Decay Types and Fungal Communities of Norway Spruce Dead Wood in Europe

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Tuber pulchrosporum sp. nov., a black truffle of the Aestivum clade (Tuberaceae, Pezizales) from the Balkan peninsula

Knowledge on the diversity of hypogeous sequestrate ascomycetes is still limited in the Balkan Peninsula. A new species of truffle, Tuber pulchrosporum, is described from Greece and Bulgaria. Specimens were collected from habitats dominated by various oak species (i.e. Quercus ilex, Q. coccifera, Q. robur) and other angiosperms. They are morphologically characterised by subglobose, ovoid to irregularly lobed, yellowish-brown to dark brown ascomata, usually with a shallow basal cavity and surface with fissures and small, dense, almost flat, trihedral to polyhedral warts. Ascospores are ellipsoid to subfusiform, uniquely ornamented, crested to incompletely reticulate and are produced in (1–)2–8-spored asci. Hair-like, hyaline to light yellow hyphae protrude from the peridium surface. According to the outcome of ITS rDNA sequence analysis, this species forms a distinct well-supported group in the Aestivum clade, with T. panniferum being the closest phylogenetic taxon

Fungal Systematics and Evolution: FUSE 8

In this 8th contribution to the Fungal Systematics and Evolution series published by Sydowia, the authors formally describe 11 species: Cortinarius caryae, C. flavolilacinus, C. lilaceolamellatus, C. malodorus, C. olivaceolamellatus, C. quercophilus, C. violaceoflavescens, C. viridicarneus, Entoloma meridionale (Agaricales), Hortiboletus rupicapreus (Boletales), and Paraglomus peruvianum (Paraglomerales). The following new country records are reported: Bolbitius callistus (Agaricales) from Russia and Hymenoscyphus equiseti (Helotiales) from Sweden. Hymenoscyphus equiseti is proposed as a new combination for Lanzia equiseti, based on ITS and LSU sequence data in combination with morphological study

Contribution to the knowledge of biodiversity of the Cyclades (Central Aegean area): a study of basidiomycetes (subphylum Agaricomycotina) in the islands Andros, Naxos and Amorgos

Τhe island complex of Cyclades (Kik) comprises one of the thirteen distinct phytogeographical regions of Greece, according to the “Flora Hellenica” project, and one of the most interesting from the floristic point of view. Until the end of the 20th century, only scarce published data existed on the diversity of macrofungi in Cyclades. The main goal of this dissertation was the study of representative islands of Cyclades by conducting a thorough inventory of the diversity of macromycetes, i.e., basidiomycetes (subphylum Agaricomycotina, phylum Basidiomycota), which during sexual reproduction typically produce macroscopic fruit-bodies known as mushrooms. An additional target of this work was the detailed field research of various Mediterranean-type habitats where macrofungi have been poorly studied in Greece, in comparison to the mountain forests of the mainland. In the frame of this work, the two largest islands of Cyclades, Andros and Naxos, as well as Amorgos -one of the most interesting Aegean islands from the floristical point of viewwere selected for study, by taking into account the diversity of higher plants and biotopes, the bas-relief and the microclimatic conditions influencing the macrofungal diversity. After a long-term investigation of these islands, more than 1500 specimens were collected, described and studied as regards their macroscopic and microscopic features. The methodology is presented in details, while all the collected biological material is deposited in the fungarium of the Laboratory of General and Agricultural Microbiology in the Agricultural University of Athens (L.G.A.M. - A.U.A.). In the frame of this dissertation 450 taxa of basidiomycetes (subphylum Agaricomycotina), belonging to 141 genera, were inventoried. Four species recorded in Andros, namely Entoloma alnicola Noordel. & Polemis, E. leuconitens Noordel. & Polemis, Gymnopus amygdalisporus Polemis & Noordel. and G. dysosmus Polemis & Noordel., are new species for science. Phanerochaete salmoneolutea (found in Naxos) and Exidiopsis candida (Andros and Naxos) are new records for the European continent. Moreover six genera (Ceratobasidium, Kavinia, Mycoaciella, Naucoria, Punctularia και Vararia) and 148 taxa (below the genus level) are reported for the first time from Greece. Moreover, 160 additional taxa already recorded in the country, were found in a new habitat, or on new substrates, or in association with new hosts. A significantly large number of these new records are taxa with a more or less typical Mediterranean geographic distribution, known to date mainly from W. Mediterranean countries. In some cases these taxa have been reported only from the type locality (e.g. Entoloma griseopruinatum, E. griseorugulosum, Mycena bertaultiana, M. marocana), or from a few collections only (Phellinus erectus, P. rosmarini). Particularly as regards mushrooms that form ectomycorrhizal symbioses with evergreen sclerophyllous Quercus spp., the contribution of this work was essential, since many of these species were known mainly from Q. ilex woods in W. Mediterranean; in Cyclades they were found in association with Q. coccifera (e.g. Cortinarius caligatus, Lecinellum lepidum, Russula ilicis, R. Prinophila, Xerocomus ichnusanus). Equally important was the finding of several symbiotic macrofungi growing in association with Cistus spp. scrubs (e.g. Hebeloma album, Lactarius cistophilus). Noteworthy was the contribution to the knowledge of the diversity of wood-rotting basidiomycetes, a particular ecological group in the subphylum Agaricomycotina of a great functional importance. Large number of such fungi were detected to colonize dead wood of various mediterranean scrubs and phrygana in typical xero-phytic habitats. Most of these associations constitute new records for Greece, while many of them have not been reported previously in literature as is the case for those growing on plant substrates with an E. Mediterranean distribution (e.g. Hyphodontia juniperi & H. sambuci on Centaurea spinosa and Salvia fruticosa, Henningsomyces candidus on Genista acanthoclada and Phlomis fruticosa, Peniophora lycii on Ballota acetabulosa, Anthylis hermaniae and Euphorbia dendroides, Perenniporia meridionalis on Salvia fruticosa, Radulomyces confluens on Sarcopoterium spinosum, Steccherinum ochraceum on Genista acanthoclada). According to our observations, production of basidiomata occurred from November to early February, that is during the main rainfall period of the year for the Cyclades islands. However, in some particular cases, exceptionally high precipitations occurred during September - October, and then basidiomata of several rare and very interesting basidiomycetes were recorded. This fact outlines the necessity of conducting long-term studies in order to obtain a more complete inventory of the macrofungal diversity in Mediterranean areas. As concerns large-scale applications and commercial exploitation of mushroom fungi, several species recorded in Cyclades are of particular significance. Cultivation of edible mushrooms such as Agrocybe cylindracea and Volvariella gloiocephala could lead at the diversification of the particular industry, after the appropriate improvements in production methodologies. Moreover, pure cultures of other species (e.g. Agaricus spp., Pleurotus eryngii) could be of great value in breeding projects of strains currently used in commercial mushrooms cultivation. A considerably large number of wood-rotting basidiomycetes could also be utilized in biotechnological approaches of detoxifying organic wastes. Medicinal properties of mushrooms are being investigated widely in recent years and some of the recorded species are already known to be exploited against serious human diseases. The knowledge of the biodiversity in environmentally vulnerable regions, as is the case of the Cyclades islands, could contribute towards the conservation of nature, the sustainable development and the viable management of local natural resources. As the outcome of this study demonstrated, all areas which have been included in the “Natura 2000” project show a very large diversity of macrofungi, and this diversity should be safeguarded. By changing and suitably adapting the developmental model in those islands, which still have this option, both conservation of biodiversity and protection of landscape could be combined with the well-being of the local populations.Οι Κυκλάδες συνιστούν, σύμφωνα με την άποψη κορυφαίων βοτανικών, όπως αυτές αποτυπώνονται στο έργο “Flora Hellenica”, διακριτή φυτογεωγραφική περιοχή, που αδιαμφισβήτητα αποτελεί μια από τις πλέον ενδιαφέρουσες της Ελλάδας. Για την ποικιλότητα των μακρομυκήτων στις Κυκλάδες δεν υπήρχαν έως τα τέλη του 20ου αιώνα παρά ελάχιστα γνωστά στοιχεία. Ο σκοπός της παρούσας διατριβής ήταν να μελετηθούν αντιπροσωπευτικά νησιά των Κυκλάδων και να καταγραφεί ο μεγαλύτερος δυνατός αριθμός ειδών μακρομυκήτων και πιο συγκεκριμένα βασιδιομυκήτων (υποφύλο Agaricomycotina, φύλο Basidiomycota), οι οποίοι τυπικά παράγουν εγγενείς καρποφορίες γνωστές και ως μανιτάρια. Παράλληλα, στόχος της παρούσας διατριβής ήταν να υπάρξει όσο το δυνατόν πιο εκτενής- λεπτομερής έρευνα πεδίου σε αντιπροσωπευτικές μεσογειακού τύπου φυτοκοινωνίες στις οποίες η ποικιλότητα των μακρομυκήτων είχε έως σήμερα πλημμελώς ερευνηθεί σε σύγκριση με δασικά οικοσυστήματα της ηπειρωτικής Ελλάδας. Τα δύο μεγαλύτερα σε έκταση νησιά των Κυκλάδων, Άνδρος και Νάξος, καθώς και η Αμοργός (δηλ. ένα από τα πλέον ενδιαφέροντα από χλωριδικής άποψης νησιά του Αιγαίου), επιλέχθηκαν για να μελετηθούν στο πλαίσιο της παρούσας εργασίας, με γνώμονα τη χλωριδική σύσταση, την ποικιλία βιοτόπων, το έντονο ανάγλυφο και την επικράτηση μικροκλιματικών συνθηκών, που ευνοούν την παρουσία μιας μεγάλης ποικιλότητας μακρομυκήτων. Μετά από πολυετή συστηματική μελέτη των νησιών αυτών σε όλη τους την έκταση, περισσότερα από 1.500 δείγματα μανιταριών συλλέχθηκαν, περιγράφηκαν και μελετήθηκαν ως προς τα μακροσκοπικά και μικροσκοπικά χαρακτηριστικά τους. Η μέθοδος που ακολουθήθηκε περιγράφεται εκτενώς και όλο το συλλεχθέν βιολογικό υλικό φυλάσσεται στη συλλογή αποξηραμένων δειγμάτων του Εργαστηρίου Γενικής και Γεωργικής Μικροβιολογίας του Γεωπονικού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών (L.G.A.M. - A.U.A.). Στο πλαίσιο της διατριβής αυτής καταγράφηκαν 450 taxa βασιδιομυκήτων του υποφύλου Agaricomycotina, τα οποία ανήκουν σε 141 γένη. Τέσσερα είδη που συλλέχθηκαν στην Άνδρο, δηλ. τα Entoloma alnicola Noordel. & Polemis, E. leuconitens Noordel. & Polemis, Gymnopus amygdalisporus Polemis & Noordel. και G. dysosmus Polemis & Noordel., αποτελούν νέα είδη για την επιστήμη. Η ύπαρξη των ειδών Phanerochaete salmoneolutea (στη Νάξο) και Exidiopsis candida (στην Άνδρο και τη Νάξο) αναφέρεται για πρώτη φορά στην Ευρώπη. Ακόμη έξι γένη (τα Ceratobasidium, Kavinia, Mycoaciella, Naucoria, Punctularia και Vararia) και 148 taxa (κατώτερων ταξινομικών βαθμίδων) καταγράφηκαν για πρώτη φορά στη χώρα μας, ενώ 160 taxa των οποίων η ύπαρξη ήταν γνωστή στην Ελλάδα, καταγράφηκαν σε νέο βιότοπο, υπόστρωμα ή/και ξενιστή. Σημαντικός αριθμός των νέων καταγραφών για την Ελλάδα αφορά taxa με τυπική μεσογειακή εξάπλωση, τα οποία ήταν έως σήμερα γνωστά κυρίως από χώρες της Δ. Μεσογείου. Μερικές φορές μάλιστα πρόκειται για σπάνια είδη τα οποία είναι γνωστά είτε μόνο από την περιοχή όπου αρχικά βρέθηκαν και περιγράφηκαν (π.χ. Entoloma griseopruinatum, E. griseorugulosum, Mycena bertaultiana, M. marocana) είτε από περιορισμένο αριθμό συλλογών (π.χ. Phelinus erectus, P. rosmarini). Ιδιαίτερα όσον αφορά στα εκτομυκορριζικά μανιτάρια που συμβιώνουν με αείφυλλα σκληρόφυλλα είδη Quercus, η συμβολή της διατριβής αυτής υπήρξε σημαντική καθώς αρκετά είδη από αυτά εντοπίστηκαν σε συστάδες Quercus coccifera (π.χ. Cortinarius caligatus, Lecinellum lepidum, Russula ilicis, R. prinophila, Xerocomus ichnusanus), ενώ οι προηγούμενες σχετικές αναφορές ήταν κυρίως από δάση Q. ilex της Δ. Μεσογείου. Αντίστοιχης σπουδαιότητας ήταν και η καταγραφή εκτομυκορριζικών μανιταριών που συμβιώνουν με θάμνους του γένους Cistus (π.χ. Hebeloma album, Lactarius cistophilus). Πολύ σημαντική υπήρξε και η συμβολή στη γνώση της ποικιλότητας των βασιδιομυκήτων που προκαλούν τη σήψη νεκρών ξύλων, δηλ. μιας ομάδας βασιδιομυκήτων του υποφύλου Agaricomycotina με μεγάλη –λόγω του ρόλου τους- οικολογική σημασία. Μεγάλος αριθμός τέτοιων ξυλοσηπτικών βασιδιομυκήτων καταγράφηκαν πάνω σε ξύλο μεσογειακών θάμνων και φρυγάνων, σε χαρακτηριστικούς ξηροθερμικούς βιότοπους. Η πλειονότητα των καταγραφών αυτών αποτελεί νέα αναφορά της σχέσης μύκητα-υποστρώματος στη χώρα μας, αλλά μερικές φορές και παγκοσμίως, όπως σε πολλές από τις περιπτώσεις όπου το υπόστρωμα είναι το ξύλο θάμνων που έχουν γεωγραφική εξάπλωση αποκλειστικά στην Α. Μεσόγειο (π.χ. Hyphodontia juniperi και H. sambuci σε Centaurea spinosa και Salvia fruticosa, το Henningsomyces candidus σε Genista acanthoclada και Phlomis fruticosa, το Peniophora lycii σε Ballota acetabulosa, Anthylis hermaniae και Euphorbia dendroides, Perenniporia meridionalis σε Salvia fruticosa, Radulomyces confluens σε Sarcopoterium spinosum, Steccherinum ochraceum σε Genista acanthoclada.). Όσον αφορά στην εποχικότητα εμφάνισης των βασιδιωμάτων, με βάση τις παρατηρήσεις μας, η πλέον παραγωγική περίοδος για την περιοχή της παρούσας μελέτης, είναι από τον Νοέμβριο έως τις αρχές Φεβρουαρίου. Η περίοδος αυτή (όπως αναμένεται) συμπίπτει με την περίοδο των βροχοπτώσεων στα νησιά των Κυκλάδων. Όμως, υπήρξαν χρονιές κατά τις οποίες έντονες πρώιμες βροχοπτώσεις είχαν ως αποτέλεσμα την εμφάνιση βασιδιωμάτων πολλών σπάνιων και ιδιαίτερα ενδιαφερόντων ειδών κατά τη διάρκεια των μηνών Σεπτεμβρίου - Οκτωβρίου. Αυτό είναι ένα γεγονός που υπογραμμίζει τη σημασία της μακροχρόνιας έρευνας, ως προϋπόθεσης για την κατά το δυνατόν πιο ολοκληρωμένη μελέτη της ποικιλότητας των μακρομυκήτων μιας περιοχής της Μεσογείου. Οι προοπτικές αξιοποίησης επιλεγμένων ειδών από αυτά που καταγράφηκαν στην παρούσα διατριβή είναι πολλές κι ενδιαφέρουσες. Εδώδιμα μανιτάρια, όπως π.χ. των ειδών Agrocybe cylindracea και Volvariella gloiocephala, θα μπορούσαν να ενταχθούν σε διαδικασίες εμπορικής καλλιέργειας (αφού πρώτα μελετηθούν επαρκώς οι προϋποθέσεις- συνθήκες παραγωγής καρποφοριών), ενώ απομονώσεις άλλων ειδών (π.χ. Agaricus spp., Pleurotus eryngii) θα ήταν πολύτιμες σε προγράμματα βελτίωσης πολλαπλασιαστικού υλικού καλλιεργούμενων μανιταριών για τη διεύρυνση της γενετικής ποικιλομορφίας των ήδη χρησιμοποιούμενων εμπορικών στελεχών. Ακόμη μεγάλος αριθμός ξυλοσηπτικών βασιδιομυκήτων είναι γνωστό ότι μπορεί να αποτελέσει εξαιρετικό “εργαλείο” για την ανάπτυξη βιοτεχνολογικών μεθόδων αποτοξικοποίησης οργανικών αποβλήτων. Τέλος, μια σχετικά νέα προοπτική χρήσης των μανιταριών είναι και η αξιοποίηση των φαρμακευτικών τους ιδιοτήτων, καθώς ολοένα και περισσότερα είδη παγκοσμίως μελετώνται ως προς τις ιδιότητές τους αυτές, με πολύ ενθαρρυντικά αποτελέσματα ως προς την αντιμετώπιση σοβαρών ασθενειών και παθήσεων του ανθρώπου. Η καταγραφή και ανάδειξη της βιοποικιλότητας μιας ευαίσθητης περιβαλλοντικά περιοχής όπως οι Κυκλάδες, είναι αυτονόητο ότι μπορεί να δώσει ένα επιπλέον επιχείρημα για την προώθηση της προστασίας του φυσικού περιβάλλοντος, μέσω της αειφόρου διαχείρισης και αξιοποίησης των ιδιαίτερων φυσικών πόρων του κάθε νησιού. Με βάση τα ευρήματα της παρούσας διατριβής προκύπτει πως όλες οι ήδη χαρακτηρισμένες ως χρήζουσες προστασίας περιοχές που έχουν ενταχθεί στο “Δίκτυο Φύση 2000”, εμφανίζουν μια εντυπωσιακή ποικιλότητα μανιταριών. Η αλλαγή του μοντέλου τουριστικής ανάπτυξης -σε όσα νησιά υπάρχει ακόμα αυτή η δυνατότητα- προς μια πιο ήπιας μορφής εκμετάλλευση, όπως είναι ο οικοτουρισμός και αγροτουρισμός, θα είχε μακροπρόθεσμα ευεργετικά αποτελέσματα, τόσο στην προστασία της βιοποικιλότητας και του τοπίου, όσο και στην ευημερία των μόνιμων κατοίκων των εν λόγω περιοχών

A global meta-analysis of ITS rDNA sequences from material belonging to the genus Ganoderma (Basidiomycota, Polyporales) including new data from selected taxa

Ganoderma P. Karst. is a cosmopolitan genus of white-rot fungi which comprises species with highly-prized pharmaceutical properties, valuable biotechnological applications and of significant phytopathological interest. However, the status of the taxonomy within the genus is still highly controversial and ambiguous despite the progress made through molecular approaches. A metadata analysis of 3908 nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA sequences obtained from GenBank/ENA/DDBJ and UNITE was performed by targeting sequences annotated as Ganoderma, but also sequences from environmental samples and from material examined for the first time. Ganoderma taxa segregated into five main lineages (Clades A to E). Clade A corresponds to the core of laccate species and includes G. shanxiense and three major well-supported clusters: Cluster A.1 (‘G. lucidum sensu lato’) consists of taxa from Eurasia and North America, Cluster A.2 of material with worldwide occurrence including G. resinaceum and Cluster A.3 is composed of species originating from all continents except Europe and comprises G. lingzhi. Clade B includes G. applanatum and allied species with a Holarctic distribution. Clade C comprises taxa from Asia and Africa only. Clade D consists of laccate taxa with tropical/subtropical occurrence, while clade E harbours the highest number of non-laccate species with a cosmopolitan distribution. The 92 Ganoderma-associated names, initially used for sequences labelling, correspond to at least 80 taxa. Amongst them, 21 constitute putatively new phylospecies after our application of criteria relevant to the robustness/support of the terminal clades, intra- and interspecific genetic divergence and available biogeographic data. Moreover, several other groups or individual sequences seem to represent distinct taxonomic entities and merit further investigation. A particularly large number of the public sequences was revealed to be insufficiently and/or incorrectly identified, for example, 87% and 78% of entries labelled as G. australe and G. lucidum, respectively. In general, ITS demonstrated high efficacy in resolving relationships amongst most of the Ganoderma taxa; however, it was not equally useful at elucidating species barriers across the entire genus and such cases are outlined. Furthermore, we draw conclusions on biogeography by evaluating species occurrence on a global scale in conjunction with phylogenetic structure/patterns. The sequence variability assessed in ITS spacers could be further exploited for diagnostic purposes

Basidiomycetes Associated with Alnus glutinosa Habitats in Andros Island (Cyclades, Greece)

Alluvial forests dominated by black alder (Alnus glutinosa) are widespread in Europe along river banks and watercourses forming a habitat of renowned ecological/conservation importance. Despite the considerable interest this habitat has attracted in terms of the associated fungal diversity, very few pertinent data are available from the eastern Mediterranean. Andros island (Aegean Sea, Greece) hosts the southernmost population of A. glutinosa in the Balkan Peninsula; such stands have been systematically inventoried for several years in respect to macrofungi. In total, 187 specimens were collected and studied by examining morphoanatomic features and by evaluating (when necessary) the outcome of sequencing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) to elucidate their identity and obtain an insight into phylogenetic relationships. As a result, 106 species were recorded, 92 are saprotrophic and 14 form ectomycorrhizae (ECM) with alders. Twenty-one species are first national records, while 68 other species are reported for the first time from this habitat in Greece. Several findings of particular interest due to their rarity, ecological preferences and/or taxonomic status are presented in detail and discussed, e.g., six Alnicola taxa, Cortinarius americanus, Lactarius obscuratus, Paxillus olivellus and Russula pumila (among the ECMs), and the saprotrophs Entoloma uranochroum, Gymnopilus arenophilus, Hyphoderma nemorale, Lepiota ochraceofulva, Phanerochaete livescens and Psathyrella hellebosensis

Phylogeny, ecology and distribution of the rare Mediterranean species Lactarius pseudoscrobiculatus (Basidiomycota, Russulales)

Lactarius pseudoscrobiculatus is a rare Mediterranean species defined on the basis of morphological characters, and reported from coastal areas of south France, northeast Spain and northwest Italy growing in association with maritime pines (Pinus pinaster and P. halepensis). Prior to the present study, no data existed about its phylogenetic position and the relationships to other taxa of the genus. In the frame of this work, the morphoanatomical features of two pertinent collections from Ikaria Island (East Aegean, Greece) and the area of Lucca (Tuscany, Italy) were studied in detail and compared to the original description. The respective material as well as the type specimen were also subjected to ITS rDNA sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that all examined specimens nested within a well-supported clade corresponding to L. pseudoscrobiculatus which is positioned among other species of Lactarius subsect. Scrobiculati. In addition, L. pseudoscrobiculatus formed a sister group with L. citriolens, evidencing their relative affinity. The confirmed presence of L. pseudoscrobiculatus in the East Mediterranean in association with P. brutia and Cistus spp. expands existing knowledge on the geographic distribution and ecology of this ectomycorrhizal species

Has taxonomic vandalism gone too far? A case study, the rise of the pay-to-publish model and the pitfalls of Morchella systematics

The genus Morchella has gone through turbulent taxonomic treatments. Although significant progress in Morchella systematics has been achieved in the past decade, several problems remain unresolved and taxonomy in the genus is still in flux. In late 2019, a paper published in the open-access journal Scientific Reports raised serious concerns about the taxonomic stability of the genus, but also about the future of academic publishing. The paper, entitled “High diversity of Morchella and a novel lineage of the esculenta clade from the north Qinling Mountains revealed by GCPSR-based study” by Phanpadith and colleagues, suffered from gross methodological errors, included false results and artifactual phylogenies, had misapplied citations throughout, and proposed a new species name invalidly. Although the paper was eventually retracted by Scientific Reports in 2021, the fact that such an overtly flawed and scientifically unsound paper was published in a high-ranked Q1 journal raises alarming questions about quality controls and safekeeping procedures in scholarly publishing. Using this paper as a case study, we provide a critical review on the pitfalls of Morchella systematics followed by a series of recommendations for the delimitation of species, description of taxa, and ultimately for a sustainable taxonomy in Morchella. Problems and loopholes in the academic publishing system are also identified and discussed, and additional quality controls in the pre- and post-publication stages are proposed