Time, Mushrooms, and the Tree of Life

Mycologist David Hibbett will draw on his experiences as a fungal evolutionary biologist to explain the 1.5 billion-year development of fungi (mushrooms), and their role in the evolution of Earth throughout that period. He will initially focus on historical scenarios for the evolution of fungi, and their impact on the carbon cycle. But the goal of understanding the diversity of life is a long-term challenge of humanity, one that will not be completed in our lifetimes. Our current systems of biological nomenclature date back to the seventeenth century and were produced under a creationist paradigm. They represent a historical constraint that impedes progress toward the complete catalog of fungal diversity. To describe all species of fungi, it will be necessary to consider new automated approaches to classification and knowledge production in an evolutionary framework. It will also be essential to reckon with the overwhelming diversity of “dark fungi,” species that have been detected with environmental molecular data, but for which no physical specimens are available.

Reception to follow the presentation.

Public transportation is recommended, as nearby parking is extremely limited. The Herbaria is a 10-minute (0.5 mile) walk from the Harvard Square T Station.

For information on joining Long Now Boston, please visit https://www.longnowboston.org/connect

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Long Now Boston