estergaya.bsky.social

💘 Love at first Type Over the past two years, the Fungarium Sequencing Project team have analysed thousands of beautiful fungal Type specimens - the original references used to describe a species. This #ValentinesDay, we’re sharing one very special Type, from us to you 🍄💖

On his famous H.M.S. Beagle voyage, Charles Darwin collected this fungal specimen, which would later be used to describe the new species Daedalea erubescens. It was on this same voyage that Darwin began developing his emerging hypotheses on the theory of evolution and natural selection.

Spot the difference! This Gymnopus foetidus specimen from Madingley Wood is impressively well-preserved and closey resembles its original illustration. It is also one of Kew’s oldest sampled fungal holotypes, having been collected in 1795. That makes this mushroom 230 years old!

Did you know that Kew has the first ever scientifically described shiitake mushroom? Author of the species, the Reverend Berkeley’s 1875 notes on the specimen, show the Japanese name “Shi-taki” and highlight it being “commonly eaten in Japan and exposed for sale in large quantities in shops”.

This year, the taxonomists on the Fungarium Sequencing Project had a goal to review 10,000 specimens. They hit their target an impressive three months ahead of schedule, so to celebrate their hard work, here are some of the stories they’ve uncovered!

🚨PhD project with RBG Kew and UCL. Join the Fungarium Sequencing Project team! www.findaphd.com/phds/project...

Ever seen fungal illustrations? 🍄 Our Fungarium Sequencing Project Team is thrilled to show some of the original illustrations that were created when the species were first described as new to science. In some cases, this is the only visual reference material of the original fungus that we have! 🧵👇

🚨 PhD project offer linked to Fungarium Sequencing Project! Do you like bioinformatics? fungal genomics? historical DNA? check this out 👇 www.trees-dla.ac.uk/projects/imp...

Another spooky species is Cordyceps farinosa, parasitising a moth pupa. The white mycelium of this specimen covers the grub, giving it a mummy-like appearance, while the above ground fruiting structure puffs out spores, spreading it to other potential hosts. Happy Halloween from Kew Mycology 🧟🍄

Happy Halloween! We’re showing off two spooky fungi from Kew. First up, found by a Fungarium Sequencing Project team member, this Cordyceps militaris is parasitising a moth larva! The beautiful jack-o-lantern orange fruiting body is visible above ground, while the larva is buried beneath the dirt 🪦

Very excited to share that my first 1st author publication is available at the journal of #NewPhytologist ! Congratulations to the entire team that worked on this project including the #KewFungarium Team. 👏 🍄‍🟫 If you are interested in the topic, feel free to read it here: doi.org/10.1111/nph....

🧪 Are you doing a PhD at a UK university and looking for a 3-month placement that makes a real impact? ✔ Open to PIPS and other externally funded placements ✔ Build new skills, expand your network, support world-class biodiversity work ✔ Apply: ow.ly/65wF50WLXa8 🗓️ Deadline: 31 October 2025 🌾

@rbgkew.bsky.social

Was a pleasure to contribute a small part to this massive WGS effort of Kew's fungarium! @estergaya.bsky.social @rbgkew.bsky.social Check out the paper @newphyt.bsky.social 👉 doi.org/10.1111/nph.70472

We showcased progress across sampling, taxonomy, lab work, and bioinformatics - and loved connecting with fellow mycologists to exchange ideas, spark collaborations, and celebrate the science of fungi. Find out what we’re uncovering as part of our Fungarium Sequencing Project 👉 ow.ly/R1p950WywCq

From Darwin-collected specimens to fungi with deep cultural and economic value, our posters highlighted the incredible stories locked in Kew’s Fungarium.

What do you find when you sequence 7,000 fungi? We’re starting to find out… 🍄🔬 At this year’s British Mycological Society conference - a key meeting point for the UK’s fungal research community - we shared some of the first discoveries from our Fungarium Sequencing Project.

Happy #FungiFriday! 🍄 Recent rain has sparked a late-summer flush at Kew. First up, Chicken of the woods Laetiporus sulphureus on a carved badger, spotted by Kew mycologist Ben Blades. Seen any yourself? Tag us or log it on iNaturalist. 🧪

From fungal medicine to climate-proof crops - Kew’s digitised collections are packed with solutions for today’s biggest challenges! 🌍🌾 Dive into the Data Portal and show us how you’re putting Kew data to work! 🧑‍🔬⬇️ bit.ly/4oc5bMC

What’s it really like to head out on a fungal collecting trip? 🍄 Here’s Finn’s story: As part of Kew’s Mycology team, we joined the British Mycological Society for a week in the Forest of Dean - hunting fungi, puzzling over IDs & collecting specimens for our fungarium. Come with me into the field…

Our Fungal Conservation column is out in Field Mycology 26 (2). www.fieldmycology.org/index.php/jo... 🍄 Fungi and the Planning and Infrastructure Bill 🍄 British fungi on the Global Red List 🍄 An audit of nationally important fungal assemblages in Welsh SSSIs #fungi #fungalconservation #PIB

An opportunity of a lifetime for budding lichenologists. The National Trust and the Royal Botanics, Edinburgh are offering a PAID lichen traineeship in #Scotland! The work programme looks fascinating and a great opportunity to develop skills. Deadline: 3/10/2025. www.asva.co.uk/jobs/trainee...

I’m super happy to present the first discoveries of the RIKEN-Cambridge Joint Crop Symbiosis Research Team, based in Japan 🇯🇵 doi.org/10.1101/2025... A thread 👇

In case you want to know more about Kew’s Fungarium and our sequencing work! #Fungi #museomics @rbgkew.bsky.social www.newscientist.com/video/248375...

Opportunity for frontend developer at European Bioinformatics Institute (Hinxton UK) ref: JR970 | duration: 3 years | closing: 01-Jun-2025 #CompSci #DataScience #cheminformatics #bioinformatics #ChemBiol #ChEMBL #SureChEMBL #UniChem #chemsky 🧪 embl.wd103.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/EMBL/d...

This one hurts. I wouldn’t have a PhD, or have had some of the best experiences in my life, or made some of my best friends #WithoutNSF & without the PGC. I was employee #1 of an organization that grew into an indispensable part of Polar Programs. And it’s being dismantled for literally no reason 🧪🌎

Symbiotic synergy: How Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi enhance nutrient uptake, stress tolerance, and soil health through molecular mechanisms and hormonal regulation

Thirty-eight of 43 experts cut last month from the boards that review the science and research that happens in laboratories at the National Institutes of Health are female, Black or Hispanic, according to an analysis by the chairs of a dozen of the boards.

Mycorrhizal fungi promote native & suppress invasive plants & help prevent soil erosion Why don't (fed or state) governments monitor fungi? Soil biology, generally, is not included in biodiversity assessments. Yet soil contains 59% of biodiversity? Madness. theconversation.com/from-trading...

Today at the “Stand up for Science” demonstration at the Lincoln Memorial.

#CMINorwich25 @micronorwich Keynote talk is Charissa de Bekker on mechanism of Ophiocordyceps manipulation of ants 🐜 #ZombieAnts

Our newest research on plant-fungal trade published today in @nature.com. The work, led by scientists from Vrije Universiteit, Princeton University, SPUN & AMOLF combines robotics, mycology & biophysics to reveal underground supply-chain dynamics. Open access: www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Another sweet little Lichenomphalia (L. alpina, I think) mushroom and its very visible thallus of green algae and fungal hyphae. Lichenomphalia species are basidiolichens. This little guy was about 2cm high. Newfoundland, Canada. #lichens #fungifriends

Lark, the Herald Angels Sing #BirdChristmas 🌿🪶

In a survey of 858 farmers and ranchers across Canada, almost a quarter highlighted climate change and severe weather as the biggest challenge ahead. . More than 85% said they've experienced drought, heat waves, floods, wildfires, hail, tornadoes, or new pests and diseases in the past five years.