How to be a ‘fungi’ and not a dead guy: a catalogue of 71 of the world’s deadliest macrofungi

Abstract:

Of more than 14,000 known species of macrofungi, only a small percentage is deadly or potentially deadly to humans. Despite this low number of deadly species, every year hundreds of people die around the world because of macrofungi poisoning. Insufficient knowledge, unclear taxonomy, a rise in the consumption of fungi, and misleading folklore are all contributing factors to these deaths. The aim of our study is to list and describe 71 of the world’s deadliest macrofungi, to raise awareness and knowledge levels for the general public and scientific community. We reviewed 71 species of macrofungi reported to have either killed a human or that are known to produce toxins which could kill a human. This work presents the taxonomy, ecology, phylogeny, and biomedical properties of 71 poisonous mushroom species and can be used as a roadmap by policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders. Our work sheds light on specific areas in need of further work, such as taxonomic and biomedical research, and suggests ways to better equip the public to avoid future poisoning cases. The goal is to reverse the trend of rising incidents of mushroom poisonings and deaths and ensure the safe consumption of mushrooms in the future.


Speaker: Dr. Samantha Chandranath Karunarathna

Affiliation: Kunming Institute of Botany

Time: June. 1, 2021

Venue: The Conference Hall in Xishuangbanna Headquarter

The 101 meeting room in Kunming Division (video conference)

Link链接: https://pan.baidu.com/s/1iCb-w0XLxcpBWsF6ddRsSg 提取码: pdb7


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