More than one fungus in the pepper pot: Integrative taxonomy unmasks hidden species within Myriostoma coliforme (Geastraceae, Basidiomycota).

Julieth O Sousa,Iuri G Baseia,Laura M Suz,Donis S Alfredo,Luana M Conrado,Miguel A García,A Martyn Ainsworth,María P Martín,Paulo Marinho,Craig Eliot Coleman

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0177873

Abstract

Since the nineteenth century, Myriostoma has been regarded as a monotypic genus with a widespread distribution in north temperate and subtropical regions. However, on the basis of morphological characters and phylogenetic evidence of DNA sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions and the large subunit nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (LSU), four species are now delimited: M. areolatum comb. & stat. nov., M. calongei sp. nov., M. capillisporum comb. & stat. nov., and M. coliforme. Myriostoma coliforme is typified by selecting a lectotype (iconotype) and a modern sequenced collection as an epitype. The four species can be discriminated by a combination of morphological characters, such as stomatal form, endoperidial surface texture, and basidiospore size and ornamentation.

Highlights

Correct species recognition is an essential requirement for the understanding of systematics, evolution and ecology
Basidiomycete taxonomy has been revolutionized by the use of molecular techniques, which have been valuable in revealing component cryptic or semi-cryptic taxa within species complexes or aggregates [4,5,6]
Pegler et al [14] indicated that M. coliforme is widespread in north temperate and subtropical regions

Summary

Introduction

Correct species recognition is an essential requirement for the understanding of systematics, evolution and ecology. It is a prerequisite for population biological studies, reliable Red List assessments and effective conservation action. Recent molecular studies suggest that the magnitude of fungal taxonomic diversity is seriously underestimated [1,2,3]. Basidiomycete taxonomy has been revolutionized by the use of molecular techniques, which have been valuable in revealing component cryptic or semi-cryptic taxa within species complexes or aggregates [4,5,6]. The drawbacks associated with the traditional morphologyonly approach are succinctly expressed by Stielow et al [7]: “The difficulties in defining characters and their states, and the fact that distinct taxonomists assigned distinct.

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