Funif-Col
from 01/10/2023 until 01/10/2026
For many fungal species, there are still no reference molecular sequences (“DNA barcodes”). The nomenclatural types, which officially define these species, have often not been sequenced, and sequences available in databases are sometimes of poor quality or misidentified. It is therefore urgent to sequence all French fungal types to obtain reliable DNA barcodes.
The Funif-Col project (2023–2026) aims to generate these reference sequences (ITS and LSU) for approximately 3,000 macromycete species described from France. Sequences will be obtained from type specimens held in public collections (notably in Paris) as well as from the herbaria of partner amateur mycologists. If certain type specimens are missing or unusable for DNA extraction, fresh samples will be collected from the type localities through the amateur network for neotypification or epitypification.
The reference sequences produced will be publicly available in international databases, contributing to an open, citizen science in mycology.
Aim
Aims
1. Obtain reference genetic sequences for all these taxa (ITS and LSU).
2. Search for and designate candidate types through neotypification and epitypification.
3. Create a national collaborative fungal network bringing together researchers and amateur mycologists.
About funding
Funding bodies: Donations