is primarily in ecology, ecosystem mycology. Given that, it’s organisms in this series quite not mycology, and much of his difficult for me to recommend this praiseworthy. The authors of this research involves ecosystem aspects book in light of its high price. At new volume are both mycologists at of ectomycorrhizas. The book arose $175.00, it’s not likely to be used in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, from a manuscript he prepared for a many classes and thus will reach and are well known in mycological graduate course he teaches called few in its original audience of circles. In keeping with the editors’ Fungi in Ecosystems. Lacking a university students, not to mention intent for the series, they present in suitable textbook for the class, he general readers who might want to accessible fashion a wealth of decided to write his own. Given this know more about the activities of interesting and up-to-date informa- original target audience, you’ll need fungi in the world around us. If tion about what fungi do and why some familiarity with college-level money’s no object, or you have they are important. biology, fungi, and soils to get the access to a university library, Fungi The 18 chapter titles give a good most out of it. in Ecosystem Processes is worth sense of what to expect: Neither After a general introduction in checking out. If neither of those plants nor animals; Evolution and Chapter 1, six main topics are conditions applies to you, then you diversity; Agents of decay; Mycor- treated in one lengthy chapter each: may prefer to wait for a more rhizae: promoters of growth; Part- Fungi and primary productivity: accessible treatment of this essential ners and providers; Parasites and making nutrients available; Fungi but little-appreciated subject. predators; Dispersal; Grass and and primary productivity: plant grassland; Trees and woodland; growth and carbon fixation; Fungi, —Steve Trudell, Seattle, Washington Dunes and heathland; Freshwater; secondary productivity, and other Marine and salt marsh; Specialised fungal-faunal interactions; Fungi natural habitats; Manmade habitats; and population and community Fungi, by Brian Spooner and Peter Fungi and health; Folklore and regulation; Fungal interactions with Roberts. The New Naturalist Series. traditional use; Food and technology; humans; and Synopsis and outlook New York: Collins, 2005; 594 pp. and Conservation. to the future. Generally the fungi ISBN 0-00-220153-4 (paper). $45.00 In addition to presenting much are discussed in four groups— widely known material, Spooner and mycorrhizal, saprotrophic, patho- This recent addition to the long- Roberts have done an excellent job genic, and lichen-formers—and the running Collins New Naturalist of culling many interesting findings emphasis is on what they are doing, Series replaces the popular seventh about fungi from the recent, as well rather than what they are. volume, Mushrooms and Toadstools, as the not-so-recent, research Dighton poses the main threads written by John Ramsbottom in the literature. For instance, I was that flow through the volume as early 1950s and in print until the pleased to see the story of how four questions: (1) How have fungi mid 1980s. According to the pub- chlorophyll-free plants such as become adapted to survive within lisher, “The aim of this series is to Indian pipe and pine drops derive the constraints of the environment interest the general reader in the their nutrition from ectomycorrhizal and other organisms around them? wildlife (in a broader sense than we fungi—they are not saprophytes as (2) How do fungi function in main- use in North America) of Britain by many botany books and field guides taining the status quo of eco- recapturing the enquiring spirit of would have you believe. They also systems? (3) How do fungi alter the the old naturalists. The editors call attention to the frequent associa- environment of the ecosystem so as believe that the natural pride of the tion (at least spatially) of fruiting to withstand perturbation? and (4) British public in the native flora, bodies of Amanita muscaria and How do fungi influence the popu- fauna, and fungi, to which must be Boletus (Chalciporus) piperatus. I lation and community structure of added concern for their conserva- have observed these two com- other organisms? tion, is best fostered by maintaining mingling in several different areas A wealth of information gleaned a high standard of accuracy com- in North America and Europe, but from Dighton’s own research and bined with clarity of exposition in this is the first reference I have run well over 1000 references is pre- presenting the results of modern across of anyone else noticing the sented to address those questions. scientific research. Other volumes in same thing. The authors speculate The text is supported by a large the series deal with topics such as that there may be a parasitic rela- number of tables and black-and- lichens, bats, moths, and regions of tionship between the two fungi, in white graphs, charts, and diagrams, Britain including the Lake District, much the same fashion that species mostly redrawn from published Northumberland, and the seashore. of Gomphidius have been shown to sources. The organization, writing, As a rule, most people know be parasitic on Suillus mycorrhizas. and overall presentation are ade- little or nothing about such things as The writing generally is clear quate—good enough for those with a lichens, moths, bats, and fungi (and and easy to follow, with the excep- pre-existing interest in the material, don’t care about them), so I consider tion of an occasional passage that
The Mycophile, July/August 2006 14 left me scratching my head. Technically, the information is sound, although in the area I know best (mycorrhizas) some points were a bit out-dated. However, given the wide range of fungi and fungal activities covered in the book, it would not be realistic to expect any one or two authors to be up- to-the-minute on everything. The text is illustrated primarily with color photographs, most of which are of high quality. There also are a few black Illustrations from Fungi of the Antarctic: Evolution under and white photographs, line drawings, and repro- Extreme Conditions (see review, page 7). Above: Endolithic ductions of color paintings. fungal growth; fungi are the blackened areas inside the broken rock [detail]. Below: Barren habitat of Antarctic fungi. Overall, this is an excellent look at what fungi are doing out there. Given the amount of information covered, it is probably best approached by taking it in a bit at a time, rather than trying to assimilate all 594 pages straight through. Anyone who spends even a little time among its pages will learn something new— probably many things. An interesting and worthwhile read. —Steve Trudell, Seattle, Washington
Forays and Announcements, continued from page 4 happy to have you here. If you want to call, my direct line is (507) 535-1007. From La Crosse you can make a local call to my cell phone: (608) 498-3728. You can also call this number from anywhere and talk to me or leave a message. It’s still very surreal to think of having someone else’s heart in me, and most often I still can’t believe it. Mycena haematopus May 26 2001, found in Sorry for the mass email. I hope all is well with all Wildcat Mountain State Park. (See article, page 13.) of you. —Tom
15 The Mycophile, July/August 2006 North American Mycological Association 336 Lenox Avenue NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE Oakland, CA 94610-4675 PAID PERMIT NO. 1260 Address Service Requested CHAS. WV 25301
Mushroom of the Month
Outlandish oddballs: Nyctalis parasitica chlamydospores. See page 1 for the rest of the story.
The Mycophile, July/August 2006 16