Building Your Mushroom Spore Collection: A Comprehensive Guide

For mycologists and mushroom enthusiasts around the world, building a spore collection is a rewarding endeavor. It offers opportunities for scientific study, species identification, cultivation, and a deeper understanding of the fungal kingdom. This guide will provide comprehensive information on collecting, preserving, and studying mushroom spores effectively and ethically.

Why Build a Mushroom Spore Collection?

A well-maintained spore collection serves many purposes:

Identification: Spores are unique to each species and can be crucial for accurate identification, especially when macroscopic features are ambiguous. Microscopy allows for precise identification based on spore shape, size, ornamentation, and other characteristics.
Cultivation: Spores are the starting point for cultivating many mushroom species. Having a spore collection allows you to experiment with different strains and species.
Research: Spores are valuable resources for scientific research, including taxonomy, ecology, and genetics. Spore collections contribute to our understanding of fungal diversity and evolution.
Preservation: Properly stored spores can remain viable for years, providing a backup in case of habitat loss or unavailability.
Education: Examining spores under a microscope offers a fascinating glimpse into the microscopic world and enhances your understanding of fungal biology.

Ethical Considerations

Before embarking on your spore collection journey, it's essential to consider the ethical implications:

Sustainability: Avoid over-collecting from any single location. Take only what you need and leave plenty of mushrooms to reproduce naturally.
Permits and Regulations: Be aware of local laws and regulations regarding mushroom collecting. Some regions may require permits or prohibit collection in certain areas.
Private Property: Obtain permission before collecting on private land.
Environmental Impact: Minimize your impact on the environment by avoiding trampling vegetation or disturbing wildlife habitats.
Identification Accuracy: Ensure accurate identification before collecting spores. Misidentification can lead to the unintentional spread of invasive species.

Methods for Collecting Mushroom Spores

There are several methods for collecting mushroom spores, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

Spore Prints

Spore prints are the most common and easiest method for collecting spores. They involve capturing the spores released by a mushroom cap onto a surface, creating a visible deposit.

Materials: Mature mushroom cap, clean glass slide or aluminum foil (sterilized is preferred), a container to cover the cap (e.g., a glass or plastic bowl), and a clean workspace.
Preparation: Remove the stem from the mushroom cap. Place the cap, gill-side or pore-side down, on the glass slide or foil.
Incubation: Cover the cap with the container to maintain humidity and prevent drafts. Leave it undisturbed for 12-24 hours. The length of time needed depends on the freshness of the mushroom and the humidity of the environment. Longer periods (up to 48 hours) may be necessary in drier climates.
Collection: Carefully remove the container and lift the cap. A spore print should be visible on the slide or foil. If the print is too light, try again with a fresher mushroom or a longer incubation time.
Drying and Storage: Allow the spore print to air dry completely before storing it in a clean, dry container. Small, airtight containers or resealable plastic bags are suitable for storage. Store in a cool, dark, and dry place.

Example: In temperate Europe, a common practice is to collect spore prints from *Agaricus bisporus* (the common button mushroom) using sterile foil within a controlled environment.

Spore Swabs

Spore swabs involve using a sterile cotton swab to collect spores directly from the gills or pores of a mushroom.

Materials: Sterile cotton swabs, sterile container (e.g., test tube or vial).
Collection: Gently rub the sterile swab over the gills or pores of a mature mushroom cap. Ensure the swab is adequately covered with spores.
Storage: Place the swab into the sterile container and seal it tightly. Store in a cool, dark, and dry place.

Advantages: Spore swabs are useful for collecting spores from small or delicate mushrooms, or when making a spore print is not feasible.

Spore Syringes

Spore syringes contain spores suspended in sterile water. They are commonly used for inoculating substrates for mushroom cultivation.

Materials: Sterile syringe, sterile needle, sterile water, spore print or spores collected with a swab, pressure cooker or autoclave.
Preparation: Sterilize the water in a pressure cooker or autoclave for at least 20 minutes at 15 PSI. Let it cool completely.
Collection: In a sterile environment (e.g., a glove box or still air box), scrape spores from the spore print into the sterile water or place the spore swab into the water.
Loading the Syringe: Draw the spore-infused water into the sterile syringe using the sterile needle.
Storage: Store the spore syringe in the refrigerator. Spore syringes can remain viable for several months if stored properly.

Caution: Preparing spore syringes requires sterile techniques to prevent contamination. It is crucial to maintain a clean environment and use sterile equipment.

Example: Mushroom growers in Southeast Asia often use spore syringes to propagate *Volvariella volvacea* (straw mushroom) on rice straw substrate.

Microscopy Slides

Creating prepared microscopy slides allows for direct observation and documentation of spores under a microscope. These can be stored long-term for reference.

Materials: Spores (from spore print or swab), microscope slides, coverslips, mounting medium (e.g., water, immersion oil, or specialized mounting fluids).
Preparation: Place a small amount of spores on a clean microscope slide.
Mounting: Add a drop of mounting medium to the spores.
Covering: Gently lower a coverslip onto the spores and mounting medium, avoiding air bubbles.
Storage: Allow the slide to dry completely. Label the slide with the species name, collection date, and location. Store slides in a slide box in a cool, dark, and dry place.

Tip: Using different mounting mediums can enhance the visibility of different spore structures. Water is suitable for basic observation, while immersion oil provides better resolution for detailed examination.

Storing Mushroom Spores

Proper storage is crucial for maintaining the viability of your spore collection. Several factors can affect spore viability, including temperature, humidity, light, and contamination.

Temperature

Spores are best stored at cool temperatures. Refrigeration (around 4°C or 39°F) is ideal for long-term storage. Freezing can also be used, but it is essential to ensure the spores are completely dry before freezing to prevent ice crystal formation that can damage the spores.

Humidity

Spores should be stored in a dry environment. High humidity can promote the growth of mold and bacteria, which can contaminate and degrade the spores. Use airtight containers or resealable bags with desiccant packets to maintain low humidity.

Light

Exposure to light can damage spores over time. Store your spore collection in a dark location, such as a cabinet or drawer.

Contamination

Preventing contamination is essential for maintaining the purity of your spore collection. Use sterile techniques when collecting and handling spores. Regularly inspect your spore collection for signs of contamination, such as mold growth or unusual odors.

Microscopy Techniques for Studying Mushroom Spores

Microscopy is an essential tool for studying mushroom spores. It allows you to observe the morphology, size, and ornamentation of spores, which are critical for species identification.

Equipment

Microscope: A compound microscope with a magnification range of 40x to 1000x is suitable for studying mushroom spores. A microscope with phase contrast or differential interference contrast (DIC) capabilities can enhance the visibility of spore structures.
Microscope Slides and Coverslips: Use clean, high-quality microscope slides and coverslips.
Mounting Medium: Water, immersion oil, or specialized mounting fluids can be used to mount spores on microscope slides.
Light Source: An adjustable light source is essential for optimizing the visibility of spores.
Measuring Scale: A calibrated ocular micrometer or stage micrometer is necessary for measuring spore size accurately.

Preparation

Mounting: Place a small amount of spores on a microscope slide and add a drop of mounting medium. Gently lower a coverslip onto the spores, avoiding air bubbles.
Focusing: Start with low magnification (e.g., 40x) to locate the spores. Gradually increase the magnification to observe spore details. Adjust the focus to obtain a sharp image.
Lighting: Adjust the light intensity and aperture to optimize the visibility of spore structures.

Observation

Spore Shape: Observe the overall shape of the spores. Common shapes include globose (spherical), ellipsoid, ovoid, cylindrical, and fusiform (spindle-shaped).
Spore Size: Measure the length and width of the spores using a calibrated ocular micrometer or stage micrometer. Spore size is an important characteristic for species identification.
Spore Ornamentation: Examine the surface of the spores for ornamentation, such as spines, warts, ridges, or reticulation (net-like patterns).
Spore Color: Observe the color of the spores under the microscope. Spore color can vary depending on the mounting medium and lighting conditions.
Other Features: Look for other features, such as the presence of a germ pore (a small opening in the spore wall) or an apical structure (a thickened area at the tip of the spore).

Example: When examining *Amanita* spores, mycologists carefully note the presence or absence of amyloid reaction (staining blue or black in Melzer's reagent), which is a crucial identification characteristic.

Documentation

Drawings: Create detailed drawings of spores to document their morphology and ornamentation.
Photographs: Take photographs of spores under the microscope to create a visual record of your observations.
Descriptions: Write detailed descriptions of spore characteristics, including shape, size, ornamentation, and color.

Resources for Mushroom Spore Identification and Study

Numerous resources are available to assist you in identifying and studying mushroom spores:

Field Guides: Many field guides provide descriptions and illustrations of mushroom spores.
Mycological Societies: Join a local or international mycological society to connect with other enthusiasts and experts.
Online Databases: Several online databases provide information on mushroom spores, including spore morphology, size, and ornamentation.
Scientific Literature: Consult scientific journals and books for detailed information on mushroom taxonomy and spore biology.

Example: Mycobank (www.mycobank.org) is a widely used online database that provides nomenclatural and taxonomic information on fungi, including detailed descriptions of spore characteristics.

Conclusion

Building a mushroom spore collection is a fascinating and rewarding endeavor that can enhance your understanding of the fungal kingdom. By following the methods and guidelines outlined in this guide, you can create a valuable resource for identification, cultivation, research, and education. Remember to always collect spores ethically and sustainably, and to respect local laws and regulations. Happy spore hunting!