Abstract
The phylogentic diversity of the genus Morchella has only been sporadically studied in Central Europe. In this study, a molecular taxonomic revision of the Morchella species of the Czech Republic was performed using available fungarium specimens, fresh collections, and axenic cultures. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on either ITS or five-locus (ITS, LSU, RPB1, RPB2, and EF-1α) sequencing and the application of principles of the genealogical concordance phylogenetic species recognition (GCPSR) have revealed the occurrence of 11 phylogenetic species in the region, but only six of them could be assigned unequivocally to the previously published phylospecies: Mel-3 (M.semilibera), Mel-10 (M.importuna), Mel-19 (M.eohespera), Mes-4 (M.americana), Mes-5 and Mes-8 (M.esculenta). One lineage was identified as a new phylospecies and is designated as Mel-39. Four lineages grouped together with two or more previously published phylospecies: Mel-13/26 (M.deliciosa), Mel-15/16 (M.angusticeps / M.eximioides), Mel-20/34 (M.purpurascens), and Mel-23/24/31/32 (M.pulchella). Our phylogenetic analyses and literature review shed light on the pitfalls of current molecular taxonomy of morels and highlight the ambiguities of present species recognition concepts. The main source of the problems seems to be rooted in the application of different methods (multigene vs single-gene sequencing, phenotypic determination) and approaches (monophyly vs paraphyly, the application or not of GCPSR, degree of differentiation between accepted species, etc.) by various authors for the delimitation of new phylospecies. Therefore, we propose five criteria for distinguishing new phylospecies in the genus Morchella based on molecular data, and recommend a more conservative approach in species delimitation.
Highlights
True morels are edible ascomycete fungi characterized by a honeycomb appearance and a spring fruiting, with the exception of a couple of autumnally occurring species (e.g. Masaphy et al 2009; Matočec et al 2014; Taşkın et al 2015)
The concept of the phylogenetic species recognition in the genus Morchella was developed by O’Donnell et al (2011) on the basis of multi-gene sequencing of global set of Morchella specimens using the principles of genealogical concordance phylogenetic species recognition (GCPSR; Taylor et al 2000)
Morchella taxonomy may give the impression of being opaque for many field mycologists
Summary
True morels (genus Morchella Dill. ex Pers.: Fr.) are edible ascomycete fungi characterized by a honeycomb appearance and a spring fruiting (at least in the temperate zone), with the exception of a couple of autumnally occurring species (e.g. Masaphy et al 2009; Matočec et al 2014; Taşkın et al 2015). Masaphy et al 2009; Matočec et al 2014; Taşkın et al 2015). Morels are amongst the most highly prized fungi worldwide, for their taste, and for their nutritional value and medicinal properties (Tietel and Masaphy 2018). The highest species diversity of true morels is concentrated in Europe and West Asia, East Asia (mainly China), and North America (Du et al 2015; Richard et al 2015). One of the worldwide diversity hotspots is the Mediterranean and adjacent regions, Turkey (with more than 20 species; Taşkın et al 2010, 2012) and Cyprus (11 species; Loizides et al 2016)
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