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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]

Neottiella albocincta (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) Sacc., N. rutilans (Fr.) Dennis, Octospora maireana (Seaver) Yei Z. Wang, and O. texensis Benkert are reported for the first time from Mexico. These species, all belonging to the family Pyronemataceae, have close relationships with several species of mosses such as those in the genera Archidium Brid., Atrichum P. Beauv., and Polytrichum Hedw. The specimens were collected in montane cloud forest, riparian and Quercus forest in the states of Puebla and Tamaulipas. With the addition of these species, the number of bryosymbiotic fungi in Mexico increases to five.

ABSTRACT 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.

In the present study, fungal samples collected from Enez and Süloğlu districts of Edirne Province, in Türkiye with the help of truffle-detecting dogs were analyzed. The macroscopic features and environmental details of the collection sites were documented in their natural habitats. The samples were investigated with light- and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and were also used in ITS rDNA-based molecular phylogenetic analysis, which revealed that they belong to Delastria rosea Tul. amp; C. Tul. The identification was further supported by morphological data. This is the first record of D. rosea in Türkiye at the genus and species level. A brief description of the newly reported species is provided. Macro- and microphotographs of the spores taken by both ligth and electron microscop (SEM). With this study, the number of genera and species of Turkish truffles and truffle-like fungi has increased to 36 and 105, respectively.

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]

In the present study, fungal samples collected from Enez and Süloğlu districts of Edirne Province, in Türkiye with the help of truffle-detecting dogs were analyzed. The macroscopic features and environmental details of the collection sites were documented in their natural habitats. The samples were investigated with light- and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and were also used in ITS rDNA-based molecular phylogenetic analysis, which revealed that they belong to Delastria rosea Tul. & C. Tul. The identification was further supported by morphological data. This is the first record of D. rosea in Türkiye at the genus and species level. A brief description of the newly reported species is provided. Macroand microphotographs of the spores taken by both ligth and electron microscop (SEM). With this study, the number of genera and species of Turkish truffles and truffle-like fungi has increased to 36 and 105, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

We report for the first time a case of disseminated infection caused by Peziza ostracoderma, a mold not previously associated with invasive infections in humans. P. ostracoderma occurs in natural and sterilized soil and may cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis in greenhouse workers. The immunocompromised patient presented with neutropenic fever that did not respond to broad-spectrum antibiotics and developed multiple skin and lung lesions. A skin biopsy demonstrated an angioinvasive mold, identified as Peziza ostracoderma by culture and DNA sequencing. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for amphotericin B was 0.125 mg/L, for isavuconazole 0.125 mg/L, for voriconazole 0.06 mg/L, and for posaconazole 0.03 mg/L. The skin lesions have resolved completely, and the lung lesions have decreased significantly in size after 14 months of mold-active antifungal therapy, mostly isavuconazole. In conclusion, Peziza species can be opportunistic pathogens causing considerable morbidity in immunocompromised hosts. The infection may be successfully treated with mold-active antifungal drugs.

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]

We report for the first time a case of disseminated infection caused by Peziza ostracoderma , a mold not previously associated with invasive infections in humans. P. ostracoderma occurs in natural and sterilized soil and may cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis in greenhouse workers. The immunocompromised patient presented with neutropenic fever that did not respond to broad-spectrum antibiotics and developed multiple skin and lung lesions. A skin biopsy demonstrated an angioinvasive mold, identified as Peziza ostracoderma by culture and DNA sequencing. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for amphotericin B was 0.125 mg/L, for isavuconazole 0.125 mg/L, for voriconazole 0.06 mg/L, and for posaconazole 0.03 mg/L. The skin lesions have resolved completely, and the lung lesions have decreased significantly in size after 14 months of mold-active antifungal therapy, mostly isavuconazole. In conclusion, Peziza species can be opportunistic pathogens causing considerable morbidity in immunocompromised hosts. The infection may be successfully treated with mold-active antifungal drugs. • Peziza ostracoderma may cause angioinvasive infection in immunocompromised hosts. • Genomic methods are useful in the diagnostics of fungal infections of unknown origin. • Peziza ostracoderma may be treated with mold-active azoles or amphotericin B. [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]

Several species of Gyromitra are highly poisonous when consumed raw the presence of gyromitrin. In this study, Gyromitra specimens deposited in the Korea National Arboretum were re-examined and subjected to molecular sequence analysis. G. gigas, G. aff. perlata, and G. tianshanensis were identified based on their morphological features and molecular phylogenetic analysis for the first time in Korea. Furthermore, internal transcribed spacer and 28S rRNA sequences of G. esculenta and G. infula were analyzed to confirm their phylogeny.

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]

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. globulosus from Thailand, one new species, A. rufus, two known species, 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. A key to Acervus species is also given.

The paper reports data on pyrophilous ascomycetes collected in 2017-2019 during a mycological survey in the Holosiivskyi National Nature Park (Kyiv, Ukraine). Sixteen species belonging to the Pezizomycetes were found. Among them, Tricharina praecox and Octospora similis were collected in Ukraine for the first time. Substrates, localities, data on general distribution and some notes about these species are presented. Ecological peculiarities of all species are briefly discussed.

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]

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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]

Se registra por primera vez al género Morchella Dill. ex Pers. (Ascomycota, Pezizales), único representante de la familia Morchellaceae para la micobiota Colombiana. El ascocarpo fue recolectado en un bosque muy húmedo premontano, en la vereda Santa Helena, municipio de Gachalá, departamento de Cundinamarca. El espécimen es descrito e ilustrado con fotografías y se aporta información sobre su distribución, ecología y sustrato de crecimiento. La identidad taxonómica del ejemplar es discutida de acuerdo al concepto morfológico tradicional establecido en la literatura micológica. Con este reporte, en Colombia el orden Pezizales queda constituido por 17 especies contenidas en 12 géneros y 7 familias.

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]

A new mycorrhizal species of the genus Terfezia from Tuberaria guttata in acidic soil is described. DNA-based phylogenetic analysis, as well as macro/microscopic photographs of its main morphological characteristics are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chorioactis geaster (Peck) Kupfer, the devil’s cigar fungus, is reported from Oklahoma for the first time. A collection was made in Choctaw County in southeast Oklahoma in January 2017. Chorioactis geaster is a fleshy fungus that belongs to the Ascomycota and is an example of what are commonly referred to as cup fungi. The young ascomata are closed, swollen-elongate, brown and finely hairy. During expansion, the ascomata split into 3–6 rays that are reminiscent of earth star fungi. The hymenophore color is pale yellow to tan. The ascospores are large, measuring 60–70 x 12–13 μm, and are curved-fusoid in shape. All previous records from the United States have been reported from Texas, and the fungus is also known from Japan. The holotype was collected in Austin, Texas in 1891 and described by Charles H. Peck in the genus Urnula.

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]