Todd Elliott’s childhood passion for the natural world led him to co-author his first peer-reviewed scientific publication at age 14. Since then, Todd’s continued study of global biodiversity and interrelationships in nature has taken him to remote corners of the world to explore tropical rainforests, deserts, temperate forests, beaches, and high mountains on six continents. Much of the research from these expeditions has been or is being published, including the description of organisms new to science. Visit Google Scholar and ResearchGate for current complete lists of publications.
Todd received his undergraduate degree in interpretive natural history from Warren Wilson College (USA) and his PhD in ecology from the University of New England (Australia). He enjoys sharing his research and knowledge of the natural world through presentations and workshops for many different organizations including universities, grade school groups, conferences, earthskills/survival skills programs, and naturalist clubs.
CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS
ANIMAL-FUNGAL INTERACTIONS
Animals, fungi, and plants are intimately interconnected, and one of Todd’s recent research focuses has been in exploring the importance of these interactions and how their conservation is vital to maintaining functional ecosystems around the world. Refer to the Publications page to see some of Todd’s peer-reviewed research on the subject.
For more information about this, check out this short video about some of Todd’s research on this topic in Australia:
Animals, fungi, and plants are intimately interconnected, and one of Todd’s recent research focuses has been in exploring the importance of these interactions and how their conservation is vital to maintaining functional ecosystems around the world. Refer to the Publications page to see some of Todd’s peer-reviewed research on the subject.
For more information about this, check out this short video about some of Todd’s research on this topic in Australia:
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Below are links to a few general audience articles about this research: Bird-fungal Interactions Bonobos and Truffles Lyrebirds and Truffles Truffle Munching Wallabies Shed New Light on Forest Conservation |
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FUNGAL ECOLOGY AND TAXONOMY
We are excited to announce that Todd's 2018 book Mushrooms of the Southeast just went into its 5th printing at Timber Press and ranks as one of the more popular mushroom field guides in the southeastern United States (over 30,000 copies sold). This book is part of Todd’s ongoing research into fungal taxonomy and biodiversity and is designed to be accessible and useful to everyone from beginning naturalists and mushroom hunters to professional mycologists. Todd has also worked on fungal ecology and taxonomy projects in Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, North America, and South America. These projects have focused on documenting species that were previously unknown to science and understanding their ecology and conservation. Todd is also particularly interested in ethnomycology, or the importance of fungi to humans as food and medicine. Refer to the Publications page to see some of Todd’s peer-reviewed research on the subject. |
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MAMMAL CONSERVATION
Todd is actively involved with research in Australia, New Guinea, and Indonesia to document and study the ecology, conservation, and behavior of animals. This research has a particular focus on rare, threatened, and poorly known marsupials and some rodents; these include species that are potentially extinct but insufficiently surveyed. Todd is currently working on several projects with island endemic marsupials and is particularly interested in bandicoots, bettongs, pademelons, potoroos, and wallabies. Refer to the Publications page to see some of Todd’s peer-reviewed research on the subject. |
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MYXOMYCETE (SLIME MOLD) BIODIVERSITY Myxomycetes, or slime molds, are an unusual and frequently overlooked group of amoeboid organisms. Though generally thought of as fungi, they technically belong to a different biological kingdom! Todd has been actively involved with research documenting their biodiversity, distribution, and ecology; his research on this group has been focused on Australasia. Refer to the Publications page to see some of Todd’s peer-reviewed research on the subject. |
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