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Orbilia xanthostigma, with golden yellow to yellow-orange apothecia and O. leucostigma, with white to very pale rose-lilaceous apothecia, were described by E.M. Fries over 200 years ago. Each of the two taxa, which are not easy to interpret because type material is lacking, was proposed in the past as lectotype of the genus Orbilia. In the here presented circumscription, which follows the current usage, O. xanthostigma is among the most frequently recorded species of the genus, whereas O. leucostigma appears to be much less common. Both grow gregariously on decorticated hygric gymno- and angiosperm wood or rarely bark and show a worldwide distribution. They are characterised by minute, strongly curved, warted ascospores and a dicranidion-like anamorph. Except for apothecial colour, there are no other notable morphological differences between them, either in the teleomorph (asci, ascospores, paraphyses) or anamorph (conidiophores, conidia). Because of their strong similarities, the two taxa have often been treated as infraspecific variants (subspecies, varieties) of a single species or even as synonyms. In order to overcome the ambiguities associated with the two names, O. delicatula, a name proposed by P.A. Karsten for a collection with golden yellow apothecia, was suggested by B. Spooner as a replacement name for them. The present study reveals unexpectedly high ITS and LSU variation within a morphologically extremely homogeneous group, representing over 16 more or less invariable genotypes whenever more than one sample with a sequence was available. ITS and LSU rDNA data from European (Luxembourg, Germany, Ukraine) and Macaronesian (Tenerife) collections suggest that the two colour variants represent two distinct species with a 16.5% ITS and 3.5% LSU D1–D2 distance, but very low infraspecific variation (0.2% ITS, 0% LSU). A sample with scattered yellow apothecia from Luxembourg on a xeric branch deviates from typical European-Macaronesian O. xanthostigma by 4% (ITS) and 0.7% (LSU). Further available sequences from samples from Asia, New Zealand and North America with mainly yellow apothecia clustered in various other clades that represent further distinct genotypes. In the absence of morphological characteristics, none of these genotypes are given names pending further investigation. Only two of these genotypes are sufficiently distinct to be recognised morphologically: O. aureocrenulata from tropical, Middle and South America, with golden yellow apothecia with a crenulate margin and prominent stipe, and O. xanthoflexa from temperate, northeastern North America with yellow sessile apothecia with a smooth margin and larger, less curved, smooth-walled ascospores.

Fungi in the Nidulariaceae, otherwise known as ‘bird's nest fungi’, are among the least studied groups of Agaricomycetes (Basidiomycota). Bird's nest fungi are globally distributed and typically grow on woody debris or animal dung as saprotrophs. This group of fungi is morphologically diverse with ca. 200 described species. Phylogenetic relationships of bird's nest fungi were investigated with four commonly used loci (ITS, LSU, tef, and rpb2). The family was resolved as a monophyletic group with Squamanitaceae as a potential sister taxon. Cyathus and Crucibulum each formed its own independent and well-supported clade. Nidula and Nidularia formed a clade together, but each genus is polyphyletic. Two Mycocalia species included in our analyses were on their own separate branches, indicating that this genus is also polyphyletic. Misidentifications were detected in most genera, suggesting that species concepts need to be revisited and refined throughout Nidulariaceae. Several bird's nest fungi species have global geographical distributions whereas others may have more limited ranges. Basic morphological characters of bird's nest fungi have likely been lost or gained multiple times. The phylogenetic placement of Crucibulum is unclear and the sister lineage of bird's nest fungi is not conclusive. Further studies with data from rare species and additional informative genes are needed to fully resolve the topology of Nidulariaceae and identify its sister group with more certainty.

Pachyphlodes is a lineage of ectomycorrhizal, hypogeous, sequestrate ascomycete fungi native to temperate and subtropical forests in the Northern Hemisphere. Pachyphlodes species form ectomycorrhizae mainly with Fagales hosts. Here we describe two new species of Pachyphlodes, P. brunnea, and P. coalescens, based on morphological and phylogenetic analysis. Pachyphlodes brunnea is distributed in the states of Tamaulipas and Nuevo León in northern México, occurring with Quercus and Juglans species. It is characterized by its dark brown peridium, white gleba, and spores with capitate columns. Pachyphlodes coalescens is distributed in the states of Michoacán and Tlaxcala in central and southwestern México co-occurring with Quercus and is distinguished by its reddish-brown peridium, light yellow gleba, and spore ornamentation. Both species, along with P. marronina, constitute the Marronina clade. This clade contains North American species characterized by a brown peridium and spores ornamented with capitate spines to coalesced spine tips that form a partial perispore.

The hypogeous, sequestrate ascomycete genus Elaphomyces is one of the oldest known truffle-like genera. Elaphomyces has a long history of consumption by animals in Europe and was formally described by Nees von Esenbeck in 1820 from Europe. Until recently most Elaphomyces specimens in North America were assigned names of European taxa due to lack of specialists working on this group and difficulty of using pre-modern species descriptions. It has recently been discovered that North America has a rich diversity of Elaphomyces species far beyond the four Elaphomyces species described from North America prior to 2012. We describe eight new Elaphomyces species (E. dalemurphyi, E. dunlapii, E. holtsii, E. lougehrigii, E. miketroutii, E. roodyi, E. stevemilleri and E. wazhazhensis) of eastern North America that were collected in habitats from Quebec, Canada south to Florida, USA, west to Texas and Iowa. The ranges of these species vary and with continued sampling may prove to be larger than we have established. Castellano has studied authentic material of all European Elaphomyces species published through 2016 and it is interesting to note that many Elaphomyces species from eastern North America have morphological similarities but with distinct morphological differences to a number of European Elaphomyces species.

The boletoid genera

Fungal endophytes live asymptomatically within plants and are widespread inhabitants of leaves and other organs (Wilson, 1995). Similarly, endolichenic fungi live asymptomatically within lichens, occurring in healthy lichen thalli worldwide (Arnold et al., 2009). Endophytes and endolichenic fungi are ecologically similar, living in symbiosis with either a plant or the photobionts of lichens (Arnold et al., 2009), and both functional groups represent the same major lineages of fungi (U'Ren et al., 2012).

The genus Hygrophorus is poorly studied from Asia. From Pakistan, only one species has been reported so far. Two new species in the genus have been collected from Himalayan oak forests of Pakistan. Hygrophorusalboflavescens (section Pudorini, subgenus Colorati) is characterised by its pure white, centrally depressed pileus, occurrence of white stipe with yellow patches at lower half and broader (4.98 μm) basidiospores. Hygrophorusscabrellus (section Hygrophorus, subgenus Hygrophorus) is characterised by its yellowish-green stipe with white apex that has fine scales on the entire stipe, an off-white pileus with dark green and greyish fibrils, ovoid to ellipsoid basidiospores and clavate 4-spored basidia. Macro- and micromorphological descriptions have revealed that both these taxa are not yet described. Phylogenetic estimation based on DNA sequences from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and large subunit (LSU) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) genes, is congruent with the morphological characters that help to delimit these as new species of Hygrophorus. Allied taxa are also compared.

Among many convergently evolved sequestrate fungal genera in Boletaceae (Boletales, Basidiomycota), the genus Octaviania is the most diverse. We recently collected many specimens of Octaviania subg. Octaviania, including several undescribed taxa, from Japan and the Americas. Here we describe two new species in subgenus Octaviania, O. tenuipes and O. tomentosa, from temperate to subtropical evergreen Fagaceae forests in Japan based on morphological observation and robust multilocus phylogenetic analyses (nrDNA ITS and partial large subunit [LSU], translation elongation factor 1-α gene [TEF1] and the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II gene [RPB1]). Based on specimens from the Americas as well as studies of the holotype, we also taxonomically re-evaluate O. asterosperma var. potteri. Our analysis suggests that O. asterosperma var. potteri is a distinct taxon within the subgenus Octaviania so we recognize this as O. potteri stat. nov. We unexpectedly collected O. potteri specimens from geographically widespread sites in the USA, Japan and Colombia. This is the first verified report of Octaviania from the South American continent. Our molecular analyses also revealed that the RPB1 sequence of one O. tenuipes specimen was identical to that of a closely related species, O. japonimontana, and that one O. potteri specimen from Minnesota had an RPB1 sequence of an unknown species of O. subg. Octaviania. Additionally, one O. japonimontana specimen had an unusually divergent TEF1 sequence. Gene-tree comparison and phylogenetic network analysis of the multilocus dataset suggest that these heterogenous sequences are most likely the result of previous inter- and intra-specific hybridization. We hypothesize that frequent hybridization events in Octaviania may have promoted the high genetic and species diversity found within the genus.

Truffles are sequestrate hypogeous fungi, and most form ectomycorrhizal (ECM) associations with trees. Truffles belonging to the genus Tuber (Pezizales, Ascomycota), "true truffles," associate with diverse plant hosts, including economically important species such as pecan (Carya illinoinensis). Morphological and phylogenetic studies delimited several major lineages of Tuber, which include many cryptic and undescribed species. One of these, the Maculatum clade, is a speciose group characterized by relatively small, light-colored ascomata that have alveolate-reticulate spores. Here, we describe two new species in the Maculatum clade, Tuber brennemanii and T. floridanum (previously identified as Tuber sp. 36 and Tuber sp. 47). We delineate these two species by phylogenetic analyses of nuc ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (= ITS) and partial 28S rDNA (= LSU), and through morphological analysis. A recent collection of T. floridanum from a pecan orchard in Brazil indicates that this species was introduced there on the roots of pecan seedlings. Systematic studies of ascomata and ECM fungal communities indicate that these species are geographically widespread and common ECM symbionts of pecans and other members of the Fagales, particularly in sites with disturbed soils and nutrient enrichment.

Pachyphlodes (Pezizaceae) is a genus of truffle-like fungi that is distributed across the Northern Hemisphere. These fungi form ectomycorrhizae primarily with trees in the Fagaceae family, and occasionally with other host plants. The genus Plicariella (= Scabropezia) is phylogenetically inferred as an ally of, or within, the Pachyphlodes lineage. Despite molecular phylogenetic analyses that show the close relationships of species in these two genera, morphological differences in ascomata shape and color, spore ornamentation, and ascus shape are profound. Here, we studied spore wall development to better understand affinities within the Pachyphlodes–Plicariella lineages. Electron microscopy studies indicate that the initial spore wall development is similar across six Pachyphlodes species and a Plicariella species, despite striking differences in mature spore ornamentation among species. Ultrastructural analyses reveal that differences in spore ornamentation among Pachyphlodes species are due to unique developmental events at the final stages of spore wall deposition. Septal pore ultrastructure in Pachyphlodes species is similar to other Pezizaceae that have been studied. Molecular analyses of the five species studied indicate that four of them have not been previously described. The new species Pachyphlodes annagardnerae is here described, and the ultrastructural features of species of Pachyphlodes, Plicariella, and other Pezizales are compared and discussed.

Among fungi isolated from healthy root mycobiomes of Populus, we discovered a new endorrhizal fungal species belonging to the rust lineage Pucciniomycotina, described here as Atractiella rhizophila. We characterized this species by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), phylogenetic analysis, and plant bioassay experiments. Phylogenetic sequence analysis of isolates and available environmental and reference sequences indicates that this new species, A. rhizophila, has a broad geographic and host range. Atractiella rhizophila appears to be present in North America, Australia, Asia, and Africa and is associated with trees, orchids, and other agriculturally important species, including soybean, corn, and rice. Despite the large geographic and host range of this species sampling, A. rhizophila appears to have exceptionally low sequence variation within nuclear rDNA markers examined. With inoculation studies, we demonstrate that A. rhizophila is nonpathogenic, asymptomatically colonizes plant roots, and appears to foster plant growth and elevated photosynthesis rates.

James William Kimbrough (FIG. 1) was born November 7, 1934, in Eupora, Webster County, Mississippi. He was the eldest son of Felix and Ethel Kimbrough. James, known as Buddy to his family in Missis...

Ruhlandiella is a genus of exothecial, ectomycorrhizal fungi in the order Pezizales. Ascomata of exothecial fungi typically lack a peridium and are covered with a hymenial layer instead. Ruhlandiella species have nonoperculate asci and highly ornamented ascospores. The genus was first described by Hennings in 1903 to include the single species, R. berolinensis. Since then, mycologists have uncovered Ruhlandiella species in many locations around the globe, including Australia, Spain, Italy, and the USA. Currently, there are four recognized species: R. berolinensis, R. peregrina, R. reticulata, and R. truncata. All were found near Eucalyptus or Melaleuca trees of Australasian origin. Recently, we discovered two new species of Ruhlandiella in Nothofagaceae forests in South America. They regularly form mitotic spore mats directly on soil in the forests of Patagonia. Here, we formally describe these new species and construct the phylogeny of Ruhlandiella and related genera using a multilocus phylogenetic analysis. We also revise the taxonomy of Ruhlandiella and provide an identification key to accepted species of Ruhlandiella. Fil: Kraisitudomsook, Nattapol. University of Florida; Estados Unidos Fil: Healy, Rosanne A.. University of Florida; Estados Unidos Fil: Mujic, Alija B.. University of Florida; Estados Unidos Fil: Pfister, Donald H.. Harvard University; Estados Unidos Fil: Nouhra, Eduardo Ramon. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina Fil: Smith, Matthew E.. University of Florida; Estados Unidos

Orellanine (3,3',4,4'-tetrahydroxy-2,2'-bipyridine-1,1'-dioxide) is a tetrahydroxylated di-N-oxidized bipyridine compound. The toxin, present in certain species of Cortinarius mushrooms, is structurally similar to herbicides Paraquat and Diquat. Cortinarius orellanus and Cortinarius rubellus are the major orellanine-containing mushrooms. Cortinarius mushrooms are widely reported in Europe where they have caused human poisoning and deaths through accidental ingestion of the poisonous species mistaken for the edible ones. In North America, Cortinarius orellanosus mushroom poisoning was recently reported to cause renal failure in a Michigan patient. Cortinarius mushroom poisoning is characterized by delayed acute renal failure, with some cases progressing to end-stage kidney disease. There is debate whether other Cortinarius mushroom contain orellanine or not, especially in North America. Currently, there are no veterinary diagnostic laboratories in North America with established test methods for detection and quantitation of orellanine. We have developed two diagnostic test methods based on HPLC and LC-MSMS for identification and quantitation of orellanine in mushrooms. Using these methods, we have identified Cortinarius armillatus as a novel orellanine-containing mushroom in North America. The mean toxin concentration of 145 ug/g was

A Dacryopinax species that was cultured in Costa Rica and fruited in the laboratory provided DNA for the first sequenced genome for the Dacrymycetes. Here we characterize the isolate morphologically and cytologically and name it D. primogenitus Molecular sequences from the nuclear large subunit gene and internal transcribed spacer indicated that it is closely related to the South American D. indacocheae with which it agrees structurally. Both species form conidia on the basidiocarp, and D primogenitus also forms them on the mycelium. Unlike previous reports for the Dacrymycetales postmeiotic nuclear division results in uninucleate basidiospores and six residual nuclei in the basidium after basidiospore discharge. Ultrastructural analysis shows the characteristic septal-pore apparatus for the class and endogenous origin of the epibasidia/sterigmata, which may be a common occurrence in Dacrymycetes and the early diverging orders of its sister class, the Agaricomycetes.

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Angola, Gnomoniopsis angolensis and Pseudopithomyces angolensis on unknown host plants. Australia, Dothiora corymbiae on Corymbia citriodora, Neoeucasphaeria eucalypti (incl. Neoeucasphaeria gen. nov.)on Eucalyptus sp., Fumagopsis stellae on Eucalyptus sp., Fusculina eucalyptorum (incl. Fusculinaceae fam. nov.) on Eucalyptus socialis, Harknessia corymbiicola on Corymbia maculata, Neocelosporium eucalypti (incl. Neocelosporium gen. nov., Neocelosporiaceae fam. nov. and Neocelosporiales ord. nov.) on Eucalyptus cyanophylla, Neophaeomoniella corymbiae on Corymbia citriodora, Neophaeomoniella eucalyptigena on Eucalyptus pilularis, Pseudoplagiostoma corymbiicola on Corymbia citriodora, Teratosphaeria gracilis on Eucalyptus gracilis, Zasmidium corymbiae on Corymbia citriodora. Brazil, Calonectria hemileiae on pustules of Hemileia vastatrix formed on leaves of Coffea arabica, Calvatia caatinguensis on soil, Cercospora solani-betacei on Solanum betaceum, Clathrus natalensis on soil, Diaporthe poincianellae on Poincianella pyramidalis, Geastrum piquiriunense on soil, Geosmithia carolliae on wing of Carollia perspicillata, Henningsia resupinata on wood, Penicillium guaibinense from soil, Periconia caespitosa from leaf litter, Pseudocercospora styracina on Styrax sp., Simplicillium filiforme as endophyte from Citrullus lanatus, Thozetella pindobacuensis on leaf litter, Xenosonderhenia coussapoae on Coussapoa floccosa., Canary Islands (Spain), Orbilia amarilla on Euphorbia canariensis. Cape Verde Islands, Xylodon jacobaeus on Eucalyptus camaldulensis. Chile, Colletotrichum arboricola on Fuchsia magellanica. Costa Rica, Lasiosphaeria miniovina ontreebranch. Ecuador, Ganoderma chocoense ontreetrunk. France, Neofitzroyomyces nerii (incl. Neofitzroyomyces gen. nov.) on Nerium oleander. Ghana, Castanediella tereticornis on Eucalyptus tereticornis, Falcocladium africanum on Eucalyptus brassiana, Rachicladosporium corymbiae on Corymbia citriodora. Hungary, Entoloma silvae-frondosae in Carpinus betulus-Pinus sylvestris mixedforest. Iran, Pseudopyricularia persiana on Cyperus sp. Italy, Inocybe roseascens onsoilinmixedforest. Laos, Ophiocordyceps houaynhangensis on Coleoptera larva. Malaysia, Monilochaetes melastomae on Melastoma sp. Mexico, Absidia terrestris fromsoil. Netherlands, Acaulium pannemaniae, Conioscypha boutwelliae, Fusicolla septimanifiniscientiae, Gibellulopsis simonii, Lasionectria hilhorstii, Lectera nordwiniana, Leptodiscella rintelii, Parasarocladium debruynii and Sarocladium dejongiae (incl. Sarocladiaceae fam. nov.) fromsoil. New Zealand, Gnomoniopsis rosae on Rosa sp. and Neodevriesia metrosideri on Metrosideros sp. Puerto Rico, Neodevriesia coccolobae on Coccoloba uvifera, Neodevriesia tabebuiae and Alfaria tabebuiae on Tabebuia chrysantha . Russia, Amanita paludosa on bogged soil in mixed deciduous forest, Entoloma tiliae in forest of Tilia × europaea, Kwoniella endophytica on Pyrus communis., South Africa, Coniella diospyri on Diospyros mespiliformis, Neomelanconiella combreti (incl. Neomelanconiellaceae fam. nov. and Neomelanconiella gen. nov.)on Combretum sp., Polyphialoseptoria natalensis on unidentified plant host, Pseudorobillarda bolusanthi on Bolusanthus speciosus, Thelonectria pelargonii on Pelargonium sp. Spain, Vermiculariopsiella lauracearum and Anungitopsis lauri on Laurus novocanariensis, Geosmithia xerotolerans from a darkened wall of a house, Pseudopenidiella gallaica on leaf litter. Thailand, Corynespora thailandica on wood, Lareunionomyces loeiensis on leaf litter, Neocochlearomyces chromolaenae (incl. Neocochlearomyces gen. nov.) on Chromolaena odorata, Neomyrmecridium septatum (incl. Neomyrmecridium gen. nov .), Pararamichloridium caricicola on Carex sp., Xenodactylaria thailandica (incl. Xenodactylariaceae fam. nov. and Xenodactylaria gen. nov.), Neomyrmecridium asiaticum and Cymostachys thailandica fromunidentifiedvine. USA, Carolinigaster bonitoi (incl. Carolinigaster gen. nov.)fromsoil, Penicillium fortuitum from house dust, Phaeotheca shathenatiana (incl. Phaeothecaceae fam. nov.) from twig and cone litter, Pythium wohlseniorum from stream water, Superstratomyces tardicrescens from human eye, Talaromyces iowaense from officeair. Vietnam, Fistulinella olivaceoalba onsoil. Morphological and culture characteristics along with DNA barcodes are provided Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Angola, Gnomoniopsis angolensis and Pseudopithomyces angolensis on unknown host plants. Australia, Dothiora corymbiae on Corymbia citriodora, Neoeucasphaeria eucalypti (incl. Neoeucasphaeria gen. nov.)on Eucalyptus sp., Fumagopsis stellae on Eucalyptus sp., Fusculina eucalyptorum (incl. Fusculinaceae fam. nov.) on Eucalyptus socialis, Harknessia corymbiicola on Corymbia maculata, Neocelosporium eucalypti (incl. Neocelosporium gen. nov., Neocelosporiaceae fam. nov. and Neocelosporiales ord. nov.) on Eucalyptus cyanophylla, Neophaeomoniella corymbiae on Corymbia citriodora, Neophaeomoniella eucalyptigena on Eucalyptus pilularis, Pseudoplagiostoma corymbiicola on Corymbia citriodora, Teratosphaeria gracilis on Eucalyptus gracilis, Zasmidium corymbiae on Corymbia citriodora. Brazil, Calonectria hemileiae on pustules of Hemileia vastatrix formed on leaves of Coffea arabica, Calvatia caatinguensis on soil, Cercospora solani-betacei on Solanum betaceum, Clathrus natalensis on soil, Diaporthe poincianellae on Poincianella pyramidalis, Geastrum piquiriunense on soil, Geosmithia carolliae on wing of Carollia perspicillata, Henningsia resupinata on wood, Penicillium guaibinense from soil, Periconia caespitosa from leaf litter, Pseudocercospora styracina on Styrax sp., Simplicillium filiforme as endophyte from Citrullus lanatus, Thozetella pindobacuensis on leaf litter, Xenosonderhenia coussapoae on Coussapoa floccosa., Canary Islands (Spain), Orbilia amarilla on Euphorbia canariensis. Cape Verde Islands, Xylodon jacobaeus on Eucalyptus camaldulensis. Chile, Colletotrichum arboricola on Fuchsia magellanica. Costa Rica, Lasiosphaeria miniovina ontreebranch. Ecuador, Ganoderma chocoense ontreetrunk. France, Neofitzroyomyces nerii (incl. Neofitzroyomyces gen. nov.) on Nerium oleander. Ghana, Castanediella tereticornis on Eucalyptus tereticornis, Falcocladium africanum on Eucalyptus brassiana, Rachicladosporium corymbiae on Corymbia citriodora. Hungary, Entoloma silvae-frondosae in Carpinus betulus-Pinus sylvestris mixedforest. Iran, Pseudopyricularia persiana on Cyperus sp. Italy, Inocybe roseascens onsoilinmixedforest. Laos, Ophiocordyceps houaynhangensis on Coleoptera larva. Malaysia, Monilochaetes melastomae on Melastoma sp. Mexico, Absidia terrestris fromsoil. Netherlands, Acaulium pannemaniae, Conioscypha boutwelliae, Fusicolla septimanifiniscientiae, Gibellulopsis simonii, Lasionectria hilhorstii, Lectera nordwiniana, Leptodiscella rintelii, Parasarocladium debruynii and Sarocladium dejongiae (incl. Sarocladiaceae fam. nov.) fromsoil. New Zealand, Gnomoniopsis rosae on Rosa sp. and Neodevriesia metrosideri on Metrosideros sp. Puerto Rico, Neodevriesia coccolobae on Coccoloba uvifera, Neodevriesia tabebuiae and Alfaria tabebuiae on Tabebuia chrysantha., Russia, Amanita paludosa on bogged soil in mixed deciduous forest, Entoloma tiliae in forest of Tilia × europaea, Kwoniella endophytica on Pyrus communis. South Africa, Coniella diospyri on Diospyros mespiliformis, Neomelanconiella combreti (incl. Neomelanconiellaceae fam. nov. and Neomelanconiella gen. nov.)on Combretum sp., Polyphialoseptoria natalensis on unidentified plant host, Pseudorobillarda bolusanthi on Bolusanthus speciosus, Thelonectria pelargonii on Pelargonium sp. Spain, Vermiculariopsiella lauracearum and Anungitopsis lauri on Laurus novocanariensis, Geosmithia xerotolerans from a darkened wall of a house, Pseudopenidiella gallaica on leaf litter. Thailand, Corynespora thailandica on wood, Lareunionomyces loeiensis on leaf litter, Neocochlearomyces chromolaenae (incl. Neocochlearomyces gen. nov.) on Chromolaena odorata, Neomyrmecridium septatum (incl. Neomyrmecridium gen. nov .), Pararamichloridium caricicola on Carex sp., Xenodactylaria thailandica (incl. Xenodactylariaceae fam. nov. and Xenodactylaria gen. nov.), Neomyrmecridium asiaticum and Cymostachys thailandica fromunidentifiedvine. USA, Carolinigaster bonitoi (incl. Carolinigaster gen. nov.)fromsoil, Penicillium fortuitum from house dust, Phaeotheca shathenatiana (incl. Phaeothecaceae fam. nov.) from twig and cone litter, Pythium wohlseniorum from stream water, Superstratomyces tardicrescens from human eye, Talaromyces iowaense from officeair. Vietnam, Fistulinella olivaceoalba onsoil. Morphological and culture characteristics along with DNA barcodes are provided., Tatiana M. Bulyonkova and colleagues are grateful to Dr Rodham Tulloss for his patient guidance and help, and to Dr Torbjørn Borgen Lindhardt for his invaluable advice. Thays G.L. Oliveira, Maria T.C. Felipe, Jadson D.P. Bezerra and Oliane M. C. Magalhães acknowledge financial support and/or scholarships from the CAPES (Finance Code 001), CNPq and FACEPE. Aline O.B. da Cunha, Alexandre R. Machado, Eder Barbier, Enrico Bernard and Cristina M. Souza-Motta acknowledge financial support and/or scholarships from the CAPES (Finance Code 001), CNPq, FACEPE, CECAV and ICMBio from Brazil. Rejane M.F. da Silva and colleagues express their gratitude to the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) for a scholarship to Rejane M.F. da Silva and to the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) for a research fellowships and/or financial support to Gladstone A. da Silva, Cristina M. Souza-Motta, José L. Bezerra and Rafael J.V. de Oliveira (Processes 458622/2014-1 and 312186/2016-9). Olinto L. Pereira, Vanessa P. Abreu, Jackeline P. Andrade and colleagues would like to thank the CNPq, CAPES and FAPEMIG for financial support. The study of Olga V. Morozova was carried out within the framework of a research project of the Komarov Botanical Institute RAS ‘Herbarium funds of the BIN RAS’ (АААА-А18-118022090078-2) with the support of the molecular work by the Russian Foundation for the Basic Research (project no. 15-29-02622). Anna M. Glushakova and Aleksey V. Kachalkin were supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR), project no. 16-04-00624a. Janet Jennifer Luangsa-ard and colleagues were supported by ‘The Promotion Project on Science, Technology and Innovation Collaboration with ASEAN Member Countries under the Office of International Cooperation, MOSTThailand’. They would also like to thank Ms Duangkaew Chongkachornphong, Ms Papawee Nupason (International Cooperation Section, BIOTEC) and Ms Bakeo Souvannalath (Director of Biotechnology Division, Biotechnology and Ecology Institute, BEI) for their kind cooperation. Javier Fernández-López and colleagues are grateful to Marian Glenn for checking the text, and were supported by DGICT projects CGL2012-35559 and CGL2015-67459-P., Javier Fernández-López was also supported by Predoctoral Grants (BES- 2013-066429) from the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (Spain). Maria E. Ordoñez and colleagues acknowledge Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador for financial support for project M13415. Taimy Cantillo is thankful to PEC-PG/CAPES for the PhD grant (proc. 12636134/2014) (Finance Code 001) and to the International Association for Plant Taxonomy (IAPT) for the Research Grant. Luis F.P. Gusmão is grateful to CNPq for Grant support (Proc. 303062/2014-2). Hugo Madrid was partially funded by Comisión Nacional de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica (CONICYT), Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico (FONDECYT), Chile, project no. 11140562. Tor Erik Brandrud, Bálint Dima, Machiel E. Noordeloos and Egil Bendiksen thank the financial support of the Norwegian Taxonomy Initiative, with funding from the Norwegian Biodiversity Information Centre (NBIC), The Austrian Entoloma material (by Irmgard Krisai-Greilhuber) was sequenced within ABOL, subproject HRSFM University of Vienna, supported by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research. Adriene M. Soares and colleagues would like to thank the Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBio) and the Instituto Brasileiro de Meio Ambiente (IBAMA) for support during field trips and R.L.M. Alvarenga for the figures. They also acknowledge CAPES for the Ph.D. scholarship of Adriene M. Soares, and CNPq (307601/2015-3), CAPES (CAPES-SIU 008/13), and FACEPE (APQ-0375-2.03/15) for financial support. Angus J. Carnegie acknowledges support from the Forestry Corporation of NSW, and David Sargeant for assistance with site photos. Adel Pordel and colleagues thank the University of Tehran for financial support. Luis Quijada acknowledges support from ‘Fundación Ramón Areces’. Robert W. Barreto and colleagues thank the World Coffee Research/Texas Agrilife for financial support, as well as the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES). Sara Salcedo-Sarmiento was supported by the ‘Programa de Estudante-Convênio de Pós-Graduação’ (PEC-PG) from CAPES. The research of Cobus M. Visagie and Keith A. Seifert was supported by grants from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Program on the Microbiology of the Built Environment. Blaise A. Darvaux acknowledges Keith A. Seifert for help with identification, Nicholas Mauriello for validating the Latin name, Mauricia Lawrence and Meagan Tillotson for help with material preparation. We are grateful to Gavin Phillips, Seed Bank Officer, Australian Botanic Garden, Mt Annan for field assistance and identification of plant species collected in New South Wales, Australia. Collection of specimens from Mungo National Park was supported by the ABRS Bush Blitz program, a partnership between the Australian Government, BHP and Earthwatch Australia. The National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project is acknowledged for assistance and funding to J. Roux for material collected in Angola.

A multigene phylogenetic analysis of Genabea, Myrmecocystis, and related genera in Pyronemataceae was conducted to establish genetically supported generic limits. The nuc rDNA 28S gene, translation elongation factor 1-α gene (TEF1), and RNA polymerase II second-largest subunit gene (RPB2) significantly supported the monophyly of several distinct genera of hypogeous Pyronemataceae. The genetic identity of Genabea fragilis is established, and the new species Genabea hyalospora, G. urbana, Myrmecocystis mediterranea, and M. microspora are proposed to accommodate undescribed lineages. Two rare species, M. sphaerospora and M. spinospora, are tentatively identified based on collections that are morphologically similar to the original descriptions. The genus Genea was found to be monophyletic, except for G. cazaresii, which is nested among epigeous species of Humaria. The new combination Humaria cazaresii is proposed to accommodate this species.

A new species of truffle, T.aztecorum, is described from central Mexico. Tuberaztecorum can be distinguished from other related Tuber species synoptically by a combination of morphological features including ascospore size, pellis cells with irregular thickness, cystidia, ascoma colour and associated host (Abiesreligiosa an endemic Abies species from central Mexico); sequence variation on the ITS rDNA also distinguishes T.aztecorum from related species. A phylogenetic analysis of the ITS rDNA demonstrates that T.aztecorum belongs to the Maculatum clade and is unique from other similar small, white-cream coloured Tuber species distributed in north-eastern Mexico such as T.castilloi and T.guevarai.

The fungi kingdom is among the most diverse eukaryotic lineages on Earth with estimates of several million extant species (O´Brien et al., 2005; Blackwell, 2011; Taylor et al., 2014). Fungi play critical roles in carbon and nutrient cycling of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and they are important pathogens and mutualists (Read & Perez-Moreno, 2003; Taylor et al., 2012; Grossart et al., 2016). More than 80% of plant species form symbioses with fungi and these symbioses have been crucial to the colonization of terrestrial ecosystems (Field et al., 2015a; Selosse et al., 2015). Despite their impacts on primary ecosystem functions, assessments of fungal biodiversity estimate that only c. 10% of fungal species have been described (Bass & Richards, 2011; Hibbett et al., 2011). Fil: Truong, Camille. University of Florida; Estados Unidos Fil: Mujic, Alija. University of Florida; Estados Unidos Fil: Healy, Rosanne. University of Florida; Estados Unidos Fil: Kuhar, José Francisco. Centro de Investigación y Extensión Forestal Andino Patagónico; Argentina Fil: Furci, Giuliana. Fundacion Fungi; Chile Fil: Torres, Daniela Soledad. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Fisicoquímicas y Naturales; Argentina Fil: Niskanen, Tuula. Royal Botanic Gardens; Reino Unido Fil: Sandoval Leiva, Pablo A.. Museo Nacional de Historia Natural de Chile; Chile Fil: Fernández, Natalia Verónica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina Fil: Escobar, Julio Martin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina Fil: Moretto, Alicia Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina Fil: Palfner, Götz. Universidad de Concepción; Chile Fil: Pfister, Donald. Harvard University; Estados Unidos Fil: Nouhra, Eduardo Ramon. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina Fil: Swenie, Rachel. University of Tennessee; Estados Unidos Fil: Sanchez Garcıa, Marisol. University of Tennessee; Estados Unidos Fil: Matheny, P. Brandon. University of Tennessee; Estados Unidos Fil: Smith, Matthew. University of Florida; Estados Unidos

Truffle species within the /tarzetta-geopyxis lineage share smooth, globose, hyaline spores, but differ in the amount of convolution of hymenia in ascomata. The relationships among truffle species in this lineage have historically been confused. Phylogenetic analyses of the ITS and 28S nuclear ribosomal DNA from recently collected members of the /tarzetta-geopyxis lineage from Asia, Austral Asia, North America, and South America prompted a reinvestigation of species and generic limits in the truffle genera Hydnocystis, Paurocotylis, and Stephensia. Our analyses support emendations of Hydnocystis and Paurocotylis, abandonment of Stephensia and the resurrection of the genus Densocarpa. Nomenclatural changes include the transfer of Stephensia bombycina to Hydnocystis, the transfer of Hydnocystis singeri and Stephensia bynumii to Paurocotylis, the reinstatement of Densocarpa for Stephensia shanori and transfer of Stephensia crocea to Densocarpa. This is the first detection of the genus Paurocotylis in the Americas. We describe three new species, Hydnocystis transitoria from North America, Paurocotylis patagonica from South America, and Paurocotylis watlingii from Australia. Our work highlights the unexplored diversity, morphological plasticity, and remaining taxonomic problems among truffles in the /tarzetta-geopyxis lineage. Fil: Kumar, Leticia M.. University Of Minnesota; Estados Unidos. University of Florida; Estados Unidos Fil: Smith, Matthew E.. University of Florida; Estados Unidos Fil: Nouhra, Eduardo Ramon. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina Fil: Orihara, Takamichi. Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History; Japón Fil: Sandoval Leiva, Pablo. Biota Gestión y Consultorías Ambientales Ltda.; Chile Fil: Pfister, Donald H.. Harvard University; Estados Unidos Fil: McLaughlin, David J.. University Of Minnesota; Estados Unidos Fil: Trappe, James M.. State University of Oregon; Estados Unidos Fil: Healy, Rosanne A.. University Of Minnesota; Estados Unidos. University of Florida; Estados Unidos

Neolecta represents the earliest derived extant ascomycete lineage (Taphrinomycotina) to produce ascomata. For this reason the genus has been of interest with regard to ascoma evolution in ascomycetes. However, the evidence is equivocal regarding whether the Neolecta ascoma is homologous or analogous to ascomata produced in the later derived ascomycete lineages (Pezizomycotina). We investigated phylogenetically informative septal pore ultrastructure of Neolecta vitellina to compare with Pezizomycotina. We found that crystalline bodies that block nonascogenous septal pores in Neolecta differ from Woronin bodies, a synapomorphy for the Pezizomycotina, in three ways: (i) vacuolar origin, (ii) associated material and (iii) being loosely membrane bound. We also observed a unique type of membranous material within the septal pore, as well as distant from the septal pore, that appears to be associated with the endoplasmic reticulum. The vacuolar crystals and membranous material might have a function analagous to septal pore structures (e.g. Woronin bodies, lamellate structures) in the Pezizomycotina. Morphological evidence from our study supports an independently derived septal pore-occluding structure in the Neolecta lineage.

During a study comparing the ectomycorrhizal root communities in a native forest with those at the Arnold Arboretum in Massachusetts (USA), the European species Tuber borchii was detected on the roots of a native red oak in the arboretum over two successive years. Since T. borchii is an economically important edible truffle native to Europe, we conducted a search of other roots in the arboretum to determine the extent of colonization. We also wanted to determine whether other non-native Tuber species had been inadvertently introduced into this 140-year-old Arboretum because many trees were imported into the site with intact soil and roots prior to the 1921 USDA ban on these horticultural practices in the USA. While T. borchii was not found on other trees, seven other native and exotic Tuber species were detected. Among the North American Tuber species detected from ectomycorrhizae, we also collected ascomata of a previously unknown species described here as Tuber arnoldianum. This new species was found colonizing both native and non-native tree roots. Other ectomycorrhizal taxa that were detected included basidiomycetes in the genera Amanita, Russula, Tomentella, and ascomycetes belonging to Pachyphlodes, Helvella, Genea, and Trichophaea. We clarify the phylogenetic relationships of each of the Tuber species detected in this study, and we discuss their distribution on both native and non-native host trees.

The new taxon Luteoamylascus aculeatus described in this article is proposed to accommodate two collections of a hypogeous ascomycete from central Spain, characterized by a tomentose yellowish peridium, labyrinth-like gleba filled with whitish hyphae, and intensely reacting amyloid asci. ITS, 28S, and RPB2 data suggest that this new taxon is an independent lineage proposed here as the new genus Luteoamylascus. Until now, this lineage was only known from ectomycorrhizal root tips and mitotic spore mats. In phylogenetic analyses, the Luteoamylascus lineage is placed close to the genera Amylascus, Pachyphlodes, and Scabropezia. Morphological data suggest an affinity with Amylascus.

The Tuber rufum clade is one of the most speciose of clades in the Tuberaceae and is found in the Northern Hemisphere primarily in Asia, Europe, and North America. The species are ectomycorrhizal with angiosperms in neutral to high pH soils. The Rufum clade consists of an estimated 43 species, of which only 18 have been described. Molecular data suggests that five of the described species are species complexes: Tuber candidum, Tuber ferrugineum, Tuber lucidum, Tuber lyonii, and T. rufum. More than half of the undescribed species are from North America. Morphologically, the Rufum clade is characterized by smooth to minutely verrucose peridia and spiny to spiny-reticulate ascospores, although a few species are coarsely verrucose and one species has no spore ornamentation (Tuber melosporum). Tuber lyonii, from Eastern North America, is the only commercially valuable species. It remains to be seen if all species in the T. lyonii complex are commercially valuable.

Molecular phylogenetic analyses indicate that the monophyletic classes Orbiliomycetes and Pezizomycetes are among the earliest diverging branches of Pezizomycotina, the largest subphylum of the Ascomycota. Although Orbiliomycetes is re- solved as the most basal lineage in some analyses, molecular support for the node resolving the relation- ships between the two classes is low and topologies are unstable. We provide ultrastructural evidence to inform the placement of Orbiliomycetes by studying an Orbilia, a member of the only order (Orbiliales) of the class. The truncate ascus apex in the Orbilia is thin- walled except at the margin, and an irregular wall rupture of the apex permits ascospore discharge. Ascus, ascogenous and non-ascogenous hyphae were simple septate, with septal pores plugged by unelabo- rated electron-dense, non-membranous occlusions. Globose Woronin bodies were located on both sides of the septum. Nuclear division was characterized by the retention of an intact nuclear envelope, and a two- layered disk-shaped spindle pole body. The less differentiated nature of the spore discharge apparatus and septal pore organization supports an earliest diverging position of Orbiliomycetes within the sub- phylum, while the closed nuclear division and disk- shaped spindle pole body are interpreted as ancestral state characters for Ascomycota.

The septal pore ultrastructure of non-ascogenous and reproductive hyphae, as well as development of the spore wall were examined in the truffle Mattirolomyces terfezioides (Mattir.) E. Fisch. (Ascomycota, Pezizales, Pezizaceae) and compared with other pezizalean taxa. The septal pore in ascogenous hyphae of M. terfezioides is a uni- or bi-convex band of the type found in the Pezizaceae. Septal pore ultrastructure in other hyphae included a uniconvex band with lamellate structure. Woronin bodies were globose to hexagonal, and infrequently ellipsoid in shape. Hexagonal Woronin bodies have not been previously reported in the Pezizaceae. Ascospore delimitation starts with two delimiting membranes and the spore-wall development is typical of the Pezizales. The heterogeneously staining spines of the secondary cell wall differ from the structures of Terfezia species. The ultrastructural characteristics of M. terfezioides show the general characteristics of the Pezizaceae, except that the hexagonal Woronin body form is new to this family. The spore delimitation, spine-cap structure, and Woronin body shape of M. terfezioides presented here are in agreement with molecular taxonomic results, which separate the genus from Terfezia and call into question the generic position of Mattirolomyces tiffanyae Healy.

A molecular analysis of LSU and ITS portions of rDNA from Pachyphloeus ascocarp collections in the United States and Mexico gives strong bootstrap support for four clades within the genus. Two clades include collections from Iowa and Mexico. From one of these, a new species of Pachyphloeus, is described from oak woodlands. Pachyphloeus marroninus is distinguished from other species of Pachyphloeus by the combination of a reddish brown peridium with low, polygonal warts, a solid, white gleba, narrowly clavate asci, and spore spines that are coarse with tips free from the perisporium at maturity. Molecular analyses support the close relationship of this species from Iowa and Mexico, but the variations in sequences may indicate a cryptic species complex. Key words— ascomycete, taxonomy, hypogeous fungi

To understand the mechanisms that control starch metabolism in the nectary, this study combined TEM analysis of floral nectaries in ornamental tobacco with gene expression analysis of a number of starch metabolism genes over the time course of nectary development. Using TEM, we observed an increase in amyloplasts accumulating from early developmental stages until stage 9 (S9), and their subsequent disappearance prior to anthesis (S12). Nectary starch gene expression analysis was initiated by isolating 18 nectary-expressed cDNAs encoding different starch metabolic enzymes. Strong sucrose synthase gene expression was observed early in nectary development at the mRNA and protein levels. ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase) mRNA levels, protein levels, and enzymatic activities also were high at early stages of nectary development then declined as the nectary matured. Starch synthase 3 (SS3), the most strongly expressed SS, followed a similar expression pattern. Quantitative RT-PCR revealed three different regulatory patterns of gene expression, an anabolic pattern, a catabolic pattern and a constitutive pattern. The anabolic genes, including AGPS and SS3, were expressed early in development (S2 and S6), and down regulated after S9. In contrast, catabolic gene expression, including ISA1, AMY and BMY, was detected at S9 and later but not at early stages. The third class of genes was expressed throughout nectary development. The switch from starch anabolism to catabolism seems to be an important key to normal nectary development and function. These combined results provide a better understanding of the importance of starch metabolism to overall nectary activity.

Enlargement of the floral nectary gland of ornamental tobacco during its development is accompanied by a major accumulation of starch granules in nectary amyloplasts. Quantification of starch in the nectary at various developmental stages showed little starch accumulation at early stages but increasing amounts of starch over the course of nectary development that reached a peak approximately 24 h prior to anthesis. After this point, the amount of starch declined dramatically, suggesting its conversion to sugars (sucrose, glucose, and fructose) for the nectar production that occurs at anthesis. Compositional and structural analyses of nectary starch showed that amylose content and degree of amylopectin branching also varied during nectary development. Increasingly complex starch structures were observed up to intermediate stages of nectary development, followed by decreased starch complexity and amount in the mature nectary. Although the total amount of carbohydrate stored in the nectary at mid-development is roughly equivalent to the carbohydrate in nectar sugars at anthesis, four- to five-times more sugar is secreted into nectar following anthesis. Radiolabeling of sugars prior to their transport into the flower bud, nectary, and nectar showed the flow of sugars into the nectary increased markedly after anthesis. The finding that the nectary is the strongest sink tissue of all floral organs suggests that two processes, starch degradation and rapid sugar influx, are determinants of sugar composition in floral nectar. A model is presented in which these two processes are coordinated for high-level nectar production and release.

A new species of hypogeous Pezizales, Mattirolomyces tiffanyae, is described and illustrated. Its asci are typically three-spored, an unusually small number in the non-Tuber Pezizales. Ascus septal pore ultrastructure consists of a uni- or bi-convex band, which suggests an affinity with the Pezizaceae. Secondary spore-wall development is similar to that of Peziza, and several species of hypogeous Pezizaceae.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY The earliest eukaryotes were likely flagellates with a centriole that nucleates the centrosome, the microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) for nuclear division. The MTOC in higher fungi, which lack flagella, is the spindle pole body (SPB). Can we detect stages in centrosome evolution leading to the diversity of SPB forms observed in terrestrial fungi? Zygomycetous fungi, which consist of saprobes, symbionts, and parasites of animals and plants, are critical in answering the question, but nuclear division has been studied in only two of six clades. METHODS Ultrastructure of mitosis was studied in Coemansia reversa (Kickxellomycotina) germlings using cryofixation or chemical fixation. Character evolution was assessed by parsimony analysis, using a phylogenetic tree assembled from multigene analyses. KEY RESULTS At interphase the SPB consisted of two components: a cytoplasmic, electron-dense sphere containing a cylindrical structure with microtubules oriented nearly perpendicular to the nucleus and an intranuclear component appressed to the nuclear envelope. Markham's rotation was used to reinforce the image of the cylindrical structure and determine the probable number of microtubules as nine. The SPB duplicated early in mitosis and separated on the intact nuclear envelope. Nuclear division appears to be intranuclear with spindle and kinetochore microtubules interspersed with condensed chromatin. CONCLUSIONS This is the sixth type of zygomycetous SPB, and the third type that suggests a modified centriolar component. Coemansia reversa retains SPB character states from an ancestral centriole intermediate between those of fungi with motile cells and other zygomycetous fungi and Dikarya.

Truffles have evolved from epigeous (aboveground) ancestors in nearly every major lineage of fleshy fungi. Because accelerated rates of morphological evolution accompany the transition to the truffle form, closely related epigeous ancestors remain unknown for most truffle lineages. This is the case for the quintessential truffle genus Tuber, which includes species with socio-economic importance and esteemed culinary attributes. Ecologically, Tuber spp. form obligate mycorrhizal symbioses with diverse species of plant hosts including pines, oaks, poplars, orchids, and commercially important trees such as hazelnut and pecan. Unfortunately, limited geographic sampling and inconclusive phylogenetic relationships have obscured our understanding of their origin, biogeography, and diversification. To address this problem, we present a global sampling of Tuberaceae based on DNA sequence data from four loci for phylogenetic inference and molecular dating. Our well-resolved Tuberaceae phylogeny shows high levels of regional and continental endemism. We also identify a previously unknown epigeous member of the Tuberaceae ? the South American cup-fungus Nothojafnea thaxteri (E.K. Cash) Gamundı´. Phylogenetic resolution was further improved through the inclusion of a previously unrecognized Southern hemisphere sister group of the Tuberaceae. This morphologically diverse assemblage of species includes truffle (e.g. Gymnohydnotrya spp.) and non-truffle forms that are endemic to Australia and South America. Southern hemisphere taxa appear to have diverged more recently than the Northern hemisphere lineages. Our analysis of the Tuberaceae suggests that Tuber evolved from an epigeous ancestor. Molecular dating estimates Tuberaceae divergence in the late Jurassic (,156 million years ago), with subsequent radiations in the Cretaceous and Paleogene. Intra-continental diversification, limited long-distance dispersal, and ecological adaptations help to explain patterns of truffle evolution and biodiversity. Fil: Bonito, Gregory. Deparment of Biology. Duke University; United States of America; Fil: Smith, Matthew E.. Department of Plant Pathology. University of Florida; United States of America; Fil: Nowak, Michael. Institute of Systematic Botany. University of Z¨ürich; Switzerland; Fil: Healy, Rosanne A.. University of Minnesota. Department of Plant Biology; United States of America; Fil: Guevara, Gonzalo. Instituto Tecnológico de Ciudad Victoria; México; Fil: Cázares, Efren. Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society. Oregon State University; United States of America; Fil: Kinoshita, Akihiko. Department of Natural Environmental Studies. Graduate School of Frontier Science. The University of Tokyo; Japan; Fil: Nouhra, Eduardo Ramon. Consejo Nacional de Invest.cientif.y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnol.conicet - Cordoba. Instituto Multidiscipl.de Biologia Vegetal (p); Fil: Dominguez, Laura Susana. Consejo Nacional de Invest.cientif.y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnol.conicet - Cordoba. Instituto Multidiscipl.de Biologia Vegetal (p); Fil: Tedersoo, Leho. Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences and the Natural History Museum of Tartu University; Estonia; Fil: Murat, Claude. Institute National de la Recherche Agronomique et Nancy University; France; Fil: Wang, Yun. New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Ltd; New Zealand; Fil: Arroyo Moreno, Baldomero. Department of Plant Biology. University of Córdoba; Spain; Fil: Pfister, Donald H.. Farlow Herbarium. Harvard University; United States of America; Fil: Nara, Kazuhide. Department of Natural Environmental Studies. Graduate School of Frontier Science. The University of Tokyo; Japan; Fil: Zambonelli, Alessandra. Dipartimento di Science Agrarie. Università di Bologna; Italy; Fil: Trappe, James M.. Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society. Oregon State University; United States of America; Fil: Vylgalis, Rytas. Deparment of Biology. Duke University; United States of America

Fungal mitospores may function as dispersal units and/ or spermatia and thus play a role in distribution and/or mating of species that produce them. Mitospore production in ectomycorrhizal (EcM) Pezizales is rarely reported, but here we document mitospore production by a high diversity of EcM Pezizales on three continents, in both hemispheres. We sequenced the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and partial large subunit (LSU) nuclear rDNA from 292 spore mats (visible mitospore clumps) collected in Argentina, Chile, China, Mexico and the USA between 2009 and 2012. We collated spore mat ITS sequences with 105 fruit body and 47 EcM root sequences to generate operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Phylogenetic inferences were made through analyses of both molecular data sets. A total of 48 OTUs from spore mats represented six independent EcM Pezizales lineages and included truffles and cup fungi. Three clades of seven OTUs have no known meiospore stage. Mitospores failed to germinate on sterile media, or form ectomycorrhizas on Quercus, Pinus and Populus seedlings, consistent with a hypothesized role of spermatia. The broad geographic range, high frequency and phylogenetic diversity of spore mats produced by EcM Pezizales suggests that a mitospore stage is important for many species in this group in terms of mating, reproduction and/or dispersal.

Tobacco floral nectaries undergo changes in form and function. As nectaries change from green to orange, a new pigment is expressed. Analysis demonstrated that it is β-carotene. Plastids undergo dramatic changes. Early in nectary development, they divide and by stage 9 (S9) they are engorged with starch. About S9, nectaries shift from quiescent anabolism to active catabolism resulting in starch breakdown and production of nectar sugars. Starch is replaced by osmiophilic bodies, which contain needle-like carotenoid crystals. Between S9 and S12, amyloplasts are converted to chromoplasts. Changes in carotenoids and ascorbate were assayed and are expressed at low levels early in development; however, following S9 metabolic shift, syntheses of β-carotene and ascorbate greatly increase in advance of expression of nectar redox cycle. Transcript analysis for carotenoid and ascorbate biosynthetic pathways showed that these genes are significantly expressed at S6, prior to the S9 metabolic shift. Thus, formation of antioxidants β-carotene and ascorbate after the metabolic shift is independent of transcriptional regulation. We propose that biosynthesis of these antioxidants is governed by availability of substrate molecules that arise from starch breakdown. These processes and events may be amenable to molecular manipulation to provide a better system for insect attraction, cross pollination, and hybridization.

Reexamination and molecular phylogenetic analyses of American Terfezia species and Mattirolomyces tiffanyae revealed that their generic assignments were wrong. Therefore we here propose these combinations: Mattirolomyces spinosus comb. nov. (≡ Terfezia spinosa), Stouffera longii gen. & comb. nov. (≡ Terfezia longii) and Temperantia tiffanyae gen. & comb. nov. (≡ Mattirolomyces tiffanyae). In addition we describe a new species, Mattirolomyces mexicanus spec. nov. All species belong to the Pezizaceae. Based on these results Terfezia is not known from North America, Mattirolomyces is represented by two species and two new monotypic genera are present.

The purpose of the Assembling the Fungal Tree of Life project (AFTOL) is to better understand the evolutionary history of the Kingdom Fungi using multiple data types, including molecular sequences and ultrastructural characters [1]. Microscopic features such as nuclear division and associated organelles, e.g., spindle pole bodies (SPB), are informative for revealing relationships between many taxonomic groups.

Evidence suggests that truffle-like sporocarp forms have evolved many times in the Pezizales, but primarily from epigeous ancestors within ectomycorrhizal clades. There are several ectomycorrhizal clades, however, that contain no known hypogeous species. We collected specimens of an unusual unidentified truffle from mixed oak woodlands in Iowa. Although clearly a member of the Pezizales (Ascomycota), this hypogeous species did not belong to any of the described truffle genera. Based on a combination of ecological, phylogenetic, and morphological evidence we determined that this new truffle is a hypogeous member of the genus Otidea (Pyronemataceae), a lineage with no described truffle species. We describe it here as a new species, Otidea subterranea.

Hydrogen peroxide produced from the nectar redox cycle was shown to be a major factor contributing to inhibition of most microbial growth in floral nectar; however, this obstacle can be overcome by the floral pathogen Erwinia amylovora. To identify the source of superoxide that leads to hydrogen peroxide accumulation in nectary tissues, nectaries were stained with nitroblue tetrazolium. Superoxide production was localized near nectary pores and inhibited by diphenylene iodonium but not by cyanide or azide, suggesting that NAD(P)H oxidase is the source of superoxide. Native PAGE assays demonstrated that NADPH (not NADH) was capable of driving the production of superoxide, diphenyleneiodonium chloride was an efficient inhibitor of this activity, but cyanide and azide did not inhibit. These results confirm that the production of superoxide was due to an NADPH oxidase. The nectary enzyme complex was distinct by migration on gels from the leaf enzyme complex. Temporal expression patterns demonstrated that the superoxide production (NADPH oxidase activity) was coordinated with nectar secretion, the expression of Nectarin I (a superoxide dismutase in nectar), and the expression of NOX1, a putative gene for a nectary NADPH oxidase that was cloned from nectaries and identified as an rbohD-like NADPH oxidase. Further, in situ hybridization studies indicated that the NADPH oxidase was expressed in the early stages of flower development although superoxide was generated at later stages (after Stage 10), implicating posttranslational regulation of the NADPH oxidase in the nectary.

This study analyzed soybean seeds from 116 cultivars for total, insoluble, and soluble oxalate (Ox), phytate (InsP6), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) because of their potential beneficial or harmful effects on human nutrition. These cultivars were divided into four groups (A-D) on the basis of the year and geographic location where they were grown. Oxalate concentration ranged from about 82 to 285 mg/100 g of dry seed. The InsP6 concentration ranged from 0.22 to 2.22 g/100 g of dry seed. There was no correlation between Ox and InsP6 within or among the four groups of cultivars. There was a significant correlation between total Ox and Ca, but not Mg, in group D cultivars (r = 0.3705; p0.0005). No significant relationship was found in the group A-C cultivars. Eleven group D cultivars had InsP6 less than 500 mg/100 g, but all had total Ox of 130 mg/100 g or greater. Five cultivars from groups A-C had relatively low InsP6 (group B;or =1.01 g/100 g) and low Ox (140 mg/100 g). These cultivars could be useful for producing soy foods beneficial to populations at risk for kidney stones and for improved mineral bioavailability. The Ox and InsP6 concentrations of the cultivars indicate that choosing specific parents could generate seeds in succeeding generations with desirable Ox and InsP6 concentrations.