Abstract
An annotated list is provided of 906 taxa of fungi (including oomycetes and myxomycetes) which have been recorded in New Zealand in close association with the five endemic taxa of Nothofagus (southern beech), as ectomycorrhizal mycobionts, pathogens, or saprobes causing decay of wood and leaves. The list has been compiled from data associated with specimens held in Herbarium PDD and in Herbarium NZFRI(M), and from the literature. Nothofagus forests are an important conservation resource, and a vast storehouse for New Zealand fungi; approximately 35% of the known New Zealand agaric mycota are associated with Nothofagus, and 50% of the known polypore species. Of the 226 named species of ectomycorrhizal fungi found in New Zealand beech forests (205 agarics, 19 Aphyllophorales — clavarioid, hydnoid, etc., 1 as‐comycete, 1 mitosporic fungus), about 90% are native, with most of these being endemic. Six mycorrhizal agaric genera are especially well represented: Amanita (11 species), Cortinarius (57 speties), Democybe (11 species), Inocybe (13 species), Russula (23 species), and Thaxterogaster (13 species). Few pathogens have been recorded. The most conspicuous of these are three Cyttaria spp. (beech strawberries) found only on N. menziesii. Two mitosporic fungi, Nodulisporium sp. and Sporothrix sp., in association with various insects, may be partially responsible for beech forest decline. Sooty mould fungi, growing on honeydew secreted by scale insects, produce conspicuous black growth on beech trees. Such growth can be caused by representatives of 10 genera of ascomycetes and mitosporic fungi, many of which also grow on other host plants. Large numbers of saprobic fungi are recorded on beech wood or twigs and leaf litter, and some of these cause economically significant wood rots and sapstain.
Published Version
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