About The Mushroom Research Centre
Led by Dr. Kevin Hyde of Mae Feh Luang University in Chiang Rai, Thailand, a group of fungal experts and enthusiasts joined together a decade ago to set up the Mushroom Research Centre (MRC) in a forested area, north of the city of Chiang Mai in the northern Thailand. Situated at an elevation of 770 msl (map reference 19° 07.200’ N, 98° 44.044’ E), this non-government and non-profit organization has been promoting studies of fungal diversity and taxonomy throughout Asia and the rest of the world by providing opportunities for students to receive practical and hands-on training and expertise in fungal biology.
Beginning in June 2003, MRC has been the site of several workshops and training programs on topics such as fungal diversity and taxonomy, plant quarantine taxonomy, aquatic fungi and the identification of macrofungi.
Leading mycologists, including Dennis Desjardin, Eric McKenzie, Steve Stephenson, Steve Miller, Else Vellinga, Pedro Crous, Philippe Callac, Silvie Rapier, Philippe Silar, Olivier Raspe, Mieke Verbeken and Gaston Guzman from the United States, Netherlands, New Zealand, France, Belgium and Mexico have spent time collecting and working at MRC. During the summers of 2010, 2011 and 2012, MRC served as the base of operations for a program funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation of the United States. See previous programs.
The program provided an international research experience for students from the United States and SE Asia. Other students have been invited from all over the Asian region and accommodated at MRC, with their visits funded through various other international fungal biodiversity and collaborative research grants.
Numerous students enrolled at various universities in Thailand have successfully completed their M.S. and Ph.D. research while working at the MRC. The beauty of the facility is that students with a desire to work on fungi can reside at MRC for the entire period of their field and laboratory research. The macrofungi of MRC and surrounding areas in northern Thailand are currently being studied, which has resulted in numerous new species, new records and an amazing biodiversity (e.g., Le et al. 2007a, b; Sanmee et al. 2008; Kerekes and Desjardin 2009; Wan-nathes et al. 2009a, b; Van de Putte et al. 2010; Zhao 2008; Zhao et al. 2010, 2011a, b; Vellinga et al. 2011; Karunarathna et al. 2011a, b).
Two of us (DJB and MS) recently had the opportunity to visit and spend two nights at MRC. As members of a team consisting of four microbiologists, we collected and worked with fungi. We ended up with a huge collection of macro- and microfungi, which included numerous agarics, bracket fungi, puffballs, stinkhorns, earth tongues, cup fungi, members of the xylariaceae, fungi with stromatic ascocarps, morels, leaf-spots, and slime molds. Our collecting efforts were rewarded with the identification of most of these fungi being confirmed by examining them on the same day using the microscopes and other facilities available in the fungal laboratory at MRC. Rostrohypoxylon J. Fourn. & M. Stadler, described from material collected on the dead bark of Lithocarpus, Annulohypoxylon bahnphadengense J. Fournier & M. Stadler, and A. maeteangense J. Fourn. & M. Stadler, were based on samples gathered at MRC (Fournier et al. 2010).
MRC consists of six main buildings that include a well-equipped, state-of-the-art, fungal study laboratory, an up-to-date mycological library, a lecture hall with an audio-visual facility, an acentrally located main building, a fungal museum and a ready-to serve and eat dining hall, all situated in a sprawling, undisturbed, evergreen tropical forest adjoining the highway from Chiang Mai to Pai, Thailand.
The dining hall, located on the bank of a beautiful lake, provides the serene and enchanting ambience required for all of those working on fungi. The facility, in addition, has six student chalets (each of which can accommodate three students), four staff cottages and several single rooms on the lake.
During our visit, we realized the potential of MRC from an entirely different aspect. The current trend worldwide is for students of higher learning in the biological sciences to undertake the supportive dissertation work at external institutes and universities in countries other than their own. For such students opting for fungal studies, MRC will undoubtedly represents a Mecca. The basis for an entire thesis or dissertation can be drafted in one period at MRC.
MRC is easily accessible from Chiang Mai, the fourth largest city in Thailand, which is well-connected to Bangkok by air, rail and road. Students can come and stay at MRC for periods ranging from a few days to a few months and complete the project work on fungi in a stipulated time period. Guidance on the biology of fungi is available from internationally known mycologists. Facilities of all kinds, from food, lodging and leisure are available. Microbiological media and microbial cultivation facilities are provided.
Fungi can be microscopically examined, studied, photographed and successfully identified. Internet facilities and 24/7 electricity and water supply are available. The dining hall provides hygienic and nutritious food for the visitors. Stepping into the Centre, one will feel fungal ambience in everything, be it the building designs, wall architecture, wooden holdings, furniture carvings and even in miniature key chains!
The administration of MRC is making efforts to provide an academic credit-sharing facility that would allow undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate courses taught at Mae Fah Luang University in Chiang Rai to be accepted at other institutes or universities of higher education around the world. The equivalency of academic standards and other details relating to the credit-sharing are currently in the process of being worked out.
Major publications emanated from MRC-based work
Zhao RL (2008) Systematics of Agaricus, Cyathus and Micropsalliota in northern Thailand. PhD thesis, KMITL, Bangkok, Thailand
Zhao RL, Desjardin DE, Soytong K, Perry BA, Hyde KD (2010b) A monograph of Micropsalliota in northern Thailand based on morphological and molecular data. Fungal Divers 43:33–79
Zhao RL, Hyde KD, Desjardin DE, Raspé O, Soytong K, Guinberteau J, Karunarathna SC, Callac P (2011a) Agaricus flocculosipes sp. nov., a new potentially cultivatable species from the palaeotropics. Mycoscience doi 10.1007/s10267-011-0169-5
Zhao RL, Karunarathna SC, Raspé O, Parra LA, Guinberteau J, Moinard M, De Kesel A, Barroso G, Courtecuisse R, Hyde KD, Guelly AK, Desjardin DE, Callac P (2011b) Major clades in tropical Agaricus. Fungal Divers 51:279–296
Le TH, Nuytinck J, Stubbe D, Verbeken A, Lumyong S, Desjardin ED (2007a) Lactarius in northern Thailand: 2. Lactarius subgenus Plinthogali. Fungal Divers 27:61–94
Le TH, Nuytinck J, Verbeken A, Lumyong S, Desjardin ED (2007b) Lactarius in northern Thailand: 1. Lactarius subgenus Piperites. Fungal Divers 24:173–224
Sanmee R, Dell B, Lumpong P, Izumori K, Lumyong S (2003) Nutritive value of popular wild edible mushrooms from northern Thailand. Food Chem 82:527–532
Sanmee R, Tulloss RE, Lumyong P, Dell B, Lumyong S (2008) Studies on Amanita (Basidiomycetes: Amanitaceae) in northern Thailand. Fungal Divers 32:97–123
Sanmee R, Lumpong P, Bell D, Lumyong S (2010) In vitro cultivation and fruit body formation of the black bolete, Phlebopus portentosus, a popular edible ectomycorrhizal fungus in Thailand. Mycoscience 51:15–22
Kerekes J, Desjardin DE (2009) A monograph of the genera Crinipellis and Moniliophthora from Southeast Asia including a molecular phylogeny of the nrITS region. Fungal Divers 37:101–152
Wannathes N, Desjardin DE, Hyde KD, Perry BA, Lumyong S (2009a) A monograph of Marasmius (Basidiomycota) from northern Thailand based on morphological and molecular (ITS sequences). Fungal Divers 37:209–306
Wannathes N, Desjardin DE, Lumyong S (2009b) Four new species of Marasmius section Globulares from northern Thailand. Fungal Divers 36:155–163
Van de Putte K, Nuytinck J, Stubbe D, Le TH, Verbeken A (2010) Lactarius volemus sensu lato (Russulales) from northern Thailand: morphological and phylogenetic species concepts explored. Fungal Divers 45:99–130
Karunarathna SC, Yang ZL, Olivier R, Ko Ko TW, Vellinga EC, Zhao RL, Bahkali AK, Chukeatirote E, Degreef J, Callac P, Hyde KD (2011a) Lentinus giganteus revisited: new collections from Sri Lanka and Thailand. Mycotaxon 118:57–71
Karunarathna SC, Yang ZL, Zhao R, Vellinga EC, Bahkali AH, Chukeatirote E, Hyde KD (2011b) Three new species of Lentinus from northern Thailand. Mycol Prog 10:389–398
Meeboon, J., Hidayat, I. & To-anun, C. (2007). An annotated list of cercosporoid Fungi in northern Thailand. Journal of Agricultural Technology 3(1): 51-63
Wang H, Hyde KD, Soytong K & Lin F (2008) Fungal diversity on fallen leaves of Ficus in northern Thailand. J Zhejiang Univ Sci: 9(10): 835–841
Promputtha I, Lumyong S, Lumyong P, McKenzie EHC, Hyde KD (2004) Fungal saprobes on dead leaves of Magnolia lillifera (Magnoliaceae) in Thailand. Cryptogamie Mycologie: 25(1):43–47
Promputtha I, Jeewon R, Lumyong S, McKenzie EHC, Hyde KD (2005) Ribosomal DNA fingerprinting in the identification of non sporulating endophytes from Magnolia liliifera (Magnoliaceae) Fungal Diversity: 20(1):167–186
Sysouphanthong P, Thongkantha S, Zhao, RL Soytong, K Hyde, KD (2010) Mushroom diversity in sustainable shade tea forest and the effect of fire damage. Biodiversity and Conservation 19(5):1401-1415
Kodsueb, R., McKenzie, E.H.C., Ho, W.H., Hyde, K.D., Lumyong, P. and Lumyong, S. (2007). New anamorphic fungi from decaying woody litter of Michelia baillonii (Magnoliaceae) in northern Thailand. Cryptogamie Mycologie 28: 237-245
Aung OM, Soytong K, Hyde KD, 2008. Diversity of entomopathogenic fungi in rainforests of Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. Fungal Diversity 30, 15-22
Duong LM, McKenzie EHC, Lumyong S, Hyde KD, 2008. Fungal succession on senescent leaves of Castanopsis diversifolia in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Thailand. Fungal Diversity 30, 23-36
Kodsueb R, McKenzie EHC, Lumyong S, Hyde KD, 2008a. Diversity of saprobic fungi on Magnoliaceae. Fungal Diversity 30, 37-53
Kodsueb R, McKenzie EHC, Lumyong S, Hyde KD, 2008b. Fungal succession on woody litter of Magnolia liliifera (Magnoliaceae). Fungal Diversity 30, 55-72
Than PP, Jeewon R, Hyde KD, Pongsupasamit S, Mongkolporn O, Taylor PWJ, 2008a. Characterization and pathogenicity of Colletotrichum species associated with anthracnose on chilli (Capsicum spp.) in Thailand. Plant Pathology 57, 562-572.
Than PP, Prihastuti H, Phoulivong S, Taylor PWJ, Hyde KD, 2008b. Chilli anthracnose disease caused by Colletotrichum species. Journal of Zhejiang University-Science B 9, 764-778.
Thongkantha S, Lumyong S, McKenzie EHC, Hyde KD, 2008. Fungal saprobes and pathogens occurring on tissues of Dracaena lourieri and Pandanus spp. in Thailand. Fungal Diversity 30, 149-169.
Tran HTM, Stephenson SL, Hyde KD, Mongkolporn O, 2008. Distribution and occurrence of myxomycetes on agricultural ground litter and forest floor litter in Thailand. Mycologia 100, 181-190.
Wang HK, Hyde KD, Soytong K, Lin FC, 2008. Fungal diversity on fallen leaves of Ficus in northern Thailand. Journal of Zhejiang University-Science B 9, 835-841.
Cheewangkoon R, Crous PW, Hyde KD, Groenewald JZ, To-Anan C, 2008. Species of Mycosphaerella and related anamorphs on Eucalyptus leaves from Thailand. Persoonia 21, 77-91.
Lumyong S, Techa W, Lumyong P, McKenzie EHC, and Hyde KD, (2009). Endophytic Fungi from Calamus kerrianus and Wallichia caryotoides (Arecaceae) at Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Thailand, 1st CMU-UNSW Science Challenges Symposium, Chiang Mai, THAILAND: Chiang Mai Journal of Science 36: 158-167.
Wulandari NF, To-Anun C, Hyde KD, Duong LM, de Gruyter J, Meffert JP, Groenewald JZ, and Crous PW, (2009). Phyllosticta citriasiana sp nov., the cause of Citrus tan spot of Citrus maxima in Asia. Fungal Diversity 34, 23-39.
Ko Ko, T.W., Stevenson, S.L., Jeewon, R., Lumyong, S. and Hyde, K.D. (2009). Molecular diversity of myxomycetes associated with decaying wood and forest floor leaf litter. Mycologia 101: 592-598
Hapsari, A., White, MM., Chukeatirote, E. and Hyde, K.D. (2009). Seasonality of Harpella melusinae Leger and Duboscq (Harpellales) in black fly larvae in northern Thailand. Cryptogamie Mycologie 30: 191-198.
Prihastuti, H., Cai, L., Chen, H., McKenzie, E.H.C. and Hyde, K.D. (2009). Characterization of Colletotrichum species associated with coffee berries in northern Thailand. Fungal Diversity 39: 89-109.
Fournier J, Stadler M, Hyde KD, Duong ML (2010) The new genus Rostrohypoxylon and two new Annulohypoxylon species from Northern Thailand. Fungal Diversity 40: 23-36
Cheewangkoon R, Groenewald JZ, Verkley GJM, Hyde KD, Wingfield MJ, Gryzenhout M, Summerell BA, Denman S, Toanun C, Crous PW (2010) Re-evaluation of Cryptosporiopsis eucalypti and Cryptosporiopsis-like species occurring on Eucalyptus leaves. Fungal Diversity 44:89-105
Ko Ko TW, Hanh TTM, Stephenson SL, Mitchell DW, Rojas C, Hyde KD, Lumyong S, Bahkali AH (2010) Myxomycetes of Thailand. Sydowia 62:243-260
Liu JK, Chomnunti P, Cai L, Phookamsak R, Chukeatirote E, Jones EBG, Moslem M, Hyde KD (2010) Phylogeny and morphology of Neodeightonia palmicola sp nov from palms. Sydowia 62:261-276
Phoulivong S, Cai L, Chen H, McKenzie EHC, Abdelsalam K, Chukeatirote E, Hyde KD (2010) Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is not a common pathogen on tropical fruits. Fungal Diversity 44:33-43
Phoulivong S, Cai L, Parinn N, Chen H, Abd-Elsalam KA, Chukeatirote E, Hyde KD (2010) A new species of Colletotrichum from Cordyline fruticosa and Eugenia javanica causing anthracnose disease. Mycotaxon 114:247-257
Wulandari NF, To-Anun C, Cai L, Abd-Elsalam KA, Hyde KD (2010) Guignardia/Phyllosticta species on banana. Cryptogamie Mycologie 31:403-418
Boonmee S, Ko Ko TW, Chukeatirote E, Chen H, Cai L, McKenzie EHC, Jones EBG, Kodsueb R, Bahkali AH, Hyde KD (2011) Two new Kirschsteiniothelia species with a Dendryphiopsis anamorph cluster in Kirschsteiniotheliaceae fam. nov. Mycologia 104: 698-714
Chomnunti P, Cai L, Kodsueb R, Ko Ko TW, Bahkali AH, Chukeatirote E, Hang C, Hyde KD (2011). Phylogeny of Chaetothyriaceae in northern Thailand including three new species. Mycologia 104: 382-395
Maharachchikumbura SSN, Guo LD, Chukeatirote E, Bahkali AH, Hyde KD (2011) Pestalotiopsis – morphology, phylogeny, biochemistry and diversity. Fungal Diversity (DOI 10.1007/s13225-011-0125-x)
Manamgoda DS, Hyde KD, Bahkali AH, Cai L (2011) Cochliobolus: an overview and the current status of species. Fungal Diversity 51:3-42, DOI: 10.1007/s13225-011-0139-4
Noireung P, Phoulivong S, Cai L, McKenzie EHC, Chukeatirote E, Jones EBG, Bahkali A, Hyde KD (2011) Novel species of Colletotrichum causing leaf disease in Thailand as revealed by morphology and molecular analysis. Mycoscience
Phengsintham P, Chukeatirote E, McKenzie EHC, Moslem, MA, Hyde KD, Braun U (2011) Fourteen new records of Cercosporoids from Thailand. MaeJo International Journal of Science & Technology 6: 47-61
Sysouphanhong P, Hyde KD, Chukeatirote E, Bahkali AH, Vellinga EC (2012) Lepiota (Agaricales) in northern Thailand–2 Lepiota section Lepiota. Cryptogamie Mycologie 33: 25-42
Sysouphanthong, P., Hyde, K.D., Chukeatirote, E., Bahkali, A.H., Vellinga, E.C. (2011). Lepiota (Agaricales) in northern Thailand – 1. Lepiota Section Stenosporae. Mycotaxon 117: 53-85
Udayanga D, Liu XZ, McKenzie EHC, Chukeatorate E, Bahkali HA, Hyde KD (2011) The genus Phomopsis: biology, species concepts, future and names of important phytopathogens. Fungal Diversity 50: 189-225 (DOI 10.1007/s13225-011-0126-9)
Wikee S, Cai L, Pairin N, McKenzie EHC, Su YY, Chukeatirote E, Thi HN, Bahkali AH, Moslem MA, Abdelsalam K, Hyde KD (2011) Colletotrichum species from Jasmine (Jasminum sambac). Fungal Diversity 46:171-182
Zhang H, Jones EBG, Zhou DQ, Bahkali AH, Hyde KD (2011) Checklist of freshwater fungi in Thailand. Cryptogamie Mycologie 32(2):199-217
Ko Ko TW, Stephenson SL, Hyde KD, Lumyong S (2011) Influence of Seasonality on the Occurrence of Myxomycetes Chiang Mai Journal of Science 38(1):001-014
Wulandari NF, To–Anun C, McKenzie EHC, Hyde KD (2011) Guignardia bispora and G. ellipsoidea spp. nov. and other Guignardia species from palms (Arecaceae) Mycosphere 2(2): 115–128
Zhang YM, Ko Ko TW, Hyde KD (2011) Towards a monograph of Dothideomycetes: studies on Diademaceae Mycologie 32(2):115-126
Guzmán G, Ramírez GF, Hyde KD, Karunarathna SC (2012)Psilocybes.s. in Thailand: four new species and a review of previously recorded species. Mycotaxon pp. 65-81(17)
Wisitrassameewong K., Karunarathna SC, Thongklang N, Zhao RL, Callac P, Chukeatirote E, Bahkali AH, Hyde KD (2011) Agaricus subrufescens: new records to Thailand. Chiang Mai University Journal of Science 39: 281-191
Wisitrassameewong K, Karunarathna SC, Thongklang N, Zhao RL, Callac P, Moukha S, Férandon C, Chukeatirote E, Hyde KD (2012) Agaricus subrufescens: A review. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences (19): 131-146
Sajeewa S. N. Maharachchikumbura, Liang-Dong Guo, Lei Cai, Ekachai Chukeatirote, Wen Ping Wu, Xiang Sun, Pedro W. Crous, D. Jayarama Bhat, Eric H. C. McKenzie, Ali H. Bahkali, Kevin D. Hyde (2012) A multi-locus backbone tree for Pestalotiopsis, with a polyphasic characterization of 14 new species. Fungal Diversity 56:95–129
Dhanushka Udayanga, Xingzhong Liu, Pedro W. Crous, Eric H. C. McKenzie, Ekachai Chukeatirote, Kevin D. Hyde (2012) A multi-locus phylogenetic evaluation of Diaporthe (Phomopsis). Fungal Diversity 56:157–171
Dimuthu S. Manamgoda & Lei Cai & Eric H. C. McKenzie & Pedro W. Crous & Hugo Madrid & Ekachai Chukeatirote & Roger G. Shivas & Yu Pei Tan & Kevin D. Hyde (2012) A phylogenetic and taxonomic re-evaluation of the Bipolaris - Cochliobolus - Curvularia Complex. 56:131–144
Dilani D. De Silva, Sylvie Rapior, Kevin D. Hyde, Ali H. Bahkali (2012) Medicinal mushrooms in prevention and control of diabetes mellitus. Fungal Diversity 56:1–29
Peter E. Mortimer, Samantha C. Karunarathna, Qiaohong Li, Heng Gui , Xueqing Yang, Xuefei Yang, Jun He, Lei Ye, Jiayu Guo, Huili Li, Phongeun Sysouphanthong, Dequn Zhou, Jianchu Xu & Kevin D. Hyde (2012) Prized edible Asian mushrooms: ecology, conservation and sustainability. Fungal Diversity 56:31–47
Putarak Chomnunti, D. J. Bhat, E. B. Gareth Jones, Ekachai Chukeatirote, Ali H. Bahkali & Kevin D. Hyde (2012) Trichomeriaceae, a new sooty mould family of Chaetothyriales. Fungal Diversity 56:63–76 DOI 10.1007/s13225-012-0197-2
Jian-Kui Liu, Rungtiwa Phookamsak, Mingkhuan Doilom, Saowanee Wikee, Yan-Mei Li,
Hiran Ariyawansha, Saranyaphat Boonmee, Putarak Chomnunti, Dong-Qin Dai, Jayarama D. Bhat, Andrea I. Romero, Wen-Ying Zhuang, Jutamart Monkai, E. B. Gareth Jones,Ekachai Chukeatirote, Thida Win Ko Ko, Yong-Chang Zhao, Yong Wang and Kevin D. Hyde (2012) Towards a natural classification of Botryosphaeriales. Fungal Diversity DOI: 10.1007/s13225-012-0207-4
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