Dream mini lab for a mad keen mycologist

[hamadryad]

So, as this has been a little dream of mine for some time, one i intend to carry out within a year or two what i need is some constructive advice on the needs of a mycology lab rough idea of space, facilities and tools.

I also need PROPER detailed reference books, i love books, those really expensive niche ones that geeky people read in bed at night, while the rest of the world reads hello to see what kerry katonas up to!

As far as I can tell for correct ID its all about spores, so what books give detailed descriptions for this purpose and where can I get them?

There are dyes and reaction agents used in mycology what are they and where do you get them?

is it just agar that is used as a growing medium?

Whats a good trinocular microscope for imaging as well as viewing with say a 1-2 grand budget?

Bunsen burners etc?

Anyone that assits me with this project can have accses to it, i would welcome the experiance i would gain from any of you.

This lab is to be capable of doing serious research into the principle decayers which are important to arboriculturists.

is it even doable?

[ron1863]

The Fungi of Switzerland books are excellent reference works, there are several volumes each costing over £100 each.

[hamadryad]

Thank you ron, any links on finding them?

[cowshill]

Enter "fungi switzerland" in the search box at amazon.co.uk and you'll find some used book sellers who have them. Too costly for my meager budget!

- Jim

[alge]

Look for your local wildlife trust they should be running courses soon, i've just booked onto four single study days through sept. into oct. down my way. There has got to be something going on in Hertforshire's bits of Epping forest.

As to books they have recommended i bring, The Mushrooms & Toadstools of Britain & Northern Europe by Marcel Bon, Collins latest Fungi field guide.

Microscope threads in this forum will generally yield info to suit your needs.

good luck

alex

[NickCantle]

Field experience

[Chris Yeates]

Originally Posted by hamadryad

. . . .
Whats a good trinocular microscope for imaging as well as viewing with say a 1-2 grand budget? . . . .

hi

I am very impressed by Brunel Microscopes (other dealers do exist ed.)- they even advised me not to bother with a higher spec 'scope when I bought mine as for mycology the difference was negligible and the increased outlay considerable

good move on their part as I now recommend them and I know a couple of people who have bought from them helped by my recommendation

you can't get the exact 'scope I got, but very close is:
Laboratory microscopes (SP200 trinocular)

the next layer down
Research Microscopes

also good - cheaper but with slightly lower spec objectives; I bought a complete phase set 5 years ago and it's still in the box not necessary for mycology but if I ever get into algae (I'm tempted . . .) it may come into its own; also I would definitely recommend getting a x60 objective as well, plus a measuring eyepiece - but don't rush into a purchase have a look at the equipment people have - someone might be upgrading and have second-hand kit to sell - 2nd hand microscopes are generally still highly useable; the trinocular head if you can afford it is great for photography, Brunel sell various adaptors for cameras - a good one is the old Nikon Coolpix 4500 as you don't get camera shake - sadly they are not as cheap as they could be as a lot of birders use them for digiscoping; I have got an adaptor for using one of my Nikon SLR's but even on a solid surface the shake from the shutter was unacceptable - I think that if I used a long exposure then the shake would be negligible but - - - - sorry too much information! veering off topic!

I wouldn't bother with bunsen burners, mate - a simple methylated spirit lamp or small camping gas burner fine - I'd also get into culturing (if you do want to go that way) a long way in, it's not necessary and could prove too daunting

you've joined the BMS, get on a foray or two and see what people are using (try not to be too pushy as they have their stuff to do as well, but you'll find people generally very sympathetic and helpful

more advice I'm sure will come your way - but be warned this stuff is more infectious than swine flu (though also slightly more fun!)


cheers


Chris

[hamadryad]

never be afraid to go off on a tangent chris that was WELL appreciated, all good stuff, i'll be shooting images with a D5 I am a canon man!

Culturing is A big part of what i am going to be doing later, i have plans to investigate a lot of stuff, for a start increment cores from healthy trees to see what fungi are present in the wood showing no signs of infection or dysfunction and also to research what REALY does go on infection wise around increment bore holes and saw cuts. so culturing samples is going to play a big part, i want to look into antagonism between species too as this is a critical area of study for future bio imunisation theory, a tangent, i think we will have a few good conversations at some point

thanks to everyone so far on this, keep it coming

If you get into algae they are truly stunning microscopicaly, i can understand that interest. The Cyanobacteria are quite interesting, asumed to be algae for some time.

[Chris Yeates]

Originally Posted by ron1863

The Fungi of Switzerland books are excellent reference works, there are several volumes each costing over £100 each.

FOS is very good, but is not error-free by any means, for example Hygrocybe (waxcaps) and particularly Hebeloma are rather confused, although extensive it is not exhaustive (and it does cover Switzerland after all! a fair way from Watford)

but it does have the great value of showing the microfeatures of the various species and has good introductory sections

one solution would be to concentrate on a group like the waxcaps or the milkcaps Lactarius both have excellent recent monographs with good photographs and illustrations of the microfeatures (there is a similar one in the same series on Hebeloma but that is not a genus for the faint-hearted)

Chris

[hamadryad]

I am not realy that interested in the stools, except for the mycorrhizal associations with trees, I am more interested in the Ganadermataceas The inonotus genus, the polypores and other major or principle tree decay fungi.

it is these I have most knowledge of and can make most use of and we in the arb world do need to pull our socks up for research and publications. I intend to do a book one day strictly for arborist like me that just cant find a realy in depth reference, maybe a big volume with an accompanying field book for the wagons and field work.

This is why I am so interested in finding a way to ID the ganadermas in the field, its vital as arborist we have detailed and prescise information on the various strategies of decay by fungi particulary in the hazzard evaluation area. Good information will save trees from needless felling for merely having an infection of one or another fungi.

I also firmly believe that fungi are the life blood of ecosytems so to simply remove trees just because they have fungal infections is disastrous for the ecology of any place. Ive heard there are over 200 species of insect that rely on P.squamosus for their lifecycles alone?