Anatomical and molecular characterization of Lactarius aff. omphaliformis, Russula alnijorullensisand Cortinarius tucumanensisectomycorrhizae on Alnus acuminata

Ectomycorrhizae (ECM) of Lactarius aff. omphaliformisRomagn., Russula alnijorullensis(Sing.) Sing. and Cortinarius tucumanensisMos. on Andean alder (Alnus acuminataKunth) were characterized and identified. The identification of the fungal symbionts was achieved by morpho-anatomical observations of mycorrhizae and by comparison of ITS-RFLP patterns obtained from ECM and fruitbodies. L. aff. omphaliformisECM differed in some morphological details such as ramification and mantle type from ECM of the same species on A. glutinosa. L. aff. omphaliformisECM show an orange to ochre mantle containing latex cells, which stain with sulpho-vanillin, emanating hyphae without clamps. R. alnijorullensisECM represent a typical Russula-type-ECM, light yellow to pinkish, the outer mantle being composed of triangular latex-filled cells staining with sulpho-vanillin, emanating hyphae without clamps. C. tucumanensisECM exhibit a white (silvery) to yellowish brown mantle covered with soil particles, emanating hyphae with clamps.