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We present a new record for the polypore Meripilus giganteus (Fr.) P. Karst., 1882 from Dubki Park, Saint Petersburg, Russia. This is one of the northernmost records in Europe for this species. The morphological description of M. giganteus LE 287654 is given and its ecological preferences, which highlight an unusual ecological situation of this species in Dubki Park, are discussed.

The purpose of this study was to compile a comprehensive characterization of little-known polypores, which have recently been found to possess anticancer activity and thus can also be used in cancer target therapy. Haploporus odorus is a polypore of Holarctic distribution and has been found by harvesters working in taiga floodlands and broadleaf forests of the Northern Hemisphere. A substance known as haploporic acid A was determined in methylene chloride extract from the dried basidiomata of H. odorus. This substance can be used in cancer therapy; more details of its health benefits could be used in mycotherapy.

The purpose of this study was to comprehensively characterize little-known polypores that have recently been found to possess anticancer activity and thus can be used in targeted cancer therapy. Funalia trogii is a polypore with bipolar distribution and has been found by harvesters working in taiga forests, broadleaf forests, and forest-steppes of the Holarctic, and in semiarid temperate forests of the Southern Hemisphere. Substances such as gibberellic acid, abscisic acid, indole-3-acetic acid, and natural cytokinin were determined in culture media of F. trogii. Also, laccases and peroxidases of spare action have been reported in F. trogii culture media. All of the aforementioned substances can be used in targeted cancer therapy, but further investigation of F. trogii is recommended; more details of its health benefits could expand its use in mycotherapy.

Herein we present a checklist of aphyllophoroid fungi of the Solovetsky Archipelago, located in the White Sea(Arkhangesk Region, European Russia). The annotated list contains 275 species belonging to 139 genera of aphyllophoroidbasidiomycetes (Agaricomycetes, Basidiomycota). Eight species (Athelia bombacina, Ceraceomyces tessulatus,Clavariadelphus truncatus, Clavaria zollingeri, Clavulinopsis luteoalba, Hyphoderma obtusiforme, Phanerochaetejose-ferreirae, and Ramaria obtusissima) are recorded from the Arkhangelsk Region for the first time, and 23 species were recorded for the first time from the Solovetsky Archipelago. Most records are documented by herbariumspecimens.

The analysis of the occurrence of aphyllophoroid fungi on islands of the Kiy Archipelago (Onezhskiy District, Arkhangelsk Region) is carried out for the first time. In total, 150 species of aphyllophoroid fungi were revealed. Among them, 10 species (Amylocorticium suaveolens, Athelia phialophora, Atheloderma orientale, Dichomitus campestris, Odonticium septocystidia, Oxyporus millavensis, Postia floriformis, P. perdelicata, Scytinostroma parvisporum, Xylodon detriticus) are indicated for the Arkhangelsk Region for the first time. A majority of the species revealed are saprotrophs on dead wood. The highest number of species (65) was recorded from Pinus sylvestris - the main stand-former in the archipelago. In local areas of floodplain ecotopes 36 alder-associated and 32 willow-associated species were recorded. Because of heavy human pressure on the archipelago's ecosystems, only 7 ground-dwelling aphyllophoroid species were revealed (Coltricia perennis, Hydnellum aurantiacum, H. ferrugineum, H. suaveolens, Phellodon tomentosus, Sarcodon imbricatus, Thelephora terrestris). Botryohypochnus isabellinus was found on fruit bodies of basidiomycetes, and Typhula setipes was spotted on fallen alder leaves. 18 species are considered as indicators of biologically valuable forests, 7 species are included in regional Red Data Books.

The purpose of this study was to comprehensively characterize a little-known polypore that has recently been found to possess anticancer activity and thus can also be used in targeted cancer therapy. Earliella scabrosa is a polypore with pantropical distribution and can be found in rainforests in both the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. Some reports have described its antioxidant properties and free radical scavenging ability. Moreover, isocoumarin, which has been successfully used in targeted cancer therapy, was found in extracts of this fungus. We recommend further research of E. scabrosa so that more details of its health benefits could be used in mycotherapy.

The paper deals with the species diversity of aphyllophoroid fungi of the Valaam Archipelago (Lake Ladoga) and the Solovetsky Archipelago (White Sea). Survey findings amounted to 156 species in the Valaam Archipelago, and to 247 species in the Solovki. Approximate species diversity for the two territories can be estimated at 230–240 and 300–310 species, respectively. The two archipelagos had 117 species in common; and 19 species were recorded from insular areas only. The Sorensen–Czekanowsky distance between the areas is 0.58. Ecological analysis of the biodiversity showed that mesophilic species dominate in both areas, but the Valaam mycobiota features a higher share of xerophyles. Geographic analysis demonstrated the prevalence of multiregional and Holarctic species widely distributed through several (including boreal) zones. In the trophic aspect, the prevailing group is saprotrophs. The role of facultative species pathogenic for spruce, aspen and birch is higher than in the corresponding mainland areas. There are 28 epigeous species, 10 species are associated with old polypore fruit bodies, and 1 species was found on pine cones. The rare and vulnerable species list contains 35 items. It is demonstrated that insular ecosystems are significant reservoirs of fungal biodiversity. Some peculiarities of insular ecosystems in comparison to the mainland were revealed, as well as anthropogenic changes in the composition of rare and indicator species of aphyllophoroid fungi.

The present paper summarizes morphological, taxonomical, and biodiversity information on the important medicinal mushroom genus Trametes on a global scale. An identification key enriched by sufficient morphological descriptions is given for 64 recognized species of this genus. Each species is characterized in its global distribution and also in current or potential medicinal use. Thirteen new combinations were made as follows: Trametes apiaria (Pers.) Zmitr., Wasser & Ezhov; T. flavida (Lev.) Zmitr., Wasser & Ezhov; T. glabrorigens (Lloyd) Zmitr., Wasser & Ezhov; T. hirta (P. Beauv.) Zmitr., Wasser & Ezhov; T. hostmannii (Berk.) Zmitr., Wasser & Ezhov; T. niam-niamensis (P. Henn.) Zmitr., Wasser & Ezhov; T. quarrei (Beeli) Zmitr., Wasser & Ezhov; T. speciosa (Fr.) Zmitr., Wasser & Ezhov; T. strumosa (Fr.) Zmitr., Wasser & Ezhov; T. variegata (Berk.) Zmitr., Wasser & Ezhov; T. vernicipes (Berk.) Zmitr., Wasser & Ezhov; T. vespacea (Pers.) Zmitr., Wasser & Ezhov; and T. warnieri (Durieu & Mont.) Zmitr., Wasser & Ezhov.

This paper provides additions to the biota of aphyllophoroid fungi of the Solovetsky Archipelago. To date, the list includes 307 species of aphyllophoroid fungi, 22 of them are found only in the territory in question. A previously published list was supplemented with 31 species of aphyllophoroid fungi, including 9 species new for the Arkhangelsk Region (Craterellus tubaeformis, Hypochnicium erikssonii, Phellodon melaleucus, Pterula gracilis, Sistotrema alboluteum, Trechispora invisitata, T. kavinioides, T. stevensonii, Tubulicrinis accedens). In addition, new data on 13 species of ascomycetes, including 6 new for the Arkhangelsk Region (Gyromitra infula, Humaria hemisphaerica, Hypoxylon fragiforme, Peziza badia, Trichoderma pulvinatum, T. viride), 3 species of dacrymyce-tes and 39 species of agaricomycetes, including 19 new for the region (Amanita fulva, A. muscaria, Boletus edulis, B. paluster, Clitocybe gibba, Coprinus comatus, Cortinarius armillatus, C. caperatus, C. sanguineus, C. traganus, Laccaria laccata, Lachnella albo-violascens, Lycoperdon perlatum, L. utriforme, Mycena haematopus, Pholiota squar-rosa, Pleurotus ostreatus, Russula aeruginea, Sebacina grisea) are provided. The state of knowledge about aphyllophoroid fungi on different substrates was analyzed. The correlation between the number of species and the habitat was discussed. The number of species increased especially notably along with stand density. Quite high substrate specificity was demonstrated. Almost every fifth of the species that we found only on the main forest-forming tree species was encountered sporadically. The Turing coefficient for the Solovetsky Archipelago is 67.3 %. The territory has been found to harbor 17 species listed in Red Data Books of adjacent areas and 33 indicator species, including 24 indicators of old-growth and 9 of very old spruce and pine forests. The forests of the archipelago can therefore be considered particularly valuable. The group of aphyllophoroid fungi has been studied quite thoroughly, while data on other groups of macromycetes are still scarce.