Anamorphs in the Strophariaceae (Basidiomycota, Agaricales)

Abstract

We describe and illustrate conidiogenesis in 21 species of Strophariaceae sensu Singer in culture, including first reports of conidiogenesis from nine species. Two modes of thallic conidiogenesis were revealed. The first mode, present in Hypholoma capnoides (Fr.) P. Kumm., Hypholoma fasciculare (Fr.) P. Kumm., Hypholoma marginatum (Pers.) J. Schröt., Hypholoma subericaeum (Fr.) Kühner, Hypholoma sublateritium (Schaeff.) Quél., Kuehneromyces mutabilis (Schaeff.) Singer & A.H. Sm., Pholiota lenta (Pers.) Singer, Pholiota lucifera (Lasch) Quél., Pholiota mixta (Fr.) Kuyper & Tjall.-Beuk., Pholiota spumosa (Fr.) Singer, Psilocybe cf. coprophila (Bull.) P. Kumm., Psilocybe inquilina (Fr.) Bres., Psilocybe semilanceata (Fr.) P. Kumm., Psilocybe sp., Stropharia rugosoannulata Farl. ex Murrill, and Stropharia semiglobata (Batsch) Quél., is characterized by straight or often coiled conidiogenous hyphae, not or only slightly sympodially proliferating conidiophores lacking geniculate parts, and hyaline, rod-shaped conidia. Conidiogenesis in Pholiota aurivella (Batsch) P. Kumm., Pholiota gummosa (Lasch) Singer, and Pholiota squarrosa (Batsch) P. Kumm. followed a second mode, distinguished by straight conidiogenous hyphae, sympodially proliferating geniculate conidiophores, and coloured, swollen conidia formed on older mycelia. These two modes also differed concerning the number of nuclei in the conidia. Pholiota alnicola (Fr.) Singer and Pholiota tuberculosa (Schaeff.) P. Kumm. possessed specific modes of conidiogenesis that deviated from the two prevalent modes described above. Careful analysis of anamorph descriptions compiled from literature supports these modes and allows conidia to be distinguished from nondetaching hyphal swellings that have also been designated as conidia in the past.