Wild Fungi DNA

MYCOmmunity Applied Mycology has been building capacity for citizen mycologists to use technology such as DNA sequencing and microscopy to help study Australian native fungi. Through our Wild Fungi DNA project and our citizen science laboratory, we have involved citizen scientists in projects studying fungal ecology, genetics and land management with fungi. This presentation will discuss some of these projects, their results and how people can get involved. It will also consider ways in which we can increase capacity for the citizen science community more broadly.

Poop for Fungi for Plants:

MYCOmmunity has been working with local Landcare and animal sanctuaries to develop methods of reintroducing native fungi to nursery stock and revegetation using the scats of fungivorous animals.

Wombat Forest Treefall Study:

The Wombat State Forest in Victoria was severely disturbed by extreme winds in 2021, which caused widespread uprooting and snapping of trees. Since then, soil samples have been collected annually by citizen mycologists from 12 plots with different levels of disturbance. The soil samples were analysed using DNA sequencing to see how fungal communities changed over time.

DNA whole genome sequencing:

MYCOmmunity has been carrying out whole genome sequencing with a grant from BIoplatforms Australia on herbarium specimens collected by volunteers.

DNA metabarcoding:

We are starting a project to do free DNA barcoding on samples collected by citizen mycologists. If you would like to be involved with this project, there will be more information presented at this talk.