From plump, white fungi that create circles in grassy expanses to vivid purple and bright orange ones found nestled between moss and tree barks, mushrooms have intrigued researchers with their unexpected appearances and diversity.

Dr. Allison Walker, a mycology specialist and biology professor at Acadia University, emphasizes the importance of documenting mushroom species in the Maritimes. To do so, she encourages community participation.

This summer, Walker and her team are joining forces with Mycoblitz, a North American venture. Their goal? To sequence the DNA of a whopping 1,000 mushroom species across Nova Scotia, P.E.I., and New Brunswick.

"Mushrooms represent one of the less explored areas in biology," said Walker. "There's a vast amount we've yet to uncover."

Derived from the concept of a "bioblitz," Mycoblitz is an initiative where local communities catalog organisms in specific regions. The project kicked off earlier this year, in collaboration with mycological institutions across the continent, including the esteemed Hoosier Mushroom Society and North American Mycological Association.

This summer, the project extended to the Maritimes, collaborating with prominent institutions such as the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History, the New Brunswick Museum, and Nature PEI.

Sean Haughian, the Botany Curator at the Nova Scotia Museum, notes the importance of collective effort in this endeavor. With apps like iNaturalist, individuals can snap pictures, log locations of mushroom spores, and later present them to Mycoblitz associates for evaluation.

"Fungi hide a myriad of secrets not discernible to the naked eye or even under a microscope," Haughian points out, underscoring the need for DNA sequencing to unveil hidden diversity.

Such sequencing is pivotal. As Walker notes, while mushrooms in a particular region might seem identical, their genetic make-up can tell a different story. "Understanding DNA can provide insights into their toxicity, properties, and environmental roles," she adds.

Rory Chongva, a senior biology student at Mount Saint Vincent University, resonates with the charm and enigma of fungi. For them, initiatives like Mycoblitz bridge the gap between scientific communities and the public.

"It's an incredible feeling, not knowing what one might stumble upon in the wild," Chongva remarks, emphasizing how projects like Mycoblitz amplify the charm of scientific exploration for everyone.

If you're keen to join this mushroom exploration, connect with the Nova Scotia Mycological Society or head over to the Museum of Natural History.  Get premium spore syringes and cubensis spore prints at Spores101

Original article by Rianna Lim for CBC News
Published: August 20, 2023 2:00 AM PDT | Updated: August 20, 2023