Zaman Khan (Urdu: زمان خان; born 5 November 2000) is a Pakistani botanist and mycologist. He is renowned for his pioneering research on fungal biodiversity, taxonomy, and DNA barcoding. With a focus on the rich mycological diversity of Pakistan, he has described several new fungal species and published in esteemed international scientific journals. His work combines rigorous field research with advanced molecular techniques, filling critical gaps in the region’s fungal systematics. His research emphasizes the exploration of underdocumented fungal diversity in Pakistan, contributing significantly to global fungal taxonomy.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Early life and education
editZaman Khan was born in Pelowaince, Noorpur Thal, Khushab, Punjab, Pakistan, into the Angra tribe. A dedicated scholar from a young age, he completed his Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Botany at the University of the Punjab, Lahore, in 2021, presenting a thesis titled "A Systematic Study on Some Mushrooms of Jhok Reserve Forest, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan." His academic journey continued with a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Botany from the same institution in 2023, where his thesis "A Taxonomic and DNA Barcoding Study on Some Macrofungi of Noorpur Thal, Khushab, Punjab, Pakistan" integrated classical taxonomy with modern molecular approaches. Both his MSc and MPhil research were conducted under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Abdul Nasir Khalid,[8] a renowned and distinguished Pakistani mycologist recognized for his contributions to fungal taxonomy and biodiversity. This mentorship played a pivotal role in shaping his expertise in mycology and molecular biology.
Career and contributions
editHe has made notable contributions to the fields of mycology and fungal systematics through his academic and research roles. At Fungal Biology and Systematics Research Laboratory, Institute of Botany, University of the Punjab, Lahore, his fieldwork spans Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan, where he has explored diverse ecosystems to collect and document fungal species. His technical expertise includes DNA extraction, Gel Electrophoresis, Polymerase Chain Reactions (PCR), and compound microscopy, which he has utilized in groundbreaking research on fungal biodiversity.[9]
Discoveries
editZaman Khan has discovered many new fungal species, which include:
His discoveries have enriched the understanding of fungal taxonomy and highlighted the ecological significance of fungi in biodiversity of Pakistan.
Publications
edit- Khan, Z., & Khalid, A.N. (2024). “Molecular phylogeny and morphology reveal a new species of genus Rhodocybe sensu stricto Maire (Entolomataceae; Agaricales) from Pakistan.”. Cryptogamie, Mycologie 45 (10): 127-137.[6]
- Khan, Z., Izhar, A., & Khalid, A. N. (2024). "A new omphalinoid species, Entoloma khushabense (Entolomataceae, Basidiomycota) from Punjab, Pakistan. Phytotaxa, 653 (1): 054–066.[5]
- Khan, Z., Arshad, M. A., Niazi, A. R., & Khalid, A. N. (2023). A new species of Parasola section Conopileae (Psathyrellaceae) from Pakistan. Turkish Journal of Botany, 47(6), 606-619.[4]
- Khan, Z., Izhar, A., & Khalid, A. N. (2023). Leucoagaricus thallensis (Agaricaceae; Basidiomycota), A new Species from Punjab, Pakistan. Phytotaxa, 594(3), 163-177.[7]
- Haqnawaz, M., Khan, Z., Niazi, A. R., & Khalid, A. N. (2023). Volvariella variicystidiosa sp. nov. (Agaricaceae, Basidiomycota) from Punjab, Pakistan. Phytotaxa, 578(2), 189-198.[1]
- Izhar, A., Khan, Z., Asif, M., Bashir, H., Rani, A. K., Niazi, A. R., & Khalid, A. N. (2023). Clitopilus cretoalbus sp. nov. (Entolomataceae, Agaricales), a new species from Pakistan. European Journal of Taxonomy, 861, 168-184.[3]
- Izhar, A., Asif, M., Khan, Z., & Khalid, A. N. (2023). Introducing two new members of the genus Candolleomyces (Agaricales, Psathyrellaceae) from Punjab, Pakistan. Plant Systematics and Evolution, 309(5), 40.[2]
Personal life
editZaman Khan is a multifaceted individual with a deep passion for photography and videography, capturing the beauty of nature and the intricacies of his fieldwork. An avid reader, he enjoys delving into a wide range of books, particularly those on science, history, and culture. His love for history fuels his curiosity about the past, enriching both his personal and professional perspectives.
References
edit- ^ a b c Haqnawaz, Muhammad; Khan, Zaman; Niazi, Abdul Rehman; Khalid, Abdul Nasir (2023-01-06). "Volvariella variicystidiosa sp. nov. (Agaricaceae, Basidiomycota) from Punjab, Pakistan". Phytotaxa. 578 (2): 189–198. doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.578.2.5. ISSN 1179-3163.
- ^ a b c Izhar, Aiman; Asif, Muhammad; Khan, Zaman; Khalid, Abdul Nasir (2023-09-27). "Introducing two new members of the genus Candolleomyces (Agaricales, Psathyrellaceae) from Punjab, Pakistan". Plant Systematics and Evolution. 309 (5): 40. doi:10.1007/s00606-023-01876-w. ISSN 1615-6110.
- ^ a b c Izhar, Aiman; Khan, Zaman; Asif, Muhammad; Bashir, Hira; Rani, Afifa Kainat; Niazi, Abdul Rehman; Khalid, Abdul Nasir (2023-03-17). "Clitopilus cretoalbus sp. nov. (Entolomataceae, Agaricales), a new species from Pakistan". European Journal of Taxonomy. 861: 168–184. doi:10.5852/ejt.2023.861.2075. ISSN 2118-9773.
- ^ a b c KHAN, Zaman; ARSHAD, MUHAMMAD AWAIS; NIAZI, ABDUL REHMAN; KHALID, ABDUL NASIR (2023-11-22). "A new species of Parasola section Conopileae (Psathyrellaceae) from Pakistan". Turkish Journal of Botany. 47 (6): 606–619. doi:10.55730/1300-008X.2788. ISSN 1300-008X.
- ^ a b c Khan, Zaman; Izhar, Aiman; Khalid, Abdul Nasir (2024-06-13). "A new omphalinoid species, Entoloma khushabense (Entolomataceae, Basidiomycota) from Punjab, Pakistan". Phytotaxa. 653 (1): 54–66. doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.653.1.4. ISSN 1179-3163.
- ^ a b c Khan, Zaman; Khalid, Abdul Nasir (2024-10-03). "Molecular Phylogeny and Morphology Reveal a New Species of Genus Rhodocybe sensu stricto Maire (Entolomataceae; Agaricales) from Pakistan". Cryptogamie, Mycologie. 45 (10). doi:10.5252/cryptogamie-mycologie2024v45a10. ISSN 0181-1584.
- ^ a b c Khan, Zaman; Izhar, Aiman; Khalid, Abdul Nasir (2023-04-28). "Leucoagaricus thallensis (Agaricaceae; Basidiomycota), a new species from Punjab, Pakistan". Phytotaxa. 594 (3): 163–177. doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.594.3.1. ISSN 1179-3163.
- ^ "University of the Punjab". pu.edu.pk. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
- ^ "Zaman Khan | 4 Publications | Related Authors". SciSpace - Author. Retrieved 2024-12-05.