The fungarium is an ISPRA facility located in Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO), dedicated to the preservation of dried fungal specimens voluntarily submitted by contributors to the Network for the Study of Mycological Diversity.

Each registered contributor can submit fungal specimens to the fungarium, where they will be preserved.

The request must be submitted via the SIF6.1 application when uploading the record, and requires prior approval. Only after approval will the contributor receive shipping instructions by email, and shipping costs are at the contributor’s expense.

Some of these specimens, in addition to being preserved, may undergo genetic analysis by researchers from ISPRA’s Conservation Genetics Unit.

Genetic analysis may be requested if eligibility criteria are met (see “Submit Specimens”).

Starting 1 May 2025, all specimens received by the fungarium are also sampled for preservation of a fragment in alcohol in the ISPRA biobank, a collection of fungal samples and DNA available for future biomolecular activities.

The fungarium is registered in the Index Herbariorum with the official code IFI.

Submit Specimens

Contributors can submit dried specimens for conservation purposes. Genetic analysis may also be requested for specimens meeting at least one of the following criteria:

• • Species new to science (holotypes, isotypes, paratypes)
  • Rare and/or threatened species listed in Red Lists
  • Species that are difficult to identify based on morphology alone
  • Species collected in unusual or ecologically significant habitats

Requests must be submitted through SIF6.1 and may refer to current records or historical data (prior to 2021).

Approved samples must be submitted within 3 months from approval.

Each request for genetic analysis must be accompanied by the signed Code of Ethics for Contributors.

Explore the Collection

Data related to specimens preserved in the fungarium and subjected to genetic analysis are published in the Fungal Information System (SIF).

ISPRA, as the managing body of the fungarium and SIF, ensures the quality, traceability, and accessibility of all data.

Updated data as of 28/03/2025

Specimens preserved in the fungarium: 20

• • of which underwent genetic analysis: 18
  • preserved without genetic analysis: 2

The complete list and details of the specimens are available through the Fungal Information System (SIF): Access the SIF

It is possible to borrow a sample kept in the fungal arium, by sending the request to ndm-fungarium@isprambiente.it