Diversity of Tricholomataceae along a mediterranean altitudinal gradient

Abstract

This work studies variability in the composition of Tricholomataceae in different types of forest along an altitudinal gradient in the province of Madrid. It gives 26 new regional references, including most importantly Collybia aquosa, Clitocybe collina, Melanoleuca metrodiana, Cantharellula umbonata, Clitocybe decembris, Clitocybe graminicola, Collybia benoistii, Melanoleuca decembris and Melanoleuca kuehneri. Through estimations of biodiversity and similarity it is concluded that deciduous oak forest is the habitat richest in Tricholomataceae, that the habitats showing the greatest similarity are deciduous oak forest and pine forest, and that the greatest rate of change is related to the change of the bioclimatic belt. The results suggest that of the main ecological factors affecting the Tricholomatacea distribution, climate has more influence than lithology in, and that the greatest richness and diversity of Tricholomataceae is attained in cool, subhumid climates on siliceous soils.