A Guide to Common Fungi of the Hunter-Central Rivers Region (2014).pdf

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A guide to
common fungi of the
Hunter-Central Rivers region
© 2014 Hunter Local Land Services
Published by Hunter Local Land Services
Web:
www.lls.nsw.gov.au/hunter
Email: admin.hunter@lls.nsw.gov.au
Phone: (02) 4930 1030
Fax:
(02) 4930 1013
Mail:
Hunter Local Land Services
816 Tocal Road (Private Bag 2010)
Paterson NSW 2421
ISBN 978-0-9750670-5-5
This publication is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review as
permitted under the
Copyright Act 1968
and subsequent amendments, no part of this book may be reproduced, stored
in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or
otherwise, without prior written permission.
This publication was funded by the Hunter Local Land Services through Hunter Catchment Contributions and was
prepared by Skye Moore and Pam O’Sullivan.
Photography by Skye Moore and Pam O’Sullivan unless otherwise credited.
Design and production by Bruderlin MacLean Publishing Services.
Printed in Australia by Ligare Pty Ltd.
Suggested citation:
Moore, S & O’Sullivan, P,
A guide to common fungi of the Hunter-Central Rivers region,
Hunter Local Land Services,
NSW, 2014.
introduction
contents
Introduction
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
Agarics .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19
Boletes .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
67
Leathers and polypores .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
73
Tooth fungi
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
91
Coral fungi
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
93
Jelly fungi .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
99
Puffballs and birds nest fungi .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
109
Stinkhorns
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
119
Ascomycota .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
125
Slime moulds
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
137
Author reference list
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
141
Glossary
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
144
References
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
149
Index .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
151
1
introduction
What are fungi?
The term ‘fungi’ is used to describe a diverse range of organisms that belong to three different
kingdoms. The most commonly encountered fungi belong to kingdom Eumycota and are
considered ‘true’ fungi. Fungi can also be used to describe other fungi-like organisms such as slime
moulds and water moulds which belong to other kingdoms.
Although fungi often grow from the ground, they are not plants. Unlike plants, which can make their
own energy from the sun via photosynthesis, fungi rely on other organisms to meet their nutritional
needs. Another significant difference is that fungi have chitin (the substance insects and crustaceans
use to make their exoskeletons) in their cell walls rather than cellulose.
Fungi are the invisible framework of all ecosystems (both terrestrial and aquatic). They play a critical
role in decomposition and nutrient cycling, help to create and stabilise soils, form relationships with
plant roots which are highly beneficial for the survival of plants, and provide habitat and a food
resource for a multitude of other organisms. Without fungi, plant-based habitats would not exist.
diversity of fungi
Fungi contribute significantly to global biodiversity. They are the second-most diverse group of
organisms in the world (after arthropods). Despite their diversity and abundance fungi are amongst
the most poorly studied organisms. This is most likely because they are relatively small in size, have
cryptic life cycles and need specialist skills to properly identify them.
It is estimated that NSW has approximately 36,000 different species of fungi. Of these, 30,000 are
microscopic and can't be seen by the naked eye. Of the estimated 6,000 species of macrofungi
(those species which produce large visible fruit bodies) found in NSW less than half have been
formally described and named.
conservation of fungi
As less than 50 per cent of the fungi in NSW have names, it’s reasonable to conclude that even less
is known about their distribution and conservation status. Because fungi are usually found in close
proximity to plants it is presumed that the protection of plant-based ecosystems will protect fungi
too. Unfortunately, the reserve system in NSW does not include representatives of every vegetation
type and so, potentially, there are fungi species that are, in some cases, at risk of extinction before
they are even known to science.
Lane Cove Bushland Park in Sydney is the only protected area in NSW designated solely for the
protection of fungi. The Hygrocybeae community present there is listed as an Endangered Ecological
Community under the NSW
Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995.
Structure of fungi
The main body of a fungus is often not visible without magnification. It consists of long filamentous
threads known as
hyphae
which grow outwards in a radiating fashion as they search for food
resources. Groups of hyphae make up
mycelium.
Mycelium can often be seen growing amongst leaf
litter, on the undersides of logs or at the base of the fungus.
2
introduction
Mycelium (the ‘body’ of a fungus) growing on the underside of a log.
The part we recognise as the fungus is actually the reproductive structure or
fruiting body.
Fungal
fruit bodies are extremely diverse in form, colour and texture; however, they have all evolved to
maximise the dispersal of the spores that they generate.
Life cycles of fungi
Fungi can reproduce sexually and asexually. The end product of both types of reproduction is the
formation of spores.
The life cycle of a fungus starts when a spore germinates and forms a hypha. Sexual reproduction
occurs when two compatible hyphae come into contact and exchange genetic material. A
specialised spore-bearing structure (fruit body) is produced and the spores are released when they
mature. Sexual reproduction usually occurs at a time that is optimal for the germination of the
spores.
Some fungi are also able to produce asexual spores (these contain only the genetic material of the
individual that created them). Asexual spores are produced at times when conditions are highly
favourable, allowing the fungus to capitalise on a food resource or alternatively to survive periods of
adverse conditions.
Each fruit body contains millions of microscopic spores. For the most part they are passively
dispersed into the air; however, some species are able to actively discharge their spores, while others
rely on water or insect or animal vectors for dispersal. Such large volumes are required to ensure
enough spores land on a suitable substrate to ensure the species’ survival.
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