Phaeogalera and Galerina in arctic-subarctic Alaska (U.S.A.) and the Yukon Territory (Canada)

Abstract

Eleven taxa of Galerina and Phaeogalera are described. Galerina leptocystis, Galerina subarctica, and Galerina praticola are reported from arctic North America for the first time. Phaeogalra stagnina is only found in very humid, wet meadow tundra associated with Drepanocladus or Calliergon. Galerina arctica is reported for the first time from Alaska and Canada. One species, Galerina pseudocerina, is found only in arctic alpine habitats in Canada and not in the arctic tundra. Two forms of Galerina pseudomycenopsis represent the most common taxon observed in Alaskan North Slope wet meadow tundra on peat or associated with Calliergon, Drepanocladus, and Sphagnum. Two species, Galerina clavata and Galerina hypnorum, are common cosmopolitan taxa, but only G. clavata is frequently encountered on the Alaskan North Slope. The association of the Galerina taxa with mosses is presented and discussed, as well as their occurrence in microhabitats in wet meadow tundra and among polygons in coastal tundra on the Alaskan North Slope. Key words: Galerina, Phaeogalera, Cortinariaceae, Alaska, Yukon Territory, bryophytes.