October 13, 2001

FUNGI:A Magic Kingdom, Indeed!

This joint workshop between the Illinois Mycological Association, IMA,and the State Microscopical Society of Illinois, SMSI, portends to be just the first of such joint meetings. Today's foray guides include Gregory Mueller, mycologist, of the Field Museum of Natural History, John Shane of the McCrone Research Institute, and Robert Kuksuk and Bill Mikuska of the State Microscopical Society of Illinois. Topics will include introductions to chemical identification of fungi, micro and macro fungi, microscopical techniques, and chemi/bioluminescence.

Bio Sketch

In a minute or two the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth and yawned once or twice, and shook itself. Then it got down off the mushroom and crawled away into the grass, merely remarking as it went, "One side will make you grow taller, and the other side will make you grow shorter." "One side of what? The other side of what?" thought Alice to herself. "Of the mushroom," said the Caterpillar.

Lewis Carroll
Alice in Wonderland

SMSI meeting of October 13, 2001

The State Microscopical Society of Illinois and Illinois Mycological Association joined forces to give a threefold presentation, designed to lead up to a hands-on workshop on the Kingdom of the Fungi.

Bill Mikuska led off with background material and UV aided demonstrations on the subject of electron transitions between energy states and the concimittant fluorescent and phosphorescent processes which result from specific circumstances. The demonstrations included inorganic (minerals), organic (mushrooms) and a glowing mixture in a bottle presenting chemiluminescence, the essence of bioluminescence, that some fungi express.

John Shane followed with an informative presentation on moulds, micro fungi. Spores, the asexual stage of fungi, are everywhere. Living in a drafty old house may have some significant health benefits compared to the really tight structures of today.

Gregory Mueller and Patrick Leacock, both of the Department of Botany at the Field Museum of Natural History, gave the final phase of the presentations, beginning with samples of macro fungi, including freshly collected macrolepiota rhacodes. Only in the mid to late 1800's did microscopic investigation of spore characteristics begin to replace the earlier "spore print" mushroom identification technique. The microscopic approach was demonstrated with slides of spore bodies, revealing characteristics which define certain macro fungi. Numerous microscopes were set up for participants to make their own observations. Although time limitations, even after four hours, left the workshop less than complete, these presentations established the basis for future joint meetings.

Report submitted by John Macdonald