Taxonomy of Polyporus Sensu lato and Related Genera (basidiomycota) from Santa Maria, Southern Brazil

Polyporus has traditionally been treated at a generic status, but currently, it is considered as a polyphyletic assemblage of some poroid stipitate genera and morphological groups of fungi to be better understood. Ten species of Polyporus sensu lato and one species of Echinochaete (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) were identified to the region of Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul State, southern Brazil. Fresh basidiomes were collected and analyzed in order to present their illustrated morphological redescriptions. Polyporus subpurpurascens is recorded for the first time from Brazil

Neofavolus subpurpurascens comb. nov., with new records from the Neotropics

Polyporus subpurpurascens is a rare Neotropical species characterized by deep purplish pilear surface and radially elongated pores. This study analyzed Neotropical specimens from Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil by applying detailed morphological examination and phylogenetic analyses. We conclude that P. subpurpurascens is a species of Neofavolus, and N. subpurpurascens is proposed as a new combination. New records from Argentina and Bolivia, a detailed description, and photographs of the species are included.Fil: Palacio, Melissa. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Silveira, Rosa Mara Borges Da. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Robledo, Gerardo Lucio. 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

Família Agaricaceae (Agaricales, Basidiomycota) no Parque Estadual de Itapuã, Viamão, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

The present work shows the species of the Agaricaceae family that were founded in “Parque Estadual de Itapuã” between April of 2005 to June of 2006. They were identified 16 species, distributed in the genus Agaricus, Chlorophyllum, Lepiota, Leucoagaricus e Leucocoprinus. Among the identified species, Agaricus porphyrizon and A. pseudoargentinus constitute new records for Brazil and Lepiota guatopoensis, L. pseudoignicolor, Leucoagaricus rubrotinctus and L. serenus are new records for Rio Grande do Sul State. Keywords: mushroom, taxonomy, fungi, protected area.O presente trabalho apresenta as espécies de Agaricaceae encontradas no Parque Estadual de Itapuã durante o período de abril de 2005 a junho de 2006. Foram identificadas 16 espécies, distribuídas nos gêneros Agaricus, Chlorophyllum, Lepiota, Leucoagaricus e Leucocoprinus. Entre as espécies encontradas, constituem citações novas para o Brasil: Agaricus porphyrizon e A. pseudoargentinus; e para o estado do Rio Grande do Sul: Lepiota guatopoensis, L. pseudoignicolor, Leucoagaricus rubrotinctus e L. serenus. Palavras-chave: cogumelo, taxonomia, fungos, unidade de conservação

Polyporales (Basidiomycota) no Parque Estadual de Itapuã, Viamão, Rio Grande do Sul

During the period between October 2003 and May 2005, where founded 32 polyporales species and 1 variety, representing 6 families, in Parque Estadual de Itapuã, Viamão, RS, Brazil. In the present work a key for identification was provided, as well as comments and figures to the speciesNeste trabalho são apresentadas 32 espécies e 1 variedade de fungos da ordem Polyporales, distribuídas em 6 famílias, encontradas no Parque Estadual de Itapuã, Viamão, RS, Brasil, durante o período de outubro de 2003 a maio de 2005. Uma chave dicotômica é apresentada para a identificação das espécies, assim como comentários e figuras das mesmas

Strophariaceae (Agaricales, Basidiomycota) no Parque Estadual de Itapuã, Viamão, Rio Grande do Sul: chave para identificação das espécies

This work comprises a key for species identification of Strophariaceae (Agaricales) from Itapuã State Park (Viamão, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil): Hypholoma aurantiacum, H. ericaeum, Psilocybe caeruleoannulata, P. coprophila, P. cubensis, P. inquilinus, P. subbrunneocystidiata, P. wrightii, Stropharia alcis and S. coronilla. Comments and illustrations of the studied species are included.   Como uma contribuição ao estudo dos fungos do Parque Estadual de Itapuã, Viamão, Rio Grande do Sul, as espécies de Strophariaceae (Agaricales) são apresentadas. As seguintes espécies foram encontradas na área: Hypholoma aurantiacum, H. ericaeum, Psilocybe caeruleoannulata, P. coprophila, P. cubensis, P. muscorum, P. subbrunneocystidiata, P. wrightii, Stropharia alcis e S. coronilla. Chave para a identificação, comentários e ilustrações das espécies são incluídos

New records of Hysterangium (Basidiomycota) from a Eucalyptus plantation in southern Brazil

Hysterangium affine and H. inflatum are recorded for the first time from Brazil, based on specimens collected in a plantation of exotic Eucalyptus. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of the studied collections are presented, including an identification key to the species known from southern Brazil.(Novos registros de Hysterangium (Basidiomycota) em plantação de Eucalyptus no sul do Brasil). Hysterangium affine e H. inflatum têm sua ocorrência registrada pela primeira vez no Brasil a partir de espécimes coletados em plantação de Eucalyptus. São apresentadas descrições e ilustrações dos espécimes estudados, assim como uma chave de identificação das espécies de Hysterangium conhecidas no sul do Brasil

Successful Tulasnella amonilioides isolation from wild Cattleya intermedia and effectiveness of the mycobiont on in vitro propagation of this threatened Orchidaceae

This is the first study that report symbiosis in Cattleya, aiming to isolate and identify mycorrhizal fungi capable of promoting germination of this orchid, and to evaluate the development of symbiotically propagated individuals. We compared seed germination percentage, growth index and morphometric variables of seedlings propagated symbiotically in OMA medium with individuals that were non-symbiotically propagated in MS medium. Fungi isolates were identified by phylogenetic analysis and eight of the nine isolates that were efficient in C. intermedia propagation were identified as Tulasnella amonilioides. The mycobiont improved C. intermedia seed germination and plant development when compared with OMA medium without fungi (negative control). Seedlings propagated by symbiotic culture with T. amonilioides produced more leaves and longer roots, while shoot height and number of roots were lower than for seedlings propagated in MS medium with the addition of activated charcoal. Fresh mass of seedlings propagated by symbiotic and asymbiotic techniques were equal, except when seedlings were grown in MS without activated charcoal. Tulasnella amonilioides enhances the in vitro propagation of C. intermedia and provides plants that facilitate symbiotic processes in reintroduction environments.This is the first study that reports symbiosis in Cattleya, aiming to isolate and identify mycorrhizal fungi capable of promoting the germination of this orchid and to evaluate the development of symbiotically propagated individuals. We compared seed germination percentage, growth index, and morphometric variables of seedlings propagated symbiotically in oatmeal agar (OMA) medium with individuals that were non-symbiotically propagated in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. Fungi isolates were identified by phylogenetic analysis and eight of the nine isolates that were efficient in C. intermedia propagation were identified as Tulasnella amonilioides. The mycobiont improved C. intermedia seed germination and plant development when compared with OMA medium without fungi (negative control). Seedlings propagated by symbiotic culture with T. amonilioides produced more leaves and longer roots, while shoot height and a number of roots were lower than for seedlings propagated in MS medium with the addition of activated charcoal. The fresh mass of seedlings propagated by symbiotic and a symbiotic techniques was equal, except when seedlings were grown in MS without activated charcoal. T. amonilioides enhance the in vitro propagation of C. intermedia and provide plants that facilitate symbiotic processes in reintroduction environments

12,500+ and counting: biodiversity of the Brazilian Pampa

Knowledge on biodiversity is fundamental for conservation strategies. The Brazilian Pampa region, located in subtropical southern Brazil, is neglected in terms of conservation, and knowledge of its biodiversity is fragmented. We aim to answer the question: how many, and which, species occur in the Brazilian Pampa? In a collaborative effort, we built species lists for plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi that occur in the Brazilian Pampa. We included information on distribution patterns, main habitat types, and conservation status. Our study resulted in referenced lists totaling 12,503 species (12,854 taxa, when considering infraspecific taxonomic categories [or units]). Vascular plants amount to 3,642 species (including 165 Pteridophytes), while algae have 2,046 species (2,378 taxa) and bryophytes 316 species (318 taxa). Fungi (incl. lichenized fungi) contains 1,141 species (1,144 taxa). Animals total 5,358 species (5,372 taxa). Among the latter, vertebrates comprise 1,136 species, while invertebrates are represented by 4,222 species. Our data indicate that, according to current knowledge, the Pampa holds approximately 9% of the Brazilian biodiversity in an area of little more than 2% of Brazil’s total land The proportion of species restricted to the Brazilian Pampa is low (with few groups as exceptions), as it is part of a larger grassland ecoregion and in a transitional climatic setting. Our study yielded considerably higher species numbers than previously known for many species groups; for some, it provides the first published compilation. Further efforts are needed to increase knowledge in the Pampa and other regions of Brazil. Considering the strategic importance of biodiversity and its conservation, appropriate government policies are needed to fund studies on biodiversity, create accessible and constantly updated biodiversity databases, and consider biodiversity in school curricula and other outreach activitie