Mushroom type specimen project
The kingdom Fungi is one of the most diverse groups of organisms. The number of species of Fungi is estimated to be more than 1.5 million. However, only a hundred thousand species have been described.
The aim of this project is to collect DNA barcodes of known fungal species. We mainly focus on mushroom-forming fungi (Agaricomycotina: Basidiomycota), which form fruiting bodies large enough to be visible by naked eyes.
A large number of cryptic species may exist in mushrooms because they have limited morphological characters for species delimitation. Furthermore, many mushrooms are only known as type specimens because they tend to form fruiting bodies sporadically. Thus, taxonomy of mushrooms based solely on morphological characters has limited value and should be supplemented by DNA barcodes.
We are currently collecting DNA barcodes (nuclear ITS and LSU regions) from the type specimens of mushrooms deposited in the National Museum of Nature and Science (TNS) and other herbaria. We are also collecting barcodes from non-type specimens.
Contact information
Kentaro HOSAKA
Department of Botany,
National Museum of Nature and Science
E-mail: khosaka[at]kahaku.go.jp
