Genus Cortinarius Research Articles

Coupled Shifts in Ectomycorrhizal Communities and Plant Uptake of Organic Nitrogen Along a Soil Gradient: An Isotopic Perspective

Plants associating with mutualistic ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi may directly obtain nitrogen (N) bound in soil organic matter (N-SOM). However, the contribution of N-SOM to plant growth under field conditions remains poorly constrained. We tested the hypothesis that turnover in ECM communities along soil inorganic N gradients mediates a functional transition from plant reliance on N-SOM in low inorganic N soils, to primarily inorganic N uptake in inorganic N-rich condition soils. We quantified the δ 15 N of Q. rubra foliage and roots, organic and inorganic soil N pools, and used molecular sequencing to characterize ECM communities, morpho-traits associated with N-foraging, and a community aggregated sporocarp δ 15 N. In support of our hypothesis, we document the progressive enrichment of root and foliar δ 15 N with increasing soil inorganic N supply; green leaves ranged from − 5.95 to 0.16‰ as the supply of inorganic N increased. ECM communities inhabiting low inorganic N soils were dominated by the genus Cortinarius, and other fungi forming hyphal morphologies putatively involved in N-SOM acquisition; sporocarp estimates from these communities were enriched (+ 4‰), further supporting fungal N-SOM acquisition. In contrast, trees occurring in high inorganic N soils hosted distinct communities with morpho-traits associated with inorganic N acquisition and depleted sporocarps (+ 0.5‰). Together, our results are consistent with apparent tradeoffs in the foraging cost and contribution of N-SOM to plant growth and demonstrate linkages between ECM community composition, fungal N-foraging potential and foliar δ 15 N. The functional characteristics of ECM communities represent a mechanistic basis for flexibility in plant nutrient foraging strategies. We conclude that the contribution of N-SOM to plant growth is likely contingent on ECM community composition and local soil nutrient availability.

Spore viability and germination of some ectomycorrhizal fungi from New Zealand and implications for forest restoration

ABSTRACT Ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) are critical to the establishment of many plant species and an important consideration in ecological restoration of southern beech (Nothofagaceae) forest. However, information on spore viability and storage is lacking for EMF taxa associated with southern beech. This study tested the viability and germination of spores from fruiting bodies collected during autumn and spring from mountain beech forest, Otago, New Zealand. Nuclear ribosomal ITS sequences matched autumn collections to the EMF genera Cortinarius, Inocybe and Russula, but all spring collections were an undescribed hypogeous taxon resembling the native EMF genus Hysterangium, referred to here as Hysterangiaceae ‘Motatapu’. We investigated propidium iodide as a spore viability test, and compared spore germination in water vs glucose, in different temperature and light regimes, and between freshly collected spores and spores from fruiting bodies dried at 30°C or frozen at −20°C. Propidium iodide did not stain all devitalised spores, so may be unreliable for quantifying viability of fresh spores. Spore germination in water was <6% for all genera and <2% for most taxon × treatment combinations. Fresh spores of Hysterangiaceae ‘Motatapu’ suspended in 4°C water showed higher germination than at 20°C; excluding light had no significant effect. Spores of the same taxon suspended in 10% and 20% glucose showed lower germination in comparison to water and showed deformations. Germination percentages of all taxa decreased with storage, but spores of some taxa retained viability for 120 days in 4°C water suspensions. Spores of Hysterangiaceae ‘Motatapu’ showed the least loss of viability with storage of all taxa investigated. For the purposes of storing EMF material for use as inoculum, we recommend drying fruiting bodies at 30°C for storage, then preparing fresh spore suspensions in water when inoculum is required.

Macromycetes of the “Baydarsky” Nature Reserve

The article is the first summary on the macromycetes of the “Baydarsky” State Natural Landscape Reserve. The annotated list of macromycetes of the reserve includes 201 species of macromycetes from 97 genera, 45 families, 13 orders. The species composition of families Boletaceae (26 species), Russulaceae (22), Tricholomataceae (19), Agaricaceae (15) and Amanitaceae (12), genera Lactarius (14), Amanita (11), Tricholoma (9), Russula (8), Cortinarius and Ramaria (6 species each), Agaricus and Hygrophorus (5 species each) is found out most fully completed; the number of Boletales mushrooms in the volume of Boletus s. l. is 26 species. For the registered in the reserve 9 species, this is the first find in the Crimean Peninsula, and for 45 species this is the same one in the Sevastopol region. In the Red Book of the Russian Federation included 7 species, the Red Book of the Republic of the Crimea - 14, and the Red Book of the city of Sevastopol - 16.

Monitoring the Structure and Productivity of Biota of Agaricoid Basidiomycetes in Spruce Forests of the Subzone of the Southern Taiga of Perm Krai

The results of monitoring the biota of agaricoid basidiomycetes in spruce forests (riverbank spruce and wood sorrel spruce forest) in the subzone of the southern taiga of Perm krai for 40 years are summed up. To date, 336 species and intraspecific taxa of agaricoid basidiomycetes belonging to 73 genera and 16 families have been found in spruce forests. The species of the families Tricholomataceae, Cortinariaceae, and Russulaceae predominate, which is typical for the boreal zone of Eurasia. The largest number of species is found in the genera Cortinarius (43 species), Mycena (39), Russula (25), and Lactarius (13), which is typical of the southern taiga subzone. It is noted that the species composition of agaricoid basidiomycetes changes with time to a greater extent (Jacquard’s coefficients (J × 100): riverbank spruce forest: J = 44–50; sorrel spruce forest: J = 43–47) than the species composition of higher vascular plants (J = 69–88). Many common features are revealed between the species composition of fungi of spruce forests (J = 49). Over the entire period of observations in spruce forests, 16 species dominating in the number of basidiomas and 19–21 species dominating in the biomass of basidiomas have been identified. As a result of the analysis of the ecological–trophic structure of the studied biogeocenoses, mycorrhiza-forming agents predominate (37.4–43.5%). The relationship between the diversity and productivity of agaricoid fungi with the main climatic indicators (May–September) is studied. It is found that an increase in the average monthly air temperature in August leads to a decrease in the number of xylotroph basidiomas in the sorrel spruce forest (rs = –0.7) and the basidiom litter saprotrophs biomass in the riverbank spruce forest (rs = –0.7). Heavy rainfall in August contributes to a reduction in the number of basidiomas of litter saprotrophs in the riverbank fir forest (rs = –0.7).

Нові та маловідомі для України представники роду Cortinarius (Cortinariaceae, Basidiomycota), виявлені у Національному природному парку Мале Полісся

Нові та маловідомі для України представники роду Cortinarius (Cortinariaceae, Basidiomycota), виявлені у Національному природному парку Мале Полісся

Nor-guanacastepene pigments from the Chilean mushroom Cortinarius pyromyxa

For the first time, the pigment composition of basidiocarps from the Chilean mushroom Cortinarius pyromyxa was studied under various aspects like phylogeny, chemistry and antibiotic activity. A molecular biological study supports the monotypic position of C. pyromyxa in subgenus Myxacium, genus Cortinarius. Four undescribed diterpenoids, named pyromyxones A-D, were isolated from fruiting bodies of C. pyromyxa. Their chemical structures were elucidated based on comprehensive one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopic analysis, ESI-HRMS measurements, as well as X-ray crystallography. In addition, the absolute configurations of pyromyxones A-D were established with the aid of JH,H, NOESY spectra and quantum chemical CD calculation. The pyromyxones A-D possess the undescribed nor-guanacastane skeleton. Tested pyromyxones A, B, and D exhibit only weak activity against gram-positive Bacillus subtilis and gram-negative Aliivibrio fischeri as well as the phytopathogenic fungi Botrytis cinerea, Septoria tritici and Phytophthora infestans.

Morphogenetic diversity of the ectomycorrhizal genus Cortinarius section Calochroi in the Iberian Peninsula

The taxonomic and genetic diversity of Cortinarius section Calochroi in one of the most biodiversity-rich regions in Europe, the Iberian Peninsula, was investigated through morphological and phylogenetic methods. This combined methodological approach allowed the identification of 15 known species and one new species, Cortinarius ortegae, which is described here. A dichotomous key is provided for field recognition of Calochroi species inhabiting different Iberian and Balearic Island woodlands. Polymorphism analyses within some studied species showed that the distribution of intraspecific lineages is dependent on geography and, in some cases, tree host. Furthermore, the dating analysis suggested that diversification within Calochroi started in the Pliocene and most of the current genetic diversity originated in the Pleistocene. This temporal scenario supports hypotheses in which climatic oscillations in the Quaternary may have been driving the evolution of this group of ectomycorrhizal fungi.

New Cortinarius (Agaricales) species described from New Zealand

ABSTRACTAs part of an ongoing effort to investigate the diversity of the genus Cortinarius in New Zealand, 12 new species are described: Cortinarius caryotoides, Cortinarius citribasalis, Cortinarius durifoliorum, Cortinarius eucollybianus, Cortinarius eunomalus, Cortinarius juglandaceus, Cortinarius lanceolatus, Cortinarius minilacus, Cortinarius peraurilis, Cortinarius pseliocaulis, Cortinarius rubrimarginatus and Cortinarius salmastrium. Moreover, the diversity of Cortinarius section Limonii and subgenus Callistei are reviewed in the light of recent findings in the South Pacific, and a key is provided. It is shown that both infrageneric taxa are bihemispherical, whereas the core population of the former is actually located in New Zealand. A phylogram, covering the taxa discussed, is presented to illustrate their genetic relations.

Improved Tissue-Based Analytical Test Methods for Orellanine, a Biomarker of Cortinarius Mushroom Intoxication

Orellanine (OR) toxin is produced by mushrooms of the genus Cortinarius which grow in North America and in Europe. OR poisoning is characterized by severe oliguric acute renal failure, with a mortality rate of 10%–30%. Diagnosis of OR poisoning currently hinges on a history of ingestion of Cortinarius mushrooms and histopathology of renal biopsies. A key step in the diagnostic approach is analysis of tissues for OR. Currently, tissue-based analytical methods for OR are nonspecific and lack sensitivity. The objectives of this study were: (1) to develop definitive HPLC and LC-MS/MS tissue-based analytical methods for OR; and (2) to investigate toxicological effects of OR in mice. The HPLC limit of quantitation was 10 µg/g. For fortification levels of 15 µg/g to 50 µg/g OR in kidney, the relative standard deviation was between 1.3% and 9.8%, and accuracy was within 1.5% to 7.1%. A matrix-matched calibration curve was reproduced in this range with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.97–0.99. The limit of detection was 20 ng/g for LC-MS/MS. In OR-injected mice, kidney OR concentrations were 97 ± 51 µg/g on Day 0 and 17 ± 1 µg/g on termination Day 3. Splenic and liver injuries were novel findings in this mouse model. The new tissue-based analytical tests will improve diagnosis of OR poisoning, while the mouse model has yielded new data advancing knowledge on OR-induced pathology. The new tissue-based analytical tests will improve diagnosis of OR poisoning, while the mouse model has yielded new data advancing knowledge on OR-induced pathology.

Arbutoid mycorrhizas of the genus Cortinarius from Costa Rica.

Arbutoid mycorrhizas of Comarostaphylis arbutoides (Arbutoidea, Ericaceae) from neotropical montane forests are rarely described. To date, only mycorrhizal associations with the fungal species Leccinum monticola, Leotia lubrica and Sebacina sp. are known from literature. The genus Cortinarius is one of the most species-rich ectomycorrhizal taxa with over 2000 assumed species. In this study, two sites in the Cordillera de Talamanca of Costa Rica were sampled, where Com. arbutoides is endemic and grows together with Quercus costaricensis. Using a combined method of rDNA sequence analysis and morphotyping, 33 sampled mycorrhizal systems of Cortinarius were assigned to the subgenera Dermocybe, Phlegmacium and Telamonia. Specific plant primers were used to identify the host plant. Here, we present the phylogenetic data of all found Cortinarii and describe four of the arbutoid mycorrhizal systems morphologically and anatomically.

Cortinarius majestaticus comb. nov.: phylogenetic evidence for the transfer of Descolea majestatica to Cortinarius

Descolea majestatica is an agaric with features described as intermediate between the genera Descolea Singer and Rozites P. Karst. (≡ Cortinarius). Molecular phylogenetic analysis of nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS), large ribosomal subunit (LSU) and RNA polymerase second largest subunit (RPB2) sequences indicates that D. majestatica is nested within the genus Cortinarius, with its closest relative a sequestrate Cortinarius species from Argentina. Taxonomic recombination is made to restore the monophyly of Cortinarius and Descolea.

Catalogue of type specimens of fungi and lichens deposited in the Herbarium of the University of Granada (Spain).

BackgroundA catalogue of types from the Herbarium of the University of Granada has not previously been compiled. As a result, a search of these collections in order to compile digital images for preservation and publication yielded a large number of formerly unrecognized types.New informationThis dataset contains the specimen records from the catalogue of the nomenclature types of fungi and lichens in the Herbarium of the University of Granada, Spain. These herbarium specimens are included in the GDA and GDAC collections, acronyms from Index Herbariorum (Thiers 2014). At this time, the type collection of fungi and lichens contains 88 type specimens of 49 nominal taxa, most from Agaricales and the genus Cortinarius, described from the western Mediterranean, mainly Spain, by the following authors: V.Antonin, J.Ballarà, A.Bidaud, G.F.Bills, M.Bon, C.Cano, M.Casares, G.Chevassut, M.Contu, F.Esteve-Raventós, R.Galán, L.Guzmán-Dávalos, R.Henry, E.Horak, R.Mahiques, G.Malençon, P.Moënne-Loccoz, G.Moreno, A.Ortega, F.Palazón, V.N.Suárez.-Santiago, A.Vêzda, J.Vila, and M.Villareal.For each specimen, the locality indication, species name, observation date, collector, type status, related information, associated sequences, other catalogue numbers related to each type, and image URL are recorded. The dataset is associated with an image collection named “Colección de imágenes de los tipos nomenclaturales de hongos, líquenes, musgos y algas incluidos en el Herbario de la Universidad de Granada (GDA y GDAC)” (Vizoso and Quesada 2013) which is housed and accessible at the Global Biodiversity Information Facility in Spain (GBIF.ES) Hosting and Publishing Service “Biodiversity Image Portal of Spanish collections” and is also available at the Herbarium of University of Granada institutional web (Vizoso 2014a, Vizoso 2014b). That image collection contains 113 images, of which 56 correspond to the nomenclature types of 49 taxa (47 fungi, 2 lichens), the rest of the images in this collection correspond to documents and specimens or microscopy photographs which are included in the herbarium specimens of fungi. These complement and document the process of the typification.

Some remarks on fluorrescent subsances in fruit-bodies of genus Cortinarius and their possible application for the purposes of systematics

Herbarial specimens of 37 species of subgenus &lt;i&gt;Phlegmacium&lt;/i&gt; were examined using the method of thin-layer and paper chromatography. The species of sections &lt;i&gt;Amarescents, Scauri&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Fulvi&lt;/i&gt; were found to contain more compounds fluorescent in UV light than thosse of the remaining sections. When comparing the R&lt;sub&gt;f&lt;/sub&gt; of stains appearing in chromatograms with the standards - emodin, chrysophanol, antrachinone and direin-it was noted that small amounts of emodin may be found in fruit bodies of &lt;i&gt;Cortinarius elegantior&lt;/i&gt; Fr. only.

Morpho-anatomical and chemical investigations of selected fungal species from the genus Cortinarius Fries

The author has investigated 17 species from the genus &lt;i&gt;Cortinarius&lt;/i&gt;, which she has divided into two groups: with spherical and elongated spores. Chromatographic data on the subject of the presence of atraquinones have shown a considerable agreement with the classification of M o s e r.

Some new and interesting taxa of Cortinarius subgenus Phlegmacium from the European Mediterranean Basin

We clarify the taxonomy and nomenclature of several taxa of the genus Cortinarius subgenus Phlegmacium. To this aim, we have used a combination of morphological and molecular data. The evolutionary relationships of the species were inferred by comparison of the nuITS by means of weighted maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and two different types of Bayesian methods (with and without a priori alignments). Phylogenetic resolution and support of all or most of the species included in this study and their relationships were possible only when including the phylogenetic signal from ambiguously aligned regions in weighted maximum parsimony analyses (recoded INAASE characters) and when the analysis simultaneously optimized alignment and phylogeny (with BAli-phy). Three species are described as new, Cortinarius mediterraneensis, C. cistoglaucopus and C. palazonianus, and C. olivaecodionysae is proposed for C. dionysae f. olivaceus. Descriptions are provided for these taxonomic and nomenclatural novelties, along with discussions of morphological and phylogenetic affinities to closely related taxa. Scanning microphotographs of the basidiospores are provided for the discussed taxa, and color pictures of the basidiomes in their natural habitat are provided for C. cistoglaucopus, C. mediterraneensis and C. palazonianus.

Environmental barcoding of the ectomycorrhizal fungal genus Cortinarius

Understanding the role of ectomycorrhizal fungi in plant communities is hampered by a lack of knowledge about fungal diversity. DNA barcoding of the ectomycorrhizal fungal genus Cortinarius was used to compare fungal diversity in soil from four plant communities: (i) Nothofagus forest (where Cortinarius is common and diverse), (ii) Kunzea forest (where Cortinarius is present but with low diversity), (iii) a Pinus radiata plantation (Cortinarius is not thought to be present) and (iv) a sub-Antarctic island (where known ectomycorrhizal hosts are absent). PCR primers specific for the ITS region of Cortinarius species were developed. Specificity was tested in vitro and in silico against DNA from basidiocarps of Cortinarius and non-Cortinarius species. The primers were tested for their ability to amplify Cortinarius DNA in soil from forests of the three ectomycorrhizal forest communities and a range of soils from the ectomycorrhiza-free subantarctic Campbell Island. High diversity of Cortinarius was associated with soil of all three ectomycorrhizal communities, despite Cortinarius being previously unrecorded from Pinus. Soil from all three communities share some ectomycorrhizal fungi (including fungi shared between native and exotic hosts), having implications for community succession, introduction of exotic fungi and biodiversity assessment. No Cortinarius was detected from Campbell Island samples. The validated molecular protocol assessed species diversity in a rapid and cost effective way. Baseline biodiversity assessment based on DNA barcoding is more effective at detecting diversity than traditional methods, but requires careful consideration of the difference between ectomycorrhizal fungal diversity in soil versus root-tips.

Macrofungal diversity and ecology in four Irish forest types

The macrofungal communities of Irish native tree species (ash and oak) and exotic tree species (Scots pine and Sitka spruce) forests were examined through the collection of sporocarps over 3 yr. Sampling of 27 plots revealed 186 species of macrofungi, including 10 species new to Ireland. The species richness of non-native Sitka spruce and Scots pine forests was similar to that of native oak forests. However, specific communities of macrofungi existed in each of the forest types as confirmed by non-metric multidimensional scaling and multi-response permutation procedure. Indicator species analysis was used to identify macrofungi which are indicative of the four forest types. The oak community lacked certain species/genera known to be distinctive of oak woods in Britain, possibly due to low inoculum availability as a result of historic removal of Ireland’s oak forests. Our results indicate that, while being similar to native forests in species richness, non-native forests of Sitka spruce and Scots pine in Ireland harbour many fungal species which are not typical of native forests, particularly members of the genus Cortinarius.

Diversity and ecology of epigeous ectomycorrhizal macrofungal assemblages in a native wet eucalypt forest in Tasmania, Australia

Abstract This paper investigates the diversity and ecology of the epigeous ectomycorrhizal (EcM) fungal assemblages of four plots in native Eucalyptus obliqua forest in Tasmania at different ages of regeneration since the natural disturbance of wildfire. From fortnightly visits to 1 ha of forest over a period of 14 months, 331 EcM species were documented. The family Cortinariaceae (particularly the genus Cortinarius ) dominated the EcM communities, with the youngest plot (72 yr since the last wildfire) having the greatest number of EcM species. Each plot was divided up into 25 10 × 10 m subplots, and both unconstrained and constrained ordination procedures showed a significant association between the woody perennial plant community of the subplots and their EcM assemblages, reflecting the co-variation of plant and fungal communities. The study provides benchmark knowledge of EcM communities in a specific forest type in Tasmania, serving as a good basis for further studies in those forests and in similar forest types elsewhere.

Antibacterial metabolites from Australian macrofungi from the genus Cortinarius

Mushrooms have demonstrated significant pharmacological activity including antimicrobial, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycaemic, immunomodulatory and hallucinogenic properties [1]. The fungi of Australia are diverse, largely endemic and, in contrast to their floral counterparts, have not undergone intensive taxonomic, chemical or pharmacological evaluation [2]. Furthermore, some Australian indigenous macrofungi are currently considered to be conspecific with Northern Hemisphere species, might be described as separate species once taxonomic revisions are carried out [3]. Consequently Australian mushrooms represent an under-explored resource of potentially novel metabolites. In this study, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions from 117 collections of Australian macrofungi belonging to the genusCortinarius were screened for antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Overall, the lipophilic fractions were more active than the aqueous fractions. The ethyl acetate fractions of most or all collections of 13 described Cortinarius species and 47 collections of un-described Cortinarius species exhibited IC50 values of ≤0.09mg/mL against S. aureus. In contrast, most or all collections of only 4 described Cortinarius species and only 11 un-described Cortinarius collections exhibited similar effects against P. aeruginosa (IC50 ≤0.09mg/mL). The fungal octaketides austrocortilutein, austrocortirubin, torosachrysone, isolated from C. basirubescens, together with physcion and emodin were found to strongly inhibit the growth of S. aureus (IC50 0.7–12µg/mL) whereas only physcion and emodin exhibited potency against P. aeruginosa (IC50 1.5 and 2.0µg/mL, respectively) [4]. Australian mushrooms from the genus Cortinarius are promising sources of natural products for further drug development research, due to the high biological diversity and unique evolutionary lineages found only in the region. This is coupled with the large proportion of bioactive species and high diversity of chemical constituents.

Ingestion of a newly described North American mushroom species from Michigan resulting in chronic renal failure: Cortinarius orellanosus

Background. Some mushrooms in the genus Cortinarius are well known to cause acute and chronic renal failure. Until now, there have been no confirmed cases of renal failure due to the ingestion of a Cortinarius mushroom in North America. We describe a case of a woman who ingested mushrooms found under an oak tree in western Michigan and developed chronic renal failure. Methods. Phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of nuclear-encoded ribosomal RNA was performed between an unconsumed sample of the Michigan specimens, a control sample of Cortinarius orellanus (JFA9859) from Europe, and other closely related ITS sequences of Cortinarius retrieved from GenBank. An additional gene region, rpb2, was also sequenced for comparison. Results. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the Michigan material to be closely related to, but distinct from, other ITS sequences of the Orellani clade in Cortinarius. Divergence is less at the rpb2 locus. No historical taxa from North America are known to match the identification of the Michigan material. Conclusion. The mushrooms ingested by the patient were confirmed to be a new species of Cortinarius closely related to C. orellanus. We introduce a newly described North American species, Cortinarius orellanosus, capable of causing renal failure after ingestion.