Finding a fungarium partner
Photo by Stu PickellFind a Partner Fungarium or Herbarium
A lasting future for fungi includes specimens stored in Fungariums or Herbariums, institutional repositories that allow future mycologists to return to long after the DNA sequence has been derived.
Many fungaria/herbaria digitize their specimens and upload the data to a central website called MyCoPortal for further study of their seasonality or habitat.
Finding one local to where you found the specimen that’s being stored only improves the regionality of local studies.
Check out this map of North American fungaria/herbaria.
If you are unable to find a regional partner collection for your project, the Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT) collection has generously agreed to take deposits of FUNDIS specimens.
Or email fungarium@FUNDIS.org for assistance.
Contact a Fungarium
You can contact a fungarium/herbarium via email at the beginning of your fungal project adventure with an outline who you are, what your project is focused on (taxa and region), and what your project goals are. Here's a sample message:
Hello,
My name is _________ and I have started a project with the Fungal Diversity Survey (FUNDIS.org). Our project is called _______ and is focused on [insert taxa] of [insert target region]. Our project is currently looking to establish a relationship with a fungarium to store our dried fungal collections. We currently plan on collecting [insert number] specimens per year as a part of this project. Our specimens will be associated with all the metadata required by the FUNDIS, and will arrive at your location organized to the standards required by your institution. Would your institution be willing to consider accepting our specimens? May we begin a discussion on the requirements your institution has for accepting new specimens?
Thank you for your consideration,
[name]
While fungariums are not required to take every specimen they receive, upholding a good working relationship with them is important for increasing your chances of having a lasting impact.
General Considerations
Legal and ethical considerations
You may be required to submit copies of collecting permits with your specimens. Many managed natural areas, such as state and national parks or nature preserves, require permits for collecting and may place restrictions on the quantity of biological material and the species that can be collected.
Most fungaria will not accept collections that require a permit (e.g., collections from within a National Park) without a copy of that permit; some permits put conditions or how specimens are deposited and stored, information your partner fungarium must also know.
Copies of applicable permits should accompany all specimens whose collection was made under those permits. Lack of permits for collections that should have had them may keep you from being able to deposit your collections.
Fungariums accept specimens at no cost. They do not have to always accept specimens, however. Reasons why they might not include lack of funding and insufficient data or labeling. FUNDIS urges people interested in working with fungaria to be professional and responsive when communicating with staff.
Specimen Quality
Try to provide high-quality material — this means material for which there is maximum potential for future scientific value.
A high-quality specimen is prepared according to best practices for the type of specimen represented, has an accurate and complete label, and is as complete as possible, meaning that the biological material exhibits all the features that are used to identify it and distinguish it from other species.
Inclusion of good “metadata,” such as good-quality images of the living specimen and field notes on ephemeral features increases the scientific value of the collection. Including your field data slip and a printed voucher slip adds to this value.
Be sure to include sufficient biological material so that the fungus can be identified. The exact amount of material required varies depending on type of fungus but ideally contains multiple mature sporocarps and immature ones, or buttons, as well.
For a large, durable polypore, a segment of the fruiting structure is sufficient.
For a tiny and delicate fungi such as a Mycenas, multiple fruiting bodies are needed.
However, separately wrap and identify the specimen sequenced and put it in the bag with the others. That way, if the specimens weren’t identical, as can be the case with Hygocybes, there is a way to identify the specific specimen that was sequenced.
Mailing your Package
Download a spreadsheet
Most collections will require a particular structure to the collection data. Send your partner fungarium/herbarium a copy of your spreadsheet before finalizing it to be sure that you are including the information they require, and formatting according to their standards.
Spreadsheet
Instructions for exporting CSV spreadsheets from iNaturalist and Mushroom Observer are described at Submit Tissue for Sequencing
Email the file to your fungarium contact and also include a hard copy with your specimens if requested.
Specimen Name
Some fungaria may have restrictions on accepting undetermined or partially determined material; make sure you discuss this in advance with your partner collection if your deposit includes specimens not identified to genus.
Typically, fungaria require that specimens be identified to genus or species, with authors of the names (provided automatically by iNaturalist and Mushroom Observer), and the name of the person who identified the collection.
Labels
If you used FUNDIS field data slips, include your original slip with each specimen.
You can also include printed labels. Instructions for printing labels from iNat or MO are at Dry Your Specimens.
Some fungaria may provide you with numbered adhesive labels in advance..
Special
Some fungaria will accept a spore print enclosed with your voucher slip and label. Ask about their preference.
Some fungaria have requirements about including desiccant with your collections.
Shipping
When you are ready to ship your voucher collections, email your fungarium contact and attach the CSV spreadsheet. Then mail the specimens:
Your box should include:
Dried specimens stored in resealable bags, with a copy of the field data slip and printed voucher label in the bag. Consult with your fungarium on the method they prefer.
Specimens placed in a good-quality box with sufficient padding so the specimens will not shift in transport.
A note including your name, return address, contact info (email and phone), the taxonomic group (at minimum, “Fungi”), the number of specimens in the box, and any information specifically requested by your partner fungarium. This doesn’t need to be formal, but should be printed for clarity.
A printed copy of the CSV spreadsheet described above if your fungarium also requires it.
Shipping Library Rate
A shipment to a herbarium/fungarium should qualify for the highly discounted Library Rate when shipping via US Postal Service. The rules can be found in Section 2.2 here. They allow individuals to use the special rate to ship to a library or herbarium/fungarium.
Print and tape this verbiage to on the outside of your package “LIBRARY MAIL: Postal regulations (DMM 173 5.0 / 273 4.0) specify that museums, including herbaria, may ship specimens by Library Mail. This package contains dried herbarium specimens and may be opened for postal inspection if necessary.”
You are allowed to enclose the spreadsheet associated with specimens (a “catalog of materials”) that may be included under USPS rules. Personal correspondence belongs in a First Class envelope on the outside of the package.
Resources
Making Scientific Vouchers of North American Macrofungi
by Barbara Thiers, Nathan Wilson and Roy Halling.
https://namyco.org/making_scientific_vouchers_of.phpHelpful links on MyCoPortal
https://mycoportal.org/portal/misc/links.php
