Faculty Support: Melinda Peterson

My research centers on the biology and systematics of fungi, particularly members of the fungus classes Pezizomycetes and the Leotiomycetes, both belonging to ascomycete groups. Using molecular, life history and morphological methods we strive to understand relationships within these groups and to uncover their diversity. In addition, I study the history of collections and collectors.

Recent Publications

Ristiaino, J.B. & Pfister, D.H., 2016. What a Painfully Interesting Subject: Charles Darwin Studies of Potato Late Blight. BioScience, 66 (12), pp. 1035-1045.

Pfister, D., 2016. Fungi and Forests: Shaping Landscapes, Cuisine and Commerce. ReVista, 16 (1), pp. 14-16.

Rossi, W., Haelewaters, D. & Pfister, D.H., 2016. Fireworks under the microscope: a spectacular new species of Zodiomyces from the Thaxter collection. Mycologia, 108 (4), pp. 709-715.

Pfister, D.H., LoBuglio, K.F. & Kristiansen, R., 2016. Species of Peziza s. str. on water-soaked wood with special reference to a new species, P. nordica, from central Norway. Sydowia, 68, pp. 173-185.

Healy, R.A., Zurier, H. Bonito, G., Smith M.E., and Pfister D.H., 2016. Mycorrhizal detection of native and non-native truffles in a historic arboretum and the discovery of a new North American species, Tuber arnoldianum sp. nov. Mycorrhiza, pp. 1-12.

Zhao, C.-L., Xu, F. & Pfister, D.H., 2016. Morphological and molecular identification of a new species of Truncospora (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) in North America. Phytotaxa, 257 (1), pp. 89-97.