Fungal biodiversity is poorly understood in temperate and tropical ecosystems. A revolution in knowledge of the evolution and systematics of higher fungi is in progress, facilitated by molecular and subcellular characters, and cladistics. Molecular methods permit analysis of ectomycorrhizal community structure. We collect and culture fungi in Minnesota and the tropics, and subject them to cytological and molecular analyses to determine phylogenetic relationships and assess structural evolution. We analyze mushroom diversity above and below ground in oak savannah and the influence of fire on the structure of the fungal community.
Major focus is currently on agarics, boletes, clavarioid, and auricularioid fungi.
Agarics and boletes are studied in Minnesota for floristic purposes and to provide a baseline for monitoring environmental change. Publications Swann, E.C., E.M. Frieders, and D. J. McLaughlin.2001. The Mycota . Systematics and Evolution . The Mycota .