About This Project
This project aims to discover the fungal diversity of a few dedicated areas along with others across Florida. The project is aims to document habitat, collect specimens, conduct DNA sequencing, and determine the species associated with these environments. This will also help with understanding Florida's mushroom species and their roles within the environment. Funding is to help with DNA sequencing. Initial sequencing will be conducted for the Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region.
Ask the Scientists
Join The DiscussionWhat is the context of this research?
Florida is one of the most diverse areas in regards to mushrooms and various other fungi. It also has very little research being conducted mainly due to lack of funding and those conducting research. Natural lands withing florida also shrinking every year. Factors for this include land development for housing and commercial use. Here is an article with some data in reference to the diminishing agricultural lands due to development and rising sea levels.
These key areas might potentially hold rare species or species that is unknown to science and may never be known if we do not put in the effort to document and collect samples for fungarium storage. The project aims to document, collect specimens and DNA sequence the diversity to paint the overall picture of what species call Florida home. This will also help areas of the US and other countries as well.
What is the significance of this project?
Fungi play an important role within ecosystems. Determining what species we have and what roles they play within the environment can help us better understand the ecosystems and to further protect natural areas. With natural areas constantly being built on, we have no idea what species might be rare, undiscovered, or have the potential to become extinct. This project is to discover and protect fungi species within Florida.
What are the goals of the project?
The goal of this project is to document species and provide collections of new or rare species for further research and conservation. With little to no research being conducting in these areas, we have no idea what species it might hold and the roles they play within the environment. Many species might also present the ability to be used in agriculture or potentially as medicine.
Budget
We are looking to acquire equipment needed to conduct DNA sequencing through high output nanopore sequencing in house. With nanopore sequencing, this will allow cheaper costs per sample and faster results of data. We currently have several specimens to DNA sequence along with others that require further research. All information, to include sequence data, will be public and anyone can view results of the project.
This project will help discover the species found within Florida natural environments to help further understand what is found in these areas and provide further conservation efforts. In the future, we hope to expand this project to other areas.
Current cost we pay for Sanger sequencing is approximately $8 per specimen Below is a link for cost per sample of nanopore. Nanopore has an estimated $0.60-0.70 per sample cost with potential for lower costs.
Endorsed by
Project Timeline
This is an ongoing and long term project and will have constant updates of the progress. Inaturalist is utilized for the documentation of the species.
DNA sequencing, microscopy, and reviewing old literature is a time consuming process and can take quite a bit of time to research. Information will be provided as it occurs.
Jan 13, 2025
Project Launched
Mar 25, 2025
Sequence 900 specimens with various gene regions
Jul 31, 2025
Further investigate to intial DNA sequence data and work on those species that are potentially new or rare to place names to or work on new species publications
Aug 31, 2025
Continue sequencing new specimens along with sequencing various gene regions as required. Continue collection efforts.
Dec 31, 2025
Complete a report of the findings for the year and work on new species for publishing names
Meet the Team
Team Bio
Our team of voluntary members are skilled and efficient professionals that strive to maintain or enhance our natural areas. Skilled in various aspects of mycology and a passion for what they do. Volunteers is what makes project like this possible. From sequencing, taxonomy, microscopy, and field collection our volunteers have the ability, passion, and dedication to conduct high quality research.
John Paul Cook
The world of fungi is both fascinating and understudied. My home state of Florida is one of the most diverse fungal areas in the world and few are conducting research into taxonomy and their associations within the ecosystem. I aim to help be a large impact on this and discover what we have and their importance. With land constantly being plowed for developement, it is extremely important to document and save species to prevent any possible species from being lost or never found. Through DNA, sequencing, microscopy, and field work we can discover new species and preserve what we have.
Scott Ostuni
Scott is involved in various aspects of taxonomic research of mushrooms and is an important part of the team. Has written several published research papers to include new species.
Lab Notes
Nothing posted yet.
Project Backers
- 7Backers
- 22%Funded
- $800Total Donations
- $114.29Average Donation
