Module 4
Microscopy
Homework
Homework this week will be to key out a mushroom that you find (or have found). Please post the mushroom description, photos and any microscope photos to iNaturalist. In an email to your group show your key classification from subdivision to species, if you can figure it out.
As a review from our last study group please continue working on seasonal plant identification and habitats. Use http://nativeplantspnw.com and Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast: Washington, Oregon, British Columbia & Alaska by Jim Pojar and Andy MacKinnon, and learn 3 new facts about a Willamette Valley Habitat. Finally, review the documents on how to collect and record fungi for scientific purposes.
As you move through the next few months, you are going to focus on microscopy and learning new vocabulary. Learn more about microscopic vocabulary and features of fungi by reading pages 1-42 in https://www.amazon.com/How-Identify-Mushrooms-Genus-III/dp/0916422097/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2UJAK7RM2A8F1&keywords=how+to+identify+mushrooms+to+genus+iii&qid=1578974514&sprefix=how+to+identify+mushrooms%2Caps%2C210&sr=8-1 How to Identify Mushrooms to Genus III: Microscopic Features by David Largent, David Johnson and Roy Watling. If you don't want to purchase this book, please read the descriptions on microscopy in Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast or Mushrooms Demystified. Look up the vocabulary words and take notes. Microscopy is an important part of identification and is necessary.
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Research light microscopes, dissecting microscopes and compound microscopes. Think about investing in one to study mushrooms.
Make flash cards or a slide show of the species of fungi you have learned so far in this course.
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Finally, read through collecting fungi for science. You will need to start learning how to save your specimens for fungariums and to contribute to science studies.
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Collecting Fungi for Science
Foray
Plan a foray with your group. You can used Doodle to help quickly vote on the schedule that works for everyone.
1) Decide on a place and time to go.
2) Meet up and caravan to the location or meet at the location.
3) Follow all WVMS Foray Safety protocols and take the Safety Class if you have not done so.
4) Make sure you have a full tank of gas. Adhere to social distancing rules as per Oregon State Health Department
5) Bring: basket, field id cards, pen, small compartmentalized container, wax bags, your own lunch (no sharing), hand lens, or minimum 10x eye loupe, 6" scale in metric and English, compass/GPS, rain gear, first aid kit, watch and whistle.
6) Limit your forays to one hour.
Afterwards, go back to our own places to ID alone. Post-pandemic or when safe, plan on meeting together to discuss finds.
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Some suggested foray locations are: Local parks or somewhere close. Look in wooded areas for Entalomataceae fungi.
Group Discussion
During the pandemic we suggest using Google Meets or Zoom to have discussions. Find a day/time that works for everyone to discuss your finds. These discussions are an important part of the learning process. If your group is having issues, please reach out and invite a Mentor to your discussion and we will help point you in the right direction.
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After the pandemic or when it is safe, we highly suggest getting together for a group discussion and hands on learning event. Plan on a discussion that will last about 2-3 hours.
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This foray, find one or two mushrooms to bring back and try sectioning. Your study group will need to meet at someone’s house or share microscopic images over zoom. You will work on microscopy, terminology and discuss seasonal habitat.
This Module does not require you to have your own microscope, but if you are still interested in fungi at this point, we highly recommend you look into purchasing your own. You will need a microscope to confirm identification on just about every mushroom you collect. If you are interested in learning more, contact your Mentor, and they can help you figure out what you need.
Resources
Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast Noah Siegel
iNaturalist.com
Mushrooms Demystified by David Arora
Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast: Washington, Oregon, British Columbia & Alaska edited by J. Pojar and A. Mackinnon
How to Identify Mushrooms to Genus III: Microscopic Features by David Largent, David Johnson and Roy Watling
Sectioning a mushroom: Video by Autumn Anglin
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Module 4
Microscopy
Here is the slide deck for the Microscopy presentation by Autumn. There were a few written errors in the video, but they have been corrected.
These are the links discussed in the video:
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Microscope Camera https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H47HB2C?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details
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Microscopy and Sectioning info from Mycoradicate https://www.mycoradicate.com/fungi-microscopy
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Ceramic Spotplates https://www.etsy.com/shop/autumnsteam
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