Here you can find a brief synopsis of some current and recent research projects in mycology. For more information, contact David Orlovich or any of the other personnel below.
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Fungal diversity in canopy soil
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We are studying the fungal diversity in the "duff" (canopy soil) that develops in the canopy of large Nothofagus (southern beech) and Dacrycarpus dacrydioides (kahikatea) trees on the West Coast of New Zealand. Epiphytic communities on New Zealand trees are amongst the most diverse in the world. We use molecular methods to identify fungal DNA in extracts of canopy soil. This is part of a larger project studying microbial diversity in canopy soils in collaboration with Prof. Steve Stephenson (University of Arkansas) and others, and is funded by the National Science Foundation (USA). Find out more!
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Personnel |
Suzy Draffin |
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Rob Daly |
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[web]
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Dr David Orlovich |
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[web]
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Collaborators |
Prof. Steve Stephenson, University of Arkansas |
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[web]
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Cell division in Pisolithus tinctorius
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We are using rapid freezing and freeze-substitution to study the ultrastructure of cytokinesis in Pisolithus tinctorius. In particular we are interested in the relationship of the septal pore cap (parenthesome) with other cell organelles and the cell division apparatus.
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Personnel |
Nina Hesom-Williams |
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Dr David Orlovich |
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[web]
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Collaborators |
Dr Ross Beever, Landcare Research |
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Taxonomy and systematics of New Zealand native fungi
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Taxonomic studies of New Zealand native fungi are ongoing, in particular in the genera Gymnopilus and Lepista, and the family Lasiosphaeriaceae.
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Personnel |
Anne-Maree Oliver |
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Suzy Draffin |
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Toni Atkinson |
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Dr David Orlovich |
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[web]
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Collaborators |
Dr Bettye Rees |
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Dr Egon Horak |
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Publications |
Orlovich, D. A., and Oliver, A-M. B. (2002). The taxonomic identity of Gymnopilus rubrocastaneus, recently described from New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 40,481-487.
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Web-based database of dung fungi
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Coprophilous (dung-loving) fungi are diverse and beautiful. They are widely used in teaching and provide an excellent introduction for students to the major groups of fungi. We are cultivating dung fungi from a range of animal dung samples, and photographing macro- and microscopic features using digital photography. These images will form the nucleus of a web-accessible database of dung fungi. This project is funded by the Committee for Advancement of Learning and Teaching at the University of Otago.
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Personnel |
Scott Bagley |
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Dr David Orlovich |
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[web] |
Collaborators |
Educational Media, Higher Education Development Centre, University of Otago |
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[web] |
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Ectomycorrhizal fungus diversity in New Zealand
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New Zealand's Nothofagus (southern beech) forests support a rich diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungi. We are using DNA sequencing and other molecular techniques to study the diversity of these fungi. New Zealand has many native and introduced ectomycorrhizal fungi. We have recently surveyed records of these fungi in New Zealand and are planning to further investigate the relationships between native ectomycorrhizal trees and shrubs and the fungi associated with them.
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Personnel |
Melanie Stephen |
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Suzy Draffin |
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Dr David Orlovich |
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[web] |
Collaborators |
Prof. John Cairney, University of Western Sydney |
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[web] |
Publications |
Orlovich, D. A., and Cariney, J. W. G. (2004). Ectomycorrhizal fungi in New Zealand: current perspectives and future directions. New Zealand Journal of Botany 42, 721-738
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Population genetics of native and introduced ectomycorrhizal fungi
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We have used inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers to determine the genetic diversity of populations of native and introduced fungi in New Zealand.
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Personnel |
Scott Bagley |
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Alison Stringer |
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Dr David Orlovich |
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[web] |
Collaborators |
Dr Ian Hall, Truffles and Mushrooms |
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Publications |
Bagley, S. J., and Orlovich, D. A. (2004). Genet size and distribution of Amanita muscaria in a suburban park, Dunedin, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 42, 939-947
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Stringer, A., Wang, Y., Bulman, S., Hall, I., and Orlovich, D. (2002). Boletus edulis sensu lato down under. In Edible Mycorrhizal Mushrooms and their Cultivation. Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Edible Mycorrhizal Mushrooms, 3-6 July 2001 (Eds Hall, I. R., Wang, Y., Danell, E., and Zambonelli, A.). Christchurch, New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Limited. 5 pp. CD ROM.
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