A new representative of star-shaped fungi: Astraeus sirindhorniae sp. nov. from Thailand.

Cherdchai Phosri,Roy Watling,Nuttika Suwannasai,Andrew Wilson,María P Martín,Alfredo Herrera-Estrella

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0071160

Abstract

Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary (PKWS) is a major hotspot of biological diversity in Thailand but its fungal diversity has not been thouroughly explored. A two-year macrofungal study of this remote locality has resulted in the recognition of a new species of a star-shaped gasteroid fungus in the genus Astraeus. This fungus has been identified based on a morphological approach and the molecular study of five loci (LSU nrDNA, 5.8S nrDNA, RPB1, RPB2 and EF1-a). Multigene phylogenetic analysis of this new species places it basal relative to other Astraeus, providing additional evidence for the SE Asian orgin of the genus. The fungus is named in honour of Her Majesty Princess Sirindhorn on the occasion the 84th birthday of her father, who have both been supportive of natural heritage studies in Thailand.

Highlights

Tropical rain forests are important terrestrial ecosystems
The goal of this study is to identify the phylogenetic placement of this fungus using sequences of LSU nrDNA, 5.8S nrDNA, RPB1, RPB2 and EF1-a, as well as compare its morphology to that of other species of star-shaped gasteroid fungi
Trichaster differs in having an endoperidium that remains attached to the exoperidium after opening, soon disintegrates leaving a powdery spore-mass suppported by a stout, persistent collumella

Summary

Introduction

Tropical rain forests are important terrestrial ecosystems. They harbour tremendous biodiversity and several of them are recongized as biodiversity hotspots [1]. In 1991, Hawksworth [2] has estimated that the number of fungi worldwide will be around 1.5 million species with fungal diversity considered to be highest in the tropical forests. More recently the estimated number of fungal species has been estimated anywhere between 3.5–5.1 million species [3]. According to Hibbett et al [4] the overall rate of fungal species discovered worldwide has been fairly level for the last 10 years with a range of 1000–1200 new species reported per year, in both Basidiomycota and Ascomycota but mainly in the latter.

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Conclusion