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A new species of Callophyllis from Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan, Russia, is recognized based on the morphological and molecular analyses of rbcL and nrLSU sequences. We name this new species C. eduardii sp. nov. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that C. eduardii is distinct from other Callophyllis species and sister to a diverse group that includes monocarpogonial species from the northeastern Pacific and species from the Russian Pacific coast. Callophyllis eduardii is characterized by diminutive thalli, narrow anastomosing branches with acute apices and smooth margins and cystocarps, without an ostiole, scattered over the blade and at the margins in the middle and upper part of the thallus. This is the ninth species of the genus found in Russian waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new combination Thalloidima squamatum is proposed for a morphologically and phylogenetically distinct species, until now included within the variation of T. sedifolium . Compared to T. sedifolium , the species is characterized by its larger squamules and apothecia, shorter ascospores, the pale color of the excipulum, and its habitat growing on moss cushions over calcareous rock or directly on rock rather than on soil. Most of the material studied originates from Norway and Sweden, but specimens are also reported from Austria, Croatia, Germany, Greenland, Italy, Poland, Russia, Scotland and Switzerland.

The new combination Thalloidima squamatum is proposed for a morphologically and phylogenetically distinct species, until now included within the variation of T. sedifolium. Compared to T. sedifolium, the species is characterized by its larger squamules and apothecia, shorter ascospores, the pale color of the excipulum, and its habitat growing on moss cushions over calcareous rock or directly on rock rather than on soil. Most of the material studied originates from Norway and Sweden, but specimens are also reported from Austria, Croatia, Germany, Greenland, Italy, Poland, Russia, Scotland and Switzerland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geastrum is the largest genus of Geastraceae and is widely distributed all over the world. Four specimens which belong to Geastrum were collected during our scientific expedition to Cangshan Mountain, Yunnan, China. Based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis, a new species was introduced.Geastrum suae is characterised by its large basidiomata (height 35–70 mm, diameter 18–37 mm) with long stipe (height 10–45 mm), smooth pink exoperidium and sessile globose endoperidial body. Phylogenetic analysis has been carried out, based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit ribosomal ribonucleic acid (nrLSU) sequence data. The illustration and description for the new taxa are provided.

A new species, Collybiopsis pakistanica, from Margalla Hills National Park, Pakistan, is described based on micro‐morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses. This species is characterized by its milky white pileus, yellowish orange or light yellow to orange at central disc and margins, lacrymoid basidiospores, cheilocystidia with median construction, and broadly utriform and clavate to narrowly utriform pleurocystidia and epithelioid hymeniderm pileipellis. Its placement as a new taxon of Collybiopsis is confirmed by phylogenetic analyses of ITS and nrLSU sequences. Two new combinations, Collybiopsis ugandensis and Collybiopsis pleurocystidiata are also proposed as these species are transferred from Gymnopus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Megasporaceae, Aspicilia nigromaculata sp. nov. is described and illustrated from Pakistan. A comparative morpho–anatomical study and ITS– LSU-based molecular analyses confirmed its position within the genus Aspicilia. It differs from the other species of the genus by the following set of features: a well–developed, grey to greenish grey frequently black spotted thick thallus, well– developed thicker peripheral and flat to slightly concave areoles, and small conidia 10–15 × 0.5–1 µm. Its positioning in a separate branch in the phylogenetic tree also makes it distinct from the other known species of the genus

Gyalectidium setiferum Vězda & Sérus., a foliicolous lichen characterized by having some vertically oriented whitish translucent cilia surrounding a swollen greenish diahyphal mass, is reported as new to East Asia. It was collected from two localities on the lowlands of central Honshu in Japan where it grew on leaves of Aucuba japonica and Maesa japonica. The description with illustration based on the Japanese material is given. Gyalectidium setiferum has been included in this genus due to its morphological features even though no fertile specimen has been found so far. The monophyly of this species and its position in this genus were newly confirmed by the molecular phylogenetic analysis based on mtSSU and nrLSU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two rare species of the genera Chamaemyces and Hodophilus, Chamaemyces fracidus and Hodophilus tenuicystidiatus, are described as new records from Aegean part of Turkey. The phylogenetic placement of C. fracidus and H. tenuicystidiatus are investigated based on multi‐gene molecular analyses containing nrITS and nrLSU data sets. Results indicate that collections for the two species formed separate lineages in the Chamaemyces and Hodophilus clades respectively. Detailed description of the morphological characters, line drawings of micromorphological features, color photographs, ecological preferences are provided and species delimitation are supported with phylogenetic analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first enumeration of members of the Teloschistaceae status of which hitherto confirmed by three gene phylogeny based on nrITS, nrLSU and mtSSU sequences is provided. The enumeration includes also taxa for which minimum two nuclear (nrITS or/and nrLSU) and mitochondrial DNA sequences hitherto available with references to publications where they are published. The enumeration including 590 species is alphabetically arranged after 115 accepted generic names within five subfamilies, i.e.: Xanthorioideae (271 species), Caloplacoideae (217 species), Teloschistoideae (69 species), Brownlielloideae (23 species), and Ikaerioideae (10 species). Accepted names are provided in bold and in italics, while synonymous names previously included in the genera Caloplaca, Xanthoria or Teloschistes as well as some taxa of the genera Polycauliona, Gyalolechia, Dufourea are provided in italics only. Recently described or combined taxa within genera segregated after molecular phylogeny data are briefly discussed. Six new combinations are proposed for the following taxa: Huriella osseophila (for Squamulea osseophila Søchting et Bungartz), Huriella phyllidizans (for Caloplaca phyllidizans Wetmore), Loekoeslaszloa catillarioides (for Caloplaca catillarioides Arup et van den Boom), Pyrenodesmia areolata (for Caloplaca cerina var. areolata Zahlbr.), Pyrenodesmia emilii (for Caloplaca emilii Vondrák, Khodos., Cl. Roux et V. Wirth), Pyrenodesmia fuscoatroides (for Caloplaca fuscoatroides J. Steiner). Position of taxa hitherto identified only on the basis of ITS phylogeny, or on incomplete set of gene sequences are briefly discussed too. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study presents nine species from the family Amanitaceae collected during field work in Western Ghats forests of Karnataka State, of which six species (Amanita ballerina, A. franzii, A. griseofusca, A. lignitincta, Saproamanita manicata, and S. praeclara) are newly recorded from India. Descriptions, illustrations, molecular phylogenetics of all species, and brief discussions on distinguishing characters, ecology, & distribution are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycopan is a genus established for Hydropus scabripes by Redhead, Moncalvo & Vilgalys (in Redhead 2013). They considered the genus to be distinct based on morphology and the phylogenetic analysis by Moncalvo et al. (2002) which included a sequence of Hydropus scabripes (AF042635, DAOM 192847) unrelated to the type species of Hydropus (H. fuliginarius). Subsequent sequences of material identified as Hydropus scabripes are not conspecific with the sequence of DAOM 192847. We consider this sequence (obtained from a mycelium culture) to be misidentified. We investigated the true phylogenetic position of authentic Mycopan including genera previously included in Cyphellaceae and Porotheleaceae. Sixteen collections of M. scabripes from Europe and North America were studied on morphological and molecular basis (nrITS and nrLSU sequences). No sequences were obtained from the holotype of Mycopan scabripes, and we designate an epitype to fix the interpretation of this species and the genus Mycopan. Mycopan is maintained as a good genus nested within Cyphellaceae as sister to the mycenoid genus Atheniella. The misidentified Hydropus scabripes AF042635 (DAOM 192847) represents a different species that is closely related to the holotype (and a new Italian collection) of Hebelomina microspora and the monospecific genus Pleurella described from New Zealand. Consequently, Hebelomina microspora is transferred to the emended genus Pleurella, which is sister to Baeospora within the Cyphellaceae. Additionally, based on these phylogenetic results, an updated taxonomic arrangement of Cyphellaceae and Porotheleaceae is proposed, emphasizing once again the polyphyletic nature of Hydropus and Gerronema. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collybiopsis is a genus of the gymnopoid/marasmioid complex of the family Omphalotaceae. The classification system of Collybiopsis has recently undergone large changes through molecular approaches. The new classification system has not been applied for Collybiopsis in the Republic of Korea, and general research on this genus was also lacking. In this study, we analyzed the Collybiopsis species in the Republic of Korea by assessing all gymnopoid/marasmioid specimens collected nationwide for ten years by combining morphological approaches and multilocus (ITS + nrLSU) phylogenetic analysis. We thus confirmed that 16 species of Collybiopsis are present in the Republic of Korea, including two previously unreported species (Co. nonnulla and Co. dichroa) and seven new species (Co. albicantipes sp. nov., Co. clavicystidiata sp. nov., Co. fulva sp. nov., Co. orientisubnuda sp. nov., Co. subumbilicata sp. nov., Co. undulata sp. nov., and Co. vellerea sp. nov.). A thorough examination of the Collybiopsis suggested that it is difficult to distinguish or identify the species based on morphological characteristics only; a combined molecular approach is needed for accurate identification. The Collybiopsis database of the Republic of Korea is updated, and information on the new species is provided. Five new combinations from Marasmiellus to Collybiopsis are also proposed (Co. istanbulensis comb. nov., Co. koreana comb. nov., Co. omphalodes comb. nov., Co. pseudomphalodes comb. nov., and Co. ramuliciola comb. nov.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to describe and introduce a new record for the Turkish mycobiota. Based on the similar macro- and micromorphology, and high nuclear ribosomal large subunit sequence similarity, the mushroom was identified as Callistosporium olivascens (Boud.) Bon. According to the literature research, we found out that this finding is the first record of the genus Callistosporium in Turkey.

The genus Termitomyces (Lyophyllaceae, Basidiomycota) is often associated with fungus-feeding termites (Macrotermitinae) due to their strong symbiotic relationships. The genus is widely found exclusively in certain regions of Africa and Asia. They are recognized as edible mushroom within Southeast Asia as well. But it is often misidentified based on morphology by the local communities especially in Malaysia for Chlorophyllum molybdites which is a highly poisonous mushroom. Thus, it is necessary to study the genus for Malaysia with the synergy of using both morphological and molecular identification. In this study, we aim to describe another new species as an addition to the genus Termitomyces found within Sabah, Malaysia. We generated two new sequences (nrLSU and mtSSU) for the new species and a total of 28 nrLSU and mtSSU sequences were retrieved from GenBank for the phylogenetic analysis using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inferences. We identified that the new collection from Sabah province is a new species and named as Termitomyces gilvus based on the termites found in the mound. A phylogeny tree made from the concatenated genes of LSU and mtSSU suggests that T. gilvus is closely related to T. bulborhizus from China. According to our results, the combination of molecular and morphology proved to be a robust approach to re-evaluate the taxonomic status of Termitomyces species in Malaysia. Additional surveys are needed to verify the species diversity and clarify their geographic distribution.

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.)

Genus Xylodon consists of white-rot fungi that grow on both angiosperms and gymnosperms. With resupinate and adnate basidiomes, Xylodon species have been classified into other resupinate genera for a long time. Upon the integration of molecular assessments, the taxonomy of the genus has been revised multiple times over the years. However, the emendations were poorly reflected in studies and public sequence databases. In the present study, the genus Xylodon in Korea was evaluated using molecular and morphological analyses of 172 specimens collected in the period of 2011 to 2018. The host types and geographical distributions were also determined for species delimitation. Furthermore, public sequences that correspond to the Xylodon species in Korea were assessed to validate their identities. Nine Xylodon species were identified in Korea, with three species new to the country. Morphological differentiation and identification of some species were challenging, but all nine species were clearly divided into well-resolved clades in the phylogenetic analyses. Detailed species descriptions, phylogeny, and a key to Xylodon species in Korea are provided in the present study. A total of 646 public ITS and nrLSU sequences corresponding to the nine Xylodon species were found, each with 404 (73.1%) and 57 (61.3%) misidentified or labeled with synonymous names. In many cases, sequences released before the report of new names have not been revised or updated. Revisions of these sequences are arranged in the present study. These amendments may be used to avoid the misidentification of future sequence-based identifications and concurrently prevent the accumulation of misidentified sequences in GenBank. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heterocyphelium triseptatum is newly recorded from Asia. The species was previously known only from South America and Africa. It was collected from the bark of a broadleaf tree at 35 m elevation in the Tanintharyi Region of southern Myanmar. An unidentified substance was newly detected for this species by thin layer chromatography (TLC). This study demonstrates the phylogenetic position of H. triseptatum in the Lecanographaceae using Bayesian and RAxML analyses of mtSSU and nrLSU sequence data. The close relationship with H. leucampyx within the Heterocyphelium clade was confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tropical areas of eastern Asia contain a high diversity of foliicolous lichens, including various species of the genus Badimia. Badimia xanthocampylidia W. C. Wang & J. C. Wei is described from tropical rainforests in southern China and Thailand based on morphology, chemistry, and combined mtSSU, ITS and nrLSU sequences. It is characterized by a pale green thallus with yellow verrucae and bright yellow campylidia and the presence of isousnic acid. Three other species, B. multiseptata Papong & Lücking, B. pallidula (Kremp.) Vězda and B. polillensis (Vain.) Vězda, are discussed and the genus Badimia is newly reported from China. A worldwide key to currently known species in the genus is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endophytic fungi are known to play an important role in driving the evolution of plants by conferring adaptational advantages to their host through the production of secondary metabolites and phytohormones. In this study, we evaluated the diversity and phylogenetic relationship of endophytic fungal communities from four Dendrobium species viz., Dendrobium chrysanthum, Dendrobium heterocarpum, Dendrobium hookerianum, and Dendrobium longicornu of Meghalaya, India. A total of 51 culturable endophytic fungi were isolated from the four selected orchid species. The isolates were identified based on nuclear large subunit sequences into 33 species. Approximately 91% of the isolates showed affinity to Ascomycetes, while 9% of the isolates showed BLAST search similarity to Basidiomycetes. The most common genera were Trichoderma and Xylaria. The most prevalent genera were Fusarium, which was detected in all the four Dendrobium species followed by Diaporthe, which was present in three Dendrobium species viz., D. chrysanthum, D. hookerianum, and D. heterocarpum. The Shannon index value of endophytic fungal communities was the highest in D. chrysanthum (2.66), while D. longicornu (1) had the highest Evenness index. The present study revealed that endophytic fungi in these orchids are an amalgam of pathogenic and beneficial fungi, which have, at the least, switched their lifestyle to asymptomatic endophyte in their host. To our knowledge, this is the first such report on the diversity of endophytic fungi in the four selected Dendrobium species from Meghalaya, India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Termitomyces (Lyophyllaceae, Basidiomycota) is often associated with fungus-feeding termites (Macrotermitinae) due to their strong symbiotic relationships. The genus is widely found exclusively in certain regions of Africa and Asia. They are recognized as edible mushroom within Southeast Asia as well. But it is often misidentified based on morphology by the local communities especially in Malaysia for Chlorophyllum molybdites which is a highly poisonous mushroom. Thus, it is necessary to study the genus for Malaysia with the synergy of using both morphological and molecular identification. In this study, we aim to describe another new species as an addition to the genus Termitomyces found within Sabah, Malaysia. We generated two new sequences (nrLSU and mtSSU) for the new species and a total of 28 nrLSU and mtSSU sequences were retrieved from GenBank for the phylogenetic analysis using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inferences. We identified that the new collection from Sabah province is a new species and named as Termitomyces gilvus based on the termites found in the mound. A phylogeny tree made from the concatenated genes of LSU and mtSSU suggests that T. gilvus is closely related to T. bulborhizus from China. According to our results, the combination of molecular and morphology proved to be a robust approach to re-evaluate the taxonomic status of Termitomyces species in Malaysia. Additional surveys are needed to verify the species diversity and clarify their geographic distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Amanita pseudorufobrunnescens is described as a new species in the subgenus Amanitina section Amidella of family Amanitaceae from north-western Himalaya, India. Distinct morphological characters, odour and molecular phylogenetic analysis based on the large subunit of nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrLSU) data revealed that the present species differs from other members of sect. Amidella. This species is characterised by its whitish basidiomata that turn brownish orange with age, its whitish to cinnamon brown, floccose to radially fibrillose universal veil remnants on the pileus, its close lamellae becoming brownish orange on exposure, its elongate basidiospores and its association with Quercus oblongata (syn. Q. leucotrichophora). A detailed morphological description, line drawings, colour photographs and Maximum Likelihood (ML) phylogenetic placement of the new species are provided. [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.)

The taxonomy and phylogeny of the hydropoid clade (genera Clitocybula s.l., Megacollybia , Leucoinocybe gen. nov., Hydropus , Trogia , Gerronema , Porotheleum and Lignomphalia gen. nov.) in Europe is studied using morphological and molecular approaches; the first three genera in detail including all known European species. Only two European species remain in Clitocybula s.str., Clitocybula lacerata and Clitocybula familia. The European C. lacerata is a species complex which should be treated as C. lacerata agg. at the current state of knowledge. A neotype originating from type area was designated to fix the application of the name. The presence of American species Clitocybula abundans in Europe is insufficiently proved. " Clitocybula dryadicola ˮ belongs to the genus Hydropus , and Clitocybula tilieti has an unclear systematic position. The results showed that Megacollybia and Leucoinocybe represent independent genera separated from Clitocybula. The genus Leucoinocybe is validly published with two European species, Leucoinocybe lenta and Leucoinocybe taniae. " Clitocybula flavoaurantia " proved to be conspecific with the latter species. The genus Lignomphalia is published for " Pseudoomphalina lignicola ", a lignicolous omphalinoid species. The Indian " Clitocybula sulcata " is transferred to Leucoinocybe and " Clitocybula atrialba " to Gerronema. The first European records of Megacollybia marginata are published. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amanita tullossiana, a new species of Amanita [subgenus Lepidella] section Lepidella from India is described. The species is characterised by its ash grey to brownish-grey pileus covered with dark grey to greyish-black universal veil remnants, the upper part of its rooting stipe base covered by several rows of recurved scales, broadly ellipsoid to ellipsoid basidiospores, absence of basidial clamp connections and pileal remnants of universal veil comprising abundant, disordered inflated cells intermixed with scattered filamentous hyphae. Molecular phylogenetic analysis and morphology both support the association of A. tullossiana with species of Bas' stirps Cinereoconia - A. cinereoconia and A. griseoverrucosa. Two species, A. griseoverrucosa and A. virgineoides are reported here as new records for India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The black-footed abalone Haliotis iris is an economically important shellfish species in New Zealand. We successfully amplified, sequenced and analysed the complete nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) of H. iris. The length of the nrDNA was determined to be around 9.6 kb and included, in order, small subunit ribosomal RNA (nrSSU, 1858bp), internal transcribed spacer (ITS, 749 bp), large subunit ribosomal RNA (nrLSU, 3412bp) and an intergenic spacer (IGS, 3560-3662 bp). The nrLSU genes were identical in two individuals, whereas the nrSSU and ITS regions existed at three and four base differences, respectively. The IGS was more variable than the other nrDNA regions. A phylogenetic tree was constructed based on the ITS sequence datasets, which revealed that Haliotidae has two major subclades, mainly distributed in the North Pacific, Europe and Australia. The complete nrDNA sequence will be useful for the classification, phylogeny and breeding of this shellfish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stromata of Cordyceps takaomontana Y. Kobayashi (1941) were found on the Langbian Mountain, Da Lat, Vietnam at the height of 1.650 meter above sea level, on the larva of Lepidoptera. Stromata were lemon-yellow, clavate to enlongated clavate, arising from a white pseudosclerotium. The fertile head was on the top part of stromata, darker colored in comparison to the stipe. Perithecium was narrowly ovoid, superficial and forming dark yellow punctate on the surface of stromata. Ascus was cylindrical with semi-spherical cap. Ascospores were cylindrical, truncated and separately after discharge from the ascus. Pure culture was isolated on Potato Glucose Agar (PGA) medium: white colony in young and yellow in old. The isolated mycelium was not homogenous in thickness and in growth rate at the peripheral area. Conidiophores were phialide, tapering to both apexes. Conidia had elliptical shape and formed into chains after maturation. DNA was isolated, then purified from pure mycelium and used to amplifying the nrLSU (nuclear ribosomal large subunit) and rpb1 (RNA polymerase II largest subunit) genes. The amplified products were used for sequencing, proof-reading by some professional softwares before combining with other nrLSU and rpb1 sequences. Then this database was used to search for the suitable evolution model as well as to construct the phylogenetic trees. The results of phylogenetic analysis completely supported the morphological classification: DL0038A and DL0038B were Cordyceps takaomontana Y. Kobayashi (1941).

Pacific abalone Haliotis discus hannai (Haliotidae, Gastropoda) is an economically important shellfish species in northern China. The complete nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) of Pacific abalone was amplified, sequenced, and analyzed. The length of the nrDNA was determined to be around 10.7 kb, and to contain, in order, small subunit ribosomal RNA (nrSSU) genes (1871 bp), internal transcribed spacer (ITS, 759-762 bp), large subunit ribosomal RNA (nrLSU) gene (3411 bp), and an intergenic spacer (IGS, 4624-4654 bp). The SSU and LSU regions were almost identical in different individuals, and show little variation from those of other abalone species. The two different variations of the ITS2 region were presented, and this phenomenon also existed in other species. A phylogeny tree was constructed, based on ITS region sequence datasets, to determine the evolutionary relationships of abalones. Abalones have two major subclades, mainly distributed in the North Pacific, Europe and Australia. The IGS region of the nrDNA was sequenced and analyzed for the first time. Several repeat fragments were present upstream of the sequence, and were significantly different between individuals (93.86% sequence identity). The complete nrDNA sequence will be useful for the classification, identification, phylogeny, germplasm management, and breeding of this shellfish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phylogenetic analyses of nuclear (Mcm7, nrITS, nrLSU) and mitochondrial (mrSSU) DNA sequences revealed geographically disjunct lineages in Leptogium hibernicum. One of these lineages is described here as Leptogium krogiae, which differs from L. hibernicum in the thinner thallus (190–210 µm vs. 390–480 µm), shallowly striate lobes instead of deeply furrowed lobes, isidia that are seldom distinctly flattened, and apothecia with a subhymenial euparaplectenchymatous layer. Leptogium krogiae is a widespread epiphyte in mist-affected woodlands and montane forests in East Africa and appears to be a common species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

So far 19 genera of downy mildews have been described, of which seven are parasitic to grasses. Here, we introduce a new genus, Baobabopsis, to accommodate two distinctive downy mildews, B. donbarrettii sp. nov., collected on Perotis rara in northern Australia, and B. enneapogonis sp. nov., collected on Enneapogon spp. in western and central Australia. Baobabopsis donbarrettii produced both oospores and sporangiospores that are morphologically distinct from other downy mildews on grasses. Molecular phylogenetic analyses showed that the two species of Baobabopsis occupied an isolated position among the known genera of graminicolous downy mildews. The importance of the Poaceae for the evolution of downy mildews is highlighted by the observation that more than a third of the known genera of downy mildews occur on grasses, while more than 90 % of the known species of downy mildews infect eudicots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systematics of the recently proposed Geastrum sect. Schmidelia are addressed through statistical analyses of quantitative morphological variables and phylogenetic reconstructions based on a multilocus approach. Emphasis is given to the taxonomic placement of G. schmidelii var. parvisporum. This variety is found to be not phylogenetically close to G. schmidelii var. schmidelii, the type species of G. sect. Schmidelia, and it therefore is excluded from this section, taxonomically raised to species rank (as G. parvisporum) and included as a member of G. sect. Hariotia. A second species in G. sect. Schmidelia is recognized and formally described as G. senoretiae. It is characterized by small basidiomata, non-hygrometric exoperidium, subsessile endoperidium and finely plicate, indistinctly delimited peristome, so far known only from Spain. Photographs and drawings are included, along with a comparison of morphologically close taxa. The presence of sclerified basidia in the mature gleba, previously not reported in the genus, is commented on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various infrageneric classifications of the genus Geastrum have been proposed, all of them exclusively based on morphology. They are highly divergent due to the different relative value that each author gave to particular morphological features. There is no consensus about any of these classifications, and therefore most modern studies avoid classifying Geastrum species in supraspecific units. Here, a new subdivision of the genus Geastrum is presented, based on phylogenetic analyses of four molecular markers, viz., 5.8S nrDNA, nrLSU, rpbl, and atp6. This classification is also supported by chemical reactions with syringaldazine and guiaiac gum, and by some morphological characters. Most reliable morphological characters include both classically studied features (e.g., endoperidial surface, peristome structure, mycelial layer), and recently discovered ones (e.g., rhizomorph crystals). Previously published infrageneric classifications are reviewed, showing many discrepancies with the phylogenetic data. A n ew infrageneric subdivision is proposed: sect. Campestria sect, nov., sect. Corollina sect. nov. (including subsect. Lageniformia subsect. nov., subsect. Marginata, and subsect. Plicostomata), sect. Elegantia sect, nov., sect. Exareolata, sect. Fimbriata, sect. Fornicata, sect. Geastrum (including subsect. Arenaria subsect. nov., subsect. Geastrum, subsect. Quadrifida subsect. nov., and subsect. Sulcostomata), sect. Hariotia sect, nov., sect. Hieronymia sect, nov., sect. Myceliostroma (including subsect. Epigaea and subsect. Velutina subsect. nov.), sect. Papillata, sect. Pseudolimbata sect, nov., sect. Schmidelia sect, nov., and sect. Trichaster. The phylogenetic and morphological boundaries among three genera of Geastraceae, viz., Geastrum, Myriostoma, and Radiigera, are also evaluated. Myriostoma likely represents a different phylogenetic lineage within Geastraceae and is confirmed as distinct from Geastrum. However, Radiigera is nested in Geastrum, and therefore it is confirmed as a synonym of Geastrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise of the study: The parasitic genus Cuscuta, containing some 200 species circumscribed traditionally in three subgenera, is nearly cosmopolitan, occurring in a wide range of habitats and hosts. Previous molecular studies, on subgenera Grammica and Cuscuta, delimited major clades within these groups. However, the sequences used were unalignable among subgenera, preventing the phylogenetic comparison across the genus. Methods: We conducted a broad phylogenetic study using rbcL and nrLSU sequences covering the morphological, physiological, and geographical diversity of Cuscuta. We used parsimony methods to reconstruct ancestral states for taxonomically important characters. Biogeographical inferences were obtained using statistical and Bayesian approaches. Key results: Four well-supported major clades are resolved. Two of them correspond to subgenera Monogynella and Grammica. Subgenus Cuscuta is paraphyletic, with section Pachystigma sister to subgenus Grammica. Previously described cases of strongly supported discordance between plastid and nuclear phytogenies, interpreted as reticulation events, are confirmed here and three new cases are detected. Dehiscent fruits and globose stigmas are inferred as ancestral character states, whereas the ancestral style number is ambiguous. Biogeographical reconstructions suggest an Old World origin for the genus and subsequent spread to the Americas as a consequence of one long-distance dispersal. Conclusions: Hybridization may play an important yet underestimated role in the evolution of Cuscuta. Our results disagree with scenarios of evolution (polarity) previously proposed for several taxonomically important morphological characters, and with their usage and significance. While several cases of long-distance dispersal are inferred, vicariance or dispersal to adjacent areas emerges as the dominant biogeographical pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasmopara viticola is the causal agent of grapevine downy mildew and is among the most important diseases in viticulture. It originates from North America, where it coevolved with wild Vitis species. Beginning in the 1870s it turned into a global epidemic that has been causing severe yield losses. It is generally believed that a single species is causing downy mildew on a large variety of economically important cultivars. Here we report, based on one nuclear and two mitochondrial markers, that isolates from vineyards in the United States fall into three highly distinct phylogenetic lineages. One of these contains European strains and affects Vitis vinifera cultivars, while the other two lineages affect also other species of Vitis. The divergence between these lineages is high, and, judging from the genetic variation in other Plasmopara lineages, might reflect distinct species. Due to the potentially significant implications for quarantine regulations and resistance breeding, detailed studies will be necessary to clarify whether these genetically distinct lineages occur outside of North America or are still confined there. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bremia lactucae is one of the most devastating and widespread pathogens in lettuce production worldwide. Despite its economical importance, uncertainty prevails about the species delimitation in the genus Bremia. Commonly, Bremia is considered to be monotypic, containing only Bremia lactucae, while taxonomists have described additional species, and molecular phylogenetic studies have shown significant sequence divergence between accessions from different hosts. Here, we report that several previously described species are genetically highly distinct from Bremia lactucae parasitic to Lactuca sativa. These include Bremia lapsanae, Bremia sonchicola, and Bremia taraxaci. In addition to these host-specific species, a plurivorous species is revealed, which infects hosts from three different tribes in the Asteraceae subfamilies Asteroideae and Carduoideae. The broad host range of clade 1 is exceptional for downy mildews and only paralleled by Pseudoperonospora cubensis, which infects a broad range of Cucurbitaceae. The taxonomic status of Bremia cirsii and of Bremia centaureae remains unresolved, as the accessions from Cirsium and Centaurea, respectively, did not form a monophylum but were partly contained in the plurivorous clade 1. Bremia lactucae was found to be restricted to Lactuca sativa and Lactuca serriola. Thus, it can be assumed that Bremia infections on weeds apart from Lactuca species do not pose a significant risk for lettuce production. However, it is unlikely that breeding resistance genes from Lactuca serriola into Lactuca sativa will result in durable resistance of lettuce to downy mildew disease, because the current study provides additional evidence that Bremia accessions from both hosts form a population continuum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Family Collemataceae (Peltigerales, Ascomycota) includes species of cyanolichens with foliose to fruticose or crustose thalli, with simple or septate ascospores. The current classification divides this family into two groups on the basis of ascospore types. The objective of this study was to evaluate the phylogenetic relationships within this family. Combined DNA sequence data from the nuclear large subunit and mitochondrial small subunit ribosomal RNA genes were used to evaluate monophyly of the family and the relationships between the largest genera of this family. The results revealed that this family is not monophyletic. Genera Staurolemma and Physma, currently classified within the Collemataceae, were found nested within the Pannariaceae. The second result of this study confirms that the genera Collema and Leptogium, both part of the Collemataceae s. str., are not monophyletic and that the presence of a thallus cortex is not a synapomorphy for Leptogium. The main taxonomic conclusion is that families Collemataceae and Pannariaceae were recircumscribed in light of molecular findings with the latter family now including Staurolemma and Physma. Genera Collema and Leptogium form a single mixed monophyletic group. Inferred ancestral character states within the Collema-Leptogium complex revealed that the ancestor of this family had a thallus without cortex and that a cortex evolved at least twice relatively early in the evolution of the Collemataceae s. str. These independent gains of a thallus cortex seems to be associated with a transition from colonizing bare rocks and soils in semi-arid and exposed habitats to epiphytism in shady humid forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The family Parmeliaceae (Lecanorales, Ascomycota) is possibly the largest, best known and most thoroughly studied lichen family within its order. Despite this fact the relationship between Parmeliaceae and other groups in Lecanorales is still poorly known. The aim of the present study is to contribute to finding the sister group of Parmeliaceae as an aid in future studies on the phylogeny and character evolution of the group. We do this by sampling all potential relatives to the Parmeliaceae that we have identified, i.e. Gypsoplaca, Japewia, Mycoblastus, Protoparmelia, and Tephromela, a good representation of the major groups within the Parmeliaceae s. lat. and a good representation of other taxa in the core Lecanorales. We use molecular data from two genes, the large subunit of the nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nrLSU) and the small subunit of the mitochondrial ribosomal RNA gene (mrSSU), and a Bayesian analysis of the combined data. The results show that the closest relatives to Parmeliaceae are the two genera Protoparmelia and Gypsoplaca, which are crustose lichens. Parmeliaceae in our sense is a well supported group, including also the family segregates Alectoriaceae, Hypogymniaceae, Usneaceae and Anziaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phylogenetic relationships in the genus Cortinarius with emphasis on European species were studied by integrating a molecular phylogenetic analysis of nuclear rDNA sequences with morphological, chemical, and ecological data. Internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2, including 5.8S) and the D1–D2 regions of nuclear rDNA of 262 Cortinarius species including most of the recognised subgenera from Europe, South America, Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, and Asia were sequenced and analysed by maximum likelihood and neighbour joining. Our morphological and molecular analyses showed considerable disagreement with earlier morphology-based hypotheses concerning the infrageneric delimitations in Cortinarius. We propose a new base for a more natural classification system in Cortinarius involving the taxonomic rearrangement of the species into the following major lineages that we informally designate as “clades” at this time: (1) phlegmacioid species are included in Alluti, Amarescentes, Arguti, Calochroi, Caerulescentes, Percomes, Phlegmacioides, Phlegmacium, Purpurascentes, Scauri, and Vulpini; (2) the Heterocliti clade includes species of the subgenera Leprocybe and Cystogenes; (3) most of the Myxacium species are included in the Delibuti and Myxacium clades; (4) part of Rozites are included in the Rozites clade; (5) the north-hemispheric species of subgenus Dermocybe are included in the Dermocybe clade and part of the south-hemispheric species in the Splendidi clade; (6) part of Sericeocybe are integrated in the Anomali and Telamonia clades; (7) members of subgenus Cortinarius are assigned to the Cortinarius clade; (8) telamonioid taxa are included in the Obtusi, Renidentes, and Telamonia clades. Several Cortinarius species with peculiar patterns of morphology and basidiome coloration had isolated positions in the sequence analysis, and the evolutionary relationships among the major lineages remained unresolved. Our results suggest the convergent evolution of certain morphological traits across phylogenetically divergent lineages in Cortinarius. However, combinations of features such as pileipellis anatomy, spore shape, veil coloration, basidiome pigments, and stipe shape appear useful to circumscribe clades. Our molecular phylogenetic analysis allows insights in global geographical patterns of species distribution within the major lineages in the genus Cortinarius. The clade structure proposed here could be used as backbone for further more detailed systematic studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]