New combinations in Lactifluus, 3 : L. subgenera Lactifluus and Piperati

In this last of a series of three papers, new combinations in the genus Lactifluus are proposed. This paper treats Lactifluus subg. Lactifluus (an autonymous subgenus) and Lactifluus subg. Piperati (proposed as a new subgenus). In Lactifluus subg. Lactifluus, six sections are recognized (five of them as new combinations) and 46 new combinations are proposed at species level. In Lactifluus subg. Piperati, two sections are recognized (as new combinations) and nine new species combinations are proposed. In addition, new combinations are proposed for an unassigned section and its single species as well as for three unassigned species

Lactifluus bicapillus (Russulales, Russulaceae), a new species from the Guineo-Congolian rainforest

The milkcap genus Lactifluus is one of the most common ectomycorrhizal genera within Central African rainforests. During a field trip to the Dja Biosphere Reserve in Cameroon, a new Lactifluus species was found. Molecular and morphological analyses indicate that the species belongs to Lactifluus section Xerampelini and we formally describe it here as Lactifluus bicapillus sp. nov

A multi-gene phylogeny of Lactifluus (Basidiomycota, Russulales) translated into a new infrageneric classification of the genus

Infrageneric relations of the genetically diverse milkcap genus Lactifluus (Russulales, Basidiomycota) are poorly known. Currently used classification systems still largely reflect the traditional, mainly morphological, characters used for infrageneric delimitations of milkcaps. Increased sampling, combined with small-scale molecular studies, show that this genus is underexplored and in need of revision. For this study, we assembled an extensive dataset of the genus Lactifluus, comprising 80 % of all known species and 30 % of the type collections. To unravel the infrageneric relationships within this genus, we combined a multi-gene molecular phylogeny, based on nuclear ITS, LSU, RPB2 and RPB1, with a morphological study, focussing on five important characteristics (fruit body type, presence of a secondary velum, colour reaction of the latex/context, pileipellis type and presence of true cystidia). Lactifluus comprises four supported subgenera, each containing several supported clades. With extensive sampling, ten new clades and at least 17 new species were discovered, which highlight the high diversity in this genus. The traditional infrageneric classification is only partly maintained and nomenclatural changes are proposed. Our morphological study shows that the five featured characteristics are important at different evolutionary levels, but further characteristics need to be studied to find morphological support for each clade. This study paves the way for a more detailed investigation of biogeographical history and character evolution within Lactifluus

Lactarius volemus (Russulaceae, Russulales), from a traditional morphological species to a world-wide species complex

Fungal species have been mainly diagnosed by their morphological characteristics up to the middle of the 20th century. Starting from the 1960s and 1970s, the application of DNA-based methods ushered in a new era of species delimitation. Numerous genetically isolated clusters within many of the traditional morphological species have now been revealed and previous taxonomic insights became perturbed. Lactifluus volemus (Fr.: Fr.) Kuntze is such a traditional morphological species. It has been described from Sweden by Fries in 1821. Since then, however, the name has been applied for morphological look-alikes in Guatemala, Mexico, eastern North America and Asia, where it forms ectomycorrhiza in both deciduous and coniferous forests. Is Fries’ L. volemus indeed such a widespread species? Or is it in fact a complex of different species with limited geographical distributions? If L. volemus represent a species complex, are these different species cryptic or pseudo-cryptic? We summarize and discuss several recent morphological and molecular phylogenetic findings confirming that L. volemus represents a species complex and that at least some of these species are pseudo-cryptic.Jusqu’au milieu du 20e siècle, les espèces fongiques ont été principalement décrites sur base de leurs caractères morphologiques. A partir des années 1960 et 1970, l’application des méthodes basées sur l’ADN a inauguré une nouvelle ère pour la délimitation des espèces. De nombreux clusters isolés génétiquement ont été découverts au sein de beaucoup d’espèces morphologiques traditionnelles et les conceptions taxonomiques en ont été perturbées. Lactifluus volemus (Fr.: Fr.) Kuntze est l’une de ces espèces traditionnelles. Elle a été décrite de Suède par Fries, en 1821. Depuis lors, cependant, le nom est utilisé pour des sosies morphologiques au Guatemala, au Mexique, dans l’est de l’Amérique du Nord et en Asie, où elle forme des ectomycorhizes dans les forêts de feuillus aussi bien que de conifères. L’espèce de Fries a-t-elle vraiment une aire de distribution aussi large ? Ou bien s’agit-il en fait d’un complexe de différentes espèces ayant chacune une distribution géographique limitée ? Si L. volemus représente un complexe d’espèces, ces différentes espèces sont-elles cryptiques ou pseudo-cryptiques ? Nous résumons et discutons plusieurs découvertes récentes, tant en morphologie qu’en phylogénétique moléculaire, qui ont confirmé que L. volemus représentait bien un complexe d’espèces et qu’au moins quelques-unes de ces espèces étaient pseudo-cryptiques

New or interesting Russula from Sikkim Himalaya (India)

Russula khanchanjungae and R. tsokae are described as new to science from subtropical to temperate forests of Sikkim Himalaya. R. griseocarnosa, recently described from China, is reported for the first time from India where it appears to be equally associated with Lithocarpus (Fagaceae). Macro- and micromorphological characters of all taxa are illustrated and their systematic placement and relations to other species are discussed

A new Lactarius species from Togo with an isolated phylogenetic position

Lactarius cocostnus Van de Putte & De Kesel sp. nov. is described from Uapaca woodlands in Togo. The species has a remarkable coconut-smell, which is typical for some European and North American Lactarius species but is observed here for the first time in a milkcap from Africa. Unpublished molecular data show that the species represents a new phylogenetic group for the African continent

Exposing hidden diversity by concordant genealogies and morphology: a study of the Lactifluus volemus (Russulales) species complex in Sikkim Himalaya (India)

Although Sikkim belongs to one of the Global Biodiversity Hotspots, little is known about its ectomycorrhizal fungi, and even less about the main genera of Russulales, i.e. Lactarius, Lactifluus, Multifurca and Russula. Combining a multilocus genealogical and morphological study, we aimed to document the diversity within Lactifluus volemus sensu lato of Sikkim Himalaya. We compared nuclear ITS and LSU rDNA, nuclear rpb1 and rpb2 protein-coding, and mitochondrial atp6 protein-coding genealogies to determine species boundaries. Interspecific relationships were inferred from the combined dataset. Bayesian and maximum likelihood single-locus genealogies are concordant and support recognition of six species. Three of these could be identified by unique morphological characteristics and are described as new species: L. dissitus, L. leptomerus and L. versiformis