Sequestrate fungi from Patagonian Nothofagus forests: Cystangium (Russulaceae, Basidiomycota)

Six species of Cystangium, a genus of sequestrate taxa related to Russula, were collected in Patagonia (Argentina and Chile) during autumn 2001. Two species, C. depauperatum Singer & A.H. Sm. and C. nothofagi (E. Horak) Trappe, Castellano & T. Lebel, were already known from this region, while four new species, C. domingueziae, C. gamundiae, C. grandihyphatum and C. longisterigmatum, are described, illustrated and a key to the species is provided. In addition, sequences of the ITS (rDNA) region were obtained to explore the phylogenetic relationships of our South American Cystangium species.This is the publisher’s final pdf. The article is copyrighted by the Mycological Society of America and published by Allen Press Inc. It can be found at: http://www.mycologia.org/.Keywords: Russulales, Mycorrhiza, Truffle-like fungi, Hypogeous fung

A reexamination and realignment of Peziza sensu lato (Pezizomycetes) species in southern South America

En este trabajo hemos revisado material fresco y colecciones históricas de Pezizales epigeos formalmente incluidos en el amplio y heterogéneo género Peziza provenientes de las zonas templadas del sur de Sudamérica. Estudios recientes basados en filogenias moleculares han permitido posicionar estas especies en varios géneros previamente descritos demostrando su heterogeneidad. Incluimos aquí especies de nueve géneros, una especie nueva para la ciencia (Peziza gamundiae sp. nov.) y proponemos una nueva combinación (Phylloscypha nothofageti comb. nov.). También demostramos que Pustularia microspora es sinónimo de un taxón previamente descrito como Peziza pseudosylvestris. Nuestro objetivo es llamar la atención sobre la presencia de estos taxa para promover su recolección y estudio en trabajos científicos modernos.In this study we review recent collections and historical records of epigeous members of the Pezizales formerly placed in the large, heterogenous genus Peziza from temperate southern South America. Recent analyses using molecular phylogenetic methods allow placement of these species in several previously described genera in recognition of the heterogeneity of Peziza. We include species in nine genera, describe one new species (Peziza gamundiae sp. nov.), and propose one new combination (Phylloscypha nothofageti comb. nov.). We also demonstrate that Pustularia microspora is a synonym of the previously described taxon Peziza pseudosylvestris. Our purpose is to draw attention to these taxa in order to promote their collection and study in a modern framework.Fil: Pfister, Donald H.. Harvard University; Estados UnidosFil: Healy, Rosanne. University of Florida; Estados UnidosFil: Furci, Giuliana. Fundación Fungi; ChileFil: Mujic, Alija. California State University, Fresno; Estados UnidosFil: Nouhra, Eduardo Ramon. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Truong, Camille. Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria; AustraliaFil: Caiafa, Marcos V.. University Of California, Riverside; Estados UnidosFil: Smith, Matthew E.. University of Florida; Estados Unido

Historical Biogeography and Diversification of Truffles in the Tuberaceae and Their Newly Identified Southern Hemisphere Sister Lineage

Truffles have evolved from epigeous (aboveground) ancestors in nearly every major lineage of fleshy fungi. Because accelerated rates of morphological evolution accompany the transition to the truffle form, closely related epigeous ancestors remain unknown for most truffle lineages. This is the case for the quintessential truffle genus Tuber, which includes species with socio-economic importance and esteemed culinary attributes. Ecologically, Tuber spp. form obligate mycorrhizal symbioses with diverse species of plant hosts including pines, oaks, poplars, orchids, and commercially important trees such as hazelnut and pecan. Unfortunately, limited geographic sampling and inconclusive phylogenetic relationships have obscured our understanding of their origin, biogeography, and diversification. To address this problem, we present a global sampling of Tuberaceae based on DNA sequence data from four loci for phylogenetic inference and molecular dating. Our well-resolved Tuberaceae phylogeny shows high levels of regional and continental endemism. We also identify a previously unknown epigeous member of the Tuberaceae - the South American cup-fungus Nothojafnea thaxteri (E.K. Cash) Gamundi. Phylogenetic resolution was further improved through the inclusion of a previously unrecognized Southern hemisphere sister group of the Tuberaceae. This morphologically diverse assemblage of species includes truffle (e.g. Gymnohydnotrya spp.) and non-truffle forms that are endemic to Australia and South America. Southern hemisphere taxa appear to have diverged more recently than the Northern hemisphere lineages. Our analysis of the Tuberaceae suggests that Tuber evolved from an epigeous ancestor. Molecular dating estimates Tuberaceae divergence in the late Jurassic (~156 million years ago), with subsequent radiations in the Cretaceous and Paleogene. Intra-continental diversification, limited long-distance dispersal, and ecological adaptations help to explain patterns of truffle evolution and biodiversity

Global patterns in endemicity and vulnerability of soil fungi

Fungi are highly diverse organisms, which provide multiple ecosystem services. However, compared with charismatic animals and plants, the distribution patterns and conservation needs of fungi have been little explored. Here, we examined endemicity patterns, global change vulnerability and conservation priority areas for functional groups of soil fungi based on six global surveys using a high-resolution, long-read metabarcoding approach. We found that the endemicity of all fungi and most functional groups peaks in tropical habitats, including Amazonia, Yucatan, West-Central Africa, Sri Lanka, and New Caledonia, with a negligible island effect compared with plants and animals. We also found that fungi are predominantly vulnerable to drought, heat and land-cover change, particularly in dry tropical regions with high human population density. Fungal conservation areas of highest priority include herbaceous wetlands, tropical forests, and woodlands. We stress that more attention should be focused on the conservation of fungi, especially root symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal and ectomycorrhizal fungi in tropical regions as well as unicellular early-diverging groups and macrofungi in general. Given the low overlap between the endemicity of fungi and macroorganisms, but high conservation needs in both groups, detailed analyses on distribution and conservation requirements are warranted for other microorganisms and soil organisms

Global patterns in endemicity and vulnerability of soil fungi

Fungi are highly diverse organisms, which provide multiple ecosystem services. However, compared with charismatic animals and plants, the distribution patterns and conservation needs of fungi have been little explored. Here, we examined endemicity patterns, global change vulnerability and conservation priority areas for functional groups of soil fungi based on six global surveys using a high-resolution, long-read metabarcoding approach. We found that the endemicity of all fungi and most functional groups peaks in tropical habitats, including Amazonia, Yucatan, West-Central Africa, Sri Lanka, and New Caledonia, with a negligible island effect compared with plants and animals. We also found that fungi are predominantly vulnerable to drought, heat and land-cover change, particularly in dry tropical regions with high human population density. Fungal conservation areas of highest priority include herbaceous wetlands, tropical forests, and woodlands. We stress that more attention should be focused on the conservation of fungi, especially root symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal and ectomycorrhizal fungi in tropical regions as well as unicellular early-diverging groups and macrofungi in general. Given the low overlap between the endemicity of fungi and macroorganisms, but high conservation needs in both groups, detailed analyses on distribution and conservation requirements are warranted for other microorganisms and soil organisms

A systematic overview of Descolea ( Agaricales ) in the Nothofagaceae forests of Patagonia

The descolea clade includes species of ectomycorrhizal basidiomycetes in the genera Descolea, Setchelliogaster, Descomyces, and Timgrovea that are known primarily from the Southern Hemisphere. Taxa in this group produce basidiomes that range in morphology from typical epigeous mushrooms (Descolea) and secotioid taxa (Setchelliogaster) to fully gasteroid species (Descomyces and Timgrovea). High intraspecific morphological variation has been reported in several species within this clade, suggesting that careful morphological and molecular studies are needed to refine species concepts. Molecular analyses of fresh Patagonian collections in conjunction with taxonomic studies have confirmed high variability in key morphological features, including overall sporocarp form, spore shape and dimensions, universal veil remnants and cuticle configuration. Based on our synthesis, we emend the genus Descolea to include sequestrate species. We describe the new sequestrate taxon Descolea inferna sp. nov. from Nothofagaceae forests in Patagonia and we propose Thaxterogaster squamatus as a synonym of our new combination Descolea brunnea. We also formalize the identity of Descolea pallida as a synonym of D. antarctica and provide new specimens of Thaxterogaster archeuretus, a species that has not been encountered since the original discovery during the expeditions of Roland Thaxter in 1905-1906. Here we re-describe and transfer this species to Descolea as D. archeureta. We also discuss diagnostic features that can be used to delimitate the four known South American taxa in the descolea clade.Fil: Kuhar, José Francisco. Centro de Investigación y Extensión Forestal Andino Patagónico; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Smith, Matthew E.. University of Florida; Estados UnidosFil: Mujic, Alija. University of Florida; Estados UnidosFil: Truong, Camille. University of Florida; Estados UnidosFil: Nouhra, Eduardo Ramon. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentin

Ectomycorrhizal fungi in South America: Their diversity in past, present and future research

This new book shows the work done by researchers dedicated to the study of different mycorrhizas types, the fungal species associated and their distribution influenced by geographical and environmental factors among the different South American biogeographic regions. The exclusive biotic and abiotic characteristics delimit natural ecosystems with uniques biological communities, where mycorrhizologists have investigated plant symbioses in those ecosystems for decades, providing data from Venezuelan Great Savannah, Andes, Puna, Chaco, Caatinga, Monte, Atlantic Forest, Marginal Forest, Cerrado, Patagonia, Yungas, Rainforest, Andean-Patagonian Forests, and Antarctic section. In these environments, different mycorrhizal associations (arbuscular / ericoid / orchidoid / ectomycorrhizal / mycoheterotrophic) are present in herbaceous plants, shrubs, and trees. Mycorrhizal associations were studied from different researching points of view (biodiversity, biological invasions, biotic / abiotic disturbances, altitudinal variations, seasonal changes, land uses). The aim of this Book is to compile research on mycorrhizal fungi and their associations in environments of South America, throughout the synthesis of information from natural and anthropogenic related environments. The book focuses in different bioregions of South America from tropical areas to the southern cone, and it will be useful to those who work on plant-fungal interactions in different vegetation types and in agricultural lands from South America and worldwide.Fil: Nouhra, Eduardo Ramon. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Palfner, Götz. Universidad de Concepción; ChileFil: Kuhar, José Francisco. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Pastor, Nicolás. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Smith, Matthew E.. University of Florida; Estados Unido

Molecular and morphological evidence place Pholiota psathyrelloides from Patagonia within the ectomycorrhizal genus Psathyloma (Agaricales)

Psathyloma is an agaricoid genus described recently to accommodate two species of brown-spored agarics from Australasia superficially similar to Psathyrella and Hebeloma. Phylogenetic analyses published along with the description of the genus determined that an unidentified species of Psathyloma was also present in Patagonia based on ITS sequences from ectomycorrhizal root tips of Nothofagaceae trees. Based on morphological and phylogenetic analyses of fresh mushroom collections from Patagonia, we determine that the unknown South American Psathyloma corresponds to Pholiota psathyrelloides, a species described by Rolf Singer in 1969 from Nothofagaceae forests in Argentina. Here we transfer this species to the genus Psathyloma and provide detailed morphological data and illustrations of fresh collections. Psathyloma is confirmed as an ectomycorrhizal genus with a disjunct southern Gondwanan distribution that is similar to what has been found for other Austral ectomycorrhizal fungal genera such as Austropaxillus and Descolea.Fil: Kuhar, José Francisco. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Truong, Camille. Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico. Facultad de Ciencias; MéxicoFil: Smith, Matthew E.. University of Florida; Estados UnidosFil: Matheny, P. Brandon. University of Tennessee; Estados UnidosFil: Nouhra, Eduardo Ramon. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentin

Revisiting the secotioid and gasteroid Cortinarius species from Patagonia

The diversity of secotioid taxa within Cortinarius in the Nothofagaceae forests of Patagonia has drawn attention of mycologists during the last century. In the Patagonian region of Argentina and Chile Cortinarius is among the most diverse and abundant genera of ectomycorrhizal fungi with at least 240 species from the Andean mountains. Secotioid and gasteroid forms were until recently considered primarily within Thaxterogaster, resulting in a confusing intrageneric classification system. Moser and Horak suggested that Thaxterogaster was nested within Cortinarius. The modern molecular analysis of Peintner et al. investigated the multiple origins of sequestrate taxa related to Cortinarius and consequently synonymized Thaxterogaster to Cortinarius. Subsequent molecular phylogenies have resolved the polyphyletic nature of Thaxterogaster and other "cortinarioid" taxa within Cortinarius but have also highlighted the fact that most sequestrate Patagonian taxa lack molecular data. Original descriptions of these fungi are available mostly in German and Spanish and the interpretations of morphological structures are outdated considering the current state of knowledge about sporemorphology and ontogeny. For example, verrucae on spores were illustrated as globose structures whereas SEM shows that they are complex conical structures that are sometimes interconnected by reticula or sub-reticula. External walls or episporia were sometimes pictured in original descriptions but our analyses suggest that these may have been optical illusions due to non-DIC microscopy. Recently, the incorrect interpretation of this episporium in the "cortinariod" fungi was found to be a misleading character. Despite recent advances in Cortinarius systematics, the current classification, diversity andecology of secotioid and hypogeous "cortinarioid" fungi in the Nothofagaceae forests of southern South America remains unclear. The objective of this study is to update descriptions with diagnostic characters, including color photos of basidiomata, SEM images of spores, and ITS sequence data to clarify the biodiversity of these fungi in Patagonia. Original descriptions of secotioid and gasteroid taxa were also revised and translated to English. Our analyses based on SEM and ITS rDNA resolves at least 15 species with names that need to be considered as synonyms. The use of these tools combined with an extensive database of described species also facilitated the recognition of several new and undescribed Patagonian species. Analysis of spore ultrastructure across many specimens clearly shows that sequestrate species of Cortinarius always lack a perisporium. It also indicates that there is a transition process in shape and ornamentation that occurs in taxa as they switch from ballistosporic tostatimosporic spore dispersal.Fil: Nouhra, Eduardo Ramon. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Kuhar, José Francisco. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina. Provincia del Chubut. Centro de Investigación y Extensión Forestal Andino Patagónico; ArgentinaFil: Truong, Camille. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; MéxicoFil: Mujic, Alija. University of Florida; Estados UnidosFil: Healy, R.. University of Florida; Estados UnidosFil: Smith, M. E.. University of Florida; Estados Unidos11th International Mycological Congress: Mycological Discoveries for a Better WorldSan Juan de Puerto RicoPuerto RicoInternational Mycological AssociationMycological Society of Americ