Mycology is the study of fungi, a distinct kingdom of unicellular and filamentous organisms. Long misunderstood, fungi have tremendous ecological importance playing essential an role as a decomposer, as well as, parasite and symbiont. Growing within soil, upon organic matter, or living bodies, fungi are frequently unnoticed until their reproductive structures mysteriously and suddenly appear. Some fungi are highly prized delicacies, some are deadly poisons, some have been revered and even worshiped, some threaten human food supplies, and still others make our bread rise and beer foam. Like all major groups of organisms, the study of fungi requires knowledge of their classification and evolutionary relationships, their structure, physiology, and reproduction, their use and value to humans, and their ecological roles. Presenting an overview of these topics will be the primary goal of this course.

The laboratory will provide an opportunity to observe the diversity, the metabolism, the culture, and to learn the identification of common fungi.

Objectives

1. To provide knowledge of the diversity and classification of fungi, and their relationships to each other and other organisms.

2. To learn the general life cycles and reproductive structures of representative members.

3. To study the basics of fungal growth and metabolism.

4. To examine the diverse ecological roles of fungi.

5. To investigate the diverse importances and uses by humans.

Lecture Outline

I. Classification of Fungi: Characteristics of fungi, History, Phylogeny and definitions of the Kingdom Fungi, Classification of Fungi, Cellular organization

II. Fungal-like organisms in Kingdoms Protista and Chromista: Chytrids, Hydrochytrids, Slime molds.

III. Division Zygomycota - molds

IV. Division Ascomycota - molds, mildews, yeasts, & cup fungi

V. Division Basidiomycota - mushrooms, puffballs, rusts, smuts

VI. Division Deuteromycota - imperfect fungi

VII. Growth and Metabolism: Fermentations & Chitin synthesis, Growth & culture, Sporulation, Spore dispersal mechanisms.

VIII. Ecology of Fungi: Decomposition, Parasitic Interactions, Pathogenic and toxic fungi, Lichens, mycorrhizae, and ant fungal gardens

IX. Human uses of fungi & fungal foods.

Laboratory

1. Students will be required to keep a laboratory notebook recording observations made during the semester, both of specimens you collect and cultured.

2. Students will construct a collection of identified specimens. Both the accuracy and the size of the collection will be evaluated. Generally, the laboratory portion of the course will have two main portions. The first portion of the semester will be largely devoted to field collection and indentification of macroscopic fungi. As the weather deteriorates, the second portion of the laboratory will be devoted to the culture and examination of molds, yeasts, microscopic fungi, and related protists.

Textbook:

Field guide: Mushrooms and other fungi of the midcontinental United States, D. M. Huffman, L. H. Tiffany, and G. Knaphus, 1989, Iowa State Univ. Press, Ames.