Differential hypogeous sporocarp production from Nothofagus dombeyi and N. pumilio forests in southern Argentina

Mycorrhizal fungi that form hypogeous sporocarps are an important component of the temperate forest soil community. In many regions, such as the Nothofagus forest in the Patagonian Andes, this group of fungi has been poorly studied. Here we examined the spring and autumn community composition of "sequestrate fungi", based on sporocarp production in pure forests of Nothofagus dombeyi (evergreen) and N. pumilio (deciduous). We investigated the possible relationships between these communities and environmental factors over 2 y. The rarefaction curves and the minimal richness estimates converged at nearly the same level for each forest type, and the asymptotes suggested that the sampling effort was sufficient to capture most of the hypogeous sporocarp richness in these forest stands. In total 27 species were recovered. Basidiomycota, Ascomycota and Glomeromycota respectively accounted for nine, two and one genera. Species richness of hypogeous sporocarps varied in relation to forest type but not to season (fall and spring), whereas sporocarp biomass varied according to an interaction between season and forest type. Species richness and sporocarp biomass were positively correlated with rainfall and negatively correlated with altitude. In addition sporocarp species richness was positively related to number of trees per transect. We found that two different forest stands, each dominated by different species of Nothofagus, exhibited different hypogeous sporocarp communities. © 2012 by The Mycological Society of America.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: Urcelay, Roberto Carlos. 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: Longo, Maria Silvana. 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: Fontenla, Sonia. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche; Argentin

Arbuscular mycorrhizae and dark-septate endophytes on Atriplex cordobensis in saline sites from Argentina

Atriplex cordobensis occurs in salt works and saline soils of northern and central Argentina and is utilized as a forage source; however the mycorrhizal status of this salt bush is unknown. We studied the arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi (AMF) and dark-septate endophytes (DSE) fungi in A. cordobensis analysing infection of the roots and spores in the rhizopheric soil. Soil and root samples were collected during summer 2008 at three different saline sites (Salinas Grandes de Jujuy (SGJ), Quebrada de Cafayate-Salta (QCS) and Salinas Grandes de Córdoba (SGC). Assessment of AMF and DSE colonization were made by washing and staining the roots and the AMF spores number was estimated by standard sieving and decanting methods. The results showed moderate to high levels of AMF colonization as well as significant differences in AM colonization and AMF spores number between sites. Glomus s.l. was the dominant genus in A. cordobensis rhizosphere. DSE colonization did not show significant differences between sites. This study confirmed the occurrence of AMF and DSE in Atriplex cordobensis in stressed environments of Argentina.Fil: Cofré, María Noelia. 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: Becerra, Alejandra Gabriela. 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: 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: Soteras, María Florencia. 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

Pseudotricharina lanigera (Pezizales), a new species from the Patagonian region of Argentina

a species of Pseudotricharina, similar in sequence and morphology to the type species P. intermedia,is described from a soil bank in a Nothofagus forest of the Andes Mountains of Argentina. This is only the secondspecies of Pseudotricharina to be described and the first known from the Southern Hemisphere.una nueva especie de Pseudotricharina se descripta para la región Andina de Argentina creciendo en suelo expuesto en bosques de Nothofagus. Esta especie posee morfología y secuencia de ITS similares a la especie tipo P. intermedia y constituye la segunda especie de Pseudotricharina descrita y la primera para el hemisferio sur.Fil: Healy, Rosanne. University of Florida; Estados UnidosFil: Pfister, Donald. Harvard University; Estados UnidosFil: Mujic, Alija. University of Florida; Estados UnidosFil: Torres, Daniela. Fundacion Fungi. Programa de recolección Sostenible; ChileFil: 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: Furci, Guiliana. Fundacion Fungi. Programa de recolección Sostenible; ChileFil: Smith, Matthew. University of Florida; Estados Unido

Fungal symbionts of leaf-cutting ants of the genus acromyrmex in dry forest of central argentina

Fungi associated with leaf-cutter ants (LCAs) play a fundamental role in Neotropical ecosystems. The association with fungi allows LCAs to be the dominant herbivores and in this way influence ecological processes. In order to know the taxonomic diversity of fungal symbionts associated with LCAs, ten sampling sites were selected corresponding to the Chaqueño Serrano district and the Algarrobo district. Samples of fungi grown by leaf cutter ants were collected, a part of the fungal material was grown in potato agar culture medium with dextrose and another was stored in a CTAB buffer. Subsequently, amplifications of the ITS1, ITS2 and 5.8S ribosomal gene were carried out. A phylogenetic analysis (Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian) was performed with the sequences. Results show that the leaf cutter ants in the sampled region cultivate symbiotic fungi of two well-differentiated phylogenetic clades (known as A and B). The agar cultures showed a slow growth, with development of globose structures named gongylidia that are grouped together forming staphyla (clusters). Among the ants studied, Acromyrmex striatus is associated with fungi from both clades. In the Espinal forest (Algarrobo district) A. striatus was found associated with clade B fungi (Leucocoprinus sp.) and in the Chaco Serrano (Chaqueño Serrano district) with clade A fungi (Leucocoprinus gongylophorus). While Acromyrmex crassispinus and A. heyeri included in the study exclusively cultivate L. gongylophorus from clade A fungi regardless of the region they inhabit. In addition, the first molecular identification of the fungus L. gongylophorus cultivated by Acromyrmex silvestrii is reported.Fil: Pelissero, David. 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; ArgentinaFil: Pereyra, Mariana. 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: 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

Gasteroid mycobiota (Agaricales, Geastrales, and Phallales) from Espinal forests in Argentina

Sampling and analysis of gasteroid agaricomycete species (Phallomycetidaeand Agaricomycetidae) associated with relicts of native Espinal forests in the southeast region of Córdoba, Argentina, have identified twenty-nine species in fourteen genera:Bovista (4), Calvatia (2), Cyathus (1), Disciseda (4), Geastrum (7), Itajahya (1),Lycoperdon (2), Lysurus (2), Morganella (1), Mycenastrum (1), Myriostoma (1),Sphaerobolus (1), Tulostoma (1), and Vascellum (1). The gasteroid species from the sampled Espinal forests showed an overall similarity with those recorded from neighboringphytogeographic regions; however, a new species of Lysurus was found and is briefly described, and Bovista coprophila is a new record for Argentina.Fil: Hernández Caffot, María Luciana. 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: Broiero, Ximena A.. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Fernández, María Emilia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Silvera Ruiz, Leda. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Crespo, Esteban María. 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. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnol.conicet - San Luis. Unidad de Adm.territorial; ArgentinaFil: 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

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