Toward a Mycological Repository of Psilocybe Species: Development of a Spore Print Collection

A census of Psilocybe species occurring in Italy has recently launched to define their habitats and ecological traits. In addition to the species census, herbarium specimens were prepared by storing collected samples in airtight bags with unique labels that also include the precise coordinates of the collection site, the date, the location, and the collection period. For each surveyed species, basidiospores were statistically measured, and molecular analyses was performed to confirm the correct identification of ambiguous species or to record local variants never before mapped in Italy. At the Department of Soil, Plant, and Food Sciences of the University of Bari Aldo Moro, a dedicated collection of Psilocybe spore prints has been established to preserve biodiversity and, at the same time, provide essential material for future research, which will begin once the necessary regulatory approvals are obtained. Once regulatory approvals are obtained, the collection is expected to become a valuable resource for investigating the biosynthetic pathways and therapeutic potential of Psilocybe species, thereby supporting the development of innovative, nature-derived approaches for mental health treatment.