The Checklist of Sicilian Macrofungi: Second Edition

Approximately 30 years after the publication of the first Sicilian checklist of macrofungi,a new updated version is presented here. The census of macromycetes was carried out through periodic observations in different agricultural and forest ecosystems, in urban areas, in public and private gardens, and in botanical gardens. The 1919 infraspecific taxa included in 508 genera belonging to 152 families were collected in the Sicilian territory. Ectomycorrhizal fungi are the most represented ecological category, followed by saprotrophs on wood, saprotrophs on litter, and terricolous saprotrophs. The interest in this rich group of organisms is evidenced by the nutritional and therapeutic value of a high percentage of species. The actions linked to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and The Network for the Study of Mycological Diversity will further increase the number of macrofungi for Sicily in the future

Conservation Strategies of the Culinary-Medicinal Mushroom Pleurotus nebrodensis (Basidiomycota, Fungi)

Pleurotus nebrodensis (Inzenga) Quél. is an edible mushroom appreciated by consumers for its organoleptic characters. It was first described by the mycologist Giuseppe Inzenga as “the most delicious mushroom growing in Sicily”. This taxon, originally described as Agaricus nebrodensis Inzenga, has undergone several changes in the synomy and is recognized as a variety or subspecies within the Pleurotus eryngii (DC.) Quél. species complex. Recent studies demonstrated that P. nebrodensis is distinct from other taxa related to the P. eryngii complex. The distribution of P. nebrodensis in Europe is limited. The mushroom grows only in Madonie Park (Sicily, Italy) and in Greece, associated with plants of Prangos ferulacea (Lindl.). Several studies demonstrated that the presence of P. nebrodensis in native territories has progressively decreased over the years. Research conducted in Sicily (southern Italy) during the fructification period (April–June 2009) confirmed this negative trend. The decision to include P. nebrodensis as an endangered (EN) species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species was taken to safeguard the existence of this important taxon. Legal action is needed to stop the overexploitation and collection of unripe basidiomata of P. nebrodensis in the wild. Ex situ cultivation to increase wild production was experimented and preservation of mycelium in the Mycotheca of the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Forest Science (SAAF) of the University of Palermo was carried out. The in situ conservation strategy can be implemented only if the wild collection is properly managed (picking of ripe mushrooms forbidden in zone A of Madonie Park and collection of unripe mushrooms forbidden in other areas)

Inocybe obscurobadia and Neournula pouchetii, infrequent macromycetes in Italy

Two infrequent species from Italy, i.e. Inocybe obscurobadia (Basidiomycets) and Neournula pouchetii (Ascomycetes) are reported for the first time from Sicily (southern Italy). The two species were collected in the Monti Sicani Park within a non-native forest in the Site of Community Interest (SCI ITA040005) - Monte Cammarata, Contrada Salac

Typification of names published by Vincenzo Tineo from Sicily

The nomenclature of 13 European taxa described by Vincenzo Tineo from Sicily is discussed. Alyssum nebrodense is neotypified on a specimen collected by Tineo and housed in PAL. Bromus tenuis (basionym of Vulpiella tenuis), Carex intricata (Carex nigra subsp. intricata), Ophrys sicula, Orchis markusii (Dactylorhiza markusii), Scilla sicula (Oncostema sicula), and Viola parvula are lectotypified using specimens deposited in PAL; Iris pseudopumila is lectotypified by a specimen preserved in K, Mespilus insegnae (Crataegus insegnae), Scilla ughii (Oncostema ughii), and Statice tenuicula (Limonium tenuiculum) are lectotypified by specimens housed in NAP; Rothia tenuifolia (Andryala tenuifolia) is neotypified by a specimen by Michele Lojacono-Pojero housed in P; Statice parviflora (Limonium parvifolium) is lectotypified on a specimen housed in FI. For each taxon both the currently accepted name and synonymies are provided. The type indication is followed by nomenclatural and taxonomic notes in which the original material found is commented and the reasons for the choice of the types are discussed

Forest ecosystems in the Monti Sicani Park (Sicily)

The authors analysed the forest ecosystems in the Monti Sicani Park (Sicily). In particular, the state of the natural and non-native forests in the Site of Community Interest (SCI ITA040005) - Monte Cammarata, Contrada Salaci, was evaluated in terms of distribution, evolution of forest dynamics and, silvicultural activities. The evolution of vegetation within two different forest plots are analysed and management strategies are proposed. The finding on Mount Cammarata of seedlings of Fagus sylvatica in the undergrowth of a conifer afforestation is noteworthy