Basidiospore Ornamentation Research Articles

Studies in the Basidiodendron caesiocinereum complex (Auriculariales, Basidiomycota)

Taxonomy of Basidiodendron caesiocinereum complex is revised based on morphological and molecular methods (with the use of nc LSU rDNA, ITS and TEF1 regions). The basidiospore ornamentation is justified as a key morphological character for the species recognition in the group. As redefined here, B. caesiocinereum is an angiosperm-dwelling species with smooth basidiospores. Bourdotia cinerella and B. cinerella var. trachyspora are proved to represent separate species with warted basidiospores; they are reintroduced as Basidiodendron cinerellum and B. trachysporum. Additionally, eight new species related to B. caesiocinereum are described based on material from Eurasia, North America and Africa, and identity of B. spinosum from Oceania is discussed.

Lactarius vividus sp. nov. (Russulaceae, Russulales), a widely distributed edible mushroom in central and southern China

Lactarius sect. Deliciosi includes a group of edible mushrooms with a worldwide geographical distribution. Although several species are considered choice edible mushrooms, taxonomic knowledge on this group in Asia is still fragmentary. A new species in L. sect. Deliciosi with orange latex, L. vividus, is described as an important wild edible mushroom that is widely distributed in central and southern China. Morphological analyses demonstrate that L. vividus encompasses high infraspecific morphological variation, which makes it difficult to clearly delimit its taxonomic boundary. Compared with other species having orange latex in L. sect. Deliciosi, L. vividus can be recognized by the vividly colored, subdistant to distant lamellae and heavy basidiospore ornamentation. It has been found to grow with four species of Pinus subg. Pinus including P. latteri, P. massoniana, P. taiwanensis and P. thunbergii. Phylogenetic analyses of the ITS region and glyceraldehyde-3-phophate dehydrogenase gene (gpd) support species delimitation and suggest ITS and gpd are good DNA markers to identify this new species.

Strobilomyces pteroreticulosporus (Boletales), a new species of the S. strobilaceus complex from the Republic of Korea and remarks on the variability of S. confusus

A new species, Strobilomyces pteroreticulosporus, is described based on two recent collections from the Republic of Korea. This new taxon is well characterized by morphological characters, and proved using rpb1 and ITS2 sequences. The variability of size and basidiospore ornamentation of the common species S. confusus is also discussed.

Coprinopsis asiaticiphlyctidospora sp. nov., an agaric ammonia fungus from Amami and Okinawa, southern Japan

Coprinopsis asiaticiphlyctidospora (Basidiomycota, Psathyrellaceae), is a new Coprinoid ammonia fungus from Amami and Okinawa, Japan. In macro- and micro-morphology, this species is similar to C. phlyctidospora and C. austrophlyctidospora, but differs in having smaller basidiospores and spiny basidiospore ornamentation. Phylogenetic analysis with the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) data also supports this new taxon.

Molecular phylogenetic analyses redefine seven major clades and reveal 22 new generic clades in the fungal family Boletaceae

Mushrooms in the basidiomycete family Boletaceae are ecologically and economically very important. However, due to the morphological complexity and the limited phylogenetic information on the various species and genera of this fungal family, our understanding of its systematics and evolution remains rudimentary. In this study, DNA sequences of four genes (nrLSU, tef1-α, rpb1, and rpb2) were newly obtained from ca. 200 representative specimens of Boletaceae. Our phylogenetic analyses revealed seven major clades at the subfamily level, namely Austroboletoideae, Boletoideae, Chalciporoideae, Leccinoideae, Xerocomoideae, Zangioideae, and the Pulveroboletus Group. In addition, 59 genus-level clades were identified, of which 22 were uncovered for the first time. These 22 clades were mainly placed in Boletoideae and the Pulveroboletus Group. The results further indicated that the characters frequently used in the morphology-based taxonomy of Boletaceae, such as basidiospore ornamentation, the form of the basidioma, and the stuffed pores each had multiple origins within the family, suggesting that the use of such features for high-level classification of Boletaceae should be de-emphasized and combined with other characters.

Species diversity and ecological patterns of <em>Phaeoclavulina</em> species in Mexico with implications for conservation

Species of Phaeoclavulina (formerly genus Ramaria , subgenus Echinoramaria ) have been reported in temperate, tropical and subtropical areas of the world. In Mexico, these species occur from sea level to 3200 m. Based on 132 distribution records of 22 species, patterns of species rarity and richness were determined using a grid-cell system of 1° x 1° latitude/longitude. The highest species richness areas were Sierra Madre Oriental and Serranías Meridionales, while species were rare in the areas of Jalisco (Pacific coast and Altiplanicie), Guerrero and Oaxaca (Serranías Meridionales) and Chiapas (Serranías Transístmicas). The distribution of eight species was modeled and the precision and accuracy of these models were analyzed based on kappa concordance tests. The models for the temperate species sets (list the species) presented high kappa values while the tropical species sets (list the species) presented low kappa values. When we maximized the variation of the models, we found congruence between the richness zones identified in the grid-cells. The ecological-morphological segregation of the Mexican species was evaluated with a PCA analysis, resulting in two groups. The first included species inhabiting mainly tropical and subtropical areas (list the species) characterized by more evident basidiospore ornamentation consisting of large spines. A second group of species (list the species) inhabits mainly temperate forests in higher altitudes and these species have less evident basidiospore ornamentation consisting of small warts. The current known distribution of these fungi is intimately correlated with environmental factors. Based on our results, we propose priority conservation areas based on taxonomic richness and higher corrected weighted endemism index values which coincide with the analysis of potential distribution of these species; the montane systems of central and southeastern Mexico and the northwestern part of the Yucatan peninsula. These temperate fungi could grow in several other neighboring Natural Protected Areas, but their presence must be confirmed. The situation with the tropical species is more critical as there are few neighboring Natural Protected Areas where these fungi could have special protection.

Coprinopsis novorugosobispora sp. nov., an agaric ammonia fungus from Beijing, China

Coprinopsis novorugosobispora (Basidiomycota, Psathyrellaceae), a new ammonia fungus, fructificated from the soil sample collected in Beijing, China. In macro- and micro-morphology, this species is similar to C. rugosobispora reported from Belgium, but differs in having smaller basidiospore and rougher basidiospore ornamentation. This is the first report of ammonia fungi from continental China.

Use of ionic liquid in fungal taxonomic study of ultrastructure of basidiospore ornamentation

An ionic liquid (IL) is a kind of salt that stays in a molten state even at room temperature. Since ILs do not vaporize even under vacuum conditions and show high ionic conductivity, they can be used in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies. The ultrastructural features of basidiospore ornamentation are considered to be important in the delimitation of taxa for fungi. In the present study, we carried out SEM observations on basidiospores that were subjected to an IL treatment, and evaluated the usefulness of this method in comparison with a conventional preparation method in which dehydrating, drying and platinum (Pt) coating were used. Using the conventional method, a considerable number of basidiospores was lost from the gill tissues; however, using the IL method, the decrease in basidiospores was extremely small. No significant differences in ultrastructural morphology or basidiospore size were found between Pt-coated basidiospores and IL-treated ones. SEM images of Pt-coated basidiospores tended to have higher contrast than those of IL-treated ones. Charging effects were observed with Pt-coated basidiospores, especially at the tips of the ornaments, whereas no such effects occurred for the IL-treated ones. In addition, small crinkles were observed in the Pt-coated basidiospores, but not in the IL-treated ones. These results suggest that the IL method is useful for fungal taxonomic studies.

Molecular phylogeny and re-assessment of some <i>Scleroderma</i> spp. (Gasteromycetes)

Phosri, C., Martin, M.P., Watling, R., Jeppson, M. & Sihanonth, P. 2009. Molecular phylogeny and re-assessment of some Scleroderma spp. Anales Jard. Bot. Madrid. 66S1: 83-91. The fungal genus Scleroderma is cosmopolitan in temperate and tropical regions and forms ectomycorrhizal associations with a wide range of forest trees. To delimit phylogenetic Scleroderma species and identification, 43 basidiomes were chosen of different geographical origins and their rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) were sequenced. Phylogenetic analyses of these sequences together with additional GenBank sequences identified 11 taxa. A strong phylogenetic pattern was observed related to a character of their basidiospore ornamentation.

Molecular study of the genus Astraeus

The aim of the present work was to determine phylogenetic relationships among Astraeus species and to support macroscopic and microscopic characters of Astraeus with analysis of the ITS rDNA region. Collections of Astraeus basidiomes were made from different geographical areas in Thailand and compared with existing collections made worldwide. The marriage of observations on morphological features, including basidiospore ornamentation and molecular data demonstrated the presence of several Astraeus species. Sequences for 41 Astraeus collections were compared and the phylogenetic analyses grouped Thai Astraeus collections into two distinct groups. One contained A. odoratus and an Asian species described herein as A. asiaticus. There are at least two additional species: A. pteridis, and one so far un-named from North America. Our results show that molecular data can be used in combination with traditional morphological characteristics to resolve taxonomic uncertainties in the genus Astraeus.

Morphological and molecular phylogenetic studies in South American Cortinarius species

Thirty South American species of Cortinarius belonging to the subgenera Telamonia, Dermocybe, Myxacium, Phlegmacium, and Cystogenes were studied using an integrated approach that included morphological, anatomical, and ultrastructural data, and also molecular phylogenetic analysis of nuclear rDNA sequences. The micromorphology of the basidiomes was studied by light microscopy, and the principal structures were illustrated by line drawings. Basidiospore ornamentation was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Nuclear internal transcribed spacers (ITS, including the 5.8S gene) and the rDNA coding for the D1/D2 domains of the large ribosomal subunit (LSU) were sequenced and analysed using a Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo method to estimate phylogenetic relationships between the studied Cortinarius species. Morphology and anatomy of the pileus surface and basidiome pigmentation appeared to be the most useful characters to delimit some natural groups, whereas microcharacters related to the structure of pileus context, hymenophoral and stipe trama were of little taxonomic value. Basidiospore morphology and cheilocystidia seem to be taxonomically relevant at the species level. The following five infrageneric groups were supported by the morphological, chemical and molecular data: (1) Telamonia characterized by wide hyaline hyphae of the veil and by small basidiomes; (2) Dermocybe spp. with an epicutis as the most external layer of the pileus, and skyrin and hypericin pigments; (3) Dermocybe spp. with a thin viscid layer on the pileus, and endocrocin and dermolutein pigments; (4) Phlegmacium spp. characterized by a long and radicating stipe; and (5) Phlegmacium spp. that overlap in some macrocharacters with Telamonia species. Our analyses suggest that classification concepts based mainly on macromorphological characters are likely to lead to artificial grouping, whereas certain microscopical and chemical characters seem to be useful in constructing a more natural classification system for Cortinarius.

Notes on the type material of Geastrum dissimile Bottomley (Geastraceae)

An amplified morphological description of the holotype of Geastrum dissimile Bottomley is provided. Details of the peridial anatomy, endoperidial surface, basidiospore ornamentation and ultrastructure, as well as the ornamentation of capillitium threads are included.

Observations on Rugosospora Heinemann in the Neotropics

The genus Rugosospora (Agaricales, Basidiomycota) comprises two species R. ochraceobadia, described from Africa, and R. pseudorubiginosa, described from México and Colombia. In this paper, the morphology, taxonomy, and nomenclature of R. pseudorubiginosa is discussed and its geographical distribution extended. Comparison of the basidiospore ornamentation of both species is based on scanning electron microscopy studies. A key to the species of the genus is provided. Lepiota epickaris var. occidentalis and Leucoagaricus rubrosquamosus are proposed as new synomyns of R. pseudorubiginosa.

Basidiospore Wall Ultrastructure of the False-Truffle Hydnangium and Its Phylogenetic Significance

in basidiomycete systematics. Arguments for and against including false truffles in the Agaricales hinge on the interpretation ofthe character suites and the degree of importance given to them in forming phylogenetic hypotheses (e.g., Kuhner, 1980, 1984; Julich, 1981; Singer, 1986). A number of mycologists have postulated a close relationship between the false-truffle genera Hydnangium Wallr. and Podohydnangium Beaton, Pegler, & Young and the mushroom genus Laccaria Berk. & Br. (e.g., Pegler and Young, 1979; Kuhner, 1980, 1984; Julich, 1981; Beaton et al., 1984; Mueller, 1992; Mueller and Ammirati, 1993) based on similar basidiospore or? namentation. There are numerous publications illustrating basidiospore ornamentation as viewed under the scanning electron microscope for one or more of these three genera (e.g., Pegler and Young, 1969, 1971, 1979; Beaton et al., 1984; Castellano et al., 1989; Mueller, 1991, 1992). Kuhner (1980, 1984) reported that the discrete, conical echinulae observed on basidiospores of both Laccaria and Hydnangium have microfibrils that run nearly parallel to the axis of the spine. He used these wall ultrastructure features, along with cytological and ecological characters, to justify placing Hydnangium and Laccaria in the same family Hydnangiaceae in his Tricholomatales (Kuhner, 1980, 1984). Based on unpublished micrographs of Hydnangium, Mueller (1992) and Mueller and Ammirati (1993) argued that this type of basidiospore wall ultrastructure is the one shared derived morphological feature that links these genera. However, while illustra? tions of the basidiospore wall ultrastructure of Laccaria were presented in Besson and Kiihner (1971) and Kiihner (1980), to our knowledge, no transmission electron micrographs showing the basidiospore wall ultrastructure of Hydnangium or Podohydnangium have been published. In this paper, we present micrographs documenting the similarity of wall ultrastructure of Hydnangium and Laccaria and discuss the phylogenetic implications of these data. Scanning electron micrographs were taken at the Field Museum of Natural History following the procedures outlined in Mueller (1991,1992). For examination on the Uppsala University Jeol 100 B transmission electron microscope, small pieces of lamellar tissue from air-dried herbari? um specimens were rehydrated in 3% KOH, fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.5), and washed in buffer three times. The samples were then postfixed in 2% Os04 in 0.1 M phosphate buffer for 2 h at 4 C, washed in buffer three times, dehydrated in a graded eth? anol series and propylene oxide infiltrated with Epon, and embedded in Epon that was polymerized for 48 h at 60 C. Sections of 50 nm thickness were cut with a Dupont diamond knife

Basidiospore Wall Ultrastructure of the False-Truffle Hydnangium and Its Phylogenetic Significance

in basidiomycete systematics. Arguments for and against including false truffles in the Agaricales hinge on the interpretation ofthe character suites and the degree of importance given to them in forming phylogenetic hypotheses (e.g., Kuhner, 1980, 1984; Julich, 1981; Singer, 1986). A number of mycologists have postulated a close relationship between the false-truffle genera Hydnangium Wallr. and Podohydnangium Beaton, Pegler, & Young and the mushroom genus Laccaria Berk. & Br. (e.g., Pegler and Young, 1979; Kuhner, 1980, 1984; Julich, 1981; Beaton et al., 1984; Mueller, 1992; Mueller and Ammirati, 1993) based on similar basidiospore or? namentation. There are numerous publications illustrating basidiospore ornamentation as viewed under the scanning electron microscope for one or more of these three genera (e.g., Pegler and Young, 1969, 1971, 1979; Beaton et al., 1984; Castellano et al., 1989; Mueller, 1991, 1992). Kuhner (1980, 1984) reported that the discrete, conical echinulae observed on basidiospores of both Laccaria and Hydnangium have microfibrils that run nearly parallel to the axis of the spine. He used these wall ultrastructure features, along with cytological and ecological characters, to justify placing Hydnangium and Laccaria in the same family Hydnangiaceae in his Tricholomatales (Kuhner, 1980, 1984). Based on unpublished micrographs of Hydnangium, Mueller (1992) and Mueller and Ammirati (1993) argued that this type of basidiospore wall ultrastructure is the one shared derived morphological feature that links these genera. However, while illustra? tions of the basidiospore wall ultrastructure of Laccaria were presented in Besson and Kiihner (1971) and Kiihner (1980), to our knowledge, no transmission electron micrographs showing the basidiospore wall ultrastructure of Hydnangium or Podohydnangium have been published. In this paper, we present micrographs documenting the similarity of wall ultrastructure of Hydnangium and Laccaria and discuss the phylogenetic implications of these data. Scanning electron micrographs were taken at the Field Museum of Natural History following the procedures outlined in Mueller (1991,1992). For examination on the Uppsala University Jeol 100 B transmission electron microscope, small pieces of lamellar tissue from air-dried herbari? um specimens were rehydrated in 3% KOH, fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.5), and washed in buffer three times. The samples were then postfixed in 2% Os04 in 0.1 M phosphate buffer for 2 h at 4 C, washed in buffer three times, dehydrated in a graded eth? anol series and propylene oxide infiltrated with Epon, and embedded in Epon that was polymerized for 48 h at 60 C. Sections of 50 nm thickness were cut with a Dupont diamond knife

Studies onCystoderma: A New Species and a New Combination

Cystoderma chocoanum, a new species from the tropical lowlands in the Department of Choco, Colombia, and its cultural characters are described. Based on scanning electron microscopy examination of basidiospore ornamentation, pileipellis structure, and the attachment of lamellae to the stipe, a new combination Ripartitella ponderosa is proposed.

Basidiospore structure in Ramariopsis (Clavariaceae)

There are three types of basidiospore ornamentation in Ramariopsis species : ( a ) Kunzei -type with a discontinuous tunica forming the verrucae; ( b ) Biformis -type with a continuous tunica forming verrucae; and ( c ) Minutula -type with a continuous tunica forming rugosities. All Ramariopsis species have ornamented spores. The ornamentation structure in both Clavulinopsis and Scytinopogon spores differs from that found in Ramariopsis and a phyletic relationship between these genera is not supported.