Fungal Culture Collection of Yugra State University

Fungal Culture Collection of Yugra State University

The YSU-C is the living fungal culture collection of the Yugra State University Fungarium. It serves as a vital repository for the mycobiota of Western Siberia, with a special focus on unique ecosystems like ombrotrophic bogs and coniferous forests.

An example of field isolation of pure cultures and long-term storage of the YSU-C collection
Visit the collection database on GBIF

Collection Overview & Purpose

This collection of approximately 250 strains of basidiomycetes and ascomycetes is a multifaceted resource designed to support:

  • Taxonomic & Biodiversity Research, providing verified reference material for studying regional fungal diversity.
  • Biotechnological Application, serving as a source of strains for developing mycorrhizal inoculants, bioremediation agents, and products for medicine and nutrition.
  • Ecological Studies, enabling research into the functional roles of fungi in boreal and peatland ecosystems.
  • Education & Genetic Repository, supporting student training and preserving genetic diversity for the global scientific community.

Collection Scope & Key Groups

The collection is ecologically and biotechnologically diverse. Key groups include:

  • Ectomycorrhizal Fungi — candidates for developing inoculants to enhance tree growth and forest restoration.
  • Peatland Saprotrophs — with potential applications in wetland bioremediation and peat-based fertilizers.
  • Medicinal Fungi — including species like Ganoderma and Hericium, relevant for dietary supplements and pharmaceuticals.
  • Edible & Cultivated Mushrooms — strains of Pleurotus, Lentinula, and others.
  • Wild Macromycetes & Microfungi — documenting the region’s diversity, including rare and protected species.
Appearance of ectomycorrhizal fungal strain colonies from the YSU-C collection after the second subculture on MNM 1/2 medium

Primary Geographic Coverage: Khanty-Mansiysk district, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug–Yugra, Russia (e.g., Shapsha vicinity, Mukhrino Field Station).

Taxonomic Coverage: about 80 genera, with well-represented groups including Suillus, Amanita, Hypholoma, Pleurotus, and Penicillium.

Collection Management

  • Primarily isolated from fruiting body tissue, with additional strains from substrates and root tips.
  • Maintained by subculturing on agar media. Saprotrophs are stored at +5°C, while ectomycorrhizal strains are kept at room temperature.
  • Each strain is morphologically described. For most, identification is confirmed via DNA barcoding (ITS region sequencing) and BLAST analysis.
  • All data (locality, storage conditions, sequences, photographs) are managed in the Specify database system and published as a Darwin Core Archive on GBIF.

DOWNLOAD YSU Culture Collection catalog in Excel table (download)

Visit full YSU-C collection database via GBIF dataset (including photographis of cultures and related sequences)

Last update 16/01/2026