Mushrooms of PEI Specimen Collecting

In 2023, Mushrooms of PEI submitted 495 specimens for DNA sequencing as part of the Continental MycoBlitz, a collaboration with New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, and a FUNDIS DNA Sequencing Grant. The results from this effort can be viewed on iNaturalist.

For the 2024 season, Mycota has generously invited our region to submit specimens for sequencing throughout the entire year, not just during the MycoBlitz. We aim to submit approximately 1,000 specimens for sequencing, requiring more organization than last year. The step by step instructions below will outline the requirements for each specimen and how to participate. If you will be collecting specimens for DNA sequencing, please let me know at ken@mushroomsofpei.ca. More information can be found on the Mycota Atlantic Network page.

Despite the number of steps, this is not very complicated. If you have found something interesting and want me to do all these steps for you, have questions, or you want to meet up and run through a specimen, please let me know ken@mushroomsofpei.ca. Happy to help.

Sequencing related collection events are organized for this summer and fall, watch for details as we get closer to these dates:

Submit your observation to iNaturalist

All specimens submitted for DNA sequencing must have an iNaturalist record. See these tips on how to provide a quality observation. If possible please note habitat and what the mushroom is growing in or on.

Print voucher slips

All specimens need to be assigned a specific voucher number and a voucher slip should be included with the specimen. Download and print your voucher slips here. I do 4 per page, which will fit perfectly in a ziplock sandwich bag. Get enough voucher slips as you need, but you can always get more. Each printed slip should have a unique number.

Dry your specimens

Using a dehydrator, fan or oven at 140F or less dehydrate your specimens for 12-24 hours or longer. It is important that each specimen be cracker dry. Fleshy moist specimens can be cut into slices so they dry more efficiently and there is no need to include the entire specimen if it is large.

Package specimen

Once each specimen is cracker dry fill in voucher slip and put both the specimen and voucher slip in a 16.5cm x 14.9cm ziplock sandwich bag. Store in a dark, dry location.

Add Voucher Number(s) Observation Field to your iNaturalist record (bottom right of the observation window) with the voucher slip number.

Fill in datasheet

You need to add each specimen to an excel datasheet, which you can download here. We are also testing using a google sheet which would allow submitters to see what has already been submitted to reduce duplicates. If you wish to use this method, email for an invite.

Share specimens

Email to arrange delivery or pickup of specimens.