Utility of the Macro-Micromorphological Characteristics Used in Classifying the Species of Termitomyces

Delimitation of Termitomyces species principally rely on the macro-micromorphological characteristics of the species although recently they are supplemented by molecular techniques. Utility of these characters have never been examined to authenticate their usefulness. The present paper therefore, provides a detailed study on the efficacy of the macro and micro-morphological characters used in classifying Termitomyces species. Macromorphologically, capsize was very useful and based on it, three groups were established. Other more useful characters include colour of the cap and pseudorrhiza presence. Annulus presence, pseudorrhiza colour, size, and morphometry were apparently unuseful. Micromorphology was less informative and ambiguously used while untetra basidiospore character was revealed for the first time in this genus. In general macromorphological characteristics provide more reliable taxonomic information to delineate most of the species in the genus than micromophology. However, for the more similar species, an analysis of more stable molecular characters is required. More distinguishing characters are yet to be revealed while ascertaining the used one and taxonomic status of T. citriophylus is essential.Keywords: Characters, Macro-micromorphology, Mushrooms, Taxonomy, TermitomycesTanz. J. Sci. Vol 36 2010, 31-4

A multilocus phylogeny for worldwide Cantharellus (Cantharellales, Agaricomycetidae)

International audienceAfter a short historical overview of past systematic studies on Cantharellus, discussing delimitation and species diversity of the genus as well as previous, morphology-based, infrageneric classifications, this paper presents the first molecularly-based infrageneric classification of this genus using a multigene phylogenetic approach (nucLSU, mitSSU, RPB2 and tef-1) on a dataset that covers approximately halve of the described chanterelles worldwide, including many type specimens. Six subgenera are recognized and the recognition of subgenus Afrocantharellus as a separate genus is not accepted. The taxonomic value of individual morphological features is discussed as challenged by this new multigene phylogeny which comprises five new sections, one new subgenus and many emendations for previously recognized infrageneric groups. The paper discusses the observed discrepancy in biodiversity of Cantharellus when comparing between studies that focus either on below- or above-ground presence. A preliminary biogeographic hypothesis suggests an ‘out of Africa’ Gondwanan origin as a result of vicariance and subsequent migrations