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MYCOLOGIST NEWS

The newsletter of the British Mycological Society 2012 (2) Edited by Dr. Pieter van West and Dr Anpu Varghese

2012 BMS Council

BMS Council and Committee Members 2012

President Prof. Naresh Magan Vice-President Prof. Bruce Ing President Elect Dr. Geoff Robson Treasurer Prof. Geoff M Gadd Secretary Position vacant Publications Officer Dr. Pieter van West International Initiatives Adviser Prof. AJ Whalley Fungal Biology Research Committee representatives: Dr. Simon Avery; Prof Nick Read Fungal Education and Outreach Committee: Dr. Paul S. Dyer; Ms. Carol Hobart Field Mycology and Conservation: Dr. Stuart Skeates, Mrs Dinah Griffin Fungal Biology Research Committee Prof. Nick Read (Chair) retiring 31.12. 2013 Dr. Simon Avery retiring 31.12. 2012 Dr. Elaine Bignell retiring 31.12. 2013 Dr. Mark Ramsdale retiring 31.12. 2013 Dr. Pieter van West retiring 31.12. 2013 Dr. Sue Crosthwaite retiring 31.12. 2014 Prof. Mick Tuite retiring 31.12. 2014

Fungal Education and Outreach Committee Dr. Paul S. Dyer (Chair and FBR link) retiring 31.12. 2013 Dr. Ali Ashby retiring 31.12. 2013 Ms. Carol Hobart (FMC link) retiring 31.12. 2012 Dr. Sue Assinder retiring 31.12. 2013 Dr. Kay Yeoman retiring 31.12. 2013 Alan Williams retiring 31.12. 2014

Field Mycology and Conservation Committee Dr. Stuart Skeates (Chair, website & FBR link) retiring 31.12. 2014 Prof. Bruce Ing (Conservation) retiring 31.12. 2012 Dr. Paul Kirk (Database) retiring 31.12. 2012 Ms. Carol Hobart (Events and FEO link) retiring 31.12. 2012 Prof Richard Fortey retiring 31.12. 2013 Mrs. Sheila Spence (Recorders network co-ordinator) retiring 31.12. 2013 Mrs Dinah Griffin retiring 31.12. 2014 Dr. Martyn Ainsworth retiring 31.12. 2013

Contacts

BMS Administrator President: [email protected] British Mycological Society Treasurer: [email protected] City View House Mycologist News: [email protected] Union Street BMS Administrator: [email protected] Manchester M12 4JD BMS Membership: [email protected]

Tel: +44(0) 161 277 7638 / 7639 Fax: +44(0) 161 277 7634

From the Office

Hello from the BMS office...

Summers here (believe it or not!) and the various BMS meetings are underway. As we go to press the Corticoid and Amanita Workshops have taken place and we look forward to publishing reports from these events at some point in the future. The Deadline for registering for the Main BMS Scientific Meeting in Alicante has passed and the meeting looks certain to be very well attended. This is the 1st Main BMS meeting to be held outside the UK and should emphasise that the BMS is truly an international Society, with membership drawn from all over the world.

The current wet weather, whilst a bit depressing for a lot of people, should help the coming foray season be very fruitful. As ever we welcome all ideas and items you would wish to share and will try to include all articles we can, especially any terrific photographs of fungi you can supply.

Best wishes for coming months.

Regards,

The BMS office Team.

Norman Porrett Sophie Embleton Administrator BMS Office Field Mycology Assistant

Contents

The Big Nature Day p4

Request for West Weald Inocybe Workshop p6

Newsletter National Botanic Garden of Wales— p7 Fungus Day Articles ‘Fun with Fungus’ at St Faith’s School p8 Do you have any items you would like to see published in the Newsletter which BMS Bursary Report p10 would be of interest to members?

BMS Dune & Nutrient Deficient Grassland We would love to receive short reports of p12 Event any activities, upcoming events, items of interest, etc. BMS Autumn Open Meeting 2012 p15

Please send items to the office or email to: BMS Foray & Workshop Programme p16 [email protected] BMS Annual Scientific Meeting—Alicante p19

Photo Corner p20

Copy deadline for next issue: 1 September 2012

BMS, OPAL (Open Air Laboratories) & UN International Day of Biological Diversity

On Sunday 27th May over fifty Natural History groups got together to take part in The Big Nature Day event at the Natural History Museum in London. The aim of the event was to celebrate the work of the OPAL (Open Air Laboratories) citizen science programme and focussed on showcasing the achievements of the OPAL programme in order to encourage more people to get involved. It also marked the UN International Day of Biological Diversity. More than five thousand members of the general public took part in the event (over 40% of the total visitors to the Museum on that day), where they were stimulated to take part in recording, monitoring, enjoying and protecting biodiversity and their local environment.

The BMS Display Kay Yeoman and Naresh Magan talking ‘fungi’

The British Mycological Society display was very well attended, children were drawn to the stand by the chance to take away a red and white spotted ‘fly agaric balloon’ and chewy mushroom sweets. We were also fortunate to have been sponsored by ‘G’s Fresh who supplied us with dried wild and porcini mushrooms that we could give away to adults. Children were fascinated to see the ‘gills’ of Agaricus bisporus viewed under child friendly stereo microscopes and learnt that gills were the specialised structures where fungal spores were made. We looked at spore prints on microscope slides using a compound microscope which showed that the spore print pattern was made up of thousands of tiny spores that had fallen from the gills. Lynne brought along some of her soil plates with mycelium from a woodland saprotroph that demonstrate what the main body of a filamentous fungus looks like. These were also used as a prop to explain the answer to the ‘Fungus Decoder Quiz’ designed by Kay. Here, the fruit bodies of the six fungi listed in the BMS recording programme ‘have you seen this fungus?’ plus a few extra fruit bodies (whose common names resembled their fruit body appearance), had to be matched with their common name to reveal a letter code. The quiz sheet presented the fruit bodies in a particular order to spell out the word ‘Mycelium’ – the main body of a filamentous fungus. To further encourage the general public to take part in the BMS recording programme ‘have you seen this fungus?’ we ran the very visual activity ‘How the mushroom got its spots’.

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Ali Ashby, Jenna and Lynne Boddy with ‘fly agaric’ balloons

The life cycle of the fly agaric was explained in varying detail depending on the age of the participant and the importance of the fly agaric as an ectomycorrhizal fungus on birch and pine was emphasised. Children learnt how this mushroom gets its spots – the secret being the disintegration of the ‘universal veil’ as the mushroom cap expands. This was beautifully illustrated by Jenna and Ali, using a red balloon, tissue paper, water and lots of puff! The team worked well together on the day, sharing the work load and distributing our many leaflets and chewy sweets. It was important for BMS to be part of this new event, allowing us to liaise with our fellow learned societies and other enthusiastic amateurs, sharing our expertise and experience of public outreach and engagement to further promote the achievements of OPAL and their citizen science programme.

Paul Dyer, Alan Williams, Stuart Skeates and Naresh Magan enjoying the day.

It is clear that technology is allowing the collection and sharing of biological data that will provide a platform for new biological insights in the future, a future in which the British Mycological Society should play a pivotal role.

Thanks to Naresh, Lynne, Stuart, Paul, Kay, Alan, Ali and Jenna for manning the stand on the day, Carol for preparing the FMC ‘have you seen this fungus?’ banner and leaflet, and Sophie and Norman in the BMS office for preparing the ‘Fantastic Fungus Facts’ leaflet and other materials for the event.

Ali Ashby, June 2012

West Weald Fungus Recording Group Inocybe Workshop 25th September 2011

Sadly the genus Inocybe is a closed book to Penny’s comprehensive Powerpoint many field mycologists! presentation, with its clear descriptions and helpful pictures was later made available to Penny Cullington came down to Bookham, participants as a PDF file. This, the Stangl book, Surrey, in September and opened us a number and the ‘Keys’ now offer us powerful tools and of interesting pages. West Weald Fungus the confidence to tackle identification within this Recording Group, again aided by a ‘BMS Small genus. Grant’, held another of its one-day Workshops for its members, with invitations extended to the Ray Tantram 22nd October 2011 Hampshire Group. About 21 participants arrived, many with their own microscopes, some with the English version of the Stangl book. We were able to acquire copies of Penny’s Keys to supplement our investigations. Penny gave an excellent presentation which helped us initially to distinguish clearly between Inocybes and similar groups. There are 139 British species, and these divide into thee subgenera and also further sections, and include species with both smooth and nodulose spores. Examination of cystidia on gills and stipe offer critical identifying features, and so it is important not to handle stipes when collecting. We had an opportunity to examine fresh specimens, mostly brought by Penny, and I was personally delighted to find one of my Inocybe erubescens Norbury Park – A WWFRG ‘unknowns’ to be Inocybe calospora, with its Spring Foray - May 2009 intriguing ‘marine-mine-shaped’ spores and beautiful metuloid caulocystidia.

Attention all members who have redundant microscopes.

The BMS is again this year running the very popular Beginner courses (Identification Skills Workshop) to encouraging people to use a microscope to aid identification.

We are struggling to provide enough instruments for use, and we’re wondering if any of our membership have any microscopes that are surplus to requirements.

If you are able to donate a reasonable dissecting or compound instrument suitable for a beginner we would be very grateful.

Please contact Carol Hobart, Foray Manager on [email protected] or write to her at 84 Stafford Road, Sheffield S2 2SF detailing what you are able to donate.

Collection can be arranged.

The National Botanic Garden of Wales is to host Wales’ first Fungus Day on Sunday 14th October 2012.

There will be:

 a fungi recording blitz around the Garden and its adjoining Waun Las NNR,  a fungus foray to an internationally important waxcap- rich meadow on Waun Las NNR,  Fairy Ring Frolics – a walk to the Garden’s fungal hotspots uncovering Welsh mythological and scientific secrets of fairy rings,  family activities linked to From Another Kingdom, the UK’s first major exhibition on fungi that is on tour from Royal Edinburgh Botanic Gardens – model making, drawing, microscopes, spore printing and quiz,  close encounters with micro- fungi,  French fungi cooking,  Fungi in cheese tasting,  Professor Lynne Body will give the inaugural Wales Fungus Day Talk. Photograph © Bruce Langridge Linked to Wales Fungus Day, there will be a nationwide search for Wales’ largest fairy ring. The Welsh public including BMS members, wildlife trusts, the National Trust and park managers, will be asked to look for, measure, photograph and possibly identify, the biggest fairy ring on their patch in the weeks leading up to Wales Fungus Day. A rolling record of these finds will be viewable on the Garden’s webpage and a dedicated Wales Fungus Day Facebook page.

For more information, contact Bruce Langridge on [email protected] or phone Bruce on 01558 667162.

Entry into the Garden on 14th October 2012 will be free to BMS members who can show proof of membership.

7 ‘Fun with Fungi’ day using BMS Primary School Resources

For the third year running a ‘Fun with Fungi’ day was held rain shower (from water sprayers) fungal fruit bodies at St Faith’s school, Cambridge with support from the (represented by cocktail umbrellas) were produced and British Mycological Society, Produce Global Solutions fungal spores (like the seeds of flowering plants and in based in Ely and the Department of Plant Sciences. The this case, glitter!) were released. A fungal slide show aim of the day was to provide an enhanced enrichment of illustrated the diversity in colour, size and shape of the existing curriculum based learning program, by different fungal fruit bodies, and various props were furthering scientific knowledge of the Fungal Kingdom. shown to the children, including rotten strawberries, a This was achieved through a fun and interactive day miniature compost heap, chocolate and a basket full of consisting of a carousel of activities designed specifically groceries. There were also various slides illustrating the for KS2 (Ages 7-9 years; years 3 or 4). The day formed role that fungi play in medicine, including the work of part of an ‘enrichment week’ of activities at the school Alexander Fleming and his discovery of penicillin. and was held in the summer term 2011. Together, these demonstrated the importance of fungi to us, and to our environment. The key objectives were to:  Have an enjoyable and informative day The year group was then split into four groups, and the remainder of the day focussed on four concurrent ‘hands  Describe what fungi are and how they differ from on’ BMS activities, performed in a carousel, allowing all plants and animals the children to take part in each activity.

 Discover what fungi can do for us and for our These were: environment Make your favourite fungus The day followed the programme detailed on the BMS (http://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/education/resources-and Primary schools resources pages (http:// -materials/primary-school-indoor/introduction-to-fungi/ www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/education/resources-and- activity-1-make-your-favourite-fungus/ ) materials/primary-school-indoor/ ), commencing with a general introduction to fungi by Ali Ashby (BMS FEO), during which the entire year group of approximately 60 children learnt the fundamentally important message that fungi are neither plants nor animals but have their very own Kingdom. The children learnt how fungi can range in size from single celled microscopic yeasts to the multicellular hyphal filaments comprising the ‘humongous fungus’ Armillaria gallica – the largest living organism on our planet. They discovered that you can find fungi just about everywhere on earth, even in space, and that fungi existed on earth long before the dinosaurs!

During the introduction the children pretended to be fungi, passing string around the group to represent mycelium (the body of the fungus), and chewing on bread sticks which represented fungal breakdown of dead Using a selection of Fungal identification books and organic matter (e.g. dead tree branches). After a brief colourful images from the slide show, children were asked to ‘make their favourite fungus fruit body’. The children were given different coloured plasticine to make their models. The orange peel fungus ‘Aleuria aurantia’, the Fly Agaric ‘Amanita muscaria’ and Dead man’s fingers ‘ Xylaria polymorpha’ were some of the most popular models made.

Make a woodland collage to show the importance of fungi in the woodland habitat (http://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/education/resources-and -materials/primary-school-indoor/introduction-to-fungi/ activity-5-making-a-collage-of-fungi-in-the-woodland- habitat/)

8 Mushroom detectives involving the use of How the mushroom got its spots and watch a microscopes and magnifying glasses to observe fungus fizz different fungal fruit bodies, making spore prints (http://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/education/resources- and looking at fungal spores and-materials/primary-school-indoor/introduction-to- (http://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/education/resources- fungi/activity-2-how-the-mushroom-got-its-spots/ and and-materials/primary-school-indoor/introduction-to- http://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/education/resources- fungi/activity-4-mushroom-detectives/ ) and-materials/primary-school-indoor/introduction-to- fungi/activity-3-watch-a-fungus-fizz/ ) This activity was supported by The Department of Plant Sciences, Cambridge; Produce Global Solutions (PGS), Ely and the British Mycological Society. Each The children learnt about the life cycle of Amanita child was given muscaria, the ‘Fly Agaric’ and how it gets its spots! a copy of the BMS resource book ‘How the mushroom Everyone enjoyed this activity and of course, went got its spots’, and each child was able to colour in and home with a spotty red balloon! label ‘parts of the mushroom’ on worksheet 3. Children observed the different shapes and sizes of a number of In Fungus Fizz the children learnt that the microscopic different mushrooms supplied by the local mushroom fungus, yeast, can fizz if you provide it with food, producer, PGS. Using simple stereomicroscopes warmth and water! As the fungus grows it produces a children observed the gills of these fruit bodies and gas called carbon dioxide. This gas fills the balloon and took photographs of them. inflates it. They learnt that this is the gas that makes bread rise! By performing spore prints onto glass The day was drawn to a close with a ‘Questions and microscope slides, Answers’ session and a glimpse at some amazing children were able to fungal feats including ‘the fastest recorded speed in use a high nature by the dung fungus Pilobolus’ magnification light (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEj8uidzP4I ). microscope to see the individual spores that During lunch break a group of children helped to make up a spore evaluate two outdoor activities for primary schools; the print! ‘Mushroom Parachute Game’ and ‘What is a mushroom?’ Both are based on BMS Fungi4schools They enjoyed looking at them through the microscope activities originally compiled by Liz Holden. These two eye piece and also on a TV screen. They were then activities will work best if group numbers do not exceed 10-15 children. They could be run concurrently with the indoor activities or run as outdoor activities along with ‘Making a fungal mycelium’ from Fungi4schools.

The BMS offer a range of primary school resources, including all of the activities described here, allowing teachers to plan and carry out ‘Fun with Fungi’ activity days. If you are a primary school teacher and would like advice on how to run a ‘Fun with Fungi’ day or you wish to obtain more information on specific activities then visit the BMS Primary schools resource pages at http://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/education/primary/ or able to print off their own photograph of the spores that contact the BMS directly by email to: they saw! (Thanks to the Department of Plant [email protected]. Sciences, Cambridge who provided the microscope, TV and printer). Dr Ali Ashby (BMS Fungal Education and Outreach) Children then made their own spore prints of the Portobello mushroom ‘Agaricus bisporus’ by inverting the mushroom cap onto card.

BMS Bursary Reports

Formation of Sclerotia in the Black Aspergilli Andrew Gilbert (University of Nottingham) Supervisor: Dr Paul Dyer

The black aspergilli are members of the Aspergillus In general, each study revealed that the isolates section Nigri. Typically this group form dark or tested acted in either a species-specific or strain- black conidia. Members such as Aspergillus niger dependant manner. Of particular interest one study are used as a safe host for food enzyme production demonstrated that the supplementation of Coons and other beneficial industrial processes such as media with FeSO4 greatly increased the number of citric acid production. However, some members sclerotia in all species tested except for A. can cause opportunistic human disease in carbonarius. This effect could be suppressed with immunocompromised patients and can also be addition EDTA to the media. The finding that responsible for food spoilage. The black aspergilli individual species and strains varied in their are only known to reproduce by asexual means. reaction to culture conditions is important for future The discovery of a sexual cycle would provide a studies aiming to induce sclerotial formation in the valuable method of strain improvement. It would black aspergilli, and might result from the different also provide a method that could be used to ecologies and environmental sensory signalling investigate the genetic basis of traits of interest e.g. pathways of the species. whether metabolite production and pathogenicity have a mono- or polygenic basis. This laboratory placement allowed me to develop and experience a wide range of different scientific A key discovery from analysis of the publicly techniques, including aseptic culture, light available genomes of A. niger has been the microscopy, statistical analysis, and molecular identification of a series of genes relating to sexual biology procedures. Having completed the ten reproduction. This suggests that members of the week placement I would like to thank the BMS for black aspergilli are or have previously undergone the experience, opportunity and funding, Paul Dyer sexual reproduction. Significantly, these genomes for the chance to study within his group and only possess one MAT gene, which implies the Heather Darbyshir for the time and effort she has species are obligate outbreeders (heterothallic). contributed in order for me to get the most out of Recent discoveries of sex in A. flavus and A. this experience. parasiticus in the Aspergillus section Flavi (teleomorph genus Petromyces), which is a phylogenetically close relative to the section Nigri, have demonstrated that the formation of sclerotia is required before sexual reproduction can occur. Given that sclerotia have been observed to form in some members of the black aspergilli, it was therefore hypothesized that sclerotial formation might be required in a similar fashion for sexual development to occur in the black aspergilli.

The aim of this bursary was therefore to investigate the influence of a range of environmental variables on the development of sclerotia in the black aspergilli. Investigations were primarily conducted on five strains from the species A. carbonarius, A. ellipticus and A. sclerotiicarbonarius. Studies Andrew using the dissecting microscope to assess included investigating the effects of sealing, formation of sclerotia. Photograph © A. Gilbert inoculum concentration and media composition. Replicate plates were inoculated, incubated and scored over successive weeks, with some preliminary analysis of gene expression also Andrew Gilbert performed.

10 BMS Bursary Reports

Comparing the Reorganization of Mycelial Networks of Hypholoma fasiculare and Resinicium bicolor in Response to New Wood Resources and Collembola (Folsomia candida) Grazing

Joe Shipcott, Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Supervisor: Professor Lynne Boddy

At the end of my second year as an Ecology unable to complete the project in the available time. undergraduate at Cardiff University, I received a After setting up the experiment, I monitored each bursary from the BMS for a 10 week summer microcosm for 28 days before the end of my 10 project supervised by Professor Lynne Boddy. week placement. The mycelia were well established by this point and some interesting differences were The reorganization of large mycelial networks of starting to emerge. Resinicium bicolor was being Phanerochaete veluntina in response to new wood more heavily grazed by the collembola and resources has already been characterized by John Hypholoma fasiculare was showing altered Woods et al.( 2006). My summer project aimed to morphology on emergence from the new wood characterize and compare the mycelial networks of resources. Hypholoma fasiculare and Resinicium bicolor, grown in 57x57cm soil microcosms, with and Left: Hypholoma without grazing by collembola (Folsomia candida). fasciculare, 28 days after new wood My experiment had 4 treatments for each fungus. I resources had been created 48 57x57cm soil microcosms which allowed added and with no for 6 replicates of each treatment. The microcosms invertebrate grazing. were inoculated centrally with 2x2x1cm beech The wood blocks are wood blocks and kept moist and dark. After the 2x2x2cm. mycelia, growing across the soil from the central wood block, had reached 12cm in diameter, 6 new wood blocks were added symmetrically at the edge of the growth margin of 3 of the treatments. To one The experiment will continue for 100 days by other of these treatments, collembola were added at the staff in the department and I look forward to hearing same time as the wood blocks, and to another of its ultimate outcome during my final year. treatment as the mycelia emerged from the new wood blocks. One was left without collembola. A During the project, I was able to develop many control treatment for each fungus was allowed to practical skills. General skills such as organisation, grow with no added resources or grazers. working efficiently in the lab and refinement of my aseptic technique will be broadly applicable in any It takes each fungus several months to fully research career I choose to pursue. colonize wood blocks so I obtained the inoculated Also, I developed many specific skills, such as wood blocks from the university stock cultures. I maintaining fungal cultures on wood and agar. replaced them with cultures that I created on These are likely to prove extremely useful during starting the project and these will be used in the my final year project, which involves fungal future. The collembola used were from my own interactions on agar, a choice largely based on my subcultures which I created from the university positive experience during my summer project. stock cultures at the beginning of the project and maintained throughout. I am very grateful to the BMS for providing me with During the experiment, each microcosm had to be this opportunity, and Professor Lynne Boddy and checked weekly, kept moist and any contamination Don A’Bear for supporting me throughout the removed. Weekly photographs were taken with a project. digital camera and image analysis software “Image J” was used to measure radial extent, hyphal Joe Shipcott coverage and fractal dimension.

Unfortunately, the growth rate of the fungi and the size of the microcosms used meant that I was 11 BMS Dune and Nutrient Deficient Grassland Event, Wales 2011

Thirty-six of us gathered at Plas Tan y Bwlch to sand dunes. Small dune fungi such as the diminutive attend the BMS dune and nutrient deficient grassland Agrocybe pusiola and Arrhenia spathulata began to event based in Plas Tan-y-Bwlch, Maentwrog, on the turn up with diligent searching. As we fanned out and 7th-14th October 2011. This was supported searched further afield the characteristic duneland financially by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Our tutors Gasteromycetes, Tulostoma brumale and Geastrum were Eef Arnolds, an expert on grassland fungi, and schmidelii were recorded. David Harries found a Rob Chrispijn, president of the Dutch Mycological large cup fungus in the dunes; this beautiful, purplish Society. There was also a contingent from Kew species attracted much attention in the workroom consisting of Drs. Martyn Ainsworth, Paul Cannon, that evening and turned out to be Peziza boltonii, a Bryn Dentinger, and Vincent Hustad whose primary rare duneland specialist, previously only recorded aim was to collect fungi for DNA barcoding as part of from Sligo and nearby Morfa Dyffryn. the Waxtongue Project. Those seeking a different habitat meandered across The Plas is situated in a stunning south-facing the dunes and into the pine plantation. Mycorrhizal location, nestling in the hills around Maentwrog. fungi were not abundant, their peak probably having Previous BMS forays based at Plas Tan-y-Bwlch (in been earlier in the autumn. However, in places the 1976, 1998 and 2001) have concentrated more on litter was carpeted by hundreds of fruiting bodies of woodland habitats but apart from the extensive the viscid-stemmed Mycena clavicularis, revelling in woodlands in the Maentwrog area there are plenty of the damp conditions. Also, a number of Inocybes coastal and upland grassland habitats nearby and were found under the pines, including a rather these were the focus of the 2011 event. Of particular unicolorous yellow-brown species which appears to interest were the extensive dune systems of Morfa be I. subnudipes, a new British record and adequate Harlech and Morfa Dyffryn about ten miles to the compensation for a soaking day! south west of Maentwrog and also Newborough Warren and Aberffraw Common on Anglesey. There Coastal headland near Trefor, on the north coast of th are extensive areas of unimproved upland pasture on the Lleyn Peninsula, was the next venue, on 9 the surrounding hills, ideal for grassland fungi. October. This is a rather windswept stretch of heathy coastland which has proved quite productive for On 8th October we set off under leaden skies to grassland fungi in the past. On this occasion fungi nearby Morfa Harlech. With rain or drizzle for much were rather scarce but a number of Waxcap species of the time this didn't seem the most auspicious of were found, including Hygrocybe laeta, H. starts and so it was ‘heads down’ to begin cantharellus and H. russocoriacea, all characteristic scrutinizing the mossy hollows between the huge of heathy grassland.

12 ► On 10th October we journeyed north to Cnicht, ably led by Debbie Evans. Twenty species

Newborough Warren on Anglesey where it was of Hygrocybe were found, along with a number of overcast and blustery but mostly dry in contrast to clavarioids. One of the first finds (by Penny David) Maentwrog which had a wet day. This is a was the uncommon and stunningly beautiful favourite site for forayers and seldom disappoints. Clavaria zollingeri. Drabber but still interesting was There were the usual array of Inocybes growing in Hygrocybe lacmus, another uncommon species, the dune slacks with Salix repens and these which in northwest Wales, has mostly been found included I. pruinosa, I. rimosa, and I. dunensis but in upland locations on poor soils. Eef Arnolds was also one or two cryptic species of uncertain excited by another find, by David Harries, H. identity. In the grassland area Roland McHugh fornicata var. lepipodus, which differs from the discovered Entoloma hispidulum and E. typical variety in having brown scales on the cap catalaunicum, both uncommon species and the and stem. Cantharellula umbonata was found by latter a beautiful pinkish colour, much admired in Debbie Evans, a characteristic and distinctive the workroom. Some of the forayers would have species of heathy upland pastures, often found been delighted to see the rare Poronia punctata amongst Polytrichum moss. on heaps of old pony dung. This distinctive Ascomycete, probably introduced with the ponies, On 13th October the forayers scattered in various first appeared on the Warren in 2001 and now directions, visiting different habitats, including appears to be well established on the Warren. A woodland, grassland and dunes. One of the sites surprise find, by Sue Rogerson, was of a clump of visited was the huge limestone outcrop of Great Hydnellum concrescens growing by a patch of Orme, near Llandudno. Here the a diverse range wood chips at the edge of the car park. Hydnoid of mycorrhizal fungi can be found with the fungi have previously been found at only one other abundant Helianthemum, although on this site on Anglesey, on the Menai Straits. occasion only Hebeloma sinapizans and Inocybe For those in need of a ‘Waxcap fix’ the 11th flocculosa were recorded in this habitat. Non- October provided it when a diverse array of mycorrhizal species included the attractive, bluish grassland fungi was found on the lower slopes of Entoloma bloxamii.

12th October saw a return to the coastlands, with a records, is either very rare or possibly passed over visit to the dunes of Ynylas. Here Penny David’s for the much commoner G. schmidelii. Using this diligent searching amongst the marram of the specimen, Don McNeil was able to expound about exposed foredunes was rewarded with a find of the differences between the two species during Coprinopsis ammophilae, a curious little Inkcap, the evening ‘show and tell’ session. Tulostoma restricted to marram stems. Cyathus stercoreus , fimbriatum, found by Carol Hobart, differs from T. also amongst the marram, was turned up by Peter brumale and T. melanocyclum by having a ragged Smith. Geastrum elegans was found by Alan or fimbriate edge to the ostiole; this find appears Lucas; this small Earthstar, with few recent British to be another new British record.

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Shell Island, a strange, isolated dune system, was the work he has been doing on grassland fungi. Eef visited on a number of occasions throughout the foray Arnolds and Rob by small groups or individuals. I was so taken with Chrispijn told us this site that I visited it, in balmy weather, on both 12 about habitats and and 13th October. Inocybes were frequent in places, recording in including the orange-brown, scaly I. vulpinella, I. Holland while Paul dunensis, I. aghardii, a heavily-veiled purplish species Cannon gave us an in the rimosa group. Another heavily-veiled agaric introduction to the close to Hebeloma. collariatum, was growing with Kew Wax tongue scrubby Salix cinerea bushes that had been partly Project which submerged in mobile dune sand. Non-mycorrhizal seeks to gain a fungi were frequent as well, with good displays of better Geastrum schmidelii and Tulostoma melanocyclum, understanding of the genetics and conservation while Clitopilus scyphoides was unusually abundant requirements of grassland fungi. Bryn Dentinger’s talk in areas of short turf. A small, attractive omphalinoid focused on DNA analysis of the grassland fungi, fungus, which I found when walking back to the car, especially Hygrocybe; as we had feared the picture is awaits identification. much more complicated than is presently understood with a number of extra Waxcap species lurking within As in common with previous BMS forays, some existing ones! Bryn also gave a demonstration of the members concentrated largely on their own chosen technique (involving a hammer!) used to prepare group, or focused on particular habitats. Nigel fresh material for DNA extraction. More with a field Stringer and Debbie Evans searched intensively for bias, Martyn Ainsworth’s beautifully illustrated talk the rust fungi and other plant pathogens, adding a encouraged us to go out and search for the rare large number of records, while Carol Hobart managed duneland fungi, even in the snow! to unearth some truffles and Martyn Ainsworth sought out corticioid fungi. Meanwhile Peter Roberts and There was a plentiful supply of grassland fungi for Shelley Evans scoured the churchyards in search of DNA analysis, both of Waxcaps and Geoglossaceae. grassland fungi. These ‘extra-curricular activities’ did However, Penny Cullington was also busy supplying much to add to the range of species recorded on the specimens of Inocybe for analysis in an effort to pin event. down some of the more cryptic species within this difficult genus. Eef Arnolds, our tutor, used his considerable knowledge of grassland fungi to enlighten us on A glance through the records, many of which are new difficult groups such as Clitocybe, which are often for north west Wales, shows that this foray was a sidestepped. He also put us right on some of the great success and I think that the participants will puffballs which are taken for granted but not always have felt satisfied to have seen such a range of correctly identified. Rob Chrispijn commented on grassland fungi. some of the Russula species and demonstrated the pink reaction of ammonia on the lamellae of Russula Thanks must go to Carol Hobart for organising the sardonia. foray. Also thanks to our tutors, Eef Arnolds and Rob Chrispijn and to Richard Shotbolt for computerising During the the records. Finally, our thanks to the staff at Plas evenings we were Tan-y-Bwlch for being welcoming and helpful at all entertained by times, even supplying WD40 when my car wouldn’t talks delivered by start! our Dutch guests Charles Aron and the Kew contingent while local man Gareth Griffiths introduced us to

The British Mycological Society Autumn Open Meeting in partnership with The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew

Saturday 17 November 2012 Kew Gardens, Jodrell Lecture Theatre

Wood decay fungi: more than just a load of rotters

Join us to find out more about wood decay fungi in the natural environment and in buildings too. There is also the opportunity to visit Kew Gardens at lunch time.

10:00-10:30 Registration, coffee & tea,

10:30-11:00 Lynne Boddy (Cardiff University) A lot of rot: from standing tree to complete decay on the forest floor

11:00-11:30 Sarah Watkinson (Oxford University) Serpula lacrimans and other fungi in buildings

11:30-12:00 Dmitry Schigel (Helsinki, Finland) The secret life of Christmas trees: molecular ecology of wood-decaying fungi 12:00-14:00 Lunch break & time to visit the Gardens

13:00-14:00 BMS AGM

14:00-14:30 Jan Stenlid (SLU Uppsala, Sweden) Conservation biology of wood decay fungi

14:30-15:00 Jen Hiscox (Cardiff University) What is present affects what is to come

15:00-16:00 Jacob Heilmann-Claussen (Copenhagen) What can citizen science tell us about wood-inhabiting fungi?

16:00-16:30 Dan Eastwood (Swansea University) What -omics can tell us about wood decay fungi

16:30-16:45 Jogeir Stokland - Highlights from new book on Fungal Biodiversity

16:45 Tea and end

A contribution of £5 will be requested (payable on the day) for tea/coffee and subsidising students. If you would like to access the BMS library, you must make arrangements before the meeting by emailing BMS archivist Gill Butterfill ([email protected]) well in advance

15 BMS 2012 Foray and Workshop Programme

Upland Foray 8th—15th September 2012, Bute, Scotland Organisers: Caroline Hobart & Bruce Ing The British Mycological Society has a history of designated ancient woodlands. It is believed that very recording on various islands around the Scottish little information exists on the mycological mycota of coast. This will be the first visit to Bute. the island. Based in Rothesay, on the seafront we have booked the Bute Backpackers Hostel. Although a relatively small island, Bute has a rich mosaic of habitats, which include: coastal and marine Rooms will be shared and catering will be done on habitats, grassland habitats, riparian habitats, the same basis as our recent trip to Pencaitland. heathland and peatland, broadleaved woodland and Those that went will remember the superb cooking scrub woodland, coniferous plantations and mixed done by Dave Jefferies, he has kindly offered his woodlands. Over half of the woodlands are catering service again. BMS Identification Skills Workshop (1) 22nd- 25th September 2012, Parkend, Forest of Dean

BMS Identification Skills Workshop (2) 26th- 29th September 2012, Parkend, Forest of Dean

The Forest of Dean has been the site of mycological workshops will be arranged as a low key affair and interest for many years and has seen several we will have two tutors. workshops. The workroom will be based in a house in Parkend In 2011 we offered these courses for members of our which is situated in the centre of the forest enabling local group's network. Interest exceeded our many sites to be within walking distance of the expectations and we booked up quickly, and had a workrooms. There will be sufficient space for up to 9 waiting list. We are therefore offering similar sessions places in the workroom ensuring individual attention. in 2012 to meet the demand. Prices are based on shared ensuite. The workshops will focus on macroscopic features, 4*accommodation in 1 Hazledene, Parkend with the sorting out genera and help with microscopic garden room and basement used as labs. Breakfast identification of fungi down to species. Help with and lunchtime sandwich material will be provided for identification of fungi with the aid of a microscope will participants to make up their own provisions. be available in both sessions as will the use of specialist keys and microscopic technique. The Tutors to be confirmed.

BMS Autumn Meeting 20th – 27th October 2012, Lisnaskea, Fermanagh, Northern Ireland Tutor : Andreas Gminder. Local organisers: Mark Wright & Debbie Nelson

It's about 11 years since we last visited northern Lisnaskea and Derrylin in North West Ireland. The Ireland so we were very happy to be invited again by centre can accommodate large numbers and we have the Northern Ireland group. This promises to be a booked a large workroom. There are cabins with very interesting foray as we will be joined by kitchen for those wishing to self cater but the majority members from Northern Ireland and we are extending of the group will be having full board. The surrounds an invitation to other European mycologists. offer a mix of habitats and there is even a suggestion that we might foray on the islands with access by We are fortunate that Andreas Gminder has agreed boat one day. to be our tutor and we look forward to welcoming him to his first visit to a BMS event. Andreas has specific Northern Ireland is notorious for rain so we hope it will expertise in Mollisia, Boletaceae and Lepiotaceae. be mild and damp and prolific when we visit. Every indication is that this event will be very popular as we The venue is an Outdoor Activity centre on the shores have had 15 tentative enquiries already, including of Upper Lough Erne, four miles from the villages of interest from a number of Europeans.

Booking Procedure for Forays and Workshops

The programme of events organised by the Foray NOTES ON EVENTS Sub-Committee appear on the Society’s web site www.britmycolsoc.org.uk along with a booking form Workshops are usually held over a weekend, are which can be downloaded from the website. There is mainly indoors and combine lectures and a £20 non-refundable booking fee per person per examination of prepared material from the workshop event which should be sent to the Foray Manager tutor with individual study using both fresh and with a completed booking form for each participant. herbarium fungal specimens as appropriate. A For some events it is possible to attend on a part microscope is essential. In some cases, some time basis or to be non resident. There will still be a outdoor foray activity may be part of the workshop. fee for workroom space, administration and tutoring Numbers are limited, usually to around 25 costs. The Society welcomes non-members to its participants, and the courses are generally fully events but anyone with a keen interest in field booked. mycology can become a member of the Society. (Joining the BMS costs less than attending one event Residential Forays have a long tradition extending th and taking Field Mycology which is included with back to the 19 Century and provide an opportunity membership) BMS members and accompanying non for participants to study the fungi of a particular area. participants are entitled to a £20 reduction for each The days will include a programme of field outings to event. collect material to study after returning to the workroom where investigations often continue late At least six weeks before the event (depending on into the evening or the early morning! Although there the conditions imposed by the venue chosen), the is only a limited programme of formal lectures, if any, organiser will ask for payment in full. If you do not the forays provide an opportunity for exchange of pay this, then your place will be forfeited. Nearer the knowledge on current developments in taxonomy event and after full payment, refunds will need to be and conservation, and an intensive learning negotiated with the organiser, who may be able to environment for those with a serious interest (though find a substitute; otherwise a refund may not be not necessarily extensive expertise) in fungal possible. Participants should consider travel identification. The records of fungi made during BMS insurance to cover late cancellation. forays are added to the Fungal Records Database of Britain and Ireland which is then made accessible The Foray Manager will send your booking details to through the online NBN gateway. As part of this the organisers of each event. Your booking will be recording activity, forays also provide an opportunity acknowledged by email. If you do not have an email to add herbarium specimens to the National please enclose a stamped, addressed envelope if collections and the active participation by members you require acknowledgement. Please bear in mind of the Kew Mycology Department, as well as other that some events have a limited number of places herbaria, is a welcome part of the events. The and may become fully booked quite early. evening round-up sessions, in which the outstanding finds of the day are viewed and discussed, conclude The form also allows you to indicate your each day’s activities. preferences for accommodation in more detail. The available accommodation varies with the venue and, First time participants to a BMS event - The while we would like to try to meet everyone's Society is keen to encourage new participants with individual needs as far as possible, this may not an interest in fungi to extend their expertise and always be possible. Additional charges will usually participate in its forays and workshops including field apply for e.g. single rooms or en suite facilities when mycologists in affiliated local groups throughout the they are available. Please contact the Foray British Isles. The organisers provide help and Manager with any queries. encouragement to new or less experienced attendees and are happy to be approached to The BMS small grant scheme is open to students discuss your particular needs. The organisers are attending any field meeting and if you are eligible and keen to foster a friendly atmosphere to make it would like to apply please contact the Foray possible for all participants whatever their level of Manager. expertise to experience a friendly, informative and enjoyable event.

Photo Corner

Malcolm Storey has kindly provided a stunning image for this quarters newsletter. It is a shot of the Cleistothecia of Hazel Powdery Mildew (Phyllactinia guttata), x10 microscope objective. A stacked image of 25 frames.

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