Amazonian phalloids: New records for Brazil and South America

Recent feld trips in the Amazonian rainforest revealed two uncommon phalloid species, Lysurus arachnoideus (new for Brazil) and Phallus cinnabarinus (new for South America). Detailed morphological descriptions, photos, and taxonomic remarks are presented. © 2015 Mycotaxon, Ltd

Path Coercions in English Motion Expressions

Based on morphological and molecular analysis, we describe the new species Geastrum verrucoramulosum, discriminated from other species in the section Exareolata mainly by an elongated, verrucose, branched stipe. This new species is currently known from two forest locations in central and southwestern Amazonia. Species description, images, and taxonomic discussion of both morphological and molecular data are provided. © 2017 The Mycological Society of Japa

Funga faloide e floriforme (Phallales, Basidiomycota) no Estado da Bahia, Brasil

The order Phallales harbors gasteroid fungi known as stinkhorns, false-truffles, witches’cages and bridal veils, and is mainly characterized by the fetid smelling basidiome, insect-associated dispersal mechanism, and mucilaginous gleba. The order has been well studied in Brazil, with greater occurrence in the southern and northeastern regions of the country. The state of  Bahia has only records of the species Abrachium floriforme and Lysurus sphaerocephalum. The objective of this study is to present new occurrences of Phallales for the State.  The species were collected in the Bahia State, in the municipalities of Elísio Medrado, Mucugê, Salvador and Uruçuca. One herborized specimen from Lençóis was included in the analyses. Seven species were identified: Abrachium floriforme, Itajahya galericulata, Mutinus caninus, M. elegans, M. verrucosus, Phallus denigricans and P. merulinus. All represent new occurrences for the State of Bahia, except A. floriforme. Descriptions, identification key, notes and photos of the species are provided.A ordem Phallales abriga fungos gasteroides conhecidos como chifres-fedidos, falsas trufas, gaiolas-de-bruxa e véus-de-noiva, e é caracterizada principalmente pelo cheiro fétido do basidioma, mecanismo de dispersão associado a insetos e gleba mucilaginosa. A ordem tem sido bem estudada no Brasil, com maior ocorrência nas regiões Sul e Nordeste do país. O Estado da Bahia apresenta apenas registros das espécies Abrachium floriforme e Lysurus sphaerocephalum. O objetivo deste estudo é apresentar novas ocorrências de Phallales para o Estado.  As espécies foram coletadas na Bahia, nos municípios de Elísio Medrado, Mucugê, Salvador e Uruçuca. Um espécime herborizado coletado em Lençóis foi incluído nas análises. Sete espécies foram identificadas: Abrachium floriforme, Itajahya galericulata, Mutinus caninus, M. elegans, M. verrucosus, Phallus denigricans e P. merulinus. Todas representam novas ocorrências para o Estado da Bahia, com exceção de A. floriforme. Descrições, chave de identificação, notas e fotos das espécies são disponibilizadas

Structural, vibrational, and electronic properties of the glucoalkaloid strictosidine: A combined experimental and theoretical study

A detailed structural analysis and spectral behavior of the glucoalkaloid strictosidine, a precursor of all monoterpene indole alkaloids, are discussed. The experimental NMR, FTIR, and UV results were compared to the theoretical DFT spectra calculated by Becke using the three-parameter Lee-Yang-Parr (B3LYP) function with 6-31G(d) and 6-311++G(2d,p) basis sets. The theoretical geometry optimization data were compared with the X-ray data for precursors and similar structures in the associated literature. The similarity between the theoretical and experimental coupling constants values made it possible to affirm the values of dihedral angles and their configuration, reinforcing findings from previous stereochemical studies. Theoretical UV analysis agreed well with the measured experimental data, with bands assigned. Calculated HOMO/LUMO gaps show low excitation energy for strictosidine, justifying its stability and reaction kinetics. The molecular electrostatic potential map shows opposite potentials regions that form hydrogen bonds that stabilize the dimeric form, which were confirmed by excellent agreement of the dimeric form theoretical wavenumbers with the experimental IR spectrum. ESI-MS/MS data revealed patterns for the fragmentation of the protonated strictosidine molecule outlined by an NBO study. © 2016 Renyer Alves Costa et al

Geastrum rusticum (Geastraceae, Basidiomycota), a new earthstar fungus in the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest - A molecular analysis

Geastrum rusticum sp. nov., found on decaying wood in the Neotropics, is molecular and morphologically characterized. Full descriptions are given, with photos, illustrations and taxonomical remarks on collected specimens compared with related taxa. Morphological and molecular datasets showed it to be distinct from other Geastrum species. © 2013 J. Cramer in Gebr. Borntraeger Verlagsbuchhandlung, Stuttgart, Germany

Progress on the phylogeny of the Omphalotaceae: Gymnopus s. str., Marasmiellus s. str., Paragymnopus gen. nov. and Pusillomyces gen. nov

Omphalotaceae is the family of widely distributed and morphologically diverse marasmioid and gymnopoid agaric genera. Phylogenetic studies have included the family in Agaricales, grouping many traditionally and recently described genera of saprotrophic or parasitic mushroom-producing fungi. However, some genera in Omphalotaceae have not reached a stable concept that reflects monophyletic groups with identifiable morphological circumscription. This is the case of Gymnopus and Marasmiellus, which have been the target of two opposing views: (1) a more inclusive Gymnopus encompassing Marasmiellus, or (2) a more restricted Gymnopus (s. str.) while Marasmiellus remains a distict genus; both genera still await a more conclusive phylogenetic hypothesis coupled with morphological recognition. Furthermore, some new genera or undefined clades need more study. In the present paper, a phylogenetic study was conducted based on nrITS and nrLSU in single and multilocus analyses including members of the Omphalotaceae, more specifically of the genera belonging to the /letinuloid clade. The resulting trees support the view of a more restricted Gymnopus and a distinct Marasmiellus based on monophyletic and strongly supported clades on which their morphological circumscriptions and taxonomic treatments are proposed herein. The results also provide evidence for the description of two new genera: Paragymnopus and Pusillomyces. Pusillomyces manuripioides sp. nov. (type species of the genus) is described with morphological description, taxonomic and ecological remarks, and illustrations. © 2019, German Mycological Society and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature

Two new species of Geastrum (Geastraceae, Basidiomycota) found in Brazil

We have studied molecular and morphological data of Geastrum aculeatum sp. nov. and G. echinulatum sp. nov. These two species were found in Brazil's semi-arid region and in central Amazon. It is characterized by the nature of the mycelial layer with aculeate tufts. Geastrum echinulatum differs from G. aculeatum in the size of the spores, presence of subiculum and structural details in the mycelial tufts. The phylogenetic analyses were performed through parsimony and Bayesian methods, using the atp6 and LSU regions. These analyses confirm that both species are distinctly segregated from the other Geastrum species analyzed here. © 2013 J. Cramer in Gebr. Borntraeger Verlagsbuchhandlung, Stuttgart, Germany