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Three species of Cortinarius subg. Phlegmacium, Cortinarius argutus Fr. and Cortinarius hedyaromaticus C. Cripps & O.K. Mill. (section Arguti stat. nov.) and Cortinarius talus Fr. (section Multiformes), are compared from western North America and Europe. Phylogenetic analysis of the ITS region shows that C. argutus and C. hedyaromaticus are separate, closely related species with rooting stipes. Cortinarius talus is a pale species with a bulbous stipe and a sweet odor similar to that of C. hedyaromaticus; C. argutus lacks this sweet odor. All three species have intercontinental distributions and are associated with deciduous trees, primarily Populus tremuloides Michx., Populus tremula L., but also Salix spp. This study highlights the importance of the study of type specimens and molecular analysis to stabilize the application of established names. Keywords: ITS, molecular systematics, taxonomy, Agaricales, Cortinariaceae, Salicales. Trois especes de Cortinarius subg. Phlegmacium, Cortinarius argutus Fr. et Cortinarius hedyaromaticus C. Cripps & O.K. Mill. (section Arguti stat. nov.) et Cortinarius talus Fr. (section Multiformes) de l'ouest de l'Amerique du Nord et d'Europe sont comparees. L'analyse phylogenetique de la region de l'espaceur transcrit interne montre que C. argutus et C. hedyaromaticus sont des especes separees etroitement reliees possedant des stipes d'enracinement. Cortinarius talus est une espece pale a stipe bulbeux et a odeur mielleuse, similaire a celle de C. hedyaromaticus; C. argutus est depourvu de cette odeur mielleuse. Les trois especes ont une distribution intercontinentale et sont associees aux arbres decidus, principalement Populus tremuloides Michx., Populus tremula L. et aussi Salix spp. Cette etude souligne l'importance de l'etude de specimens types et de l'analyse moleculaire afin de stabiliser l'application de noms etablis. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: espaceur transcrit interne, systematique, taxonomie, Agaricales, Cortinariaceae, Salicales., Introduction A number of papers have treated one or more species of Cortinarius associated with Salix and (or) Populus in Europe and North America, including Lamoure 1977,1978, Ammirati and Laursen [...]

Abstract: Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis Engelm.) is unique as the only stone pine in North America. This species has declined 40%-90% throughout its range owing to blister rust infection, mountain [...]

Russula (Russulales) is an important ectomycorrhizal fungal genus in Arctic and alpine regions where it occurs with Salix, Betula, Dryas, and Polygonum, yet a complex phylogenetic analysis of the genus in these habitats is lacking. This research compared collections of Russula from the Rocky Mountain alpine (Colorado, Montana, Wyoming) with reference specimens from Arctic and alpine habitats, mostly in Europe, using an in-depth morphological study and a phylogenetic analysis of the nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer region ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS barcode) and the second largest subunit of the RNA polymerase II gene (rpb2). One hundred thirty-nine Russula collections were sequenced, including type material. Ten species are reported from alpine or treeline habitats in the Rocky Mountains. This is the first formal report of R. cf. altaica, R. saliceticola, and R. subrubens from the Rocky Mountains and of R. purpureofusca in North America. Russula laevis is reported for the first time under this name with a voucher, and not as an environmental sample. Previous reports of R. nana and R. laccata are molecularly confirmed. Two species are reported from subalpine habitats at treeline: R. montana with conifers and R. cf. altaica with Betula. In this study, R. laccata, R. subrubens, and R. laevis were collected in alpine habitats but have been reported below treeline in Europe; these species may also be present at lower elevations in North America. Most species have an intercontinental distribution and have been reported in other alpine or Arctic habitats. Two unidentified and potentially new species were only found in North America and are discussed. A key to the alpine Russulas of North America is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inocybe (Inocybaceae) is one of the most diverse ectomycorrhizal genera in arctic and alpine habitats where the primary hosts are Salix, Betula, and Dryas. Subgenus Inocybe is common in these habitats and typically characterized by the presence of thick-walled pleurocystidia. Here, we focus on species that have angular or nodulose spores. Historically, over 30 taxa from this group have been reported from arctic and alpine habitats. Many names have been synonymized, whereas molecular analysis has revealed new species. Nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS) sequence data of 26 type specimens in this group now allow for further taxonomic clarification and comparison across continents of disjunct populations. Here, we compare ITS sequence data and the D1–D2 portion of nuc 28S rDNA (28S) from Rocky Mountain specimens with those of types and European reference material. We report 10 species from the Rocky Mountain alpine zone, all of which are conspecific with known European boreal, montane, or alpine species, and four are described as new; all have intercontinental distributions. Nodulose-spored Inocybe taxa that occur in the Rocky Mountain alpine zone include I. alpinomarginata, sp. nov., I. arctica, I. giacomi, I. leonina, I. murina, sp. nov., I. occulta, I. paragiacomi, sp. nov., I. phaeocystidiosa, I. purpureobadia, and I. subgiacomi, sp. nov. Remarkably, these species occur at elevations up to 4000 m and at latitudes as low as 36°N, hundreds of miles from the Arctic, the European alpine, and original type localities. Distributions are explained in part by host distributions and historical glaciation patterns. A key and full descriptions for Rocky mountain species are provided to promote species recognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous taxa of Hebeloma have been reported in association with Salix, Dryas, and Betula in arctic-alpine habitats. However, species are notoriously difficult to delineate because morphological features overlap, and previously there was little reliable molecular data available. Recent progress in ITS-sequencing within the genus, coupled with an extensive database of parametrically described collections, now allows comparisons between species and their distributions. Here we report 16 species of Hebeloma from the Rocky Mountain alpine zone from some of the lowest latitudes (latitude 36°-45°N) and highest elevations (3000-4000 m) for arctic-alpine fungi in the northern hemisphere. Twelve of these species have been reported from arcticalpine habitats in Europe and Greenland and are now molecularly confirmed from the Middle and Southern Rockies, greatly expanding their distribution. These are: Hebeloma alpinum, H. aurantioumbrinum, H. dunense, H. hiemale, H. marginatulum, H. mesophaeum, H. nigellum, H. oreophilum, H. subconcolor, H. spetsbergense, H. vaccinum, and H. velutipes. Hebeloma hygrophilum is known from subalpine habitats in Europe, but was never recorded in arctic-alpine ecology. Three species recorded from the Rockies, but as yet not reported from Europe, are H. alpinicola, H. avellaneum, and H. excedens. The last two have never previously been reported from an arctic-alpine habitat. For all three of these species, the holotypes have been studied morphologically and molecularly, and have been incorporated into the analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: In western North America ectomycorrhizal fungi are critical to establishment of conifers in low nitrogen soils. Fire can affect both ectomycorrhizal fungi and soil properties, and inoculation with ectomycorrhizal fungi is recommended when planting on burns for restoration. The aim of this study was to examine how Suillus species used in inoculation affect whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis L.) seedlings planted in fire-impacted soil.Methods: In a greenhouse experiment, Suillus-colonized and uncolonized whitebark pine seedlings were planted in unsterilized and sterilized (control) soil from a recent burn. After 6 months, foliar nitrogen and carbon content, concentration, and stable isotope values were assessed, along with growth parameters.Results: When seedlings were colonized, biomass was 61% greater, foliar nitrogen content 25% higher, foliar nitrogen concentration 30-63% lower; needles had lower δ15N and higher δ13C. Differences were more pronounced in sterilized soil where colonization was higher. Foliar N content was negatively correlated with δ15N values.Conclusions: Colonization by host-specific fungi produced larger seedlings with higher foliar nitrogen content in both burn soils. The hypothesis that ectomycorrhizal fungi on roots fractionate nitrogen isotopes leading to lower δ15N in needles is supported. This helps explain restoration outcomes, and bridges the gap between field and in vitro investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Designer niches in which environmental variables are controlled are useful in forest restoration to enhance survival of planted tree seedlings. Here, we evaluate particular manipulated habitats, on site variables, and pre-seedling conditions hypothesized to improve the survival rate of whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) seedlings out-planted in Waterton Lakes National Park. The tree species is in peril due to blister rust and mountain pine beetle infestations in its range; and is a restoration priority in Waterton Lakes because populations in the park are highly infected with blister rust (up to 90%). At Summit Lake, 21 plots were set up and half of each was terra-torched; 1000 seedlings were planted in clusters of three, under four conditions: on burned areas in burned beargrass mats, in burned areas where beargrass mats were not present, in unburned areas where beargrass was present, and in unburned areas without beargrass. This study reports data for the seventh year after planting, and overall, survival was 53% for individual seedlings and at least one seedling survived in 60.8% of clusters. Planting in burned areas increased cluster survival (by 34.3%, p ˂ 0.0001) and planting near microsites increased cluster survival (by 19.3%, p ˂ 0.0001); the type of microsite did not make a difference. Planting in beargrass mats decreased survival, but not significantly (8.9%, p = 0.11) and this was true for burns, not unburned areas. Inoculation with native ectomycorrhizal fungi did not enhance survival most likely because controls on lightly terra-torched and unburned areas had access to local native fungi. This is the first study to report statistics on the planting of seedlings in clusters; the results need to be compared with studies where seedlings are planted individually. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A review of the article "Influence of Site Conditions, Shelter Objects, and Ectomycorrhizal Inoculation on the Early Survival of Whitebark Pine Seedlings Planted in Waterton Lakes National Park," by Erin R. Lonergan, Cathy L. Cripps, and Cyndi M. Smith, is presented.