The site specific variables that correlate with the distribution of the Pacific Golden Chantarelle, Cantharellus formosus – Jeff Gunderson

Cantharellus formosus Chanterelles are globally regarded as one of the best edible forest Chanterelles are globally regarded as one of the best edible forest harvest may exceed several billion dollars annually harvest may exceed several billion dollars annually Fruiting rate and mushroom size vary with soil temperature Fruiting rate and mushroom size vary with soil temperature typically lags behind air temperature by several days typically lags behind air temperature by several days In uncontrolled forests, individual chanterelle fruit bodies range from d (mean 49 d) In uncontrolled forests, individual chanterelle fruit bodies range from d (mean 49 d) larger fruit bodies were more likely to be harvested larger fruit bodies were more likely to be harvested

Does harvest affect Cantharellus viability? Spore release from individual fruit bodies ranges from 2.5e5 to 1e8 Spore release from individual fruit bodies ranges from 2.5e5 to 1e8 premature harvest may affect fungus dispersal premature harvest may affect fungus dispersal comparing forest plots differing in harvest (none, light, heavy) comparing forest plots differing in harvest (none, light, heavy) essentially no year on year effect of chanterelle basidioma production depending on harvesting intensity the previous season essentially no year on year effect of chanterelle basidioma production depending on harvesting intensity the previous season premature harvesting of chanterelle fruit bodies may affect spore release by a factor of 10e4 premature harvesting of chanterelle fruit bodies may affect spore release by a factor of 10e4

Cantharellus fruiting basidiomata cut at soil level are more likely to reestablish 2 ◦ fruitings than if pulled from the soil basidiomata cut at soil level are more likely to reestablish 2 ◦ fruitings than if pulled from the soil potential specialization within the dikaryotic mycelium that predisposes fruiting potential specialization within the dikaryotic mycelium that predisposes fruiting unknowns unknowns actual age of the chanterelle mycelium actual age of the chanterelle mycelium degree to which new monokaryons are needed for the existing mycelium to remain viable/productive degree to which new monokaryons are needed for the existing mycelium to remain viable/productive whether chanterelles in the study represent one or several clones/populations whether chanterelles in the study represent one or several clones/populations unlike saprophytes, ectomycorrhizal basids may not depend on sporulation for dispersal unlike saprophytes, ectomycorrhizal basids may not depend on sporulation for dispersal

Norvell recommendations chanterelle harvesting may actually stimulate fruit-body production, at least over the short term – Norvell study over 9 years chanterelle harvesting may actually stimulate fruit-body production, at least over the short term – Norvell study over 9 years recommend that harvesters be advised to harvest only chanterelles >2 cm in diameter and to leave the “over-the-hill” specimens in the field to serve as a spore source recommend that harvesters be advised to harvest only chanterelles >2 cm in diameter and to leave the “over-the-hill” specimens in the field to serve as a spore source

Fungi and indoor air quality Should you be afraid of a black mold in your house?

Toxic mushrooms

Toxic molds

(Black) molds Mostly harmless saprophytes, including some used in biotechnology Mostly harmless saprophytes, including some used in biotechnology Some are allergenic and/or toxic Some are allergenic and/or toxic However … However … Melanin production is linked to Melanin production is linked to higher resistance to dessication higher resistance to dessication plant and human pathology plant and human pathology

Volatile organic compounds conjunctival irritation; nose, throat discomfort conjunctival irritation; nose, throat discomfort headache, nosebleed headache, nosebleed allergic skin reaction allergic skin reaction shortness of breath shortness of breath declines in serum cholinesterase levels declines in serum cholinesterase levels nausea, vomiting nausea, vomiting fatigue dizziness fatigue dizziness

What about Stachybotrys? In nature, it recycles dead plant material In nature, it recycles dead plant material Competitive on nitrogen-poor substrates Competitive on nitrogen-poor substrates Requires constant high humidity for growth Requires constant high humidity for growth Grows best at cool temperatures Grows best at cool temperatures Forms several spore types designed for survival Forms several spore types designed for survival

Stachybotrys colony

Stachybotrys spores

Stachybotrys toxins Satratoxin is a member of the tricothecene mycotoxin family, once considered for use in chemical warfare Satratoxin is a member of the tricothecene mycotoxin family, once considered for use in chemical warfare

Satratoxin on skin Satratoxin is volatile, affecting lungs & nasal passages Satratoxin is volatile, affecting lungs & nasal passages Satratoxin is stable, having systemic effects Satratoxin is stable, having systemic effects

Vesper and Vesper 2002 Infection and Immunity 70: Vesper and Vesper 2002 Infection and Immunity 70: 2065–2069 Stachylysin May Be a Cause of Hemorrhaging in Humans Exposed to Stachybotrys chartarum