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Mycotaxon 110 Book Reviews ... 517
Following an outline classification showing the various genera assigned to
family is a description of the genera. These are arranged alphabetically, and
each has a full page with information on the etymology, characters, number of
species, distribution, seasonality, references to keys and descriptions, comments,
and a coloured photograph showing both intact and sliced sporocarps. No
illustrations or photomicrographs are included, which was disappointing to
me as so many of these fungi have such wonderful spores. There is a series of
four keys to the genera, but as this work is not intended as a comprehensive
identification guide, there are no keys to species. However, the CD inside the
back cover has fine macrophotographs of 111 species, as well as a movie “A
truffle hunt with Jim Trappe,” showing him in action with his special truffle
rake.
This book could be seen as a series of courses in a menu, and the next
continues to delight. Entitled “Ecology of truffles”, it has the best coloured
shots of mycorrhizal roots sheathed by truffle fungi that I have seen in print,
some from synthesis cultures and others from nature. The authors stress that,
compared to ectomycorrhizal mushrooms, these fungi typically display narrow
host ranges – often to a single host genus, such as Alpova diplophloeus, which is
evidently restricted to Alnus. The importance of truffles in ecosystem processes
is discussed in relation to nutrient cycling and soil structure, mycorrhizal
networks, soil food webs, and small mammal mycophagy. The mycophagy can
be obligate, preferential, or casual, but is documented here for no less than 45
mammals and birds in the Pacific Northwest, including bears, chipmunks, goats,
gophers, jays, marmots, voles, and even the high-profile Northern spotted owl.
If you need examples to help sell the importance of fungi in the conservation
arena, there is no shortage of striking examples here. Following discussion
of the effects of different silvicultural practices, implications for wildlife, and
inoculation procedures, the next course is on gastronomy with tempting dishes
displayed, and naturally leads to cultivation in plantations and the conservation
of natural resources. The dessert is a 3⅓ page summary of 12 principles of
management practices and considerations that merit promulgation throughout
the conservation and forestry audiences, and I trust this will be given a wider
circulation than in this one report.
This is splendid work that all fungal conservationists could read with benefit
to “provide the underpinning for conserving this fascinating and important
group of forest organisms” (p. 164). There is no price indicated, but somewhat
dauntingly the back cover bears the warning: “Penalty for private use, $300.” I do
hope that should be interpreted as meaning that if you do receive or otherwise
obtain a copy, you risk a fine for not sharing the information it contains!