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Phaeoclavulina liliputiana is a new endemic species from Tlaxcala, from the conifer and oak forests at an altitude of 2700 m asl, characterized by a very small basidiome size and, subellipsoid and usually more or less lacrymoid spores of 4.3–6.2 × 2.7–3.5 µm, with rounded warted ornamentation. We proposed this new species based on evidence from morphological and molecular data. We provide macro- and microscopic descriptions including illustrations of the basidiocarp, scanning electron micrographs of the basidiospores and also discuss the taxonomic position of this new species. We undertook a molecular analysis using the atp6 and SSU mitochondrial loci and nuclear ribosomal LSU.

A new species of Didymium (Myxomycetes), D. azorellae, isolated from plant debris in a moist chamber, collected during studies of cold arid areas of Argentina and Peru, is described. It can be distinguished by its small size, the tightly packed layer of lime crystals on the peridium, the very scant, or absent, capillitium, and the unique spore ornamentation, especially by scanning electron microscopy. The species developed on dead leaves of cushion plants growing in the extremely harsh environments of the central Andean puna at almost 5000 m elevation and the Andino-Patagonian steppe. Morphology was examined with scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy, and micrographs of relevant details are included here. In order to confirm the identity of the new species described in this paper, a molecular study was conducted based on partial sequences of both the 18S rRNA and the elongation factor 1-alpha gene. Phylogenetic analysis including two specimens from different countries of the newly described species, Didymium azorellae, strongly supports the grouping of these specimens as a separate clade from the rest of the analyzed species.

A new sessile species of myxomycete, Licea aurea is described, based on material from the Andean puna in Peru at almost 5000 m. It was isolated from moist chamber cultures of Azorella compacta litter and cultured on agar from spore to spore. It can be distinguished from other species in the genus by its small size, golden colour, dehiscence and smooth thick-walled spores with a thinner area. Life-cycle events are described and illustrated, from germination to sporulation. The morphology of the myxomycete specimens was examined using light and scanning electron microscopy, and both light and SEM micrographs of relevant details are included.

The results obtained from a second survey for Myxomycetes in the arid areas of Peru are reported. A total of 37 localities from the cactus belt (‘cardonal’), between 1500 and 3000 m a.s.l., were sampled over six years. This survey is based on 601 identifiable collections of myxomycetes, developed in the field under natural conditions or those that were recovered from moist chamber cultures. In total, 84 taxa representing 19 genera were recorded. One new species, Cribraria spinispora Lado & D.Wrigley sp. nov., is described, three species new to South America and 22 additional new species for Peru are reported as well. Endemic plants, expecially cacti, had a particular relevance as myxomycete substrates. The predominance of the order Physarales T.Macbr. in arid areas is reinforced. Comments are included on some collections, as well as SEM micrographs of several species. A statistical evaluation of the diversity of myxomycetes in the cardonal area and a comparison of this area with the dry coastal desert of Peru and other Neotropical xeric environments are also included. Results show that the arid areas are rich in myxomycetes, and that each area has a unique assemblage. The differences appear to be related to the host plants. Se presentan los resultados de un segundo estudio sobre Myxomycetes de zonas áridas de Perú. Un total de 37 localidades del cardonal, situadas entre 1500 y 3000 m s.n.m., fueron muestreadas durante seis años. Este estudio está fundamentado en 601 recolecciones de mixomicetes, obtenidas en el campo o por cultivo en cámara húmeda. En total, se han identificado 84 táxones que corresponden a 19 géneros. Se describe una nueva especie, Cribraria spinispora Lado & D.Wrigley sp. nov., además se registran por primera vez tres especies para Sudamérica y 22 para Perú. Las plantas endémicas, especialmente los cactus, han tenido una especial importancia como substrato para los mixomicetes. Se reafirma el predominio del orden Physarales T.Macbr. en zonas áridas. Se incluyen comentarios sobre algunas recolecciones, así como micrografías al MEB de algunas especies. Se realizó una evaluación estadística de la diversidad de mixomicetes en el cardonal y una comparación entre esta zona, la costa seca de Perú y otros ambientes neotropicales xéricos. Los resultados muestran que las zonas áridas son ricas en mixomicetes y que cada una tiene un conjunto exclusivo de especies. Las diferencias parecen estar relacionadas con las plantas anfitrionas.

— The aim of this study was to explore the systematic position of the fungi associated with the roots of M. uniflora in two localities of Tlaxcala, Mexico, using a phylogenetic approach. Thirty plants were sampled, fifteen from a coniferous forest dominated by Abies religiosa in La Malinche National Park, and fifteen from a mixed conifer-broadleaf forest dominated by Pseudotsuga menziesii in Sierra de Tlaxco. Our ITS analysis confirms the preference of M. uniflora to associate with Russulaceae, in particularly with Russula species. The roots of each plant were associated with a single fungal ITS sequence. They were analyzed phylogenetically by maximum likelihood, and were recovered in 12 moderate to well-supported clades within the genus Russula. In each of these clades only a single Russula species was associated with Monotropa in Mexico, except for clade Integrae for which two Mexican species were retrieved. A total of 13 Russula species were retrieved from the 30 Monotropa plants, four from La...

The first field collections of Cornuvia serpula (Wigand) Rostaf. from the Neotropics are reported herein. They were recovered from accumulated leaf litter of Quercus sp. in a cloud forest in Chiapas, Mexico. This paper includes a full taxonomic description based on the Mexican specimens and is supported by micrographs obtained from light and scanning electron microscope examinations. Some comments on the ecology of the species based on information in the literature and from observations of the field collected specimens are included.

[EN]Results obtained from the first survey for myxomycetes in the hyperarid areas of Peru are reported. Sampling over three consecutive years was carried out at 96 localities between 0 and 1500 m elevation. A total of 78 species from 23 genera in all 6 myxomycete orders were determined from 723 collections of myxomycetes. One new species, Didymium peruvianum, is described, 2 species new to the Neotropics, 4 new records for South America and 41 additional new species for Peru are reported, increasing the country catalogue by over 50%. Results show that arid areas are rich in myxomycetes, and that each area has a unique species assemblage. Endemic plants had a particular relevance as myxomycete substrates. The predominance of the order Physarales in arid areas is reinforced, and the ecological importance of coastal fogs (garúas) is evident from the results. Comments are included on interesting or rare collections, as are SEM micrographs of several species and statistical evaluation of the results.[ES] Se dan a conocer los resultados del primer estudio realizado sobre los Myxomycetes de las regiones hiperáridas de Perú. El muestreo, realizado en tres años consecutivos, se ha llevado a cabo en 96 localidades situadas entre 0 y 1500 m de altitud. En total se obtuvieron 723 colecciones de mixomicetes, pertenecientes a 6 órdenes, 23 géneros y 78 especies. Se describe una nueva especie, Didymium peruvianum, 2 especies se citan por primera vez en el Neotrópico, 4 son nuevos registros para América del Sur y 41 especies más son nuevos registros para Perú, con lo que el catálogo del país se incrementa en un 50%. Los resultados muestran que las zonas áridas son ricas en mixomicetes, y que cada area tiene un conjunto único de especies. Las plantas endémicas, dominantes en estos ambientes, tuvieron una relevancia especial como sustrato para los myxomycetes. Se pone de manifiesto el predominio de los representantes del órden Physarales en las zonas áridas, lo que refuerza resultados previos, así como la importancia ecológica de las nieblas costeras (garúas). Se incluyen comentarios de las especies más interesantes o poco comunes, así como fotografías realizadas con microscopio electrónico de barrido, y una evaluación estadística de los resultados.

A new species of Physarum (Myxomyce- tes), Physarum atacamense is described in this paper, and details are provided on its life cycle as observed in spore-to-spore culture in agar. The new species was collected during studies of the Atacama Desert in Chile. It has been collected directly in the field and isolated in moist chamber cultures prepared with material from an endemic cactus. The combination of characters that make this species unique in the genus are its large fusiform nodes of the capillitium, its long, bicolored stalk and the very dark brown and densely warted angular spores. The morphology of specimens of this myxomycete was examined with scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy, and micrographs of relevant details and life cycle stages are included in this paper. The importance of resistant stages in the life cycle of this myxomycete is stressed, and the close association of this myxomy- cete with its plant substrates is discussed.

A new species of Didymium (Myxomyce- tes), D. operculatum, is described in this paper, and details of its life cycle are provided. The new species was recorded during studies of the Atacama Desert in Chile. It has been collected directly in the field and isolated in moist chamber cultures prepared with material from an endemic cactus. The distinguishing characters of this species are its dehiscence by means of an apical operculum combined with a whitish calcareous stalk and the banded reticulate ornamen- tation of the spores. The morphology of this new myxomycete was examined with scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy, and micrographs of relevant details are included in this paper. Some comments are made on the patterns of distribution of Didymium species in arid lands and adaptive charac- ters enabling this genus to colonize such extreme environments. It is proposed that a longer cycle and the ability to resort to resistant forms many times during their development reflect the response of these myxomycetes to the largely unfavorable condi- tions of their environment.

[EN]A biodiversity survey for myxomycetes was carried out in the Monte Desert (Argentina) and surrounding areas in November 2006 and late February and March 2007. Specimens were collected in seven different provinces (Catamarca, Jujuy, La Rioja, Salta, San Juan, San Luis and Tucumán), between 23º and 33º S latitude, and a total of 105 localities were sampled. Cacti and succulent plants were the most common type of substrate investigated, but shrubs and herbs characteristic of this biome were also included in the survey. Almost six hundred specimens of myxomycetes from 72 different species in 22 genera were collected either in the field, or from moist chamber cultures prepared with samples of plant material obtained from the same collecting sites. The results include 1 species new to science, Macbrideola andina three more species recently described based on material from this survey, 5 species cited for the first time for the Neotropics, 11 new records for South America and 38 new records for Argentina. Taxonomic comments on rare or unusual species are included and illustrated with photographs by LM and SEM. Data are presented on the development of some species and microenvironmental factors are discussed. An analysis of the biodiversity of myxomycetes in this area, and a comparison with other desert areas, are included., [ES]Con el objetivo de estudiar la biodiversidad de Myxomycetes en el Desierto de Monte (Argentina) y áreas circundantes, se realizó un muestreo en los meses de noviembre de 2006 y febrero y marzo de 2007. Se recolectaron especímenes en un total de 105 localidades pertenecientes a siete provincias (Catamarca, Jujuy, La Rioja, Salta, San Juan, San Luis y Tucumán), situadas entre los paralelos 23º y 33º de latitud sur. Los cactus y plantas suculentas fueron los tipos de sustratos más estudiados, pero también se analizaron arbustos y plantas herbáceas características de este bioma. Casi 600 especímenes de mixomicetes pertenecientes a 72 especies y 22 géneros fueron recolectados en el campo o se obtuvieron en el laboratorio, por cultivo en cámara húmeda, a partir de plantas procedentes de las mismas localidades. Los resultados incluyen una nueva especie, Macbrideola andina, otras tres recientemente descritas y basadas en material de este estudio, 5 especies que se citan por primera vez para el Neotrópico, 11 nuevos registros para América del Sur y 38 nuevos registros para Argentina. Se añaden comentarios taxonómicos e ilustraciones fotográficas, tanto con microscopía óptica como electró ni ca, de aquellas especies raras o poco comunes. Se discuten nuevos datos sobre el desarrollo de algunas especies y cómo influyen determinados factores microambientales. También se incluye un análisis de la biodiversidad de mixomicetes en esta zona árida y se compara con la obtenida en otros desiertos de América., This research was supported by the Ministry of Science and Innovation, Spain (projects CGL2005-00320/BOS and CGL2008- 00720/BOS).

A new species of Didymium (Myxomycetes), D. infundibuliforme, is described herein, and details are provided on its life cycle as observed in spore to spore culture on agar. The new species was recorded during intensive studies of areas of the Monte Desert in Argentina and the Atacama Desert in Chile. It has been collected directly in the field in both countries on several occasions over 4 y and isolated in moist chamber cultures prepared with material from native plant species. The characters that make this species unique in the genus are its funnel-shape sporocarps with white stalks, the apical circumscissile dehiscence of the sporotheca that causes the base to resemble a calyculus and the ornamentation on the spores. The morphology of specimens of this new myxomycete was examined with scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy, and micrographs of relevant details are included in this paper.

In general, according to previous studies, pioneer species do not require arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to increase their growth and survival in tropical systems. The aim of this study was to determine the dependence response to AMF of Heliocarpus appendiculatus, a pioneer species, at different phosphorus (P) levels. In a greenhouse experiment, H. appendiculatus seedlings were grown in pots with a sterile vermiculite-sand mixture (1:1). Two sets of pots were set up: One set was inoculated (150 spores per pot) with indigenous AMF from a tropical rain forest at “Los Tuxtlas” (Veracruz, Mexico); the other set was not inoculated. To each set, 0, 0.02, 0.2, and 2 g L−1P was added. All pots were watered with 250 mL of nutrient solution. Mycorrhizal plants showed a higher total dry weight and relative growth rate in 0.02 g L−1P concentration, while nonmycorrhizal plants responded positively at 0.2 g L−1P; a decrease in plant responses at higher P levels was observed in both treatments. H. appendicu...

A new species of myxomycete, Calonema foliicola Estrada, J. M. Ramirez & Lado, recorded in the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Hidalgo and Tlaxcala is described. The most relevant characters of this species are the scattered, minute and stalked sporocarps, the red color of the sporotheca and the capillitium, with a faint and irregular reticulum.

© 2015 by The Mycological Society of America. A new species of Didymium (Myxomycetes), D. xerophilum, is described, and some details of its life cycle are provided. The new species was collected during studies of arid areas of Argentina and Peru. It can be distinguished by the persistent funnel-shaped invagination of the peridium, the top of which appears as a deep umbilicus in closed sporothecae, and the calcareous hypothallus shared among several sporocarps. This combination of characters, with a circumscissile dehiscence of the sporotheca and a cream stalk packed with rhombic lime crystals, is unknown in other described species. Morphology was examined with scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy, and micrographs of relevant details are included here. Phylogenetic analysis with 18S rDNA sequences of different species of Didymium supports the distinct identity of this new species. Some collections of this myxomycete were made at up to 4600 m, an altitude almost unknown for this group of microorganisms.

Russula herrerae, a new species belonging to section Plorantes, subsection Lactarioideae, characterized by the presence of a marginal veil and collected in a temperate Quercus forest in Tlaxcala, Mexico, is described and illustrated.

Two new myxomycete species recorded from the semiarid lands of the Neotropics are described. Cribraria fragilis sp. nov. is distinguished from all other species of the genus by its unique spores, which have smooth bands arranged in longitudinal arcs, and by the minute sporocarps each with a deep calyculus and without a peridial net. Diderma acanthosporum sp. nov. has a unique combination of characters; these are a pseudoaethalioid fructification with stalked sporocarps and depressed sporothecae, a calcareous, crustose external peridial layer, and large spores, paler on one side and with long spines. Comments on the distribution and ecology of these two species are included.

A new species, Flammulina mexicana, grows on woody Senecio cinerarioides at high elevation on Mexican volcanoes. A tetrapolar mating system and other cultural features are described. Flammuli- na mexicana is compared to its closest ally, E callis- tosporioides, based on type studies. Both species have hymeniform pileipelli and gelatinized subhymenia.

A new stipitate species of myxomycete of the genus Licea is described based on material from arid areas in Argentina and Chile. It was isolated from moist chamber cultures and found fruiting on field collections, usually on the same substrate, Puya sp. (Bromeliaceae). It differs from all described species in the genus in that it has stipitate sporocarps with dehiscence by defined preformed platelets and a smooth inner peridial surface. The new species has polyhedral, yellow spores with a uniform thick spore wall and dense warts except on irregularly dispersed raised bands with fewer warts, visible by SEM, an ornamentation not previously observed in the genus. Life-cycle events are described and illustrated, from germination to sporulation, based on moist chamber and agar cultures. The morphology of the myxomycete specimens was examined with scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy, and both light and SEM micrographs of relevant details are included.

A new succulenticolous Myxomycete species, Didymium wildpretii, found on decaying remains of various species of cacti, is described from two arid zones of the world. This species was collected from central Mexico, at the southern limit of the Chihuahuan Desert, and from the Canary Islands (Spain). The new species has small, pale yellow sporocarps, 0.1-0.7 mm high, that are sessile or have short, orange-yellow, calcareous stalks and small, uniformly warted spores. The stability of the taxonomic characters of the species was confirmed with both moist chamber cultures and spore-to-spore culture on agar. Life cycle events are described from germination to sporulation. Myxomycete specimens were examined with scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy, and micrographs of relevant morphological details are included.

A new succulenticolous myxomycete of the genus Licea is described based on material from Spain (the Canary Islands), Mexico and the US A. It is very similar to L. biforis but differs in its smaller sporophores. and its bigger orange-yellow spores.The spores have a thick wall that is thinner and lighter towards one side. These differentiating characters were stable in spore to spore culture on agar.

A new succulenticolous myxomycete of the genus Licea is described based on material from Spain (the Canary Islands), Mexico and the USA., Se describe una nueva especie de Myxomycetes, perteneciente al genero Licea, que se desarrolla en plantas suculentas. Los materiales proceden de España (Islas Canarias), México y Estados Unidos. Se parece a L biforis pero difiere en sus pequenos esporóforos y en sus esporas mayores, amarillo-naranjas, con una gruesa pared que gradualmente hacia un lado se adelgaza y se vuelve mas pálida. La estabilidad de estos caracteres ha quedado demostrada por el cultivo de espora a espora en laboratorio., This research has been supported by the Cooperation Program between the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) and the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología of Mexico (CONACyT) (grant 2001MX0014), and the Ministerio de Ciencia y Teconología of Spain (grant REN2002-00445).

Biodiversity surveys for myxomycetes (Amoebozoa) were carried out in three consecutive years (2009 to 2011) in the cold arid Patagonian Steppe, Argentina. The surveys, the first to cover such an extensive area in South America, form part of the Myxotropic project funded by the Spanish Government. Specimens were collected in 174 localities in four different provinces (Neuquén, Río Negro, Chubut and Santa Cruz), between 36° and 52° S latitudes. The most common types of substrate investigated were the dominant shrubs and grasses of the Patagonian steppe, and the Nothofagus forests, characteristic of the transition areas, but other plants such as small cacti and cushion plants were also included in the survey. A total of 133 different species and 5 varieties of myxomycetes representing 31 genera were identified in the 1134 specimens collected either in the field, or from moist chamber cultures prepared with samples of plant material obtained from the same collecting sites. The results include one species new to science, Perichaena nigra, and 17 species and two varieties that were previously unknown for either the Neotropics or South America, Badhamia armillata, Dianema mongolicum, Didymium annulisporum, D. leptotrychum, D. orthonemata, D. sturgisii, Echinostelium coelocephalum, Licea deplanata, L. nannengae, Macbrideola argentea, M. oblonga, Oligonema aurantium, Perichaena luteola, P. madagascariensis, Physarum luteolum, Protophysarum phloiogenum, Trichia contorta var. attenuata, T. contorta var. iowensis, T. erecta. An additional 19 species are new records for Argentina. These additions make Argentina the country in South America, at present, with the greatest number of myxomycetes catalogued having more than 50% of the species cited from the whole Neotropics. Diversity and biogeographic distribution of these organisms are discussed, and taxonomic comments on rare or unusual species are included and illustrated with photographs by LM and SEM. The results indicate that the myxomycetes, are widely distributed and are a normal component of Patagonian biota. Many of the substrates investigated were endemic plants from the region and are new substrates for a number of species of myxomycete. Differences between the variety of species in this area and others in Argentina and Chile, suggest a certain regional specialization of these organisms, the assemblage of which appear to depend on plant substrate species.Durante tres años consecutivos (2009-2011), se ha realizado un estudio de las zonas áridas frías de la estepa patagónica con el objetivo de conocer su diversidad de Myxomycetes (Amoebozoa). Este estudio es el primero que cubre una extensa área de Sudamérica y forma parte del proyecto Myxotropic financiado por el gobierno español. Se recolectaron especímenes en 174 localidades de cuatro diferentes provincias (Neuquén, Río Negro, Chubut y Santa Cruz), entre los 36° y los 52° de latitud sur. Los principales sustratos que se estudiaron fueron los arbustos y pastos dominantes de la estepa patagónica, pero también se incluyeron los procedentes de los bosques de Nothofagus, característicos de las áreas de transición, y de otras plantas como pequeñas cactáceas y plantas almohadilladas. En total se han identificado 133 especies y 5 variedades de Myxomycetes, pertenecientes a 31 géneros, que corresponden con 1134 especímenes. Dichos especímenes procedían directamente del campo u obtenidos a partir de cultivos en cámara húmeda, las cámaras se prepararon con restos de plantas que se recolectaron en los mismos sitios de muestreo. Los resultados incluyen una nueva especie para la ciencia, Perichaena nigra, y 17 especies y dos variedades que no se conocían previamente para el Neotrópico o para Sudamérica: Badhamia armillata, Dianema mongolicum, Didymium annulisporum, D. leptotrychum, D. orthonemata, D. sturgisii, Echinostelium coelocephalum, Licea deplanata, L. nannengae, Macbrideola argéntea, M. oblonga, Oligonema aurantium, Perichaena luteola, P. madagascariensis, Physarum luteolum, Protophysarum phoiogenum, Trichia contorta var. attenuata, T. contorta var. iowensis y T. erecta. Con estos datos, que suponen más del 50% de las especies catalogadas del Neotrópico, Argentina se convierte en el país sudamericano con mayor número de especies registradas. Se discute la diversidad y distribución geográfica de estos organismos y se incluyen comentarios taxonómicos, así como fotografías, realizadas con microscopía óptica y microscopía electrónica de barrido, de especies raras o poco conocidas. Los resultados indican que los Myxomycetes están ampliamente distribuidos en Patagonia y son un componente normal de la biota de esta región. Muchos de los sustratos que se investigaron correspondían a restos de plantas endémicas de la región y constituyen nuevos sustratos para diversas especies de Myxomycetes. Las diferencias encontradas entre las especies de la zona estudiada en relación a otras de Argentina y Chile, previamente investigadas, sugieren cierto grado de especialización regional y la composición de especies parece depender de los sustratos vegetales presentes en cada una.