How to define a mycologist?

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Amadan
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Location: Sawtry, Cambs

Re: How to define a mycologist?

Post by Amadan »

I think that the mycologist - amateur or professional - has to be perhaps the most dedicated of all the varieties of "natural history" enthusiasts. Fungi must be the most difficult of all the macro-organisms, in the UK at least. But they are fascinating! Their biology is remarkable (and they've taxed the taxonomists for decades), they can be eerily beautiful, and occasionally delicious.
I've never attempted to specialise in any wildlife group (though I admit a particular fondness for Adders), but as an interested novice I not only enjoy seeing, photographing, and trying to identify them; I find that the discussions they prompt (here and on other sites) are amongst the most erudite and informative on any subject.
I also think that a certain amount of optimism - and definitely a sense of humour - are essential requisites.
mollisia
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Re: How to define a mycologist?

Post by mollisia »

Hello,
Amadan wrote:Fungi must be the most difficult of all the macro-organisms, in the UK at least.
Hmmm, what about flies, beetles etc .... I think they are even more challenging, when you often be happy to determine to family level ...
Amadan wrote:I also think that a certain amount of optimism - and definitely a sense of humour - are essential requisites.
not to forget a comperatively high frustration tolerance :D

best regards,
Andreas
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FungiJohn
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Joined: Mon May 18, 2015 8:05 pm

Re: How to define a mycologist?

Post by FungiJohn »

mollisia wrote:Hello,
Amadan wrote:Fungi must be the most difficult of all the macro-organisms, in the UK at least.
Hmmm, what about flies, beetles etc .... I think they are even more challenging, when you often be happy to determine to family level ...
Amadan wrote:I also think that a certain amount of optimism - and definitely a sense of humour - are essential requisites.
not to forget a comperatively high frustration tolerance :D

best regards,
Andreas
I so fully agree with your last statement Andreas :D

Best Wishes - John
diggleken
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Re: How to define a mycologist?

Post by diggleken »

If you think fungi are tough, try Springtails - Collembola. And there are others equally tough.
One of the unfortunate things is there are so few resources and experts, unlike fungi...............
This might give an idea of them in terms of numbers and variety:
http://ws1.roehampton.ac.uk/collembola/ ... index.html
Cheers
Ken
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