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Tremella caloplacae (Zahlbr.) Diederich is a species complex including at least nine different species. Here, we formally describe the new species Tremella elegantis , T. nimisiana , T. parietinae , T. pusillae and T. sorediatae. Tremella elegantis induces galls in the hymenium of Rusavskia elegans and forms 2-celled basidia, where cells rarely elongate and sometimes give the appearance of two immature, independent basidia. Tremella nimisiana has small basidiomata (less than 1 mm diam.), narrowly ellipsoid to pyriform 2-celled, occasionally clavate to subcylindrical 3-celled basidia, and grows in the hymenium of Xanthocarpia species. Tremella parietinae is characterized by the exclusive growth in the hymenium of Xanthoria parietina , the broadly fusiform to ellipsoid probasidia, and the subspherical, pyriform or ellipsoid 2(–3)-celled basidia. Tremella pusillae has ellipsoidal probasidia, 2(–3)-celled pyriform or ellipsoidal basidia that sometimes are constricted at the septum, and grows only on Calogaya pusilla. Tremella sorediatae is characterized by inducing galls on the thallus of Rusavskia sorediata and by pyriform to ellipsoid basidia that sometimes are constricted at the septum. Three species are not formally described and are left unnamed as Tremella sp. 13 on Calogaya biatorina , Tremella sp. 14 on Calogaya decipiens and Tremella sp. 15 on Polycauliona sp. Tremella caloplacae in the strict sense is re-circumscribed as a species confined to Variospora species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Scleroderma contains gasteroid basidiomycetes, which form globose spores with echinulate to reticulate ornamentation on the surface. Based on the morphological observations in combination with molecular data, four new species, S. erubescens, S. separatum, S. squamulosum, and S. vinaceum, were described from Yunnan, southwestern China. Images of fresh basidiomata and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of basidiospores are provided. Phylogenetic analyses based on ITS sequences show that these four new taxa belong to the Scleroderma section Scleroderma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While most lichenicolous fungi belong to the Ascomycota, c. 5% of them are members of the Basidiomycota. Among these, the poorly known genus Crittendenia in the Pucciniomycotina has recently been described for lichenicolous fungi with minuscule needle-like synnematous basidiomata. Although only two species were hitherto known, the wide observed host-spectrum suggested a larger number of mainly host-specific species. A classical revision using morphological characters alone proved to be virtually impossible, because of the large variability of the material from each host genus, and the scant morphological differences between hypothetically distinct species from different hosts. We studied over sixty specimens and made a large number of measurements of the available morphological characters. We additionally generated 18 ITS and 21 nuLSU rDNA sequences and conducted maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses. We also performed one species delimitation analysis (bPTP-ML). By combining sometimes subtle morphological differences, host choice and phylogenetic results, we were able to accept eighteen morphologically and/or genetically distinct species, all confined to a single host genus or to several closely related host genera. Two further putative species are left unnamed, as richer material is needed and molecular data are missing. Sixteen new species are described: Crittendenia absistentis (on Bacidia absistens), C. bacidinae (on Bacidina apiahica), C. bryostigmatis (on Bryostigma muscigenum), C. byssolomatis (on Byssoloma maderense), C. crassitunicata (on Melanohalea ushuaiensis), C. heterodermiae (on Heterodermia comosa), C. hypotrachynae (on Hypotrachyna), C. kakouettae (on 'Byssoloma' kakouettae), C. lecanorae (on Lecanora), C. lecidellae (on Lecidella elaeochroma), C. lopadii (on Lopadium disciforme), C. parvispora (on Bacidia), C. physciiphila (on Phaeophyscia, Physcia and Physciella), C. physconiae (on Physconia distorta), C. stictae (on Sticta fuliginosa) and C. teloschistis (on Teloschistes). Further, a ML analysis of the Agaricostilbomycetes using ITS and nuLSU sequences suggested that Crittendenia cannot be included in any known family, and the new family Crittendeniaceae is therefore described for the genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the change to one scientific name for fungal taxa, generic names typified by species with sexual or asexual morph types are being evaluated to determine which names represent the same genus and thus compete for use. In this paper generic names of the Agaricomycotina (Basidiomycota) were evaluated to determine synonymy based on their type. Forty-seven sets of sexually and asexually typified names were determined to be congeneric and recommendations are made for which generic name to use. In most cases the principle of priority is followed. However, 16 generic names are recommended for use that do not have priority and thus need to be protected: Aleurocystis over Matula; Armillaria over Acurtis and Rhizomorpha; Asterophora over Ugola; Botryobasidium over Acladium, Allescheriella, Alysidium, Haplotrichum, Physospora, and Sporocephalium; Coprinellus over Ozonium; Coprinopsis over Rhacophyllus; Dendrocollybia over Sclerostilbum and Tilachlidiopsis; Diacanthodes over Bornetina; Echinoporia over Echinodia; Neolentinus over Digitellus; Postia over Ptychogaster; Riopa over Sporotrichum; Scytinostroma over Artocreas, Michenera, and Stereofomes; Tulasnella over Hormomyces; Typhula over Sclerotium; and Wolfiporia over Gemmularia and Pachyma. Nine species names are proposed for protection: Botryobasidium aureum, B. conspersum, B. croceum, B. simile, Pellicularia lembosporum (syn. B. lembosporum), Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Polyporus metamorphosus (syn. Riopa metamorphosa), Polyporus mylittae (syn. Laccocephalum mylittae), and Polyporus ptychogaster (syn. Postia ptychogaster). Two families are proposed for protection: Psathyrellaceae and Typhulaceae. Three new species names and 30 new combinations are established, and one lectotype is designated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coprinellus andreorum sp. nov. is described for the first time from Malta. A full description with illustrations of the macroand micromorphological characters, as well as its phylogenetic position is provided. This species differs from Coprinellus aureogranulatus by the large pleurocystidia, the narrower spores and multidigitate caulocystidia. Some species from sect. Domestici are discussed and compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lichenicolous 'heterobasidiomycetes' belong in the Tremellomycetes (Agaricomycotina) and in the Pucciniomycotina. In this paper, we provide an introduction and review of these lichenicolous taxa, focusing on recent studies and novelties of their classification, phylogeny and evolution. Lichen-inhabiting fungi in the Pucciniomycotina are represented by only a small number of species included in the genera Chionosphaera, Cyphobasidium and Lichenozyma. The phylogenetic position of the lichenicolous representatives of Chionosphaera has, however, never been investigated by molecular methods. Phylogenetic analyses using the nuclear SSU, ITS, and LSU ribosomal DNA markers reveal that the lichenicolous members of Chionosphaera form a monophyletic group in the Pucciniomycotina, distinct from Chionosphaera and outside the Chionosphaeraceae. The new genus Crittendenia is described to accommodate these lichen-inhabiting species. Crittendenia is characterized by minute synnemata-like basidiomata, the presence of clamp connections and aseptate tubular basidia from which 4–7 spores discharge passively, often in groups. Crittendenia, Cyphobasidium and Lichenozyma are the only lichenicolous lineages known so far in the Pucciniomycotina, whereas Chionosphaera does not include any lichenicolous taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the 2014 survey of the mushroom flora of Gwangneung forest in South Korea, we collected two specimens of boletoid mushroom growing on a felled tree of Pinus koraiensis. These specimens were characterized by a light brown to reddish-brown pileus with appressed tomentum, pore surface bluing instantly when bruised, golden-yellow mycelium at the base of stipe, and lignicolous habitat. Both specimens were identified as Buchwaldoboletus lignicola, a rare basidiomycete, based on morphological characteristics and sequences of internal transcribed spacer (ITS; fungal barcode). Here, we describe these specimens and provide the first report of this genus in South Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual development is a key evolutionary innovation of eukaryotes. In many species, mating involves interaction between compatible mating partners that can undergo cell and nuclear fusion and subsequent steps of development including meiosis. Mating compatibility in fungi is governed by the mating type (MAT) loci. In basidiomycetes, the ancestral state is hypothesized to be tetrapolar, with two genetically unlinked MAT loci containing homeodomain transcription factor genes (HD locus) and pheromone and pheromone receptor genes (P/R locus), respectively. Alleles at both loci must differ between mating partners for completion of sexual development. However, there are also basidiomycetes with bipolar mating systems, which can arise through genomic linkage of the HD and P/R loci. In the order Tremellales, bipolarity is found only in the pathogenic Cryptococcus species. Here, we describe the analysis of MAT loci from 24 species of the Trichosporonales, a sister order to the Tremellales. In all of the species analyzed, the MAT loci are fused and a single HD gene is present in each mating type, similar to the organization in the pathogenic Cryptococci. However, the HD and P/R allele combinations in the Trichosporonales are different from those in the pathogenic Cryptococci. This and the existence of tetrapolar species in the Tremellales suggest that fusion of the HD and P/R loci occurred independently in the Trichosporonales and pathogenic Cryptococci, supporting the hypothesis of convergent evolution towards fused MAT regions, similar to previous findings in other fungal groups. Unlike the fused MAT loci in several other basidiomycete lineages though, the gene content and gene order within the fused MAT loci are highly conserved in the Trichosporonales, and there is no apparent suppression of recombination extending from the MAT loci to adjacent chromosomal regions, suggesting different mechanisms for the evolution of physically linked MAT loci in these groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coprinellus phaeoxanthus A.R.Gomes & Wartchow is described as a new species and is characterised by cordiform basidiospores similar to those of the recently described Coprinellus arenicola. However, it differs in the presence of voluminous pleurocystidia in the velar elements, which are shorter than in Coprinellus arenicola , and in the lack of clamp connections. In addition, exsiccatae of a Brazilian collection identified as ' Coprinus xerophilus ' are analysed, and because of the star-shaped velar patch on the pileus and the non-volvate stipe base, it is considered to be the same as Coprinus calyptratus , representing a new record from South America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xylodon subflaviporus (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota) is described as a new species collected from tropical and subtropical regions of East Asia. This new species is characterized by resupinate basidiocarps, a poroid hymenophore, pseudodimitic hyphal system, nodose-septate hyphae, four types of cystidia (capitate, acicular to cylindrical, subulate to ventricose, and apically-encrusted), and thin-walled, colorless, smooth and ellipsoid basidiospores. Bayesian, Maximum Likelihood and Maximum Parsimony algorithms were used to construct phylogenies inferred from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA. Morphological and molecular studies, along with intercompatibility tests, confirmed the independent status of this species. Also, based on morphological and molecular evidence, six new combinations of Xylodon are proposed to accommodate species originally classified under Hyphodontia s.l., i.e. X. bubalinus , X. chinensis , X. mollissimus , X. nongravis , X. reticulatus and X. subtropicus . A key to known species of Hyphodontia s.l. with poroid, irpicoid or raduloid hymenophores is provided for the convenience in identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the change to one scientific name for pleomorphic fungi, generic names typified by sexual and asexual morphs have been evaluated to recommend which name to use when two names represent the same genus and thus compete for use. In this paper, generic names in Pucciniomycotina and Ustilaginomycotina are evaluated based on their type species to determine which names are synonyms. Twenty-one sets of sexually and asexually typified names in Pucciniomycotina and eight sets in Ustilaginomycotina were determined to be congeneric and compete for use. Recommendations are made as to which generic name to use. In most cases the principle of priority is followed. However, eight generic names in the Pucciniomycotina, and none in Ustilaginomycotina, are recommended for protection: Classicula over Naiadella, Gymnosporangium over Roestelia, Helicobasidium over Thanatophytum and Tuberculina, Melampsorella over Peridermium, Milesina over Milesia, Phragmidium over Aregma, Sporobolomyces over Blastoderma and Rhodomyces, and Uromyces over Uredo. In addition, eight new combinations are made: Blastospora juruensis, B. subneurophyla, Cronartium bethelii, C. kurilense, C. sahoanum, C. yamabense, Milesina polypodii, and Prospodium crusculum combs. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study outlines the biodiversity of mushrooms of India. It reveals the molecular biodiversity and divergence time estimation of basidiomycetes from Gujarat, India. A total of 267 mushrooms were collected from 10 locations across the state. 225 ITS sequences were generated belonging to 105 species, 59 genera and 29 families. Phylogenetic analysis of Agaricaceae reveals monophyletic clade of Podaxis differentiating it from Coprinus. Further, the ancient nature of Podaxis supports the hypothesis that gasteroid forms evolved from secotioid forms. Members of Polyporaceae appeared polyphyletic. Further, our results of a close phylogenetic relationship between Trametes and Lenziteslead us to propose that the genera Trametes may by enlarged to include Lenzites. The tricholomatoid clade shows a clear demarcation for Entolomataceae. However, Lyophyllaceae and Tricholomataceae could not be distinguished clearly. Distribution studies of the mushrooms showed omnipresence of Ganoderma and Schizophyllum. Further, divergence time estimation shows that Dacrymycetes evolved in the Neoproterozoic Era and Hymenochaetales diverged from Agaricomycetes during the Silurian period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xanthagaricus caeruleus , a new species of Agaricaceae from southeast China is described and illustrated. It is characterized by its small basidiomata with a pileus covered by grayish lilac to grayish violet squamules, pallid white lamellae when young becoming pastel blue to ink-blue or blackish blue with age, greenish gray to grayish brown basidiospores, and epithelial pileipellis which is composed of agglutinated globose to subglobose, rarely clavate to ellipsoidal thin-walled cells. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the new species is unique and distinct from other known species within the genus Xanthagaricus . Detailed description, color photos and illustrations of the new species are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wood-inhabiting fungi are noteworthy components of woody ecosystems that are responsible for the decomposition and turnover of wood nutrients. While the diversity and ecology of these fungi in the temperate forests has been relatively well explored, little is known on diversity of these fungi in the arid and semi-arid forest ecosystems. This is the first study on diversity, distribution, and ecology of the fungal genus Hyphodontia s.l. in the five countries of Central Asia, viz., Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Altogether, 11 species are confirmed for the region, among which the following six species are reported for the first time from Central Asia: Hyphodontia alutaria, H. pallidula, Kneiffiella alutacea, Lyomyces crustosus, L. erastii, and L. sambuci. In addition to the morphological evidence, the identity of three species is confirmed with phylogenetic analysis based on ITS nuclear ribosomal DNA region. The spectra of known hosts for many of the studied species were expanded. An annotated species list and geo-referenced distribution maps are provided as well as notes on taxonomy, ecology, and local, regional, and global distribution. An identification key to the species of Hyphodontia s.l. recorded in arid and semi-arid regions of Central Asia is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new record of Borofutus dhakanus Hosen & Zhu L. Yang is reported from Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand. The phylogenetic relationships of the Thai specimen were compared with those of the type species and allied genera from seven major subfamilies of Boletaceae. The trees were constructed using sequences of partial 28S rDNA combined with internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene regions. The morphological characteristics of the fungus and its edibility are also discussed. Although many boletes have been documented from Thailand, most previous records are based only on morphological characters and there is an urgent need for taxonomic revision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dacrymycetes, sister to Agaricomycetes, is a noteworthy lineage for studying the evolution of wooddecaying basidiomycetes; however, its species diversity and phylogeny are largely unknown. Species of Dacrymycetes previously used in molecular phylogenetic analyses are mainly derived from the Northern Hemisphere, thus insufficient knowledge exists concerning the Southern Hemisphere lineages. In this study, we investigated the species diversity of Dacrymycetes in New Zealand. We found 11 previously described species, and eight new species which were described here: Calocera pedicellata, Dacrymyces longistipitatus, D. pachysporus, D. stenosporus, D. parastenosporus, D. cylindricus, D. citrinus, and D. cyrtosporus. These eight newly described species and seven of the known ones, namely, Calocera fusca, C. cf. guepinioides, C. lutea, Dacrymyces flabelliformis, D. intermedius, D. subantarcticensis, and Heterotextus miltinus, have rarely or never been recorded from the Northern Hemisphere. In a molecular-based phylogeny, these New Zealand strains were scattered throughout the Dacrymycetaceae clade. Sequences obtained from specimens morphologically matching C. guepinioides were separated into three distant clades. Because no obvious morphological differences could be discerned between the specimens in each clade and no sequence exists from the type specimen, a C. guepinioides s.str. clade could not be determined. This survey of dacrymycetous species in the Southern Hemisphere has increased taxon sampling for phylogenetic analyses that can serve as a basis for the construction of a stable classification of Dacrymycetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current literature reveals that the intrathalline coexistence of multiple microalgal taxa in lichens is more common than previously thought, and additional complexity is supported by the coexistence of bacteria and basidiomycete yeasts in lichen thalli. This replaces the old paradigm that lichen symbiosis occurs between a fungus and a single photobiont. The lichen Ramalina farinacea has proven to be a suitable model to study the multiplicity of microalgae in lichen thalli due to the constant coexistence of Trebouxia sp. TR9 and T. jamesii in long-distance populations. To date, studies involving phycobiont diversity within entire thalli are based on Sanger sequencing, but this method seems to underestimate the diversity. Here, we aim to analyze both the microalgal diversity and its community structure in a single thallus of the lichen R. farinacea by applying a 454 pyrosequencing approach coupled with a careful ad hoc-performed protocol for lichen sample processing prior to DNA extraction. To ascertain the reliability of the pyrosequencing results and the applied bioinformatics pipeline results, the thalli were divided into three sections (apical, middle and basal zones), and a mock community sample was used. The developed methodology allowed 40448 filtered algal reads to be obtained from a single lichen thallus, which encompassed 31 OTUs representative of different microalgae genera. In addition to corroborating the coexistence of the two Trebouxia sp. TR9 and T. jamesii taxa in the same thallus, this study showed a much higher microalgal diversity associated with the lichen. Along the thallus ramifications, we also detected variations in phycobiont distribution that might correlate with different microenvironmental conditions. These results highlight R. farinacea as a suitable material for studying microalgal diversity and further strengthen the concept of lichens as multispecies microecosystems. Future analyses will be relevant to ecophysiological and evolutionary studies to understand the roles of the multiple photobionts in lichen symbioses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A three-gene data set was generated to explore species diversity and delimitations within the stalked puffballs (Tulostoma, Agaricales) in Europe. Data on species from other parts of the world were included for comparison of species concepts and distribution ranges. Sequence data from 26 type specimens are included. The phylogenetic analyses support Tulostoma as monophyletic. Eleven major clades, 37 minor clades, and 20 single branches were recovered and found to correspond to 30 described species and 27 species without scientific names. Five species are here described as new to science: Tulostoma calcareum, T. calongei, T. eckbladii, T. grandisporum, and T. pannonicum. In total we report 26 described, and 19 undescribed, species from Europe. An epitype for T. fimbriatum with ITS sequence data is selected to fix the name. The recovered tree topology was not in congruence with the current infrageneric classification of Tulostoma, suggesting that many of the morphological characters used for segregation of taxa are plesiomorphic or homoplasious. Spore ornamentation and hyphal structure of the peridium are found to be reliable characters for delimitation of species. The majority of the species occur in the dry, arid areas of southern and east central Europe but a few are shown to be restricted to humid temperate regions in the North. The study confirms that species with smooth or sub-smooth spores are restricted to dry and arid habitats whereas species with more strongly ornamented spores occur in humid habitats. Areas with steppe vegetation in Hungary and Spain are here identified as hot spots for Tulostoma species diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ligninolytic heme peroxidases comprise an extensive family of enzymes, which production is characteristic for white-rot Basidiomycota. The majority of fungal heme peroxidases are encoded by multigene families that differentially express closely related proteins. Currently, there were very few attempts to characterize the complete multigene family of heme peroxidases in a single fungus. Here we are focusing on identification and characterization of peroxidase genes, which are transcribed and secreted by basidiomycete Trametes hirsuta 072, an efficient lignin degrader. The T. hirsuta genome contains 18 ligninolytic peroxidase genes encoding 9 putative lignin peroxidases (LiP), 7 putative short manganese peroxidases (MnP) and 2 putative versatile peroxidases (VP). Using ddPCR method we have quantified the absolute expression of the 18 peroxidase genes under different culture conditions and on different growth stages of basidiomycete. It was shown that only two genes (one MnP and one VP) were prevalently expressed as well as secreted into cultural broth under all conditions investigated. However their transcriptome and protein profiles differed in time depending on the effector used. The expression of other peroxidase genes revealed a significant variability, so one can propose the specific roles of these enzymes in fungal development and lifestyle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fomitiporellaaccommodates polypores producing annual to perennial basidiocarps with an indistinct subiculum (very thin to almost lacking), mostly a dimitic hyphal structure, lacking any kind of setae, with brownish, thick-walled basidiospores, and causing a white rot. Previously, only a few samples ofFomitiporellawere studied on the basis of morphological and nuc 28S rDNA (28S)-based phylogenetic analyses. In this study, we made a comprehensive study onFomitiporellaon the basis of collections from Central America, USA, Europe, and China. The phylogenetic analysis, including 28 nuc 28S rDNA and 29 nuc rDNA ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (internal transcribed spacer [ITS]) sequences newly generated, discovered 14 new lineages. Combined with morphological evidence, 4 new lineages are described and illustrated as new species, viz.,Fomitiporella americana, F. micropora, F. sinica, andF. subinermis; 10 other new lineages, each with a single collection, are still treated as unidentified taxa; three new combinations, viz.,Fomitiporella tenuissima, F. chinensis, andF. resupinata, are proposed. In addition,F. inermisis redescribed. A key to the 12 known species ofFomitiporellais provided. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Taxonomy and phylogeny of theAntrodia serialisgroup are revised with morphological, ecological, and geographic data, partial translation elongation factor 1-α (tef1) gene sequences, and nuc rDNA ITS1-5.8S-ITS2-28S sequences. The group contains 13 species found in boreal and temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere. The species are limited to certain geographic areas within Eurasia and North America. The traditional morphology-based concept ofA. serialiscovers at least four closely related species:A. serialiss. str. in Eurasia,A. angusta, sp. nov., in East Asia,A. serrata, sp. nov., in the American Northeast, andA. calcitrosa, sp. nov., in the American Northwest. They all are associated mostly withPiceaspp. and show small, but stable morphological differences from each other. In addition,A. morganii, comb. nov., inhabiting wood ofPopulusspp., occurs in North America, andAntrodia alaskana, comb. nov., a large-pored species, macroscopically similar toA. variiformis, is distributed along the Pacific coast of North America. The pine-dwellingA. flavimontis, sp. nov., similar toA. primaevafrom Eurasia, is so far known only from the eastern part of the Rocky Mountains (Utah and Wyoming). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

DNA sequences show that the traditional genus Micromphale appears to be polyphyletic. Nuclear ribosomal LSU and ITS DNA sequences place Micromphale sect. Perforantia Singer (typus sect. M. perforans) within Gymnopus, comprising a clade sister to a mixture of traditional Gymnopus taxa including G. fusipes (typus generis) plus traditional Marasmius sect. Androsacei. This study enlarges sect. Perforantia and shows that sect. Perforantia is a clade separate from those including Micromphale sect. Micromphale and sect. Rhizomorphigena. A new subsection Pinophili is proposed to include new species G. pinophilus and G. ponderosae. Eleven taxa are accepted at species rank, of which nine are proposed as new, mostly morpho-taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four species of mycenoid fungi are reported as luminescent (or putatively luminescent) on the basis of specimens collected from São Paulo State, Brazil. Two of them represent new species (Mycena oculisnymphae, Resinomycena petarensis), and two represent new reports of luminescence in previously described species (M. deformis, M. globulispora). Comprehensive descriptions, illustrations, photographs, and comparisons with phenetically similar species are provided. Sequences of nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer regions were generated for barcoding purposes and for comparisons with similar species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known of the truffle-like fungi of northern Mexico. Few mycologists have collected truffle-like specimens in this area. The wide diversity of habitat and potential mycorrhizal partners portend a unique and varied truffle-like mycota. In the conduct of recent field studies in this region we collected many interesting truffle-like specimens. We present two taxa that have unique characteristics, brownish spores with spines embedded within a distinctly inflated utricle surrounding each spore. Aroramyces balanosporus and A. herrerae are described as new species. This is the first record of the genus Aroramyces from North America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microorganisms play a crucial role in the biological decomposition of plant litter in terrestrial ecosystems. Due to the permanently changing litter quality during decomposition, studies of both fungi and bacteria at a fine taxonomic resolution are required during the whole process. Here we investigated microbial community succession in decomposing leaf litter of temperate beech forest using pyrotag sequencing of the bacterial 16S and the fungal internal transcribed spacer ( ITS) rRNA genes. Our results reveal that both communities underwent rapid changes. Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes dominated over the entire study period, but their taxonomic composition and abundances changed markedly among sampling dates. The fungal community also changed dynamically as decomposition progressed, with ascomycete fungi being increasingly replaced by basidiomycetes. We found a consistent and highly significant correlation between bacterial richness and fungal richness ( R = 0.76, P < 0.001) and community structure ( RMantel = 0.85, P < 0.001), providing evidence of coupled dynamics in the fungal and bacterial communities. A network analysis highlighted nonrandom co-occurrences among bacterial and fungal taxa as well as a shift in the cross-kingdom co-occurrence pattern of their communities from the early to the later stages of decomposition. During this process, macronutrients, micronutrients, C:N ratio and pH were significantly correlated with the fungal and bacterial communities, while bacterial richness positively correlated with three hydrolytic enzymes important for C, N and P acquisition. Overall, we provide evidence that the complex litter decay is the result of a dynamic cross-kingdom functional succession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A basidiomycete fungus from Vietnam, grown in a moist chamber on bark (as substrate) was identified as Hyphobasidiofera malaysiana. The isolation of this fungus into axenic culture allowed for investigations such as culture morphology, large and small subunit molecular phylogenies, life cycle karyology, and mating experiments. Comparative morphological data revealed that this species belongs to Rogersiomyces and the name Rogersiomyces malaysianus comb. nov. is proposed. Molecular studies revealed close relationships of Rogersiomyces, Sistotrema sensu lato, and Hydnum sensu stricto (Cantharellales, Agaricomycetes). The fungus produces binucleate basidiospores that germinate to form clamped and dikaryotic mycelium. The cultural characters and reproductive structures of this unusual sistotremoid fungus are described. It was concluded that the characteristic of dikaryotization into basidium, ephemeral basidiomata, and statismosporic basidia represent an adaptation of this fungus to irregular, but plentiful moistening during monsoon climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clitolyophyllum akcaabatense gen. nov., sp. nov., is described based on both morphological and molecular data from Akcaabat, Trabzon, Turkey. Its characterizing features are a fan-shaped pileus, an eccentric and fibrillose stipe, 2-4 spored basidia, smooth, ellipsoid, and inamyloid white basidiospores, and growth on the bark of Picea orientalis (L.) Link. Phylogeny based on multigene molecular analysis (nrITS, nrLSU, rpb2 datasets) of the Tricholomatoid clade is provided. Photographs of fresh basidiomata and of the main micromorphological features are included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulzbacheromyces is a recently erected genus in Lepidostromatales, differing from Lepidostroma in the crustose thallus. After the initial discovery of S. caatingae, the only species to be found in Brazil so far, a large quantity of additional data and ITS barcoding sequences for this taxon from a much broader geographical range and different habitats was collected. Phylogenetic analysis under a maximum likelihood framework demonstrated that all specimens are genetically uniform, showing no variation in their ITS, suggesting that S. caatingae has a wide ecological amplitude beyond the Brazilian Caatinga and Atlantic Forest biomes. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of the species are presented, including a map showing the distribution of S. caatingae in the Brazilian semi-arid region and the north-eastern Atlantic rainforest. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this work, new information is provided on seven interesting and uncommon Basidiomycetes of Greece: Agaricus pseudolutosus, Coprinopsis cordispora, Coprinopsis strossmayeri, Crepidotus macedonicus, Lactarius mediterraneensis, Panaeolus guttulatus, Panaeolus subfirmus. Their presentation consists of descriptions of the above mentioned specimens, which were collected in various areas of the country, and are accompanied by macro- morphological depictions and microscopical characteristics of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We formulate five guidelines for introducing new genera, plus one recommendation how to publish the results of scientific research. We recommend that reviewers and editors adhere to these guidelines. We propose that the underlying research is solid, and that the results and the final solutions are properly discussed. The six criteria are: (1) all genera that are recognized should be monophyletic; (2) the coverage of the phylogenetic tree should be wide in number of species, geographic coverage, and type species of the genera under study; (3) the branching of the phylogenetic trees has to have sufficient statistical support; (4) different options for the translation of the phylogenetic tree into a formal classification should be discussed and the final decision justified; (5) the phylogenetic evidence should be based on more than one gene; and (6) all supporting evidence and background information should be included in the publication in which the new taxa are proposed, and this publication should be peer-reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We formulate five guidelines for introducing new genera, plus one recommendation how to publish the results of scientific research. We recommend that reviewers and editors adhere to these guidelines. We propose that the underlying research is solid, and that the results and the final solutions are properly discussed. The six criteria are: (1) all genera that are recognized should be monophyletic; (2) the coverage of the phylogenetic tree should be wide in number of species, geographic coverage, and type species of the genera under study; (3) the branching of the phylogenetic trees has to have sufficient statistical support; (4) different options for the translation of the phylogenetic tree into a formal classification should be discussed and the final decision justified; (5) the phylogenetic evidence should be based on more than one gene; and (6) all supporting evidence and background information should be included in the publication in which the new taxa are proposed, and this publication should be peer-reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Buchwaldoboletus lignicolais a rare basidiomycete with fragmented distribution in Europe. The taxonomy, ecology and distribution of this species is reported. The new locality from central Sicily widens the area of distribution ofB.lignicolain Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A new species of the genus Hydnum , H. minum , with whitish basidiomata, is described and illustrated from Japan based on morphological and phylogenetic analyses. This species is characterized by small basidiomata (1–2.5 cm in height), spinose hymenophores with small, conical to aciculate spines (0.5–1.7 mm in length, 150–250 μm in diameter), subclavate to suburniform basidia with 5–8 sterigmata, and subglobose to broadly ovoid basidiospores measuring 4.5–5.5 × 3–4.5 μm. In addition, H. albidum , H. albomagnum , newly recorded in Japan, and H. repandum var. album are analyzed using molecular tools. The four taxa were confirmed as each individual taxon by the molecular phylogenetic analysis using complete nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Basidioascus undulatus is a soil basidiomycete belonging to the order Geminibasidiales. The taxonomic status of the order was unclear as originally it was only tentatively classified in the class Wallemiomycetes. The fungi in Geminibasidiales have an ambiguously defined sexual cycle. In this study, we sequenced the genome of B. undulatus to gain insights into its sexuality and evolutionary origins. The assembled genome draft was approximately 32 Mb in size, had a median nucleotide coverage of 24X, and contained 6123 predicted genes. Previous morphological descriptions of B. undulatus relied on interpretation of putative sexual structures. In this study, nuclear staining and confocal microscopy showed meiosis occurring in basidia and genome analysis confirmed the existence of genes involved in meiosis and mating. Using 35 protein-coding genes extracted from genomic information, phylogenomic and molecular dating analyses confirmed that B. undulatus indeed belongs to a lineage distantly related to Wallemia while retaining a basal position in Agaricomycotina. These results, combined with differences in septal pore morphology, led us to move the order Geminibasidiales out of the Wallemiomycetes and into the new class Geminibasidiomycetes cl. nov. Finally, the concept of Agaricomycotina is emended to include both Wallemiomycetes and Geminibasidiomycetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii are well-studied basidiomyceteous yeasts that are capable of causing disease in healthy and immunocompromised people. The Conference on Cryptococcus and Cryptococcosis (ICCC) is held every three years: the accompanying Special Issue stems from the 9th ICCC and covers a subset of the topics related to these fungi in detail. This conference started with a revised and reduced estimate of disease burden globally, in part due to improved treatment for HIV + people. However, mortality from cryptococcosis remains consistently high for those unfortunate to have limited access to therapies or without underlying immunodeficiencies. As such, there are yet still great distances to be covered to address antifungal drug availability, the need for new antifungal agents and the timing and doses of these agents in conjunction with antiviral therapy, underscoring the importance of continued research. A notable point from the 9th ICCC was the research addressing the variation in the pathogen and host populations. Analysis of cryptococcal strain variability, particularly at the molecular level, has resolved distinct lineages with the consequence of a taxonomic revision that divides C. neoformans and C. gattii into seven Cryptococcus species. Similarly, analysis of host factors in so called “immune-competent” individuals revealed previously unrecognized risk factors. Research on these species has established them as important model organisms to understand gene evolution and function in other fungi and eukaryotes. The stage is set for the refinement of research directions, leading ultimately to better treatment of this monophyletic clade of pathogens in the genus Cryptococcus . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fomitopsis subfeei sp. nov. is described from southern China based on morphological and molecular evidence. This fungus is characterized by perennial, effused-reflexed to pileate basidiomes, concentrically sulcate pileal surface, pinkish brown to vinaceous brown pore surface, fusoid cystidioles, small, oblong-ellipsoid basidiospores (4–5 × 1.9–2.5 μm), and occurrence on gymnosperms. Morphologically, Fomitopsis subfeei is similar to F. feei and F. incarnata , but distinct from the latter two species phylogenetically. Phylogeny based on the internal transcribed spacer regions and nuclear large subunit ribosomal RNA gene regions supported Fomitopsis subfeei as a distinctive new species in Fomitopsis . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dactylosporina brunneomarginata sp. nov., belonging to the family Physalacriaceae (Agaricales) is described and illustrated. This fungus differs from previously described species of Dactylosporina macroscopically by its viscid pileus and stipe surface when wet, the lamellae with dark brown edges, and microscopically by its gloeocystidioid pileo-, cheilo-, and caulocystidia with olive to yellow-brown oily content. This is the first report on Dactylosporina from Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trichopilus fasciculatus is reported for the second time in the world and for the first time from Brazil based on material collected in the Brazilian Amazon Forest. A full description, illustrations, taxonomical comments and a key to the Entolomataceae species in Northern Brazil are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Seoul, a majority of plant communities have undergone significant changes over the last few decades; however, how wood decay fungi have responded and adapted to the changes in vegetation remains unknown. Through an ongoing investigation of Korean indigenous fungi, ca. 300 specimens with poroid basidiocarp were collected in Seoul during 2008~2012. Morphological examination and molecular analysis using the internal transcribed spacer and nuclear large subunit ribosomal DNA region sequences helped identify 38 species belonging to 28 genera, 10 families, and 5 orders in this area. Among them, three polypores, Abundisporus pubertatis, Coriolopsis strumosa, and Perenniporia maackiae were found to be new to South Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Chlorolepiota Sathe & Deshpande is a monotypic genus represented by C. mahabaleshwerences Sathe & Deshpande. In this paper, a new species, Chlorolepiota brunneotincta, is described, based upon macroscopic, microscopic, and molecular studies undertaken on the collection from Solan Himachal Pradesh (India). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A taxonomic study of the wood-rotting basidiomycetes was conducted at the Molave Forest of San Fernando City, La Union, Northern Luzon, Philippines. This mountainous forest located in the eastern boundaries of the City is being considered as one of the most important forest ecosystems in Ilocos Region, thereby indicating the need for conservation and protection. This paper attempts to document all the macroscopic fungal basidiomycetous species in the area by preparing taxonomic accounts based on an extensive systematic collection and by facilitating the identification or recognition of each fungal species. As there has been no comprehensive work done on the diversity of macroscopic fungi in this area, hence this study was conducted. Using transect line (TL) method, four transect lines were established from the baseline (100m asl) toward the peak (300m asl) with 10m x 25m quadrat sampling each transect line and an interval of 50 meters between quadrats. All in all 20 quadrats were laid out. The fungal species within the quadrats along the TLs were identified and recorded. This study of wood-rotting basidiomycetes in the molave forest of La Union documented fifty one species. Each species is described including substrata/hosts, synonymies, and habitat. Some of these species, being the most destructive fungi are largely responsible for the decay of living trees. We found out that fungal species richness decreased if the condition of the area is relatively dry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ganoderma is a cosmopolitan wood-rot basidiomycete that has been extensively studied for its pathogencity and medicinal properties. Identification of Ganoderma based on macro-microscopic features led to large number of synonyms which resulted in 250 taxonomic names. A Ganoderma species collected from Courtallam, Tamil Nadu was identified as C. cupreum. Phylogenetic analysis inferred from internal transcribed spacer rDNA region resolved the Indian isolate MYC1 as Ganoderma cupreum which clustered with Australian and Asian "cupreum" clade with 85% bootstrap support BS and shared 99% and 98% nucleotide similarity with Malaysian and Australian 'cupreum' respectively. This study represents the first molecular evidence of C. cupreum from Asian origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, 2 lepiotaceous mushrooms [Lepiota indica sp. nov. and Lepiota attenuispora sp. nov. (Agaricaeae)] and 1 Limacella magna sp. nov. in the Amanitaceae are described. Lepiota indica has scurfy brownish carpophores, minute spores, and chains of golden brown-walled pileal elements. Lepiota attenuispora has a shaggy appearance, an appendiculate veil of the pileus margin, and a stipe sheathed with soft cottony scales. Limacella magna is a species characterized by prominent brown scales on the pileus and stipe, presence of a glutinous layer, and a trichodermal pileus cutis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To simplify the determination of the nuclear condition of the pathogenic Rhizoctonia, which currently needs to be performed either using two fluorescent dyes, thus more costly and time-consuming, or using only one fluorescent dye, thus less accurate. Methods and Results: A red primary fluorescence (autofluorescence) of the hyphal cell walls and septa of Rhizoctonia spp. with green excitation is evidenced in Rhizoctonia spp. This property is exploited and combined for the first time with a conventional DAPI fluorescence to accurately determine the nuclear condition of Rhizoctonia. This bi-fluorescence imaging strategy depicted the nuclear condition in Rhizoctonia spp. more accurately than the conventional DAPI fluorescence used alone and was validated against isolates previously genotyped by DNA sequencing. Conclusions: We demonstrated that the bi-fluorescence imaging strategy was safe, accurate and simple to perform and interpret. Significance and Impact of the Study: The developed bi-fluorescence imaging strategy provides a sensitive tool for determining the nuclear condition of Rhizoctonia strains. Its simplicity is a key advantage when there are numerous cultures to be examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species of PhyUoporia (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota) are polypores with tiny, yellowish and thick-walled basidiospores and are highly divergent in morphology. The monophyly of 35 cosmopolitan isolates of Phylloporia was strongly supported based on analysis of the nLSU rDNA gene but with exclusion of P. resupinata. Among the 19 lineages recognized in the nLSU rDNA phylogeny five new species from China, Phylloporia crataegi, P. fontaneo siae, P. gutta, P. nandinae and P. oreophila, were revealed and these species are introduced with additional morphological evidence. A diagnostic key to all 23 thus far accepted species in Phylloporia is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We assessed viability of 18 strains of filamentous ectomycorrhizal and saprotrophic basidiomycetes and ascomycetes after cryopreservation with a novel technique based on charcoal filter paper strips (CFS). The results indicate that axenic fungal cultures grown on CFS recovered from freezing within a few days, even though none survived cryopreservation by the conventional straw method. Fungal growth on CFS was more vigorous, with morphological differentiations such as rhizomorphs and an increased amount of aerial mycelia compared to the unamended culture media. Accordingly CFS allows the cryopreservation of a wide range of rare and important ectomycorrhizal and saprotrophic fungi, which hitherto were difficult to revive from liquid nitrogen storage with the conventional and widely applied straw technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new species Neopaxillus dominicanus is described on the basis of collections from the Dominican Republic. It is distinguished by having a basidiome with decurrent, distant, white lamellae with evident pink-lilac tinges, a non-depressed pileus at maturity and well developed catenulate cheilocystidia. A description, color photographs of fresh basidiomes and line drawings of relevant microscopic traits are provided. N. dominicanus is morphologically similar to NeopaxiUus echinospermus, a type species of the genus. Based on comparative ITS-LSU rDNA gene sequence analyses, NeopaxiUus, formerly placed in the Boletales, is considered within the Agaricales where it is sister to Crepidotus (Crepidotaceae), and N. dominicanus is supported as distinct from N. echinospermus. Finally, according to our morphological and molecular analyses, two collections of N. echinospermus from Mexico are referable to N. dominicanus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A gasteroid bolete collected recently in Sarawak on the island of Borneo is described as the new species Spongiforma squarepantsii. A comprehensive description, illustrations, phylogenetic placement and a comparison with a closely allied species are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wallemia is a genus of cosmopolitan xerophilic fungi, frequently involved in food spoilage of particularly sweet, salty, and dried food. Until recently, only a single species, Wallemia sebi, was recognized in the genus. When a large group of strains globally collected in salterns and other different ecological niches was analyzed on the level of physiological, morphological and molecular characteristics, a new basidiomycetous class, Wallemiomycetes, covering an order of Wallemiales was proposed and three Wallemia species were recognized: W. ichthyophaga, W. sebi and W. muriae. Wallemia ichthyophaga was recognized as the most halophilic eukaryote known, thus representing an appropriate eukaryotic model for in depth studies of adaptation to hypersaline conditions. Our preliminary studies indicated that all three Wallemia species synthesized a yet undescribed haemolytic compound under, surprisingly, low water activity conditions. Due to the taxonomic status w hich was unrevealed only recently, there were so far no reports on the production of any bioactive compounds by the three newly described species. The article aims to present the taxonomy, ecology, physiology and so far described molecular mechanisms of adaptations to life at low water activity, as well as bioactive potential of the genus Wallemia, a phylogenetically ancient taxon and a taxonomic maverick within Basidiomycota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corticioid fungi are one of the major groups of wood-inhabiting fungi, and they are mainly confined to the orders Corticiales, Trechisporales and Atheliales among Basidiomycetes. Hydnoid fungi are aphyllophoroid fungi with spine- or tooth-like hymenophore, and most species of them are in the orders of Russulales and Thelephorales. Many hydnoid fungi are wood-inhabiting, but some of them are mycorrhizas. Corticioid fungi and many hydnoid fungi have a similar ecology in forest ecosystems. The current knowledge of corticioid and hydnoid fungi in China is summarized, and totally 506 species are listed alphabetically. A new species, Stereum lithocarpi, is described and illustrated. Two species, Dichostereum boreale and Thanatephorus fusisporus, are new to Chinese fungal flora, and a condensed description of these species is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]