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Hypogeous fungi ("truffles") are challenging to study because they produce underground sporocarps that may not be located during traditional fungal surveys. Commercially valuable truffles are located using scent‐detection dogs trained on truffles. However, the dogs are not necessarily limited to commercial truffle species when trained on other taxa of interest. For example, Genea (Pyronemataceae, Ascomycota) is a genus of common but difficult to find truffles that develops small and often soil‐colored hypogeous ascomata. We used a truffle dog trained to locate Genea sporocarps in the southern Willamette Valley and associated mountains in western Oregon, USA, recording when the sporocarps were present at a wide range of elevations (113 to 1879 m). We found Genea was present in half of our surveys and noted that it rarely fruited in areas that had experienced wildfire. This study demonstrates the value of using truffle dogs in documenting truffle diversity, particularly those that are difficult to locate visually, and provides further evidence for the abundance of Genea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Helvella is a widespread, frequently encountered fungal group appearing in forests, but the species diversity and molecular phylogeny of Helvella in China remains incompletely understood. In this work, we performed comprehensive phylogenetic analyses using multilocus sequence data. Six datasets were employed, including a five-locus concatenated dataset (ITS, nrLSU, tef1-a, rpb2, hsp), a two-locus concatenated dataset (ITS, nrLSU), and four single-locus datasets (ITS) that were divided based on the four different phylogenetic clades of Helvella recognized in this study. A total of 1 946 sequences were used, of which 713 were newly generated, including 170 sequences of ITS, 174 sequences of nrLSU, 131 sequences of tef1-a, 107 sequences of rpb2 and 131 sequences of hsp. The phylogeny based on the five-locus concatenated dataset revealed that Helvella s. str. is monophyletic and four phylogenetic clades are clearly recognized, i.e., Acetabulum clade, Crispa clade, Elastica clade, and Lacunosa clade. A total of 24 lineages or subclades were recognized, 11 of which were new, the remaining 13 corresponding with previous studies. Chinese Helvella species are distributed in 22 lineages across four clades. Phylogenetic analyses based on the two-locus concatenated dataset and four single-locus datasets confirmed the presence of at least 93 phylogenetic species in China. Among them, 58 are identified as known species, including a species with a newly designated lectotype and epitype, 18 are newly described in this paper, and the remaining 17 taxa are putatively new to science but remain unnamed due to the paucity or absence of ascomatal materials. In addition, the Helvella species previously recorded in China are discussed. A list of 76 confirmed species, including newly proposed species, is provided. The occurrence of H. crispa and H. elastica are not confirmed although both are commonly recorded in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amylascus is a genus of ectomycorrhizal truffles within Pezizaceae that is known from Australia and contains only two described species, A. herbertianus and A. tasmanicus. Species of Amylascus are closely related to truffles (Pachyphlodes, Luteoamylascus) and cup fungi (Plicariella) from the Northern Hemisphere. Here we reevaluate the species diversity of Amylascus and related taxa from southern South America and Australia based on new morphological and molecular data. We identify previously undocumented diversity and morphological variability in ascospore color, ascospore ornamentation, hymenial construction, epithecium structure and the amyloid reaction of the ascus in Melzer's reagent. We redescribe two Amylascus species from Australia and describe seven new Amylascus species, five from South America and two from Australia. This is the first report of Amylascus species from South America. We also describe the new South American genus Nothoamylascus as sister lineage to the Pachyphlodes-Amylascus-Luteoamylascus clade (including Amylascus, Luteoamylascus, Pachyphlodes, and Plicariella). We obtained ITS sequences of mitotic spore mats from Nothoamylascus erubescens gen. & sp. nov. and four of the seven newly described Amylascus species, providing the first evidence of mitotic spore mats in Amylascus. Additional ITS sequences from mitotic spore mats reveal the presence of nine additional undescribed Amylascus and one Nothoamylascus species that do not correspond to any sampled ascomata. We also identify three additional undescribed Amylascus species based on environmental sequences from the feces of two grounddwelling bird species from Chile, Scelorchilus rubecula and Pteroptochos tarnii. Our results indicate that ascomata from Amylascus and Nothoamylascus species are rarely collected, but molecular data from ectomycorrhizal roots and mitotic spore mats indicate that these species are probably common and widespread in southern South America. Finally, we present a time-calibrated phylogeny that is consistent with a late Gondwanan distribution. The time since the most recent common ancestor of: 1) the family Pezizaceae had a mean of 276 Ma (217-337 HPD); 2) the Amylascus-Pachyphlodes-Nothoamylascus-Luteoamylascus clade had a mean of 79 Ma (60-100 HPD); and 3) the Amylascus-Pachyphlodes clade had a mean of 50 Ma (38-62 HPD). The crown age of Pachyphlodes had a mean of 39 Ma (25-42 HPD) and Amylascus had a mean age of 28 Ma (20-37 HPD), falling near the Eocene-Oligocene boundary and the onset of the Antarctic glaciation (c. 35 Ma). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences is the property of Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences (TUJNS) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Fruiting bodies of ascomycete fungi that appear in temperate forests after the melting of snow cover but before the active plant vegetation, were probed as an ephemeral food resource for soil and terrestrial invertebrates for the first time. Studied apothecia of Sarcoscypha austriaca were inhabited only by Nematoda, while the diversity of invertebrates inhabiting the hollow ascocarps of Gyromitra esculenta was considerably higher (at least 31 families). Stable isotope analysis confirmed the trophic status of G. esculenta as a humus saprotroph and showed very limited trophic links of invertebrates to ascocarps, which suggests a more pronounced function of the mature fruiting bodies of G. esculenta as a hideout, rather than a food substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three taxa of macromycetes, Otidea alutacea, Otidea bufonia and Phylloscypha phyllogena, were first recorded in Tunisia. Occurrences of Humaria hemisphaerica and Peziza vesiculosa were confirmed from the northwestern part of Tunisia more than 100 years after their first records in the northeast and the southwestern parts of the country, respectively. The species reported belong to three families of the Pezizales order (Otideaceae, Pezizaceae and Pyronemataceae). Short descriptions of their distinctive macroscopic and microscopic features, ecology and geographical distribution in Tunisia are given. The locality, the data of collection and field photographs for each species are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Helvella is a species-rich genus, forming a large variation of astounding ascocarps in many different habitats. During the last decade, molecular markers and morphological characters have been combined to delimit and identify cryptic species in this genus. We report on a list of 54 species of Helvella s.s. in the Nordic region and describe five new species, i.e. H. bresadolae, H. convexa, H. japonica, H. nordlandica and H. oroarctica. The morphological and molecular characteristics of the new species and the emended / hypocrateriformis, / fibrosa-macropus, and / fallaxpezizoides lineages of Helvella s.s. are shortly commented upon. Further we include a discussion of the distribution of species in the Nordic region based on a large set of studied collections. The ecological versatility and variable geographic patterns of these species indicate that cryptic species may have contrasting ecology in their local habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gyromitrin (acetaldehyde N-methyl-N-formylhydrazone) and its homologs are deadly mycotoxins produced most infamously by the lorchel (also known as false morel) Gyromitra esculenta, which is paradoxically consumed as a delicacy in some parts of the world. There is much speculation about the presence of gyromitrin in other species of the lorchel family (Discinaceae), but no studies have broadly assessed its distribution. Given the history of poisonings associated with the consumption of G. esculenta and G. ambigua, we hypothesized that gyromitrin evolved in the last common ancestor of these taxa and would be present in their descendants with adaptive loss of function in the nested truffle clade, Hydnotrya. To test this hypothesis, we developed a sensitive analytical derivatization method for the detection of gyromitrin using 2,4-dinitrobenzaldehyde as the derivatization reagent. In total, we analyzed 66 specimens for the presence of gyromitrin over 105 tests. Moreover, we sequenced the nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer region ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS barcode) and nuc 28S rDNA to assist in species identification and to infer a supporting phylogenetic tree. We detected gyromitrin in all tested specimens from the G. esculenta group as well as G. leucoxantha. This distribution is consistent with a model of rapid evolution coupled with horizontal transfer, which is typical for secondary metabolites. We clarified that gyromitrin production in Discinaceae is both discontinuous and more limited than previously thought. Further research is required to elucidate the gyromitrin biosynthesis gene cluster and its evolutionary history in lorchels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taxa in the Gyromitra gigas species complex were previously studied and their taxonomy resolved. During ongoing studies in this group, cryptic speciation was discovered in G. gigas. Sequences of the ITS and LSU regions from 75 specimens were included in maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses to establish species boundaries and resolve species relationships. Sequence similarity comparisons were also conducted between the two ribosomal markers and between the ITS1 and ITS2 regions. Gyromitra gigas sensu stricto and two additional species were discovered within the G. gigas clade. Gyromitra ussuriensis was rediscovered as a distinct taxon and removed from synonymy under G. gigas. It occurs in central and eastern Asia, whereas G. gigas occurs mostly in Europe but also extends into central Asia. A neotype is designated for G. ussuriensis. A new species, Gyromitra americanigigas, is described and illustrated from eastern North America. Although morphology and the LSU exhibited little variation among the three species, the ITS1 and ITS2 regions displayed similar interspecific sequence variability around 0.5–1%, which is sufficient for species identification at the molecular level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Tuber (Tuberaceae, Pezizales) is an important fungal group of Ascomycota both economically and ecologically. However, the species diversity, phylogenetic relationships, and geographic distribution of Tuber species in China remains poorly understood, primarily because descriptions of many new species relied heavily on morphological features with molecular data either not sought or ignored. The misapplication of European and North American names further added to confusion regarding the taxonomy of Chinese Tuber species. In this study, we examined more than 1 000 specimens from China, and performed a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis for Chinese Tuber species using ITS sequences and multilocus sequence data. To infer the phylogeny of Chinese Tuber spp., 11 molecular datasets were assembled, including a concatenated internal transcribed spacers of the nuc rDNA (ITS), nuc rDNA 28S subunit (LSU), translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1-a), and RNA polymerase II subunit (rpb2) dataset as well as 10 ITS datasets (totally including 1 435 sequences from 828 collections with 597 newly generated sequences, and 168 sequences from the types of 63 species). Our phylogenetic tree based on a concatenated multilocus dataset revealed that all Chinese Tuber species nested in nine phylogenetic clades (phylogroups), including Aestivum, Excavatum, Latisporum, Macrosporum, Maculatum, Melanosporum, Puberulum, Rufum and Turmericum. Of these, five phylogroups (Macrosporum, Maculatum, Melanosporum, Puberulum and Rufum) are shared across the continents of Asia, Europe and North America; two phylogroups (Aestivum and Excavatum) are shared by Europe and Asia; and the phylogroups Turmericum and Latisporum are endemic only to Asia. Phylogenetic trees based on 10 ITS datasets confirmed the presence of at least 82 phylogenetic species in China. Of these, 53 are identified as known species, including three new records for China, and 25 species are identified as new to science. Of the new species, nine are described and illustrated in this paper, and the others remain unnamed due to the paucity or absence of ascomatal materials. Accordingly, the confirmed, excluded and doubtful Tuber species in China are discussed. Tuber species showed high endemism. Of the 82 phylogenetic species found in China, 68 species occur only in China, six species are also found in other regions in Asia, and only eight species (T. anniae, T. excelsum-reticulatum, T. formosanum, T. maculatum, T. wenchuanense, Tuber sp. CHN-3, Tuber sp. CHN-10 and Tuber sp. CHN-11) are shared with other continents. Most Tuber species have a small and limited distribution in China, but a few, such as T. formosanum and T. parvomurphium, are widely distributed across China. Some phylogenetically closely related species, such as T. liaotongense and T. subglobosum, as well as T. xuanhuaense and T. lijiangense, show a pattern of allopatric distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ectomycorrhizal truffle genus Tuber is widespread and diverse. Recent sampling of ascomata, ectomycorrhizal root tips, and environmental sequences has resulted in the identification of many Tuber species that cannot be assigned to described species and require formal description. Using morphological and molecular phylogenetic analysis, we describe two North American Tuber species associated with pines (Pinus spp.). Tuber eburneum, sp. nov., is an early-diverging taxon in the Melanosporum clade that differs substantially from all other taxa in that clade due to its light-colored peridium and gleba, lack of peridial warts, and peridial hairs that are ornamented with small, irregular protrusions. Tuber mujicii, sp. nov., is a whitish truffle species in the Puberulum clade. Although T. mujicii is morphologically similar to many related taxa, it can be distinguished by a combination of characters, including peridium color, spore size, number of ascospores per ascus, and number of reticulations across the spore surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

S7 Phylogeny based on ITS sequences of Discinaceae endophytic or endolichenic fungi analyzed with ML.Figs S8 and S9 Phylogeny based on ITS sequences of Morchellaceae endophytic or endolichenic fungi analyzed with MLood.Fig. Likewise, endolichenic fungi live asymptomatically within lichens, occurring in healthy lichen thalli worldwide (Arnold I et al i ., 2009). Keywords: endophytes; Pezizales; phylogenetics; pyrophilous fungi; symbiosis; systematics EN endophytes Pezizales phylogenetics pyrophilous fungi symbiosis systematics 1974 1983 10 02/07/22 20220301 NES 220301 Introduction Fungal endophytes live asymptomatically within plants and are widespread inhabitants of leaves and other organs (Wilson, 1995). Metagenomics and other culture-free tools have been, and will continue to be, critical for elucidating plant-fungi interactions, especially because these methods typically detect a far greater diversity of fungi than culture-based methods alone (U'Ren I et al i ., 2019). [Extracted from the article]

In order to explore the biodiversity of mushrooms from Pakistan, authors come across a new Humaria sp. associated with Pinus wallichiana from Pakistan's part of Himalayan moist temperate forests. Morpho-anatomical and phylogenetic characterization were used to elucidate their taxonomic affinities. Morphological and phylogenetic analysis confirms that it is a new species of Humaria. Humaria laevispora is subsequently described in detail and compared to closely related taxa Humaria hemisphaerica. The analysis also reveals that epigeous Humaria sp. is sister to hypogeous Genea spp. reflecting epigeous habit in Humaria a derived condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper introduces the first records in Southeastern Europe of Hydnotrya michaelis, rare ascomycete, collected in artificial plantation with Macedonian pine (Pinus peuce) and compared with specimens found with other Pinaceae. The species was studied for the first time on living materials and description and illustrations of the Bulgarian specimens are provided. The first nLSU sequence of this rare and little-known species is also released. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over 80 species are recognized in the commercially important genus Morchella, many of them endemic to specific regions or continents. Among them, M. anatolica and M. rufobrunnea are the earliest diverging lineages and are key in decoding the evolutionary history, global biogeography, and ecological trends within this iconic genus. Early ancestral area reconstruction (AAR) tests postulated a western North American origin of morels but had not included in the analyses M. anatolica, whose phylogenetic identity remained at the time unresolved. Following new collections of M. anatolica and M. rufobrunnea from the Mediterranean islands of Cyprus, Kefalonia, Lesvos, Malta, and Zakynthos, we performed revised AAR tests to update the historical biogeography of the genus. Our results, inferred from multilocus analysis of an expanded data set of 79 phylospecies, challenge previous reconstructions and designate the Mediterranean basin as the most likely place of origin for morels. Detailed morphoanatomical analyses demonstrate that ascocarp rufescence, the nondarkening apothecial ridges, the absence of a sinus, and the stipe pruinescence are all stable synapomorphic features of sect. Rufobrunnea, which could be interpreted as ancestral for the genus. The saprotrophic mode of nutrition, suggested by the prolific in vitro growth of M. anatolica, might also be an ancestral trait. Emended descriptions, including extensive imagery and scanning electron microscopy, are provided, and a new evolutionary hypothesis of the genus is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acervus (Pyronemataceae, Pezizales) is a saprobic genus in Pezizomycetes, characterized by colored apothecia, subcylindrical to cylindrical asci and guttulate ascospores. We collected four Acervus samples from China and Thailand. Descriptions and illustrations are introduced for all fresh samples. One new record of A. epispartius and A. stipitatus from China are reported. Phylogenetic analysis based on five genes, the large subunit rRNA (LSU), the translation elongation factor-1 alpha (tef1-α), the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (rpb2) the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (rpb1) and the small subunit rRNA (SSU), revealed the distinct position of the new species. The new species is set apart by its red apothecia. Akey to Acervus species is also given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Botanica Serbica is the property of University of Belgrade, Institute of Botany & Botanical Garden Jevremovac and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Amongst the complicated group of Peziza with blue-violet-purplish hymenial surface, P. petersii, P. proteana f. proteana and f. sparassoides were studied using both morphological and molecular approaches (analysis of the nrITS and RPB2 sequences). The nrITS sequences were successfully obtained from the holotypes of Aleuria proteana, P. pseudoviolacea and Underwoodia campbellii. The epitype collection of P. petersii was designated, and its nrITS and RPB2 regions were sequenced. Our analyses showed that (i) P. proteana and P. petersii are a single species, and since P. petersii Berk. was published in 1875 and Aleuria proteana Boud. in 1899, the prioritary name is the former; (ii) P. proteana f. sparassoides (Boud.) Korf, the "cabbage-head fungus", is a distinct evolutionary line and is here recognised at species level using the oldest available epithet that can be combined in Peziza, Underwoodia campbellii Sacc. Consequently, Peziza campbellii nov. comb. is introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, species of the genus Morchella are investigated in China. Based on morphological characteristics and molecular phylogenetic analyses of the nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer region ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS) and the combined data set ITS + nuclear large subunit rDNA (28S) + the translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF1) gene + RNA polymerase II first largest subunit (RPB1) + RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2), six new phylogenetic species are illustrated and described: M. clivicola, M. confusa, M. odonnellii, M. owneri, M. yangii, and M. yishuica. Furthermore, two new record species, M. dunensis and M. palazonii, which were only known in Europe, are now reported for the first time from Asia. New species of morels will provide additional information on species diversity and genetic resource candidates for improving the cultivation of this economically important fungus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ruhlandiella is a genus of exothecial, ectomycorrhizal fungi in the order Pezizales. Ascomata of exothecial fungi typically lack a peridium and are covered with a hymenial layer instead. Ruhlandiella species have nonoperculate asci and highly ornamented ascospores. The genus was first described by Hennings in 1903 to include the single species, R. berolinensis. Since then, mycologists have uncovered Ruhlandiella species inmany locations around the globe, including Australia, Spain, Italy, and the USA. Currently, there are four recognized species: R. berolinensis, R. peregrina, R. reticulata, and R. truncata. Allwere found near Eucalyptus or Melaleuca trees of Australasian origin. Recently, we discovered two new species of Ruhlandiella in Nothofagaceae forests in South America. They regularly form mitotic spore mats directly on soil in the forests of Patagonia. Here, we formally describe these new species and construct the phylogeny of Ruhlandiella and related genera using a multilocus phylogenetic analysis. We also revise the taxonomy of Ruhlandiella and provide an identification key to accepted species of Ruhlandiella. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the recent field visits to Saurashtra regions of Western India, one of the interesting fungi i.e. Trichaleurina javanica (Rehm) M. Carbone, Agnello & P. Alvarado (Chorioactidaceae, order Pezizales) was collected from Sarkhadiya Hanuman and Sasan (Gir Forest, India). Further confirmation of the identity was carried out by using molecular methods with its DNA barcoding. Review of literature showed that this species was previously reported from India under a different name; the collection here studied is the first one molecularly confirmed. Nucleotide sequence obtained during molecular analysis is submitted into NCBI and is the first record at BOLD data system for its DNA barcode (BOLD ID KSRF-0019). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the adequate morph terminology is an important tool for describing the different stages of fungi with their often hidden and flexible sexual processes. These processes play significant roles in the evolution and spread of pathogenic fungi as well as their antifungal resistance. Their knowledge is also the base for control of human and plant pathogenic fungi as well as strain improvement in biotechnology. Among all organisms, the heterokaryotic stage, i.e., the intermediate stage between plasmogamy and karyogamy is unique for Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. These fungi show a high flexibility of sexuality by the gradual reduction of sexual processes in the teleomorphs and the occurrence of genetic recombination processes in the anamorphs. Our lack of knowledge about such details of development in most species of fungi justifies maintaining the unique morph terms "anamorph" and "teleomorph" in mycology instead of an incorrectly simplified application of the ontogenetic terms "asexual" and "sexual." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Sociedad Micologica de Madrid. Boletin is the property of Sociedad Micologica de Madrid and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Five macrofungi are reported for the first time from Bulgaria. One species (Podophacidium xanthomelum) belongs to Ascomycota and four species (Arrhenia obatra, A. sphagnicola, Marasmius curreyi, and Thelephora penicillata) belong to Basidiomycota. Podophacidium (Helotiales) is new to the country at generic level. Descriptions and illustrations of the studied specimens are provided. New localities of about twelve macrofungi are also reported. Five of them (Arrhenia lobata, A. onisca, A. spathulata, Guepinia helvelloides and Hericium flagellum) are of high conservation value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphological and molecular phylogenetic studies of true morels (Morchella) in North America, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Peru led to the discovery of four undescribed species of Morchella. Two new species in the Elata clade, one from the Dominican Republic, initially distinguished by the informal designation Mel-18, and a newly discovered sister species from northern Arizona, are now recognized. Mel-18 is described as a novel phylogenetically distinct species, M. hispaniolensis. Its sister species from Arizona is described as M. kaibabensis, also recovered as an endophyte of Rocky Mountain juniper. Two additional species in the Esculenta clade, M. peruviana discovered in Peru and M. gracilis (previously reported as Mes-14) from the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and Ecuador, are described as new. We also demonstrate that scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging of ascospores using rehydration/dehydration/critical point drying preparation techniques provides for enhanced resolution of spore wall surfaces, thereby increasing the number of morphological traits available to assess differences among otherwise closely related species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eight taxa from the pezizalean genus Octospora have been so far reported from Bulgaria. Data on the known distribution in the country are presented. Octospora gyalectoides and O. musci-muralis var. musci-muralis are recorded for the first time in Bulgaria. Concise descriptions and illustrations of the studied specimens are provided. New localities of O. leucoloma are also reported. These three Octospora taxa are bryoparasitic fungi growing on or among mosses. The associated bryophytes have been identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a mycological research performed in the Sjeverni Velebit National Park, Croatia, a new species of Coprotus was discovered, described here as C. epithecioides. Along with the microscopic examination, phylogenetic analysis of the type material, based on ITS and LSU sequences, was performed in order to evaluate its relationship with the type species, C. sexdecimsporus. The type species was sequenced in this study for the first time, providing ITS and LSU sequences from two separate collections which displayed differences in macroscopic characters and content of paraphyses. An extended description of C. sexdecimsporus based on Croatian material is also provided. A worldwide identification key to the species assigned to the genus Coprotus is presented, along with a species overview, containing a data matrix. The phylogenetic position of Coprotus in the Boubovia-Coprotus clade within Pyronemataceae s.l. is discussed. Coprotus sexdecimsporus is also reported here as new to the Croatian mycobiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Czech Mycology is the property of Czech Scientific Society for Mycology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Helvella is a widespread, speciose genus of large apothecial ascomycetes (Pezizomycete: Pezizales) that are found in terrestrial biomes of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. This study represents a beginning on assessing species limits and applying correct names for Helvella species based on type material and specimens in the university herbaria (fungaria) of Copenhagen (C), Harvard (FH) and Oslo (O). We use morphology and phylogenetic evidence from four loci - heat shock protein 90 (hsp), translation elongation factor alpha (tef), RNA polymerase II (rpb2) and the nuclear large subunit ribosomal DNA (LSU) - to assess species boundaries in an expanded sample of Helvella specimens from Europe. We combine the morphological and phylogenetic information from 55 Helvella species from Europe with a small sample of Helvella species from other regions of the world. Little intraspecific variation was detected within the species using these molecular markers; hsp and rpb2 markers provided useful barcodes for species delimitation in this genus, while LSU provided more variable resolution among the pertinent species. We discuss typification issues and identify molecular characteristics for 55 European Helvella species, designate neo- and epitypes for 30 species, and describe seven Helvella species new to science, i.e., H. alpicola, H. alpina, H. carnosa, H. danica, H. nannfeldtii, H. pubescens and H. scyphoides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Bulletin of the Faculty of Forestry, University of Banja Luka / Glasnik Šumarskog Fakulteta Univerziteta u Banjoj Luci is the property of University of Banja Luka, Faculty of Forestry and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A new species in the Sarcoscyphaceae from the Samoan Islands, Cookeina cremeirosea , is described and illustrated. This species is morphologically and phylogenetically distinct from the other eight species that are currently accepted for the genus. It is closely related to the Asian species Cookeina indica from which it can be separated by color and spore morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper discusses occurrence of Mattirolomyces terfezioides in Bulgaria, presenting the easternmost locality in Europe known so far. Description and illustrations of the first Bulgarian collections are included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three species of Helvella were collected from Jiuzhaigou Natural Reserve, southwestern China. Helvella maculatoides sp. nov. is described and illustrated from specimens collected on moss. Helvella subglabra and H. ulvinenii are recorded for the first time from China. Our new collections were confirmed to be divergent from other species of Helvella based on morphological examination and molecular phylogenetic analyses of ITS and 28S sequence data. Descriptions and figures are provided for the taxa which are compared with allied taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We constructed a comprehensive phylogeny of the genus Genea, with new molecular data from samples collected in several countries in temperate and Mediterranean Europe, as well as North America. Type specimens and authentic material of most species were examined to support identifications. The molecular identity of the most common species in Genea was compared with nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS), D1-D2 domains of 28S nuc rDNA (28S rDNA) and translation elongation factor 1-a gene (TEF1) profiles of 10 recently proposed taxa, G. brunneocarpa, G. compressa, G. dentata, G. fageticola, G. lobulata, G. oxygala, G. pinicola, G. pseudobalsleyi, G. pseudoverrucosa and G. tuberculata, supporting their status as distinct species. Genea mexicana and G. thaxteri on the one hand and G. sphaerica and G. lespiaultii on the other are closely related. Multiple lineages were recorded for G. verrucosa and G. fragrans, but we found no morphological traits to discriminate among them, so we tentatively interpreted them as cryptic species. A key to species of the genus Genea is provided to facilitate identification. We provide macroscopic images of fresh specimens and of representative spores of most species. Finally, we conducted a molecular analysis of the divergence time for Genea and discuss the implications of our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphological and molecular phylogenetic studies of true morels (Morchella) in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador resulted in the discovery of two undescribed species in the M. elata clade that we initially distinguished by the informal designations Mel-19 and Mel-36. The latter species, also collected in New Brunswick, Canada, is hitherto known only from the St Lawrence River Basin. Mel-36 is described here as a novel, phylogenetically distinct species, M. laurentiana. Before the discovery of Mel-19 in Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick and Washington state it was only known from central China and central and northern Europe. Mel-19 is described here as a novel species, M. eohespera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Desmazierella acicola (anamorph Verticicladium trifidum, Chorioactidaceae) represents a frequent colonizer of pine needles in litter. Considering the global diversity and distribution of pine species, we expected different phylogenetic lineages to exist in different geographical and climatic areas inhabited by these hosts. We compared DNA sequence data with phenotypic characteristics (morphology of the anamorph and growth at three different temperatures) of 43 strains isolated mostly from pine and also spruce needle litter sampled in various geographical areas. Analyses of ITS rDNA recovered eight geographically structured lineages. Fragments of genes for the translation elongation factor 1-a, and the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II reproduced similar lineages, although not all of them were monophyletic. The similarity in ITS sequences among the clade with samples from Continental-Atlantic Europe and four other clades was lower than 95%. Several lineages exhibit also a tendency toward host specificity to a particular pine species. Growth tests at different temperatures indicated a different tolerance to specific climatic conditions in different geographic areas. However, the surveyed phenotypic characteristics also showed high variation within lineages, most evident in the morphology of the anamorph. Until a morphological study of the teleomorph is carried out, all of these lineages should be treated as distinct populations within a single species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In this article, 16 larger ascomycetes of the orders Helotiales, Rhytismatales and Pezizales are reported for Bulgaria. One of them, Octospora similis is a new record for the country. Seven species are of high conservation value and are included in the Red List of Fungi in Bulgaria. Four of them (Critically Endangered and Endangered) are listed also in the Red Data Book of the Republic of Bulgaria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colonies of Costantinella species growing on soil, moss and woody debris in the autumn in the inland Pacific Northwest USA were established in culture. Five different mitospore taxa were distinguished based on colony color, presence or absence of setae and internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) rDNA amplicon size. Sequence data from the largest and second largest subunits of RNA polymerase II, translation elongation factor 1-a, D1 and D2 domains of nuclear large subunit rDNA and ITS were used to connect each of the distinct mitospore taxa to corresponding vernal-fruiting Pezizales, including Disciotis cf. venosa, Gyromitra cf. esculenta and three species of Morchella. Both meiospore and mitospore stages of Morchella brunnea and M. populiphila collected in spring and autumn within a meter of each other at two urban sites had identical multilocus haplotypes, providing evidence connecting the two stages of the life cycle. Among other Morchella mitospore stages collected, some had identical haplotypes to previously sampled meiospore stages, while others were distinct, possibly representing undescribed species. Mitospore isolates with sequences assigning them to Disciotis or Gyromitra had different haplotypes from meiospore stages occurring in the same area. Meiospore stages of Disciotis and Gyromitra sampled as part of the study were also genetically distinct from European collections of D. venosa and G. esculenta, indicating more diversity is present in these taxa than is reflected in the current taxonomy. The widespread occurrence of mitospore stages of these fungi suggests that the life cycles of morels, false morels and allied taxa are more complex than previously recognized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genera Hypotarzetta Donadini, Pseudombrophila Boud., Pustularia Bonord., Pyronema Carus, Tricharina Eckblad (Pyronemataceae Corda), and Thecotheus Boud. (Ascobolaceae Boud. ex Sacc.) are recorded from Turkey for the first time based on the collections of Hypotarzetta insignis (Berthet & Riousset) Donadini, Pseudombrophila merdaria (Fr.) Brumm., Pustularia patavina (Cooke & Sacc.) Boud., Pyronema omphalodes (Bull.: Fr.) Fuckel, Tricharina gilva (Boud. ex Cooke) Eckblad, and Thecotheus pelletieri (P. Crouan & H. Crouan) Boud., respectively. Short descriptions and photographs of the taxa related to their macro- and micromorphologies are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Applying early names, with or without original material, to genealogical species is challenging. For morels this task is especially difficult because of high morphological stasis and high plasticity of apothecium color and shape. Here we propose a nomenclatural revision of true morels (Morchella, Pezizales) from Europe and North America, based on molecular phylogenetic analyses of portions of the genes for RNA polymerase II largest subunit (RPB1) and second largest subunit (RPB2), translation elongation factor-1a (TEF1), the nuc rDNA region encompassing the internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2, along with the 5.8S rDNA (ITS), and partial nuc 28S rDNA D1-D2 domains (28S). The 107 newly sequenced collections were from both continents, including 48 types, together with previously published sequences. Names are applied to 30 of the 65 currently recognized genealogical species. Results of the present study revealed that the number of Morchella species in Europe (n = 21) is nearly identical to that in North America (n = 22). Only seven species were found on both continents, consistent with previous reports of high continental endemism within the genus. Presently it is not possible to tell whether the transoceanic disjunctions were due to human activities, migration across a Bering land bridge or long-distance dispersal. In an effort to stabilize the taxonomy, due in part to the recent publication of synonyms for 11 of the species, accepted names are presented together with their corresponding later synonyms. A new subclade that includes holotypes of M. castanea and M. brunneorosea is identified in sect. Morchella (Esculenta Clade). Lectotypes for Morchella deliciosa, M. eximia and M. tridentina are designated here, as well as epitypes for M. dunalii, M. eximia, M. purpurascens and M. vulgaris. Morchella conica was determined to be illegitimate, and further research is required to determine the identity of M. elata and M. inamoena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, new information is provided on five interesting and uncommon Ascomycetes of Greece: Pseudoboubovia benkertii, Leucoscypha patavina, Pithya cupressina, Pulvinula archeri and Sowerbyella radiculata. The presentation consists of descriptions of the above specimens, which were collected in different Greek areas, and is accompanied by illustrations of macromorphological and microscopic features of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peziza emileia Cooke and P. howsei Roze & Boud. are compared here; they are morphologically very similar, but the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence is unique for each of the two species. Furthermore, since the holotype of P. emileia deposited in Kew (K) contains an unidentified fungus and the holotype of P. howsei in Paris (PC) no longer exists, we provide lectotypification and epitypification for both taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abundant fruiting of a black morel was encountered in temperate northwestern New South Wales (NSW), Australia, during a mycological survey in Sep 2010. The site was west of the Great Dividing Range in a young, dry sclerophyll forest dominated by Eucalyptus and Callitris north of Coonabarabran in an area known as the Pilliga Scrub. Although the Pilliga Scrub is characterized by frequent and often large, intense wildfires, the site showed no sign of recent fire, which suggests this species is not a postfire morel. Caps of the Morchella data-like morel were brown with blackish ridges supported by a pubescent stipe that became brown at maturity. Because no morel has been described as native to Australia, the collections were subjected to multilocus molecular phylogenetic and morphological analyses to assess its identity. Results of these analyses indicated that our collection, together with collections from NSW and Victoria, represented a novel, genealogically exclusive lineage, which is described and illustrated here as Morchella australiana T. F. Elliott, Bougher, O'Donnell & Trappe, sp. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Mycologia Montenegrina is the property of University of Montenegro, Biotechnical Faculty Mycological Center and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A new species of Donadinia is described from Russia, based on morphological and phylogenetic studies. Colour pictures of fresh specimens, microscopic plates, and a ITS-28S nLSU phylogenetic tree, as well as a comprehensive discussion and a key on the known species of the genus are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rare apothecial, cupulate fungus Geopora pellita ( Pyronemataceae) is characterized by a uniquely bright yellow-orange excipulum. We here re-examine its affiliations by use of morphological, molecular phylogenetic and ultrastructural analyses. G. pellita appears as phylogenetically rather isolated, being the sister group of a clade comprising Phaeangium, Picoa, the majority of the Tricharina species, and the remaining Geopora species. Based on its phylogenetic position and its unique combination of morphological characters, we assign G. pellita to Hoffmannoscypha, gen. nov., as H. pellita, comb. nov. As in a previous study, analyses of both large subunit (LSU) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) ribosomal DNA suggest that the remaining genus Geopora is paraphyletic, with the hypogeous, ptychothecial type species more closely related to Picoa and Phaeangium than to the greyish-brownish cupulate and apothecial Geopora spp., indicating that the latter should be reassigned to the genus Sepultaria. The current study also shows that ITS confirm LSU data regarding the polyphyly of Tricharina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ascomycete class Pezizomycetes (single order Pezizales) is known for its cup-shaped fruit bodies and the evolution of edible truffles and morels, but little is known about the ontogeny and ecology of this large and ecologically diverse fungal group. In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Healy et al. () make a great leap forward by describing and identifying asexual, anamorphic structures that produce mitotic spores in many ectomycorrhiza-forming truffle and nontruffle species on soil surfaces worldwide (Fig. ). Although such anamorphic forms have been reported sporadically from certain ectomycorrhizal and saprotrophic Pezizomycetes (e.g. Warcup ), Healy et al. () demonstrate that these terricolous asexual forms are both taxonomically and geographically more widespread and, in fact, much more common than previously understood. We anticipate that deeper insight into other substrates, provided by molecular analyses of materials such as dead wood and seeds, is likely to reveal numerous anamorphs of saprotrophic and pathogenic Pezizomycetes as well (see Marek et al. ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal mitospores may function as dispersal units and/ or spermatia and thus play a role in distribution and/or mating of species that produce them. Mitospore production in ectomycorrhizal (EcM) Pezizales is rarely reported, but here we document mitospore production by a high diversity of EcM Pezizales on three continents, in both hemispheres. We sequenced the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and partial large subunit (LSU) nuclear rDNA from 292 spore mats (visible mitospore clumps) collected in Argentina, Chile, China, Mexico and the USA between 2009 and 2012. We collated spore mat ITS sequences with 105 fruit body and 47 EcM root sequences to generate operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Phylogenetic inferences were made through analyses of both molecular data sets. A total of 48 OTUs from spore mats represented six independent EcM Pezizales lineages and included truffles and cup fungi. Three clades of seven OTUs have no known meiospore stage. Mitospores failed to germinate on sterile media, or form ectomycorrhizas on Quercus, Pinus and Populus seedlings, consistent with a hypothesized role of spermatia. The broad geographic range, high frequency and phylogenetic diversity of spore mats produced by EcM Pezizales suggests that a mitospore stage is important for many species in this group in terms of mating, reproduction and/or dispersal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]