Mycology

Original painting by E.M. Wakefield of Chlorophyllum rhacodes held in the library at RBG Kew

Introduction

Fungi are unique organisms which are placed in their own Kingdom and are quite distinct from animals and plants. They are a huge and immensely diverse group, of inestimable ecological and economic significance. They are the primary agents of decay and nutrient recycling worldwide, play key roles as mycorrhizal partners essential to the development and health of almost all vascular plants, and have enormous numbers of other essential partnerships and associations with living organisms from all other kingdoms of life. Yet fungi remain vastly under-studied compared to plants. Although most of the world has long since been surveyed for vascular plants and a host of regional floras and monographs have been published, as yet most of the world has not been surveyed for fungi. Very few mycotas or monographs exist and even in better-known areas, including the British Isles, comprehensive, modern checklists are almost non-existent. Identification of collections commonly poses severe difficulties even to the few specialists available, and the discovery of species new to science is commonplace.

Understanding the basic units of fungal diversity is the essential starting point for all other research on the group. Around 100,000 species have so far been described, most of which are still poorly known, yet it is estimated that total numbers are far greater and that over 90% of fungal species still await description.

RBG Kew is one of the key international centres for the study of fungal diversity. It has one of the most comprehensive global reference collections to be found anywhere, together with the facilities, the expertise, and above all a long-standing reputation as a world authority on systematic mycology. Work is focused in the baseline Fungal Diversity Research programmes based on the 800,000 fungal collections in the Kew herbarium, the most extensive such collections worldwide and the mycological library at Kew, the most complete and up to date of its kind. The research primarily involves morphological analysis, supported by a molecular laboratory, the end products of which are papers describing new species, monographic studies, checklists, and local and regional mycotas (the fungal equivalent of floras). Kew is the only British institute with the resources to support such research on a world basis. The immense diversity of fungi is now well established, and the need for user-friendly keys, checklists and descriptive data remains a major concern worldwide. Documenting this diversity remains the single most important and most requested service that Kew alone can provide.

Kew additionally has a remit for investigating British fungi, based on the National Collections of Fungi at Kew. This ranges from identifying material relevant to toadstool poisoning enquiries (via the National Poisons Unit at Guy’s Hospital) to providing data and expert advice to NGOs (English Nature etc.), undertaking workshops for training local mycologists, recorders and conservationists, and producing data, keys, and authoritative guides to the British and Irish mycota for the public at large.

Kew’s work in applied mycology has concentrated on screening the metabolites in the living (culture) collections at Kew and to test for anti-microbial and anti-insect activity. To date, over 750 strains of fungi have been grown on different media and screened for activity. Research has also been undertaken on the role of fungi in insect-host selection, on the biodiversity and distribution of plant-associated mycorrhizal fungi in the UK, and on building up a library of biochemical information from lichens.

Additionally, links are maintained with the Micropropagation Unit at Kew, supplying cultures and contributing to research projects on British orchid-endomycorrhizal fungi (Rhizoctonia).

Background

Mycology at Kew was established in 1879 based on the collections of the Rev. M.J. Berkeley and has been continuously developed since then to its current position as a key resource for mycological studies worldwide. Kew holds the National Reference Collections of Fungi, covering both UK and worldwide species, with an estimated 800,000 specimens, including 35,000 types, the most comprehensive collection in the world. Details of around 115,000 of these collections have now been entered into a database ‘Herbtrack’, established in 1995; in addition, the living (culture) collections are now fully databased and integrated with Herbtrack. Links to the UK, UK Overseas Territories and Wet Tropics science teams are integral. Whilst research within the Mycology team is focused largely on increasing knowledge of fungal diversity, contributions to both the Conservation and Sustainable Utilisation research programmes and incorporation of results from these programmes into the collection and databases are increasing.

Fungi have a long history of practical use, and associated research in other sections of the Jodrell Laboratory has concentrated on the chemistry and bioactivity of fungal extracts with potential applications in the pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and bioremediation business. Fungi are often very amenable to culture, and therefore well-suited for such sustainable utilisation. These projects are supported and facilitated by the Mycology Section. In 2004 an ecological mycorrhizal specialist was appointed as a lecturer (joint with Imperial College), and additional research has been undertaken on mycorrhizal relationships with living plants.

Overall, the objective of the Mycology team at Kew is to make the best possible use of traditional and innovative techniques to further our knowledge of the world’s mycota.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS (2001 - 2005)

KEY ELEMENTS OF FUTURE PLANS (2006 onwards)

RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS (2001 - 2005)

Collections (2001-2005)

The fungal collections are not only key to all other aspects of the Mycology programmes but are of major international importance, being used by researchers worldwide. They have continued to be developed during the past five years to ensure Kew’s collections remain among the largest and most comprehensive. Major achievements in this time include c. 25,000 new acquisitions to the fungal herbarium since 2001, all of which have been named, databased and incorporated (including donations of herbaria from Sheffield University and smaller private herbaria). In addition, c. 28,500 existing collections have been databased, making a total of around 115,000 fungal collections at Kew databased so far. Loan requests from institutes worldwide have remained high and formed a major part of the work load, with over 250 loan requests (from overseas institutes) for Kew fungal collections, involving a total of 1,655 specimens, received and dealt with.

Baseline Fungal Diversity Research (2001-2005)

This is a major focus of Kew’s mycology research, with some significant achievements since 2001. These include at least 115 publications on British and overseas fungi and other aspects of mycology. One of the most significant amongst these has been the publication of the Checklist of the British and Irish Basidiomycota, the outcome of a funded project which employed one project officer for 3.5 years (2001-2004). The printed version, a 517 page A4 book, was published in July 2005.

A Royal Society Grant was obtained to investigate the potential for DNA barcoding of herbarium collections of fungi with the further aim of improving our ability to identify fungi in nature. Initial DNA barcoding of 281 British specimens of truffles, puffballs, earthstars, waxcaps and tooth fungi was successful in yielding sequence data from 65% of the specimens studied (75% of those were under 20 years old), and thereby also matching 54 hitherto unclassified fungi lodged in the public GenBank database. Thus, the approach proves to be both efficient and immediately useful.

Notable field visits were to the British Virgin Islands (2001), with one paper published and another in press, and to Belize (2002), with one paper currently in press.

Comparative Fungal Biology (2001-2005)

The PhD Thesis entitled Molecular systematics of Cryptococcus and Filobasidiella was successfully completed and printed by S. Sivakumaran (Birkbeck College) in 2004, supervised and mainly undertaken at Kew. In addition, a joint paper directly related to this research was published in 2003.

Chemistry is heavily involved in the classification of lichen-forming fungi. As a means of linking biochemical information directly with DNA data, a library of lichen substances is being accumulated. This will concentrate especially on the data being gathered for the DNA barcoding of lichenised fungi project. The data can then be used to identify lichen extracts from unknown sources.

Sustainable Utilisation of Fungal Resources (2001-2005)

The living fungal collection at Kew (UK-origin only, 762 strains) has now been chemically screened for bioactive metabolites. Those found to produce prominently active substances were grown and their metabolites isolated and characterised. Various biological and physico-chemical properties of the substances have been studied internally and with external collaborators. This research was initially supported by grants from Syngenta until they closed their natural product screening research programme within the UK.

An additional project, involving CABI Bioscience and Iwokrama International Centre, screened 332 isolates and accessions of fungi from Guyanan forests during the period 2001-2002.

Research was also initiated on the role of fungi in insect-host selection behaviour and tests are being undertaken in the UK and Germany on the role of Donkioporia-derived compounds in modulating the host selection behaviour of the Deathwatch Beetle.

Conservation and Environmental Monitoring (2001-2005)

Kew hosted the twice-yearly meetings of the UK Fungus Conservation Forum and of the Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Technical Committee, both of which involve English Nature and other national conservation agencies, Plant Life, the British Mycological Society, and others. Linked to these, data on British fungal species of conservation importance were supplied to conservation agencies, and databasing of UK collections of such species held in the Kew Mycology Herbarium was completed based on a further grant from English Nature. Additional data was also provided towards the creation of an official Red Data List for endangered UK fungal species. This has now been finalised for consideration by the Joint Nature Conservation Council (JNCC). Similarly, data was supplied on important British sites for fungi, helping to create the Plant Life/British Mycological Society guide Important Fungus Areas, published in the UK in 2002.

The project Population Diversity and Speciation in Hydnellum and Phellodon Species (tooth- fungi, BAP species of conservation concern), funded by English Nature, was completed and published (English Nature Research Report No. 557, 2004).

Mycorrhizal fungi have come to the forefront of plant ecology in recent years, and we are contributing to these developments by studying their biodiversity and distribution in Britain, especially on lowland heaths.

FUTURE PLANS (2006 onwards)

Collections (2006 onwards)

The whole of the Mycology section, including the herbarium and library, will be moved in 2006 to the new Jodrell Laboratory extension (Wolfson Wing) to occupy purpose-built facilities.

Holdings of fungi (British and worldwide) will be enhanced by targeted collection and exchange.

The databasing of the Mycology herbarium will continue including all new accessions, plus at least 1,500 existing collections each year.

The incorporation of chemical information into Mycology herbarium specimens and the corresponding database record (living collection, lichens) will continue.

Baseline Fungal Diversity Research (2006 onwards)

British Clavarioid and Ramarioid Fungi will be published as part of the Kew book series.

Create, maintain and update web version of Checklist of British and Irish Basidiomycota.

DNA barcoding of fungi from herbarium specimens based largely on UK macrofungi, will be continued. Barcoding of lichenised fungi, a collaborative project linked to the Barcoding of the British Flora project, is in the planning stage.

A volume for the identification of British Ascomycetes will be researched, collated and prepared (from 2008).

Comparative Fungal Biology (2006 onwards)

The library of lichen substances, linking biochemical information with DNA data, will continue to be amassed based on further investigation of British species.

Sustainable Utilisation of Fungal Resources (2006 onwards)

Targeted isolation of fungi from the wild will continue, as will the study of the chemistry and bioactivity of extracts from these fungi. It is planned to concentrate on investigating the anti-microbial and anti-insect activity of the extracts and metabolites.Those strains showing activity will be grown in bulk so that the active compounds can be isolated, and so there is enough material to confirm their structures and test them in a range of bioassays.

We will continue to identify factor(s) that may confer resistance of timber wood against dry rot fungi and also complete our research on the role that compounds derived from Donkioporia expansa play in the host selection behaviour of Deathwatch Beetles.

Conservation and Environmental Monitoring (2006 onwards)

Kew will continue to host and participate in the Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Technical Committee and the Fungus Conservation Forum.

Records of fungi on the Kew site will continue to be collated and databased, and an account of these fungi will be prepared for publication.

A cost-effective scientific enquiry service to assist dissemination of information about the uses of fungi will be developed.

Funded by English Nature, a Fungal Conservation database for species of conservation concern (BAP species priority) will be established, using the British Mycological Society Fungal Records Database as a base.

Ectomycorrhizal tree invasion of British lowland heathlands will be investigated (project funded by NERC).

Projects

Are Helleborine Orchids Epiparasitic Upon Ectomycorrhizal Associations?

Are there Keystone Ectomycorrhizal Fungi that Mediate Tree Invasion of Lowland Heathlands?

British Club and Coral Fungi: a Textbook on the British and Irish Clavarioid and Ramarioid Fungi (Basidiomycota)

Checklist of British and Irish Basidiomycota: Web Version and Revised Edition

Database for UK Fungi of Conservation Importance

Fungal DNA Barcoding at Kew: Closing the Sequence Gap

Fungal Metabolites: their Ecological Role and Economic Potential

Plant Diversity Challenge: the Official UK Response to the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation

Poroid Fungi from Korup National Park, Cameroon

Towards a DNA Barcode for the British Lichenized Fungi (Lichens)

People

Jodrell Laboratory

Begoña Aguirre-Hudson, Martin Bidartondo, Heidi Döring, Tetsuo Kokubun, Peter Roberts, Monique Simmonds, Brian Spooner

Partners

China

Institute of Microbiology, Beijing

Germany

University of Hamburg

Ireland

Heritage Council of Ireland

Nigeria

University of Lagos

UK

Birkbeck College, London

British Mycological Society

CABI-Bioscience

Countryside Council for Wales

English Heritage

English Nature (National and Regional offices)

Environment and Heritage Service, Northern Ireland

Guy's & St Thomas' Hospital Trust

Imperial College (Silwood Park), University of London

Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation & Development

Natural Environment Research Council

Natural History Museum, London

PlantLife International

Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh

Royal Horticultural Society

Scottish Natural Heritage

Syngenta

Publications

Aguirre-Hudson*, B., Farkas, E. & Lökös, L. (2005). Records of Leptorhaphis and other ascomycete genera from the Carpathian basin (Europe). Herzogia 18: 47-50.

Appiah, A.A., Flood, J., Bridge*, P.D. & Archer, S.A. (2003). Inter- and intraspecific morphometric variation and characterisation of Phytophthora isolates from cocoa. Plant Pathology 52: 168-180.

Arora, D.K., Bridge*, P.D. & Bhatnagar, D. (eds) (2003). Handbook of fungal biotechnology. New York: Marcel Dekker. 600 pp.

Bidartondo*, M.I. (2005). The evolutionary ecology of myco-heterotrophy. New Phytologist 167 (2): 335-352.

Bidartondo*, M.I. & Bruns, T.D. (2005). On the origins of extreme mycorrhizal specificity in the Monotropoideae (Ericaceae): performance trade-offs during seed germination and seedling development. Molecular Ecology 14 (5): 1549-1560.

Bidartondo*, M.I., Burghardt, B., Gebauer, G., Bruns, T.D. & Read, D.J. (2004). Changing partners in the dark: isotopic and molecular evidence of ectomycorrhizal liaisons between forest orchids and trees. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 271 (1550): 1799-1806.

Bridge*, P. (2001). Biochemical and molecular techniques. In Waller, J.M., Lenné, J.M. & Waller, S.J. (eds) Plant pathologist's pocketbook. Wallingford: CABI Publishing. 3rd edn. 229-244.

Bridge*, P. & Spooner*, B.M. (2001). Soil fungi: diversity and detection. Plant and Soil 232: 147-154.

Bridge*, P.D. (2002). The history and application of molecular mycology. Mycologist 16 (3): 90-99.

Bridge*, P.D. & Panchal, G. (2004). Population diversity and speciation in Hydnellum and Phellodon species. English Nature Research Reports 557.

Bridge*, P.D., Kokubun*, T. & Simmonds*, M.S.J. (2003). Protein extraction from fungi. In Cutler, P. (ed.) Protein purification protocols. Totowa, U.S.: Humana Press. Methods in Molecular Biology Volume 244. 2nd edn. 37-46.

Bridge*, P.D., Kokubun*, T. & Simmonds*, M.S.J. (2004). Protein extraction from fungi. 2nd ed. In Cutler, P. (ed.) Protein purification protocols. Totowa, U.S.: Humana Press. Methods in molecular biology volume 244. 37-46.

Bridge*, P.D., Ryan, M.J. & Buddie, A. (2001). Characterisation and screening methods. In Smith, D., Ryan, M.J. & Day, J.G. (eds) The UKNCC Biological Resource: Properties, Maintenance and Management. Egham, Surrey: UKNCC Secretariat. 134-156.

Bridge*, P.D., Singh, T. & Arora, D.K. (2003). The application of molecular markers in the epidemiology of plant pathogenic fungi. In Arora, D.K., Bridge, P.D. & Bhatnagar, D. (eds) Handbook of fungal biotechnology. New York: Marcel Dekker.

Bridge*, P.D., Spooner*, B.M. & Roberts*, P.J. (2004). Reliability and use of published sequence data. New Phytologist 16: 15-17.

Bridge, P.D., Roberts*, P.J., Spooner*, B.M. & Panchal, G. (2003). On the unreliability of published DNA sequences. New Phytologist 160: 43-48.

Bridge, P.D., Spooner*, B.M. & Roberts*, P.J. (2005). The impact of molecular data in fungal systematics. Advances in Botanical Research 42: 33-67.

Cheek*, M., Pollard*, B.J., Darbyshire*, I., Onana, J.M. & Wild, C. (eds) (2004). The plants of Kupe, Mwanenguba and the Bakossi Mountains: a conservation checklist - with introductory chapters on the physical environment, vegetation, endemics, invasives, phytogeography and refugia, ethnobotany, bryophytes, the macrofungi, the vertebrate fauna, the protected areas system, sacred groves and IUCN Red Data species. Kew: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. (Includes contributions by Baker*, W.J., Bhandol*, P., Bidgood*, S., Bridson*, D., Brummitt*, N.A., Cheek*, M., Cope*, T.A., Cribb*, P.J., Darbyshire*, I., Dawson*, S.E., Dransfield *, J., Edwards*, P.J., Frodin*, D.G., Gosline*, G., Goyder*, D.J., Green*, P.S., Harvey*, Y.B., Hoffmann*, P., Lock*, J.M., MacKinder*, B.A., Norup*, M V, Phillips*, S.M., Polhill*, R.M., Pollard*, B.J., Prance*, G.T., Roberts*, P.R., Sothers*, C.A., Townsend*, C., Utteridge*, T.M.A., Vollesen*, K., Wilkin*, P., Woodgyer*, E., Zappi*, D. - Kew staff only listed) 508 pp.

Cooper, M.R., Johnson, A.W. & Dauncey*, E.A. (2003). Poisonous plants and fungi. An illustrated guide. London: TSO. 2nd edn. 185 pp.

Deng, H., Yao*, Y.-J. & Pegler, D.N. (2004). An annotated checklist of the genus Tricholoma from China. Journal of Fungal Research 2 (1): 1-18.

Fatehi, J., Bridge*, P.D. & Punithalingam*, E. (2003). Molecular relatedness within the 'Ascochyta pinodes-complex'. Mycopathologia 156: 317-327.

Henkel, T.W., Roberts*, P. & Aime, M.C. (2004). Sebacinoid species from the Pakaraima Mountains of Guyana. Mycotaxon 89: 433 - 439.

Huhtinen, S. & Spooner*, B.M. (2003). A redisposition of Ascophanus tityrii Velen. Kew Bulletin 58 (3): 749-757.

Huhtinen, S. & Spooner*, B.M. (2005). Unguiculella tityrii: a fimicolous novelty to the mycoflora of Britain. Mycologist 19: 59-61.

Ing, B. & Spooner*, B. (2002). The Horse Chestnut powdery mildew Uncinula flexuosa in Europe (New British Record 210). Mycologist 16: 112-113.

Kokubun*, T., Veitch*, N.C., Bridge*, P.D. & Simmonds*, M.S.J. (2003). Dihydroisocoumarins and a tetralone from Cytospora eucalypticola. Phytochemistry 62 (5): 779-782.

Laessøe, T. & Cheek*, M. (2002). A new Xylaria (Xylariaceae, Ascomycota) from Cameroon. Kew Bulletin 57 (3): 687-691.

Leake, J.L., Donnelly, D.P., Saunders*, E.M., Read, D.J. & Boddy, L. (2001). Rates and quantities of carbon flux to ectomycorrhizal mycelium following 14C pulse labelling of Pinus sylvestris seedlings: effects of litter patches and interaction with a wood decomposer fungus. Tree Physiology 21: 71-82.

Leake, J.R., Mckendrick, S.L., Bidartondo*, M.I. & Read, D.J. (2004). Symbiotic germination and development of the myco-heterotroph Monotropa hypopitys in nature and its requirement for locally distributed Tricholoma spp. New Phytologist 163: 405-423.

Legon*, N.W. (2001). BMS day foray reports. Mycologist 15: 89-90.

Legon*, N.W. (2002). New British Records 211. Albugo tragopogonis var. inulae. Mycologist 16: 114.

Legon*, N.W. (2002). New British Records 214. Clitopilus daamsii. Mycologist 16: 115.

Legon*, N.W. (2003). New British Records 223. Kavinia alboviridis. Mycologist 17: 43.

Legon*, N.W. (2003). Profiles of Fungi 129. Hypochniciellum molle. Mycologist 17: 41.

Legon*, N.W. (2003). New British Records 219. Coltricia confluens. Mycologist 17: 42.

Legon*, N.W. (2003). New British Records 220. Hyphoderma albocremeum. Mycologist 17: 42.

Legon*, N.W. (2003). New British Records 221. Hyphoderma sibiricum. Mycologist 17: 42-43.

Legon*, N.W. (2003). New British Records 222. Hypochnicium subrigescens. Mycologist 17: 43.

Legon*, N.W. (2005). Amylostereum laevigatum. Profiles of Fungi 138. Mycologist 19: 128.

Legon*, N.W. (2005). Basidioradulum radula. Profiles of Fungi 137. Mycologist 19: 81.

Legon*, N.W. & Pegler*, D.N. (2002). Amylostereum areolatum. Profiles of Fungi 127. Mycologist 16: 124.

Legon*, N.W. & Pegler*, D.N. (2003). Profiles of Fungi 128. Gloiothele lactescens. Mycologist 16: 177.

Legon*, N.W. & Roberts*, P. (2002). Steccherinum albidum: a new species from southern England. Czech Mycology 54: 7-9.

Legon*, N.W., Henrici, A., Roberts*, P.J., Spooner*, B.M. & Watling, R. (2005). Checklist of the British and Irish Basidiomycota. Kew: RBG Kew. 517 pp.

Liu, Z.-Y., Liang, Z.Q., Whalley, A.J.S., Liu, A.-Y. & Yao*, Y.-J. (2001). A new species of Beauveria, the anamorph of Cordyceps sobolifera. Fungal Diversity 7: 61-70.

Liu, Z.-Y., Yao, Y.-J., Liang, Z.Q., Liu, A.-Y., Pegler*, D.N. & Chase*, M.W. (2001). Molecular evidence for the anamorph-teleomorph connection in Cordyceps sinensis. Mycological Research 105 (7): 827-832.

Miller, A., Læssøe, T., Roberts*, P. & Robinson, K. (2003). Krieglsteinera lasiosphaeriae a mycoparasite on Lasiosphaeria ovina - new to Britain, Norway, Russia and USA. Mycologist 17: 12-13.

Ofodile, L.N., Uma, N.U., Kokubun*, T., Grayer*, R.J., Ogundipe, O.T. & Simmonds*, M.S.J. (2005). Antimicrobial activity of some Ganoderma species from Nigeria. Phytotherapy Research 19 (4): 310-313.

Pérez-Sierra, A., Guillaumin, J.-J., Spooner*, B.M. & Bridge, P.D. (2004). Characterization of Armillaria heimii from Africa. Plant Pathology 53 (2): 220-230.

Padhye, A.A., Karpati, A., Rosenthal, S.A. & Punithalingam*, E. (2004). Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycotic abscess caused by Pleurophomopsis lignicola. Medical Mycology 42: 129-134.

Panchal, G. & Bridge*, P.D. (2005). Following basal stem rot in young oil palm plantings. Mycopathologia 159 (1): 123-127.

Pearce, D.A., Bridge*, P.D. & Hawksworth, D.L. (2001). Species concept in Sarocladium, the causal agent of sheath rot in rice and bamboo blight. In Sreenivasaprasad, S. & Johnson, R. (eds) Major fungal diseases of rice. Amsterdam: Kluwer. 285-292.

Pegler*, D.N. (2001). The Cesi Codex. Mycologist 15: 179-183.

Pegler*, D.N. & Legon*, N.W. (2001). Profiles of fungi 121. Hydropus floccipes. Mycologist 15: 60.

Pegler*, D.N. & Legon*, N.W. (2001). Profiles of fungi 123. Pluteus thomsonii. Mycologist 15: 61-62.

Pegler*, D.N. & Legon*, N.W. (2001). Profiles of fungi 122. Pluteus romellii. Mycologist 15: 60-61.

Pegler*, D.N. & Legon*, N.W. (2001). Profiles of Fungi 126. Psathyrella pervelata. Mycologist 15: 157.

Pegler*, D.N. & Spooner*, B.M. (2004). Identifying mushrooms. The new compact study guide and identifier. Silverdale Books. 80 pp.

Pilotti, C.A. & Bridge*, P.D. (2002). Basal stem rot: probing the facts. The Planter 78 (916): 365-370.

Preece, T. & Spooner*, B.M. (2002). Galls caused by Fungi. In Redfern, M. & et al. (eds) British Plant Galls. Identification of galls on plants and fungi in Britain. Field Studies 10: 207-531. 220-263.

Punithalingam*, E. (2003). Nuclei, micronuclei and appendages in tri- and tetraradiate conidia of Cornutispora and four other coelomycete genera. Mycological Research 107: 917-948.

Punithalingam*, E. & Oliveira Freire, F.d.C. (2002). Phomopsis urenae sp. nov. causing stem canker. Summa Phytopathologica 28: 360-362.

Punithalingam*, E. & Spooner*, B.M. (2005). New taxa and records of coelomycetes from Agapanthus in the U.K. Kew Bulletin 60: 149-158.

Punithalingam, E. & Spooner*, B.M. (2002). New taxa and new records of coelomycetes for the UK. Kew Bulletin 57: 533-563.

Roberts*, P. (2001). New British Records 192. Hyphodontia spathulata. Mycologist 15: 134.

Roberts*, P. (2001). New British Records 201. Spiculogloea subminuta. Mycologist 15: 163.

Roberts*, P. (2001). British Tremella species III: Tremella callunicola sp. nov., T. invasa, T. sarnensis sp. nov. T. simplex & T. versicolor. Mycologist 15: 146-150.

Roberts*, P. (2001). Amphinema angustispora: a new corticioid fungus from the Conservation Area at Kew. Kew Bulletin 56 (3): 761-762.

Roberts*, P. (2001). New British records 184. Acanthobasidium norvegicum. Mycologist 15: 74.

Roberts*, P. (2001). Heterobasidiomycetes from Korup National Park, Cameroon. Kew Bulletin 56 (1): 163-187.

Roberts*, P. (2001). New British records 189. Conferticium insidiosum. Mycologist 15: 76.

Roberts*, P. (2001). A key to British Exidia species. Field Mycology 2: 134-135.

Roberts*, P. (2001). Achroomyces lumbricifer: a new auricularioid Hyphodontia parasite from Scotland. Sydowia 53: 152-155.

Roberts*, P. (2002). The last word: fungal frolics. New Scientist 2332: 109.

Roberts*, P. (2002). New British records 207. Tubulicrinis chaetophorius. Mycologist 16: 7.

Roberts*, P. (2002). Report on the oak polypore Piptoporus quercinus (syn. Buglossoporus quercinus), a UK BAP priority species and Schedule 8 species. English Nature Research Report 458. 43 pp.

Roberts*, P. (2002). New British records 208. Coronicium alboglaucum. Mycologist 16: 7.

Roberts*, P. (2002). New British Records 213. Dendrothele sasae. Mycologist 16: 114-115.

Roberts*, P. (2002). New British records 206. Sistotrema efibulatum. Mycologist 16: 6-7.

Roberts*, P. (2003). New British Records 234. Waitea circinata. Mycologist 17: 63.

Roberts*, P. (2003). Heterobasidiomycetes from Rancho Grande, Venezuela. Mycotaxon 87: 25-41.

Roberts*, P. (2003). Tremella arachispora: a new species from Mount Cameroon. Kew Bulletin 58 (3): 763-764.

Roberts*, P. (2003). New British Records 216. Sebacina dimitica. Mycologist 16: 178.

Roberts*, P. (2003). Caribbean heterobasidiomycetes. 1. Dominican Republic. Mycotaxon 87: 187-201.

Roberts*, P. (2003). Two unusual auricularioid fungi from Norway. Polish Botanical Journal 47: 109-111.

Roberts*, P. (2003). New British Records 231. Sistotrema albopallescens. Mycologist 17: 62.

Roberts*, P. (2004). Why are the British afraid of fungi? In Prendergast, H. & Sanderson, H. (eds) Britain's wild harvest. Kew: Royal Botanic Gardens. 15.

Roberts*, P. (2004). Tulasnella echinospora: an unusual new species from Great Britain and Sweden. Cryptogamie Mycologie 25: 23 - 27.

Roberts*, P. (2004). Where to look for interesting fungi: willows and sallows. Field Mycology 5: 60 - 63.

Roberts*, P. (2004). Sebacina concrescens and S. sparassoidea: two conspicuous but neglected North American Sebacina species. Sydowia 55: 348 - 354.

Roberts*, P. (2005). Celatogloea simplicibasidium: a heterobasidiomycetous parasite of Corticium roseum. Mycologist 19: 69-71.

Roberts*, P. & Piatek, M. (2004). Heterobasidiomycetes of the families Oliveoniaceae and Tulasnellaceae from Poland. Polish Botanical Journal 49 (1): 45 - 54.

Roberts*, P.J. & Legon*, N.W. (2003). Fungal specimens of James Bolton at Kew. Kew Bulletin 58 (3): 759-761.

Roberts*, P.J. & Spooner*, B.M. (2004). Heterobasidiomycetes from the Azores. Kew Bulletin 59: 95 - 101.

Ryan, M.J., Bridge*, P.D., Smith, D. & Jeffries, P. (2002). Phenotypic degeneration occurs during sector formation in Metarhizium anisopliae. Journal of Applied Microbiology 93 (1): 163-168.

Ryan, M.J., Jeffries, P., Bridge*, P.D. & Smith, D. (2001). Developing cryopreservation protocols to secure fungal gene function. CryoLetters 22: 115-124.

Ryan, M.J., Smith, D., Bridge*, P.D. & Jeffries, P. (2003). The relationship between fungal preservation method and secondary metabolite production in Metarhizium anisopliae and Fusarium oxysporum. World Journal of Microbiology & Biotechnology 19 (8): 839-844.

Ryvarden, L. & Spooner*, B. (2004). Poroid fungi from the Azores. Kew Bulletin 59: 269 - 275.

Salman*, R., Prendergast*, G. & Roberts*, P. (2002). Germination of Dactylorhiza fuchsii seeds using fungi from non-orchid sources. In Kindlmann, P., Willems, J.H. & Whigham, D.F. (eds) Trends and fluctuations and underlying mechanisms in terrestrial orchid populations. Leiden: Backhuys. 133-153.

Sankaran, K.V., Bridge*, P.D. & Gokulapalan, C. (2005). Ganoderma diseases of perennial crops in India - an overview. Mycopathologia 159 (1): 143-152.

Saunders*, E.M. (2002). Entoloma field characters - a recording sheet. Field Mycology 3: 48-49.

Saunders*, E.M. (2002). New British Records 212. Coprinus lilatinctus. Mycologist 16: 114.

Saunders*, E.M. (2002). New British Records 215. Entoloma lanuginosipes. Mycologist 16: 115.

Scheuer, C., Roberts*, P. & Petrini, L.E. (2001). Einige neuere Kleinpilzfunde auf Tilia hauptsächlich aus der Steiermark. Fritschiana 24: 36 - 38.

Shaw, D.E. & Roberts*, P. (2002). Bees and phalloid exudate. Mycologist 16: 109.

Sivakumaran*, S. (2004). Molecular systematics of Cryptococcus and Filobasidiella. PhD Thesis. London: Birkbeck College. 276 pp.

Sivakumaran*, S., Bridge*, P.D. & Roberts*, P. (2003). Genetic relatedness among Filobasidiella species. Mycopathologia 156: 157-162.

Spooner*, B.M. (2001). New British Records 197. Boudiera acanthospora Schumacher & Dissing. Mycologist 15: 162.

Spooner*, B.M. (2001). Sending fungal galls to Kew. Cecidology 16: 93.

Spooner*, B.M. (2001). New British records 188. Bryostroma trichostomi. Mycologist 15: 76.

Spooner*, B.M. (2001). New British records 186. Gymnopilus liquiritiae. Mycologist 15: 75.

Spooner*, B.M. (2001). New British Records 195. Orbilia aurantiorubra Boud. Mycologist 15: 135.

Spooner*, B.M. (2001). Plicaria (Pezizales) in Britain, and Plicariella reinstated. Czech Mycology 52: 259 - 265.

Spooner*, B.M. (2001). New British Records 191. Microsphaera palczewskii Jaczewski. Mycologist 15: 134.

Spooner*, B.M. (2001). New British Records 198. Peziza megalochondra (Le Gal) Donadini. Mycologist 15: 162.

Spooner*, B.M. (2001). The larger cup fungi in Britain - part 2. Pezizaceae (excluding Peziza & Plicaria). Field Mycology 2: 17-20.

Spooner*, B.M. (2001). The larger cup fungi in Britain - part 3. The genera Peziza and Plicaria. Field Mycology 2: 51-59.

Spooner*, B.M. (2001). New British Records 193. Pseudotrichia minor Munk. Mycologist 15: 134-135.

Spooner*, B.M. (2001). New British Records 196. Pseudombrophila ramosa (Velen.) Brumm. Mycologist 15: 162.

Spooner*, B.M. (2001). New British Records 194. Subbaromyces splendens Hesseltine. Mycologist 15: 135.

Spooner*, B.M. (2001). New British records 183. Albugo amaranthi. Mycologist 15: 74.

Spooner*, B.M. (2001). New British Records 199. Pachyella subisabellina (Le Gal) Trimbach. Mycologist 15: 163.

Spooner*, B.M. (2001). New British Records 200. Phacidium pusillum Lib. Mycologist 15: 163.

Spooner*, B.M. (2001). New British records 187. Pyrenopeziza galii. Mycologist 15: 76.

Spooner*, B.M. (2002). Update on Roger Phillips' mushrooms and other fungi of Great Britain and Europe. Part 5: Ascomycetes. Field Mycology 3: 53-55.

Spooner*, B.M. (2002). Mycocecidia of larger fungi in Britain. Cecidology 17: 38-42.

Spooner*, B.M. (2002). The larger cup fungi in Britain, part 4. Sarcoscyphaceae and Sarcosomataceae. Field Mycology 3: 9-14.

Spooner*, B.M. (2002). New British records 209. Cercospora crepidis. Mycologist 16: 7.

Spooner*, B.M. (2003). A dipteran gall of Panaeolina and Panaeolus. Field Mycology 4: 91-92.

Spooner*, B.M. (2003). New British Records 217. Chlorencoelia torta. Mycologist 16: 178-179.

Spooner*, B.M. (2003). New British Records 232. Entyloma ranunculi-repentis. Mycologist 17: 62.

Spooner*, B.M. (2003). Taphrina caerulescens on red oaks in south-east England. Cecidology 18: 31-33.

Spooner*, B.M. (2003). New British Records 218. Helvella phlebophora. Mycologist 16: 179.

Spooner*, B.M. (2003). New British Records 233. Ramularia galegae. Mycologist 17: 62-63.

Spooner*, B.M. (2003). The larger cup fungi in Britain - part 5 Helvellaceae. Field Mycology 4: 52-62.

Spooner*, B.M. (2004). New British Records 240. Mycosphaerella chamaeropis. Mycologist 18: 90.

Spooner*, B.M. (2004). New British Records 237. Pulvinula archeri. Mycologist 18: 89.

Spooner*, B.M. (2004). New British Records 238. Phaeosphaeria salebricola. Mycologist 18: 89.

Spooner*, B.M. (2004). New British Records 239. Phyllachora shiraiana. Mycologist 18: 89 - 90.

Spooner*, B.M. (2004). New British Records 241. Ramularia cerinthes. Mycologist 18: 90.

Spooner*, B.M. (2005). Ascomycetes: problems and potential for their role in conservation. In Salerni, E. & Perini, C. (eds) I Funghi del Monte Amiata. The importance of systematic, taxonomic and ecological knowledge of fungi for their conservation. Atti del III Convegno Nazionale di Studi Micologici. 61-69.

Spooner*, B.M. (2005). Aseröe at Oxshott - a decade on. Field Mycology 61: 25-26.

Spooner*, B.M. & Kemp*, S. (2005). Epichloë in Britain. Mycologist 19: 82-87.

Spooner*, B.M. & Roberts*, P.J. (2005). Fungi. In New Naturalist. Vol. 96. London: Harper Collins. 594 pp.

Van Ryckegem, G., Van de Put, K. & Roberts*, P. (2002). Tremella spicifera sp. nov., a parasite of Massarina arundinacea. Mycotaxon 81: 185-189.

Yao*, Y.-J. & Spooner*, B.M. (2002). Notes on British species of Tazzetta (Pezizales). Mycological Research 106: 1243-1246.

Yao*, Y.-J. & Spooner*, B.M. (2003). The occurrence of Geopora arenosa in the British Isles. Kew Bulletin 58: 247-252.

Yao, Y.J., Pegler*, D.N. & Chase*, M.W. (2005). Molecular variation in the Postia caesia complex. Fems Microbiology Letters 242 (1): 109-116.

Annex material