Mycologist News

MYCOLOGIST NEWS

The newsletter of the British Mycological Society 2010 (1)

Edited by Dr. Ian Singleton

2010 BMS Council

Honorary Officers

President: Prof. Lynne Boddy, University of Cardiff Vice President: Dr S. Skeates, Hampshire Vice President: Dr F. Davidson, University of Aberdeen President Elect: Prof. N. Magan, Cranfield University Treasurer: Prof. G. Gadd, University of Dundee General Secretary: None currently in position Publications Officer: Dr Pieter Van West Programme Officer: Dr S. Avery, University of Nottingham Education and Communication Officer: Dr P. S. Dyer, University of Nottingham Field Mycology Officer: Dr S. Skeates, Hampshire Membership Secretary: Dr J.I. Mitchell, University of Portsmouth

Ordinary Members of Council

Retiring 31.12.10

Dr. M. Fisher, Imperial College, London Dr. P Crittendon, University of Nottingham Dr. I Singleton, Newcastle University Dr. E. Landy, University of Southampton

Retiring 31.12.11

Dr. D. Minter, CABI Biosciences Dr. D. Schafer, Whitchurch Prof. S. Buczacki, Stratford-on-Avon Ms D. Griffin, Worcester

Retiring 31.12.12 Dr. Paul Kirk, CABI Biosciences Ms Carol Hobart, Sheffield University Dr. Richard Fortey, Henley-on-Thames Prof. Bruce Ing, Flintshire

Co-opted Officers - Retiring 31.12.10

International Officer: Prof. A. J. Whalley, Liverpool John Moores University Public Relations Officer: Dr. M. Fisher, Imperial College, London

Contacts

BMS Administrator President: [email protected] British Mycological Society Treasurer: [email protected] City View House MycologistNews: [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 2

From the Office

Hello and Happy New Year to all Mycologist News readers.

This year looks to be an exciting and eventful year with the introduction of electronic access to BMS journals, and the upcoming IMC9 event in August. We hope to have a Special Edition of the Mycologist News to coincide Norman Porrett Allie Brown Sophie Embleton with the IMC9 meeting, highlighting all the Administrator Membership Field Mycology various aspects of the BMS. We look forward BMS Office Assistant Assistant to receiving all your news items over the coming months. Let us know what you’re doing and what you think other members would be interested reading about. Contents TTFN, the BMS Office Team. Message from President 4 New Feature Membership News 6 Ecology of Fungal Fruiting Meeting 7 Over the last couple of months, we’ve November 2009 received suggestions from our Members on ways to improve the Newsletter. One Largest Fungi Collection at Kew 8 comment which came up several times Fungi on 4th Plinth 10 was to create a page in the Newsletter which features correspondence from you BMS Upland Foray 11 about mycology or the BMS, which you would like to open up to the wider BMS Asian Mycological Congress 2009 12 Membership — be it discussion points, questions/queries, or general comments. BMS Roadshow goes North 13

BMS Inocybe Workshop, We’re calling the feature ‘Members 14 Forum’ and we want you to start sending Plas Tan y Bwlch in your comments, questions, discussion points. If questions are directed to the Fungi on Parade 16 BMS we will endeavour to contact the relevant person and gain their comments, Undergraduate Bursary Report 18 otherwise discussion points may be raised Small Grants Award 20 in one issue with feedback happening in the following. We’d like to feature a Obituary 22 number of letters in each Newsletter, so please keep your word count to no more Field Meetings 2010 23 than 150 words. UK Events 26 Please send your articles for inclusion into this new feature, (with subject head as International Events 27 ‘Members Forum’, to: Fungi Photo Corner 28 [email protected] or post to: Mycologist News Editor, City View House, Union Street, Ardwick, Deadline for article submission Manchester M12 4JD. 3 into next issue : 6th April 2010

Message From the President, Prof. Lynne Boddy

Having just re-read what I wrote this time have the opportunity to visit. We are last year, it is very pleasing to note that we currently negotiating for the exhibition to have made excellent progress in most of travel to other venues in the UK and to the areas that I highlighted as high priority. other areas of the Globe. A book is being Top of the agenda has been consultation, written, aimed at the general public, to and planning the restructuring of the accompany the exhibition. Society to allow different constituencies to promote their specialised interests As usual, 2009 saw excellent scientific effectively in an intense, focussed manner, meetings including a joint 2-day conference appealing to potential new members, and in Manchester with the International maintaining the Society's tradition of Biodeterioration Society, the truly promoting cross-disciplinary activities. outstanding “Fungal Cell” meeting at These plans have been detailed in recent Dundee, and the Autumn Kew meeting on letters that I have sent to all members and I “The Ecology of Fungal Fruiting”. We were will not re-iterate them here. We must now also delighted to organise, jointly with the build on this and concentrate our efforts on Mycological Society of Japan, a session at fulfilling our major purpose of ‘promoting the Asian Mycological Congress. We intend fungal science’. to put on more events overseas, and in 2010 we plan to run a series of workshops The second major aim that I proposed was in Thailand. Field meetings and workshops to boost fungal education and outreach. We were also very popular, including the Swiss have certainly had success here. The gold Foray, Upland Foray in the Forest of Dean, medal winning display at the RHS Chelsea the Suffolk Autumn Foray and the Inocybe Flower Show attracted the attention not workshop. 2010 has a full field mycology only of many thousands of visitors, but also programme including the Spring Foray in The Prince of Wales and Duchess of East Lothian, an overseas foray in Italy, Cornwall, and the BBC. The latter spread and the Autumn Foray on the Isle of White. the ‘fungal word’ across the nation in a There will be an Autumn meeting at Kew, prime time TV slot, albeit only for 3.5 on “Molecular methods in taxonomy and minutes. There was again a gold medal ecology: everything you wanted to know but winning stand at the RHS Malvern autumn were too frightened to ask”, followed by the show, that allowed people on the west of AGM. There will not, however, be a Society the country to experience the intrigues and Main meeting as we are hosting IMC9 at delights of the fungal world. It will be the beginning of August. The programme difficult to top these successes in 2010, but for this is now almost complete, and we are we are certainly going to try. We are on target for a superb meeting. In fact, I currently planning a large exhibition on the would be so bold to hope that it will be even role of fungi on planet Earth and, better than all of its predecessors. I hope to anthropocentrically, in our daily lives. The see hundreds of BMS members in venue for this is the splendid, new Gateway Edinburgh for this orgy of fungal science. Exhibition Centre at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. It will run for 5 months The journals, upon which we rely to spread from July to November 2010, with an fungal knowledge far and wide and to fund expected hundred thousand visitors. As it the Society’s activities, are doing well. will be running during the International Mycological Research has had a makeover Mycological Congress (IMC9) delegates will and will emerge this year as Fungal

4 ►

Biology. Fungal Ecology is established with I ought also to mention the website that we plenty of good quality copy, and will receive have been awaiting with baited breath for its first impact factor this year. Fungal several years. There have been problems! Biology Reviews is gaining momentum and The website is now under new Field Mycology is also prospering. development, and I fervently hope that it will be up and running before the summer. Members are now able to subscribe to electronic access of the journals, which We have certainly had a successful year, brings the huge benefits of easy searching and 2010 promises to be equally rewarding. and taking up little wall space. Many of us This success is due to huge effort on the have embraced the digital publishing part of many people, in many and varied revolution whole-heartedly, though others ways, and I thank everyone who has may take a little more persuading. contributed to these activities. Undoubtedly, the time will come when all Lynne Boddy journals are available only in an electronic form, though probably not simply as a page of text on a screen.

Ea rly reg A i bst 12 str rac Feb at t ion su ruar d bm y 2 ead 9 iss 01 li Ap io 0 ne ril n : 20 de 10 ad lin e:

BMS Membership News

Membership Renewals PRICE OF PRINTED JOURNAL IF E-COPY IS PURCHASED Membership renewal is now due and Field Mycology £15 personalised membership renewal forms Fungal Biology Reviews £15 have been posted to all members. If you Fungal Ecology £30 have not received your form please contact Fungal Biology (formerly Mycological Allie ([email protected] or Research) £30 +44 (0) 161 277 7639). As a result of these changes we need all As communicated in the last newsletter, members, including life and honorary there has been a change to the members, to return their renewal forms membership pricing structure due to the if they wish to remain members. This is introduction of electronic access to BMS especially important for life and honorary journals. There is now a basic membership members as we are no longer automatically price which includes an annual subscription renewing these types of membership. This to Mycologist News, as well as the current is because an audit of the membership benefits such as access to the small grants database showed that we were fund, and discounted meeting and foray automatically renewing members who had rates. passed away, or moved house or who no longer wished to be members, but had All journals will be available on annual failed to tell us. The resources of the BMS subscription with a three tier pricing are limited, and it was felt that sending structure: £25 giving electronic access to all expensive journals to members who did not four journals, including back issues; a price want them was not a good use of our for printed journals; a price for printed resources. journals if electronic access is also taken. Please be aware that, as agreed at the 2010 MEMBERSHIP RATES 2008 AGM, the grace period for renewing Member £30 membership has been changed from 12 Associate £28 months to 3 months. We will accept forms Postgraduate £20 received after the end of March, but Undergraduate £10 members will not receive journals or other membership benefits until their membership JOURNALS has been renewed. However, all members Electronic access OF ALL 4 JOURNALS will receive a grace copy of the first issue of including access to back issues £25 their chosen journal/s from last year while we process the returned forms. PAPER JOURNAL ONLY PRICE Field Mycology £15 We have made the renewal forms as Fungal Biology Reviews £15 simple and quick to complete as possible, Fungal Ecology £36.75 and are working on making membership Fungal Biology (formerly Mycological renewals an online procedure in future. Research) £38.50 ELECTRONIC ACCESS TO JOURNALS Thank you if you were one of the many members who participated in the successful trial of electronic access to BMS journals at ► 6

the end of last year. Electronic access of all JOURNAL NAME CHANGE BMS journals, including access to back Mycological Research will henceforth be issues, is now an option of your called Fungal Biology. membership subscription. If you do opt for electronic access, instructions for access 2009 JOURNAL DESPATCH will be sent on receipt of your payment. If SCHEDULES you set up an account for the trial last year, We are currently waiting for this schedule your logon details are still valid and you will from Elsevier. Once received details will be not need to set up a new account. published on the website and in the next issue of Mycologist News.

Ecology of Fungal Fruiting Meeting – November 2009, Kew

The first two talks, by Mike Challen and fruiting are accounted for by geography. Dan Eastwood (HRI Warwick), set the This and other factors including effect of scene by explaining the physiology and previous years weather and winter genetics behind the development of fungal temperature on spring fruiting are reported fruit bodies, most information that has been in Proceedings Of The Royal Society obtained being on the cultivated mushroom Series B available online at DOI: Agaricus bisporus. This was followed by 10.1098/rspb.2009.1537. (We were Alan Gange (Royal Holloway College, particularly grateful to Håvard for making London) explaining how climate changes this meeting having experienced since the late 1970s has affected the considerable travel difficulties with very phenology of fungal fruiting. As many of us heavy snow in Oslo). realise the autumn fruiting season has become considerably extended in the UK After lunch Gareth Griffith (Aberystwyth) with first fruit bodies now appearing much reported on fruiting of grassland fungi earlier and last fruiting records now including wax caps and earth tongues, with appearing much later in the autumn some splendid photographs of fairy rings season. Also, many fungi now fruit in the taken from a high building. Peter Spencer- spring which did not before. Alan Phillips (University of West of England) particularly emphasised recent apparent showed how different woodland host changes. These revelations, all management regimes affect basidiomycete deriving from analysis of an extensive fruiting, reporting on an 8-year study in the (greater than 64,000 records) dataset woodlands of Somerset. We sometimes collected by Ted Gange and other forget that lichens are fungi too, but this mycologists in the Salisbury area since was brought home clearly to us by Peter 1950, indicate just how important it is that Crittenden’s (University of Nottingham) we continue to record fungal occurrences. overview of sexual reproduction by the This was also emphasised at the end of the mycobiont partner of the lichen mutualistic meeting when Paul Kirk provided a run relationship. down of the state of play and hopes for the future of the FRDBI (Fungus Records Hopefully a themed issue of Fungal Database of Britain and Ireland). Håvard Ecology will appear in the not too distant Kauserud (University of Oslo, Norway) future based on the presentations at this continued the climate change theme meeting. reporting on fruiting in Northern Europe. Lynne Boddy Apparently 28% of differences in time of 7

World’s Largest Collection of Fungi held at Kew Gardens

The fungaria (fungal equivalent of herbaria) of CABI (IMI) and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew comprise two of the most important and historically significant collections of dried fungi in the world. On 3 December 2009, the last of around 4500 boxes of specimens from the IMI collection was delivered to Kew, following agreement between the two organizations to co-locate their collections. Two of CABI’s mycologists, Paul Cannon and Paul Kirk will also relocate to support Kew’s existing (and soon to be augmented) mycology team. The merger comes during Kew’s 250th anniversary year and was enabled Cyttaria darwinii Berk. - part of the type thanks to funding support from DEFRA. It material, on branches of Nothofagus sp., will ensure continuing support for fungal collected by Charles Darwin in Tierra del systematics and conservation worldwide, Fuego in 1833, preserved in K (K(M)140029). which are a fundamental part of Kew’s Breathing Planet Programme. most significant mycologists have deposited their collections in Kew, including the extensive herbaria of M.C. Cooke, and of numerous 19th century and later collectors such as Charles Crossland, C.E. Broome, C.B. Plowright, L.D. von Schweinitz, M.A. Curtis, J.P.F.C. Montagne, C.H. Peck, G.H.K. Thwaites, C.G. Hansford and T. Petch. The surviving collections of James Bolton and J. Sowerby are preserved at Kew, as well as specimens that Darwin collected from Tierra del Fuego during the voyage of the Beagle. Specimens of potato blight contributed by Berkeley as part of his The herbarium at Kew, showing the compactors research into the causes of the Irish potato with green boxes in place. famine also form part of the collection. Photograph © M. Parslow. Kew’s holdings are rich not only in historically important collections, but are continuously growing, with several The Kew fungarium, estimated to contain thousand collections received worldwide around 850000 specimens, covers all annually. groups of fungi and is particularly rich in basidiomycetes and fungi from natural The IMI fungarium contains around 400000 habitats. It was initiated in 1879 with the specimens, and is highly complementary to collections of the Rev. M.J. Berkeley, and the Kew collection as it focuses on fungi has been continually expanded and causing plant disease and species of enhanced since then. Many of the world’s ► 8

economic importance. Perhaps the most can be matched accurately to the samples famous specimen is a dried culture of the themselves. There are plans in the long original strain of Penicillium notatum (now term to database the entire collection to considered a synonym of P. chrysogenum) increase its accessibility to mycologists that Alexander Fleming used during his globally. Basic data on the IMI specimens is discovery of penicillin. That one culture led already available at to a revolution in treatment of human http://194.203.77.76/herbIMI/, keyboarded disease that will have directly benefited with support from GBIF. This website will almost everyone reading this article. The migrate to Kew in the next few months, and collections of former staff including E.W. will subsequently be amalgamated with Mason, M.B. Ellis, S.J. Hughes and B.C. data from Kew’s Herbtrack system. Loans Sutton also form an important part of the of specimens from the two collections will IMI holdings. be available to bona fide researchers under Kew’s standard conditions, but we do not CABI’s 27000-strong living collection of anticipate full service to resume until fungi (which includes the UK National around April 2010 due to the organizational Collection of Fungus Cultures and several work remaining on the IMI collection. other important collections including those of the Building Research Establishment and The combined fungaria [mycaria], with the British Antarctic Survey) will remain at around 1.25 million specimens and Egham along with its associated staff, and including 45000 types (critically important will be joined by Kew’s living collection of specimens that link fungal names with the basidiomycetes. This will further strengthen organisms themselves), must constitute the one of the world’s most significant public- largest and most scientifically valuable service fungal culture collections. collection in the world. It will remain as a publically accessible resource to underpin The two collections of dried fungi will be all mycological research on a global basis. managed by Kew but remain largely separate entities for the foreseeable future, Brian Spooner due to the prohibitive costs of merging them Head of Mycology, into a single sequence. Over the next few Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew months, however, IMI’s basidiomycete holdings will be incorporated into the Kew Paul Cannon system due to lack of space to keep them Principal Mycologist, separate. Each collection will maintain its CABI historical accession numbers to ensure that references to specimens in the literature

Newsletter Articles

Do you have any items you would like to see published in the Newsletter which would be of interest to members?

We would love to receive short reports of any activities, upcoming events, items of interest, etc.

Please send items to the office or email to: [email protected]

Deadline for inclusion in the next issue: 6th April 2010

Fungi on the 4th Plinth

plinth, I took a megaphone with which to harangue passers-by about the wonders of fungi and some coconut mushrooms to shower on people below.

We weren’t expecting many people. So to reach as many people as possible, we got plenty of publicity leading up to the event. Trafalgar Square is at the heart of London, the project unusual, and Anthony Gormley a well-known artist, so the project as a whole was well covered by the media. Through the project organisers and our own publicity I had radio and TV interviews, and was mentioned in a number of newspaper and internet articles, including a story on the BBC News website. I used these Martha Crockatt in her Amanita muscaria outfit. opportunities to tell people what I was doing and Photograph © Martha Crockatt. why fungi are so important: as carbon recyclers in ecosystems, feeders of plants, a source of At 3.30am on a wet Sunday morning in July, I food and medicinal drugs, and so on. was standing 8m off the ground on the 4th plinth When I was on the plinth the megaphone was in Trafalgar Square - dressed as a mushroom. very useful, as were the coconut mushrooms. I The reason; I had been selected at random to began by just talking about fungi, and take part in Anthony Gormley’s project One and encouraged questions. Several passers by got Other, which ran from 6th July for 100 days. The very involved in fungi, and some people phoned project saw a different person standing on the my mobile, asking questions ranging from “tell plinth every hour of every day for 100 days: the us about the fungi that make ants do weird public would become the art. The 2,400 things” to “how can fungi help solve the peace participants were randomly selected from process in the Middle East”. One of the more volunteers, such as myself. Once on the plinth, unusual requests came from my uncle, who there were no rules: “you can do anything you asked for an interpretive dance on the lifecycle want, as long as it’s not illegal”. of fungi. Luckily, I had come prepared. Myself, When I applied I had no firm ideas what I might as the fly agaric, burst from the ground (I sat actually do up there. In May 2008 I had finished down then stood up dramatically), then released a PhD, studying the ecology of four species of spores (threw coconut mushrooms), after which endangered wood-decay fungi. Having seen the hyphae grew (threw long strips of white fabric type of reaction you get when telling people that down). that’s what you do, I know that the public in Although it rained, was chilly and dark, and general don’t know much about fungi. Talking there weren’t enormous crowds, it was still one with my former PhD supervisor Prof Lynne of the best hours of my life. It was amazing to be Boddy, the idea to use the plinth to make people up there and part of such a big project. I knew think about fungi began to take shape - Lynne that friends and family were watching on the has recently done lots of work trying to get the internet, not to mention unknown people around message to the public about the important roles the world. I’ve since had people get in touch with fungi play in everyday life, so this project fitted in me from the USA, Italy and New Zealand who with that. Friends, including the BMS president, had seen me on the plinth, so it’s great to know agreed to come with me and also dress up as that the fungal message got that far. mushrooms, we made banners to hang from the Martha Crockatt

BMS Upland Foray Forest of Dean, 19th - 26th September 2009

The Upland Foray was held from 19th to squamosus under Birch and Larch on a 26th September at the village of Parkend, revegetated spoil heap at Ruardean woods. in the Forest of Dean, and was based in a Many specimens of Naucoria were house belonging to Derek Schafer. It was collected from wet places under Alder ably organised by Dinah Griffin who was including one where Jack Marriot was tirelessly busy although she claimed to known to have recorded five different have delegated most of the work to other species. Four of these were identified. people. We are grateful to all of them for Russula robertii was found among sodden the smooth running of a very enjoyable sphagnum under Alder making its former foray. Almost every corner of the ground name of R. sphagnophila more appropriate. floor of Derek’s house was in use for work space, some people slept upstairs, some in An interesting diversion was a visit by a the nearby pub (The Fountain Inn) and group of us to a wood known as The Forest some in various other local B&Bs. at Coed-y-Paen over the border in Wales which was fairly recently acquired by Derek The Forest of Dean is an interesting area. Schafer. We duly recorded the fungi For many centuries there has been much observed there. A small specimen of mining activity. The last colliery only closed Amanita olivaceogrisea was an interesting in 1965. There are many remains of mine find but the highlight was not a fungus but a workings and spoil heaps, now covered in flowering plant. The small blue campanula- vegetation and for some reason these are like Wahlenbergia hederacea, Ivy-leaved often rich sites for fungi. There are also Bellflower, carpeted the main track and was areas of old woodland and recent flowering profusely despite the lateness of commercial conifer plantations and a few the season. It is rare in southern England damp areas with Alder. but commoner in Wales and SW England.

We were delighted that Lynne Boddy, Keith and Val Davies and Dave Shorten of President of the BMS, was able to visit the the Dean Fungus Group had devised a foray. She gave a very interesting talk on programme of site visits and accompanied how the mycelia of some wood-rotting us to give guidance on all the forays. Their basidiomycetes grow out of branches etc. help was much appreciated. Unfortunately in search of nutrients and in some species it had been as dry in this area as in most of form extensive networks of mycelial cords southern and eastern England although we (hyphae aggregated into linear organs). had hoped that being further west it would She described her experimental work to have been wetter. Nevertheless, when a discover exactly the way this happens and large group of experienced mycologists the different factors which influence it. comb a site, some fungi will be found and most people had enough to keep them All in all this was a very successful and busy with their microscopes in the enjoyable foray which could only have been evenings. The full list will be available in improved by the presence of a lot more due course. fungi. Our thanks to Dinah, Derek, Carol

and all the other people who contributed to A few unusual species were recorded this success. including Coprinopsis heterothrix, the Anne Andrews second British record of a species which only recently arrived in Britain, Boletopsis cavipes, found under Larch and fairly rare and the very photogenic Sarcodon

Asian Mycological Congress 2009

never dream of eating, e.g. Trametes versicolor! The final talk of this session was given by one of the 2009 BMS Benefactor Medal winners, Ek Sangvichien (Thailand) who illustrated his talk on tropical lichens and their mycobionts with some splendid images of spores of lichen-forming fungi.

The final session began with consideration of the current status of fungal inventory and From left to right Akira Nakagiri, Tsuyoshi databasing in Japan by Tsuysoshi Hosoya. hosoya, Geoff Gadd, Lynne Boddy. This was followed by Tsutomu Hattori who Photograph © G. Gadd revealed that, as within the BMS, amateur activities in Japan are helpful for recording of The BMS and Mycological Society of Japan fungi. Lynne Boddy then emphasised that (MSJ) jointly hosted a symposium at the Asian when we collect fungal records we very often Mycological Congress in Taichung, Taiwan, do not know at the time of collecting what they on 19th November 2009. This very successful will be used for in the future. We could never symposium, on “Inventory and Database of have known in 1950 that data collected then Fungi”, was preceded by a keynote address would now reveal effects of climate change on by Paul Kirk on “Globalization and Fungal fungal activity. Izumi Okane (secretary of Biodiversity”. The symposium itself had three Kanto branch of MSJ) took the audience sections. Firstly, there were reports on the through the Japan Society for Culture present status and future goals of fungal Collection Catalogue of Cultures, which is an databases in Asian countries (chaired by Akira integrated online database of microbial strains Nakagiri and Paul Kirk), then inventory studies preserved by the Japan Society for Culture for understanding biodiversity of fungi (chaired Collections. Finally Peter Buchanan (New by Tsuyoshi Hosoya and Geoff M.Gadd) and Zealand) showed us the NZFUNGI database finally utilisation of databases for analysis of online. biodiversity (chaired by Tsutomu Hattori and Lynne Boddy). Joint sponsorship of this meeting by MSJ and BMS follows on from other joint ventures The first session included talks on fungal spanning several years. We hope that in the databases in Taiwan, Thailand, Korea and future, the MSJ and the BMS can continue to Indonesia. In the second session, Geoff collaborate closely with other initiatives. M.Gadd spoke about inventories of fungal Lynne Boddy populations and correlation with environmental function emphasising some major advances that have been made using molecular approaches to provide a more complete understanding of biodiversity and functional roles in the environment in contrast to some traditional methods such as morphotyping and fruit body recording. Other talks included “Inventory of microfungi in peninsula Malaysia” (Su-See Lee) and “Inventory of edible and medicinal fungi from Northern China” (Yucheng Dai). This latter talk Fungi are highly appreciated in the Botanic contained some wonderful photographs and Garden, where labels identify them, and mention of some fungi that most of us would they take pride of place in the entrance to the visitor centre where a wall of fungal 12 photos greets you. Photograph © G. Gadd

BMS Roadshow goes North Trossachs Mushroom Festival 22 – 25th Oct 2009

including badge making and a supermarket challenge. Fitting everything into the Aberfoyle visitor centre was something of a challenge in itself and if we did it again we would look for a larger space where people could focus just on the fungal displays.

The displays generated a huge amount of interest amongst the visitors over the weekend and made us realise what an important role the exhibition has, even Fresh material on display. away from the larger and more prestigious Photograph © Roy Watling events such as Chelsea. Gold medals may not have been on offer for our efforts but For many years I have been involved in everybody who helped came away feeling running forays for the Trossachs Mushroom that they really had made a contribution to Festival held in late October at Aberfoyle, a raising the profile of fungi. Local recording short distance north of Glasgow. I had groups should not feel intimidated about wanted for some time to raise the fungal using the BMS Roadshow in this way – it is profile at the event and with the support of great fun and makes a very important members of the field community from the contribution at a local level. Huge thanks to Glasgow and Edinburgh areas, I was able Nev, Sam, Roy, Elizabeth, Dick and to gather together enough volunteers to Graeme for being so generous with their make hosting the Roadshow a realistic time and knowledge – it wouldn’t have proposition. The festival organisers happened without you. managed to raise the necessary funds for Liz Holden the transport costs and suddenly it was all happening. The BMS provided a small grant to enable window signs and other publicity material for the event to be produced.

The display arrived on the Friday morning and the construction team (Nev, Sam, Roy and Elizabeth), were soon hard at work fitting the display together and Nev Kilkenny and Graeme Walker with making space the display. for all the Photograph © Roy Watling additional attractions – sales items, Do you have a UK event coming up displays of fresh where using some of the BMS’s display/ material and printed resources would assist in Isla making badges. children’s engaging people? To discuss further, Photograph © Liz Holden activities contact: Sophie ([email protected]) or Norman ([email protected]) or 13 call them on: 0161 277 7638 at the BMS Office. BMS Inocybe Workshop Plas Tan y Bwlch, October, 2009

Species in the genus Inocybe have often been regarded be in the future. Our attention was drawn to the many by many mycologists as rather difficult to identify. In part species which occur in Scandinavia and other parts of this may be due to a lack of a comprehensive, in print, Europe but which are not yet found in Britain. In particular treatment of the British species in English; or perhaps the those non-British species which are included in often small and brown appearance of many of the Jacobsson’s Key in Funga Nordica are listed at the end of species has proven to be less attractive than some of the each Section in the Key unless mentioned previously more obvious and colourful genera. In fact, once the within the Section. They may well be discovered basic structures of the genus become familiar the especially in Northern Britain. techniques required to proceed to an identification are no more difficult than for the majority of the gilled Taxonomy has been a controversial area for Inocybe for Basidiomycetes. So it was that in late October 2009 some many years, but at last molecular sequencing (DNA) is thirty or so mycologists with a wide range of abilities and providing answers. The trend is clear even at this early experience gathered at Plas Tan y Bwlch in the stage and more species are emerging from those Snowdonia National Park for a weekend Workshop on aggregated in the past. Alan and Penny discuss these in the genus tutored by Alan Outen and Penny Cullington. notes as they arise in the six Sections of the Key, but only a brief mention of the most significant can be mentioned Armed with copies of the new Key to the British Species here. Much of the DNA analysis has been completed by of Inocybe, which with its substantial introduction runs to Larsson et al (2009) in Sweden, with some work coming 72 pages, we gathered for our first session. Alan began from America. by outlining the main features of the Inocybe genus, and its identification in general. He emphasised that problems It is undoubtedly true that the broad species concept often start at collection when great care is necessary. The followed by mycologists from Northern Europe has stipe bases must be intact; the stipe features contributed to some of the difficulties which have (caulocystidia) must be preserved and not wiped off by frequently arisen in identifying certain groups of Inocybe careless fingers, and it is sensible not to let the species. This quickly became apparent in our sessions in collections rattle around in the container in which they are the workroom at Plas Tan y Bwlch. It does seem likely placed. Without the caulocystidia it will not be possible to that, following the results of the DNA studies already determine accurately the presence or absence of a completed, further work in the known problem areas will cortina since this important feature is rarely visible other lead to more splitting of many species. The Key, wisely I than at a very young stage. With these precautions the suspect, anticipates these possible changes, especially extent of the caulocystidia (if any) can be seen under a when dealing with a species complex where a less broad stereo microscope or with a good hand lens. If they are concept has been followed in other countries for some confined to the upper part of the stipe (top 1/3 or so) then time. a cortina will have been present when young; if they extend down the stipe to one half or more then a cortina There is space here to mention only a few of the many will have been absent. Then came the warning. Some taxonomical changes. However, since many people will species in the subgenus Inocybe may have thin walled use Jacobsson’s Key alongside that of Alan and Penny, non-metuloid cystidia or “hairs” over all or part of the studies completed too late for inclusion by Jacobsson are stipe, and these tell you nothing about the presence or worth noting. I. rhodiola (not British) and I. adequata are absence of a cortina! Further examination may be now separate species, as are the varieties I.phaeodisca required under the microscope to determine more var. geo phylloides and var. diosma. The latter may need precisely the extent of any thick-walled metuloid new names but are both British. There is a new species caulocystidia. All Inocybe sections should be mounted in too, I. spuria, close to, but genetically different from, I. 10% ammonia. We find that a bottle from the local squamata. The var.geo phylloides is missing from supermarket works fine. If care is taken with all of the Jacobssons Key because DNA studies on Swedish above then I believe that the subsequent microscopic material showed it to be no different from the type. examinations required for successful identification are no Subsequent analysis of material from Britain produced more difficult than those for many other genera. It is of the opposite result. This rather suggests that it may course true that familiarity with the species and the keys sometimes be difficult to separate these two species. helps a lot, and can only be obtained with practice, as Not surprisingly the I. rimosa complex has given rise so with any other genus. far to five separate species plus an I. perlata relative

Subsequent presentations by Alan over the following two which is yet to be described. All are British. Looking to the days discussed each Subgenus in turn. Species and future, Alan has also included all the non-British “rimosa” Sections which might pose problems in identification were species which are widely accepted in Europe. Square outlined as were the many taxonomical changes that brackets are used throughout the keys to denote species have already been proposed, along with others that may which have not so far been recorded in Britain. ► 14 The nodulose spored group in Subgenus Inocybe gives Development of the Keys will continue. The authors rise to fewer problems. Much confusion has surrounded intend to add fuller descriptions of the species along I. fibrosa (not British), I. fibrosoides and I. duriuscula with photographs as they become available. Fresh and an article for Field Mycology is being prepared. material of the less common species and those whose DNA studies in America and Sweden show that I. taxonomical status remains in doubt is still required by ovatocistis is a species separate from I. lanuginosa and Alan and Penny who will provide more information Alan argues that the latter is something of a nomen about this on request. As they stand however, there is confusum and replaces it by I. stellatospora. This no doubt that the Keys and the workshop have added interpretation is different from the Check List 2005 and immensely to our understanding of the Inocybe genus, from Jacobsson. and consequently our confidence in obtaining a correct identification will surely have improved. This Workshop Among the smooth-spored species of Subgenus has been two years in the preparation, supported too by Inocybe four have been raised to specific level following studies that go back thirty years. The success of all this the work of Larsson. They are I. erinaceomorpha from a effort was very evident throughout the weekend judging var. of I .corydalina: I. incarnata from I. fraudans; I. by the activity, often animated, in the workroom, and tarda (not British) from I. nitidiuscula; and I suspect that our thanks to Alan and Penny is much deserved. Stuart many people will be pleased that I. lilacina is now a full and Carol had ensured that their organisation left species. Among the remainder I. sindonia, judging by nothing to chance and everything ran very smoothly; its variability, seems to be an aggregate of species as and let’s not forget that it was Sherry who persuaded yet undefined. So too is I. flocculosa which presents Alan and Penny to undertake this workshop. Finally it is even greater difficulties. The var. croceifolia is given difficult to think of a location which has more to offer for specific status as I. aurantiifolia following a number of a workshop or short course than Plas Tan y Bwlch. European authors. This is not yet supported by DNA Friendly and helpful staff, splendid Victorian interior and studies, but so complex is this group that in an a superb location made for a memorable and very appendix there is a key to some taxa in the I. flocculosa useful weekend. group based on Bon (1997). Note that some of the John Weir names may not be valid. References In between the presentations we had sessions in the Jacobsson’s Key in Funga Nordica workroom. Our gratitude goes to all those who spent Knudsen, H. & Vesterholt, J. (eds) 2008 Funga their time searching for fresh material over the previous Nordica. Agaricoid, boletoid and cyphelloid genera. days. Not easy to find this year – and rain really does Nordsvamp - Copenhagen make a mess of species from the dunes. There was nevertheless a good selection, just in numbered boxes Larsson et al (2009) of course, and after some advice from Penny we set to E. Larsson1, M. Ryberg1, P.-A. Moreau2, Å. Delcuse work. My first specimen looked straightforward. Some Mathiesen1, S. Jacobsson1. Taxonomy and evolutionary good caulocystidia all down the stem, hence non- relationships within species of section Rimosae cortinate, and smooth spored with metuloid cystidia. I (Inocybe) based on ITS, LSU and mtSSU sequence didn’t get an answer! Most of those caulocystidia were data Persoonia 23, 2009: 86–98 thin walled “hairs”; the true cystidia were just at the apex and a cortina must have been present when Check List 2005 young. Key F then leads to I. fuscidula agg. – which N.W. Legon & A. Henrici 2005: Checklist of the British & explained why the spore length and cystidia widths Irish Basidiomycota Kew Publishing were not quite the values expected. Many people had difficulty distinguishing I.dulcamara from I. aghardhii, Bon (1997) both from the dunes. It was partly due to the poor Bon 1997a Clé monographique du genre Inocybe (Fr) condition of the specimens, but the presence of thin Fr.1ere partie. généralites et especes acystidiées =ss- walled cystidia in chains proved surprisingly difficult. My gInosperma. -Doc. mycol.105:1-45 experience is that in the field the two species look quite different, but maybe some more careful checking is Bon 1997b Clé monographique du genre Inocybe (Fr) required. Fr. 2éme partie. sous - genre Inocybe =Inocibium (Earle) Sing.-Doc.mycol.108:1-69 Meanwhile Penny was engaged in helping people with limited or no experience of the genus. They were Bon 1998 Clé monographique du genre Inocybe (Fr)Fr. shown how to find the all important caulocystidia with 3éme partie Especes gibbosporeées. Doc.mycol.111:1- the stereo microscope; and if required, how to prepare 39 slides of these stem cystidia that would ultimately determine the precise nature of them. Examination of Keys cheilo- and pleurocystidia on the gills emphasised the Outen A.R. & Cullington P. Keys to British Species of important features such as wall thickness, colour and Inocybe (Oct 2009) privately published. To purchase a shape. Demonstrations on the BMS equipment also copy contact either: proved very useful. Alan Outen [[email protected]] Penny Cullington [[email protected]]

Fungi on Parade

At the point of writing (Nov 09), we have been involved at Abergavenny Food Festival, Herefordshire Cider Festival, Monmouth Show – where the banner was used for the first time, and our regular weekend of events at National Trust Croft Castle in Herefordshire where we lead walks and put on a small display. We are just getting ready for a weekend exhibition at Flavours of Hereford Food Festival where the banner will, we hope, encourage a few more people to come and talk to us about fungi. It may seem the wrong way round to some, encouraging people at Display at Monmouth Show. blatantly foodie events, however, we all Photograph © George & Sheila Spence. have to start somewhere and once you are hooked that’s it –fungiphyle for life! We were lucky enough to receive a BMS Sheila & George Spence Small Grant early 2009 for our outreach work in taking fungi to the people. A large part of the grant was spent on design and printing of a pull up display banner which has now been out and about to several places and is expected to be used even more over the next few years.

Photographs, taken by ourselves, were used and a few words added but the impact is mostly gained by a massive photograph of Macrolepiota procera, the Parasol. This easily recognised species seems to grab people’s attention and they then come closer to learn more about what we are up Display at National Trust Croft Castle. to. Photograph © George & Sheila Spence.

Want to Join Your Local Fungus Group? Local Fungus Groups exist in many parts of exploring the world of fungi and run varied the country helping to put mushrooms on the foray and workshop programmes which are map in the UK. suitable for all levels of expertise.

They are run on a voluntary basis by If you are interested in joining your Local enthusiasts seeking to share their knowledge Fungus Group, please contact of wild fungi and improve members’ Sophie Embleton ([email protected]) identification skills. They provide a welcoming at the BMS Office who will put you in touch environment for new members to enjoy with your nearest group.

Sponsorship and Grants

Small Grants Awards This grant is offered at quarterly intervals and applications must be received by: The British Mycological Society offers Small • 20 March Grants to its members for educational • 20 July purposes that promote Mycology. • 20 September Maximum value: £300 • 20 December

Grants can be used for the following Key criteria: costs: Eligible applicants must be members of The • Travel to the British Mycological British Mycological Society. Society’s meetings if the applicant is presenting a poster or paper. Contact • Fieldwork or research projects. [email protected] • Books or scientific equipment. Tel: 0161 277 7638 • To hire meeting rooms or attend forays. BMS Administrator Union Street • To support the cost of preparing Manchester applications to the Heritage Lottery M12 4JD Fund for mycological projects. Email: [email protected]

Grants cannot be used: Other Grants are offered by the BMS, for • To supplement existing undergraduate more information please see the website awards or replace institutional funding www.britmycolsoc.org.uk for undergraduate or postgraduate research.

Application procedure: Application forms are available from the BMS Administrator, or BMS website.

BMS Grants, Sponsorship & Bursary Reports

If you are the recipient of a BMS grant or bursary, or BMS sponsorship, please send us your report as soon as possible after the event.

Reports should be no longer than 500 words and should, wherever possible, include photographs for reproduction within Mycologist News.

Please send all material to: [email protected]

17 Undergraduate Bursary 2009 Report

encountering new resources, little is known about larger systems, and even less about effects of removal of resources.

The aim of the project was to investigate the effects on structure of Phanerochaete velutina mycelium of adding six wood resources around the growing system in large (57 x 57 cm) soil microcosms, and subsequently removing some of these from different locations. Larger scale trays create more realistic conditions. We have also set up soil microcosms on 100 x 100 cm trays of soil (Fig. 2). The saprotrophic basidiomycete P. velutina again had the privilege to be the first species inoculated by adding colonised wood blocks onto these large scale trays. This will serve as a pioneer project for future Fig.1. Mycelium of Phanerochaete velutina research. It will also serve to test the growing on the surface of soil in 57 x 57 cm tray. hypothesis that network architecture Photograph © Amy Pope. develops differently when mycelia have a large area to forage even though they have the same sized inoculum and similar sized Pavel Dvorak, Cardiff School of Biosciences, and positioned additional resources. Cardiff University Because these mycelial systems are long- Supervisor: Lynne Boddy lived in the field (many years) the intention was to continue to monitor the systems for at Analysis of network architecture in least six months. This obviously was well mycelial systems of Phanerochaete beyond my summer research period and the velutina subjected to resource removal experiments are now being continued by a final year undergraduate project student. Saprotrophic, cord-forming basidiomycetes form complex, dynamic, long-lived, extensive (m2 to hectares) networks in soil, with considerable scope for communication through many radial and tangential connected loops (Boddy, 1993, 1999; Fricker et al. 2008; Fig. 1). Network architecture is reconfigured in response to local nutritional or environmental cues or damage, through a combination of growth, branching, fusion or regression (Boddy 1999; Boddy & Jones 2007). Understanding how these networks work is crucial to understanding how these mycelia function and hence crucial to understanding their role in ecosystem function. Though much is known about how Fig. 2. Pavel Dvorak with 100 x 100 cm soil small (< 20 cm diam.) mycelia respond to microcosm. Photograph © Tom Crowther. ► 18

Since the beginning of my studies in fractal dimension (which measures Cardiff, I’ve enjoyed practical classes in all branchiness/space-filling). subjects, however, I always felt that I would like to be much more involved in During my summer in the fungal ecology experiments. Usually everything is set up lab at Cardiff, supervised by Professor and ready for the students who carry out Lynne Boddy and Tom Crowther (1st year minimal work by themselves. In this PhD student), I learned a huge amount, not summer project I was able to start from only practical lab skills, but also good “scratch”, driving to a field site for soil interpersonal and communication skills. I collection, sieving the soil, drying it, storing also learned basics of new software such it, freezing it (to prevent population as ImageJ and FracLac, and how to plan explosions of collembola), and then making experiments and “get the job done”. I am the soil microcosms. This process took very grateful for this opportunity and several weeks and in the meantime I had to experience. make sure I had the cultures ready. So, I was taught how to prepare 2% malt agar References and pour plates while applying good aseptic technique. The plates were inoculated with Boddy, L. (1993). Cord-forming fungi: fresh cultures from a smaller (9 cm warfare strategies and other ecological diameter) Petri dish. When fully colonised aspects. Mycological Research, 97, 641 - they were inoculated with sterile (by 655. autoclaving) wood blocks (4 cm2) of European beech (Fagus sylvatica). Boddy, L. (1999) Saprotrophic cord-forming Colonised wood blocks were fungi: meeting the challenge of placed onto compact soil and the trays heterogeneous environments. Mycologia, were enclosed in plastic bags and 91, 13 – 32. incubated in the darkness at a constant temperature of 20°C. Since it takes several Boddy, L. & Jones, T.H. (2007). Mycelial months for the wood to be colonised I used responses in heterogeneous environments: inocula prepared previously, and the parallels with macroorganisms. In Fungi in inocula that I prepared will be used by the Environment, ed. G. M. Gadd, S.C. someone else later. Watkinson & P. Dyer, pp 112-140. Cambridge University Press. When the fungi began to grow out they were photographed twice weekly and the Fricker, M.D., Bebber, D. & Boddy, L. images analysed using a software package (2008) Mycelial networks: structure and called ImageJ. This allowed measurement dynamics. In: Ecology of Saprotrophic of the radial extent of the systems, the area Basidiomycetes (eds L. Boddy, J.C. occupied by the mycelium, the area of soil Frankland & P. van West) pp. 3- 18, actually covered by hyphae (quantified by Elsevier, Amsterdam. electronic counting of white pixels), and the

Student research placement volunteers to research projects. (Focus is programme currently predominantly on UK studies and placements)

The Infectious Disease Research Network For more information go to (IDRN) Student Research Placement http://idrn.org/placements/student% Programme is intended to act as a catalyst, 20research%20placements% or 'match-making' facility, linking talented 20programme%20draft.pdf and committed students and research institutions in the United Kingdom. Programme organisers are Mike Head,

[email protected] and Joseph Fitchett, email This facility will assist in allocating [email protected] 19

Small Grants Award

Fungal Cell Biology Group Nick Read Lab Institute of Cell Biology University of Edinburgh

Obituary

Jack Fisher: an Appreciation newly-fallen leaves and twigs. They also reproduce sexually, forming minute fugal fruit Jack Fisher's academic bodies on exposed leaves and twigs. Relatively achievements came little was known about their physiology or rather late in life. In his ecology. Jack set about their study using novel early fifties, he methods. He was often at his bench by 6 a.m. applied to become an and successfully completed his Ph.D. thesis undergraduate to study well within the three year period taken by the biology at Exeter brightest and best. He subsequently published University. He had none several papers based on this research and also of the normal included monographs with keys and illustrations qualifications but he had to several genera. He linked species of asexual qualities which marked aero-aquatic fungi to their sexual states. He was him out as likely to be involved in the discovery of a new antibiotic successful. He had from an aquatic fungus which is active against already published two human pathogens although, unfortunately it books’ including one on gems. It cannot have proved to be too toxic for clinical use. Later, his been easy, either socially or academically to research interests changed to the study of study at this level in middle age but Jack fungal endophytes of plants. These are worked hard and was awarded a good Honours’ symptomless parasites of a wide range of degree. Immediately afterwards he expressed plants. Jack was able to isolate them, grow an interest in undertaking research leading to a them in culture and to identify them. For his Ph.D. He chose to study an unusual group of numerous publications in this field Jack was microscopic fungi, the aero-aquatics which grow awarded the highest scientific degree, Doctor of on fallen trees, leaves and twigs at the surface Science. He also undertook collaborative work of mud in stagnant ponds, ditches and slow- on the fungus which leaf-cutting ants cultivate in running streams often under near anaerobic their nests and on which they feed. He conditions. They do not reproduce there and supervised research students working for their only do so as the water above them dries out Ph.D. degrees at the Universities of Exeter and and they become exposed to air. Here, within a Portsmouth and the latter University appointed few days, they form large exquisite, coiled, him as an Honorary Research Fellow. He has non-wettable asexual spores which eventually made a distinctive mark on fungal biology and float away onto the water surface when they are we salute him. re-wetted and may come into contact with John Webster

Ken Roberts tremendous debt. He was not only an enthusiastic member, always willing to give advice and help to both new and existing Dorset Fungus Group recently lost a highly members, but his knowledge of fungi was also valued member of their group. Ken Roberts significant and proved a valuable aid on the sadly passed away in October 2009. Ken was forays he attended. an active member of the group for many years and also carried out the roles of Group New members quickly appreciated how Secretary and Financial Officer for many of welcoming he was and how he motivated those years. everyone with his enthusiasm. The

administration and organisational duties he He joined the DFG in 1997, which was fairly undertook for the DFG were also significant and soon after its inception in 1995. His without him the DFG would not be what it is contributions to the group were many. He was a today, with a large member base and in good key factor in its growth and success. Without his financial health. Well liked by everyone who met effort and enthusiasm the Group would not have him, keen and encouraging, Ken was grown and achieved the popularity for both the irreplaceable and will be sadly missed. social and foraying activities. All the members of Phil Goldney the DFG owe Ken and his wife, Rosemary, a

22 Field Meeting 2010 Spring Meeting: Pencaitland, East Lothian Sat 22nd - Sat 29th May 2010 rare ancient birch wood marsh. Further to the east and Organiser: Neville Kilkenny north is the East Lothian Coastline, most of which is also Closing Date: 1st Mar 2010 SSSI, and is where no less than 11 species of Geastrum have been collected. To the west, Dalkeith Country Park The foray will be cottage based in Pencaitland, East is one of the last ancient oak woods of Scotland, and Lothian, close to several estates such as Yester, beyond that there is Roslin Glen, another humid river Coulston & Lennoxlove. The surrounds have varied gorge. The accommodation in two self-catering habitats, including stunning ancient woodlands, and properties with a total of 11 bedrooms sleeping up to 22 numerous SSSI sites. Yester itself has trees over 1000 (26 with ‘Family style’ room ‘Z’ bed) is on the historic years old, and is a mixed semi natural parkland habitat Winton Estate, half an hour from Edinburgh. following a river valley which is particularly humid. To the south is Lammer law SSSI, a wonderful grassland Cost: £390 sharing a twin room (£370 for BMS site, notified for general upland assemblage, juniper members). scrub, blanket bog, and subalpine heath, to the immediate east, SSSI Danskine Loch, which is a very

Overseas Meeting: Sampeyre nr Cuneo, Italy Wed 29th Sept - Fri 8th Oct 2010 productive fruiting period. Sampeyre has excellent Organiser: Steve Kelly transport connections, there is a train station in the Closing Date: 1st Jul 2010 village and there are connections from Turin Airport, 75 Tutor: Alfredo Vizzini (Turin University) miles away by road. Turin receives cheap flights from Luton (Easyjet) and Stanstead (Ryanair). The mid-week The foray will be hotel based in Sampeyre dates allow significantly cheaper flights (and taxes) and (www.vallevaraita.cn.it/eng/sampeyre.asp) the "capital" also cheaper crossings via the Channel Tunnel for those of Valle Varaita 971m up in the Italian Alps in the wishing to drive all the way. The Hotel Ristorante province of Torino. The area is described as "wild and Torinetto can accommodate 160 people and it is hoped luxuriant, with thick woods running alongside the road that there will be a number of local mycologists joining leading up to the Agnello Pass (altitude of us. 2748 m). This valley has managed to preserve its cultural provincial heritage and has extensive woodland Cost: Administration and workroom costs only £70 (£50 including Pinus cembra forest”. The foray is being for BMS members) Accommodation in the hotel is arranged in conjunction with the local Italian mycological booked and paid for directly by the participants at a group and it is they who have recommended the hotel special discount currently estimated at €55 - €65 pppn and will suggest the sites; they have also suggested the FB. timing to coincide with their expectation of the most

Autumn Meeting: Shorwell, Isle of Wight Wed 13th - Thurs 21st Oct 2010 south west of the island near the downs. Organisers: Jacquey Newton Accommodation is limited to 20 individuals with only two Closing Date: 1st Aug 2010 single rooms. A further 10 people can be Tutor: TBA accommodated in the workroom housed in a large music room on site. Non resident participants can book The autumn foray will be based on the Isle of Wight in nearby B&B accommodation. It is also anticipated that possibly the first time that the BMS has visited this this cheaper workroom only option will also appeal to geologically interesting area and where we will hope to local mycologists, who will be encouraged to join our find new records for the island. A variety of superb sites forays. The foray has been organised mid week as for foraying exist these include unimproved grassland on travel costs to the Isle of Wight by frequent car ferry can the chalk downs, neutral grassland with woodland and be cheaper than at the weekend. scrub to the north and semi natural Ash and Oak woodland. There are also areas of sand, clay and Cost: (excluding eve meal): Shared twin room £328 limestone producing further varied habitats. (£308 for BMS members) Single room £496 (£476 for Accommodation will be at the 17th century Northcourt BMS members). Workroom only £70 (£50) BMS (www.northcourt.info) manor house in Shorwell, in the members.

23 Booking Procedure for Forays and Workshops

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

24 Booking Form 2010

UK Events

IMC9, Edinburgh Convention Centre 1st - 6th August 2010

The British Mycological Society is hosting the 9th International Mycological Congress (IMC9) Edinburgh has everything to ensure a in Edinburgh, Scotland in August 2010. successful conference. The Edinburgh International Conference Centre will provide an Besides the BMS, other Societies and outstanding venue for IMC9 with excellent Organizations that have also agreed to facilities for up to 2,700 delegates. A wide contribute and support IMC9 include the British range of accommodation from student halls of Lichen Society, British Society for Medical residence to all classes of hotels will be Mycology, British Society for Plant Pathology, available to suit every budget, and this will be European Mycological Association, Society for centrally bookable online. The opening Applied Microbiology, Society for General reception will be held in the historic castle with Microbiology, the Royal Botanic Gardens, its dramatic setting in the centre of the city. Edinburgh, and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The date for the conference will be the week before the Edinburgh Festival, which is the Fungal biology has never been as important as biggest arts festival on the planet. It will also it is today and this is undoubtedly the most coincide with the Jazz and Blues Festival. exciting time to be studying the subject. The Numerous social and scientific activities before, International Mycological Congress represents during and after the meeting will also be the most important forum to provide an up-to- available for delegates and their families, date perspective of fungal biology in all its including tours around Edinburgh and Scotland, guises. The BMS will make sure that IMC9 golf, fishing, field trips to major sites of contains a Scientific Programme which is international scientific interest, visits to research tremendously stimulating, inspiring and institutes, specialist workshops, field meetings balanced across the enormously diverse and whisky tasting. subject spectrum of fungal biology. Early registration: 12 February 2010 The keynote speaker will be John Taylor (UC Abstract submission: 9 April 2010 Berkeley, USA) his opening lecture The Poetry of Mycological Accomplishment and Challenge. www.imc9.info British Yeast Group St Anne's College Oxford, 17th-19th March 2010

The British Yeast Group meets annually to Oxford from the 17-19th March 2010, and is discuss all aspects of yeast biology. In being organized by Tim Humphrey. addition to providing a platform for high quality scientific discussion. The meetings, The deadline for registration is which have been running annually since Friday 29th January, 2010. 1977, provide a unique networking and The deadline for abstract submission is training opportunity for members of the Friday 22nd February, 2010. British yeast research community. For more information and to register go to The upcoming British Yeast Group Meeting http://www.britishyeastgroup.org/ (BYG2010) will be held at St Anne’s College

International Events

June 2010 3rd - 4th June International Symposium on "Fungal Biodiversity and Resources" Venue: Mae Fah Luang University, Thailand Website: http://www.mfu.ac.th/fungalsymposium09/

Thailand has a rich fungal biodiversity and until recently these microorganisms had rarely been studied. The book "Thai Fungal Diversity " outlined research on fungal diversity in Thailand until 2004 and it was evident that there was much work to be done.

The aim of this symposium is to bring together leading fungal researchers in Thailand in the fields of biodiversity, phylogeny and biotechnology to present their latest research advances. In addition we will bring in leading international researchers with expertise in using fungal biodiversity in biotechnology. We will use a round table discussion group to explore which way fungal research should be directed in Thailand. 15th - 17th June Gastro-intestinal Models in the Research of Probiotics and Prebiotics Venue: Kosice,Slovakia Website: www.probiotic-conference.net The International Probiotic Conference 2010 will be held in the university city of Kosice, Slovakia. IPC 2010 is the oncoming event of the successful conference series focusing on probiotics in 2000, 2004, and 2008. The scientific programme will focus on current advances in the research, production and use of probiotics and prebiotics with particular focus on their role in maintaining health and preventing diseases. The conference's goal is to provide a scientific forum for all stakeholders of probiotics and prebiotics and enable the interactive exchange of state-of-the-art knowledge. The conference will focus on evidence- based benefits proven in clinical trials and scientific experiments. September 2010 7 - 12 September RUSSULALES - 2010 Venue: Massembre, Belgium Website: http://www.amfb.eu/russulales_2010.htm

This Congress, organized by the mycologists of southern Belgium (Association des my- cologues francophones de Belgique), will focus on the Russulales (Lactarius and Russula, as well as many other species recently transferred to the Russulales). It will be a scientific congress, with the participation of many of the best specialists of Russulales in Europe, lecture sessions and publication of the Proceedings. It will also be a field workshop, propos- ing excursions in selected sites with various ecological conditions, an exhibition of fresh sporophores of Russulales and a microscopy room where participants will be able to safely install their equipment (microscope, binocular, mushroom drier, laptop, etc) and study their collections. All mycologists interested in Russulales, both amateurs and professionals, are welcome.

Fungi Photo Corner

Ann Miller has kindly supplied this issue’s Fungi Corner photographs.

“I found this specimen of the Crucibulum laeve (Common Bird's- nest) in the grass at the local riding school. Strathhorn Farm, Aberdeenshire, Photograph © John Miller. 10.10.09. It is growing on a broken piece of fence, most likely pine.”

Have you taken a stunning image of fungi not forgetting to include as much that you want to share? information as possible about what, where and when it was taken. Big or small, laboratory or field you could be the next to appear in ‘Fungi Photo Please note, that in sending your Corner’. photographs to us you are allowing the British Mycological Society to reproduce Send your high resolution images to the image to appear in its printed and [email protected] online versions of Mycologist News.

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