Melzer's Reagent Research Articles

Diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi of the Rhizosphere of Lycium barbarum L. from Four Main Producing Areas in Northwest China and Their Effect on Plant Growth.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can help plants absorb more mineral nutrients after they colonize plant roots, and the mycelia harmonize the soil structure and physical and chemical properties by secreting compounds. AMF species co-evolve with their habitat's geographic conditions and hosts; this gradually causes differences in the AMF species. By using Melzer's reagent to analyze the morphology and using Illumina Miseq sequencing technology to perform the molecular identification of AMF communities among the four typical L. barbarum planting areas (Zhongning, Guyuan, Jinghe, and Dulan) investigated, the variety of L. barbarum roots and rhizosphere AMF communities was greater in the Zhongning area, and every region additionally had endemic species. The successfully amplified AMF was re-applied to the L. barbarum seedlings. We found that the total dry weight and accumulation of potassium increased significantly (p < 0.05), and the root volume and number of root branches were significantly higher in the plants that were inoculated with Paraglomus VTX00375 in the pot experiment, indicating that AMF improves root development and promotes plant growth. We have investigated AMF germplasm species in four regions, and we are committed to the development of native AMF resources. The multiplication and application of AMF will be conducive to realizing the potential role of biology in the maintenance of agroecology.

Three new species of Cyanosporus (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) from China.

Cyanosporus is a cosmopolitan genus characterized by effused-reflexed to pileate basidiomata with a bluish tint and allantoid to cylindrical basidiospores which are negative to weakly positive in Melzer's reagent and Cotton Blue, causing a brown rot. Three new species of Cyanosporus, namely, C.linzhiensis, C.miscanthi and C.tabuliformis are described and illustrated. Phylogenies on Cyanosporus are reconstructed with seven loci DNA sequences including ITS, nLSU, nSSU, mtSSU, RPB1, RPB2 and TEF1 based on phylogenetic analyses combined with morphological examination. The description for the new species is given. The main morphological characteristics of all 38 accepted species in Cyanosporus are summarized.

Re-examination of the Southern Hemisphere truffle genus Amylascus (Pezizaceae, Ascomycota) and characterization of the sister genus Nothoamylascus gen. nov.

Amylascus is a genus of ectomycorrhizal truffles within Pezizaceae that is known from Australia and contains only two described species, A. herbertianus and A. tasmanicus. Species of Amylascus are closely related to truffles (Pachyphlodes, Luteoamylascus) and cup fungi (Plicariella) from the Northern Hemisphere. Here we reevaluate the species diversity of Amylascus and related taxa from southern South America and Australia based on new morphological and molecular data. We identify previously undocumented diversity and morphological variability in ascospore color, ascospore ornamentation, hymenial construction, epithecium structure and the amyloid reaction of the ascus in Melzer's reagent. We redescribe two Amylascus species from Australia and describe seven new Amylascus species, five from South America and two from Australia. This is the first report of Amylascus species from South America. We also describe the new South American genus Nothoamylascus as sister lineage to the Pachyphlodes-Amylascus-Luteoamylascus clade (including Amylascus, Luteoamylascus, Pachyphlodes, and Plicariella). We obtained ITS sequences of mitotic spore mats from Nothoamylascus erubescens gen. & sp. nov. and four of the seven newly described Amylascus species, providing the first evidence of mitotic spore mats in Amylascus. Additional ITS sequences from mitotic spore mats reveal the presence of nine additional undescribed Amylascus and one Nothoamylascus species that do not correspond to any sampled ascomata. We also identify three additional undescribed Amylascus species based on environmental sequences from the feces of two grounddwelling bird species from Chile, Scelorchilus rubecula and Pteroptochos tarnii. Our results indicate that ascomata from Amylascus and Nothoamylascus species are rarely collected, but molecular data from ectomycorrhizal roots and mitotic spore mats indicate that these species are probably common and widespread in southern South America. Finally, we present a time-calibrated phylogeny that is consistent with a late Gondwanan distribution. The time since the most recent common ancestor of: 1) the family Pezizaceae had a mean of 276 Ma (217-337 HPD); 2) the Amylascus-Pachyphlodes-Nothoamylascus-Luteoamylascus clade had a mean of 79 Ma (60-100 HPD); and 3) the Amylascus-Pachyphlodes clade had a mean of 50 Ma (38-62 HPD). The crown age of Pachyphlodes had a mean of 39 Ma (25-42 HPD) and Amylascus had a mean age of 28 Ma (20-37 HPD), falling near the Eocene-Oligocene boundary and the onset of the Antarctic glaciation (c. 35 Ma). Citation: Healy RA, Truong C, Castellano MA, et al. 2023. Re-examination of the Southern Hemisphere truffle genus Amylascus (Pezizaceae, Ascomycota) and characterization of the sister genus Nothoamylascus gen. nov. Persoonia 51: 125-151. doi: 10.3767/persoonia.2023.51.03.

Rhizophagus irregularis, the model fungus in arbuscular mycorrhiza research, forms dimorphic spores.

Rhizophagus irregularis is the model species for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) research and the most widely propagated species for commercial plant biostimulants. Using asymbiotic and symbiotic cultivation systems initiated from single spores, advanced microscopy, Sanger sequencing of the glomalin gene, and PacBio sequencing of the partial 45S rRNA gene, we show that four strains of R. irregularis produce spores of two distinct morphotypes, one corresponding to the morphotype described in the R. irregularis protologue and the other having the phenotype of R. fasciculatus. The two spore morphs are easily distinguished by spore colour, thickness of the subtending hypha, thickness of the second wall layer, lamination of the innermost layer, and the dextrinoid reaction of the two outer spore wall layers to Melzer's reagent. The glomalin gene of the two spore morphs is identical and that of the PacBio sequences of the partial SSU-ITS-LSU region (2780 bp) obtained from single spores of the R. cf fasciculatus morphotype has a median pairwise similarity of 99.8% (SD = 0.005%) to the rDNA ribotypes of R. irregularis DAOM 197198. Based on these results, we conclude that the model AMF species R. irregularis is dimorphic, which has caused taxonomic confusion in culture collections and possibly in AMF research.

Morphometric Characterization of Endomycorrhizal Fungi (Glomeraceae and Acaulosporaceae) from the Bouaflé and Niellé Areas in Côte d&amp;apos;Ivoire

Mycorrhizal symbioses, which are widespread in various terrestrial ecosystems, constitute a very important research topic for many biologists. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), belonging to the phylum Glomeromycota, take their name from their characteristic structures: arbuscules. Spores represent the main structures allowing the morphological identification and characterization of AMF. The spores directly extracted from soil samples were identified under an optical microscope. The diversity of AMF in maize rhizospheres in Bouaflé and Niellé areas was highlighted. Thus, 12 genera of AMF divided into 8 families have been identified. Spores of two families of endomycorrhizae (Glomeraceae and Acaulosporaceae) have been described. The spores of the Glomeraceae family represented by 4 genera <i>Glomus</i>, <i>Funneliformis</i>, <i>Septoglomus</i> and <i>Rhizophagus</i> are globose to subglobose, 45 to 200 µm in size. The spores have a single wall composed of 3 to 4 parietal layers. The outer layers stain with Melzer's reagent. The suspensory hypha often characterized by the presence of constriction, light brown in color is the extension of layer 2. Morphologically, the spores of Acaulosporaceae represented by a single genus <i>Acaulospora</i>, are distinguished by the globose to subglobose shape. The spores are whitish, pale yellow, golden yellow to orange-brown in color and 90 to 200µm in diameter. The subcellular structure of spores consists of a spore wall (outer wall) and two inner walls. The outer and inner walls of the spores consist of three parietal layers. The outermost layers are evanescent, hyaline whitish, orange-brown to pale yellow. The layers of the inner wall are adherent to each other appearing as a single layer. The surface of the spores, populated with projections of different shapes resembling often rudimentary hyphae, show scars and ornamentations. This study gives the essential of the status of AMF and revealed the morphometric and structural characteristics of some AMF.

Taxonomic Composition and Structure of Mycobiota in Olkhovsky District of Volgograd Region

The article describes the results of studying mycobiota in Olkhovsky district located in the Central part of Volgograd region. The standard protocol included methods of collecting, photographing in natural and laboratory conditions. To identify the material Mikmed-5 binocular microscope, Levenhuk C510 NG camera and a standard set of reagents (alkali solution, Melzer reagent) were used in the laboratory of Experimental biology of Volgograd State University. The works of Russian and foreign mycologists such as M.A. Bondartsev, V.M. Kotkov, L.G. Perevedentseva, T. Niemelä, L. Ryvarden became a base for determining fungi. The specimens were cut in half before drying and dried at a temperature of 38° C. Dried samples placed in paper envelopes are stored in the Mycological herbarium of Volgograd State University. Freezing of aphyllophoroid fungi for a month was a necessary procedure before placing it in a mycological herbarium. As a result of preliminary studies from September to November 2019, we identify nine species of basidiomycetes such as Bovistella utriformis (Bull.) Demoulin et Rebriev, Fomes fomentarius (L.) Fr., Lepista personata (Fr.) Cooke, Marasmius oreades (Bolton) Fr., Phellinus igniarius (L.) Quél., Pholiota populnea (Pers.) Kuyper et Tjall.- Beuk., Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm., Saproamanita vittadinii (Moretti) Redhead, Vizzini, Drehmel et Contu, and Schizophyllum commune Fr. The article presents an annotated list of fungi with the indication of data on the location, substrate, frequency of occurrence and the name of the collector, if the collection was not carried out by the authors, for each type. Species names were accepted according to CABI “Index Fungorum” international electronic database (www.indexfungorum.org) as of December 2019. The trophic analysis of the composition of macromycetes shows that the largest number of species was found on dead branches and trunks, as well as live weakened trees of Fraxinus lanceolata Borkh., Populus nigra L., Salix alba L. This study of mycobiota in Olkhovsky district will be continued.

Archaeospora ecuadoriana sp. nov. from a mountainous biodiversity hotspot area in Ecuador, and transfer of Palaeospora spainiae to Archaeospora, as A. spainiae comb. nov.

A new glomeromycotan fungus, Archaeospora ecuadoriana sp. nov., was found in the south Ecuadorian mountain rainforest region, a global plant biodiversity hotspot. It was cultivated as single spore isolate originating from nursery-grown native tree seedlings inoculated with mixed soil from pristine forest and agricultural fields. The new species is known from the Loja area, southern Ecuador, at about 2100m above mean sea level (mamsl) and has been detected in potato roots from an Andean region in Peru at 2658 mamsl by previous molecular data. The fungus forms small, colourless to frosted white, mainly globose spores, averaging 61 × 60μm, formed singly or very rarely in clusters. There is no reaction to Melzer's reagent, other than a slight unspecific overall yellow iodine staining. The spores are very similar to those of Archaeospora trappei and A. schenckii. However, molecular phylogenetic analysis shows the species to be clearly separate from all other described Archaeospora species. The analysis of the available Archaeospora sequence data shows that sequences of Palaeospora spainiae, of the monospecific genus Palaeospora, cluster within the genus Archaeospora. Palaeospora therefore is synonymised with Archaeospora and P. spainiae is transferred to Archaeospora, as A. spainiae comb. nov.

Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of Terfezia arenaria extracts collected from Saharan desert against bacteria and filamentous fungi.

Different desert truffles, collected from Algerian Saharan soils, were identified and their capacity to produce bioactive substances with antimicrobial activity was analyzed. Based on morphological characterization using Melzer's reagent staining, the collected strains were identified as Terfezia arenaria. The bioactive substances from T. arenaria were extracted using the following techniques: maceration with methanol and Soxhlet with dichloromethane. The former led to a yield much higher than that of the latter (i.e., 15% and 0.48%, respectively). Both extracts presented antifungal activities against all the tested strains (i.e., A. niger, Penicillium sp., and C. albicans). However, the dichloromethane extracts showed much higher antibacterial activities against all the tested bacteria (i.e., S. aureus, E. faecalis, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa) than the methanol extracts. The thin layer chromatography of both extracts confirmed the presence of polyphenols and flavonoids.

A new family, Pervetustaceae with a new genus, Pervetustus, and P. simplex sp. nov. (Paraglomerales), and a new genus, Innospora with I. majewskii comb. nov. (Paraglomeraceae) in the Glomeromycotina

A new arbuscular mycorrhizal, Paraglomus-like, fungal species (Glomeromycotina) was found and propagated in single-species cultures established from spores coming from Oman, Greece, Tunisia, and New Caledonia. The hyaline spores of the fungus are small, 17–67 μm diam. when globose. Their spore wall consists of an evanescent, 1.0–2.3 μm thick, short-lived outer layer and a laminate, smooth, 3.8–7.3 μm thick inner layer, of which none shows amyloid or dextrinoid reaction in Melzer's reagent. Mycorrhizal structures (arbuscules and hyphae without vesicles) of the fungus stained slightly in Trypan blue, thus like those of the formerly described Paraglomus spp., in which the histochemical feature has been recognized. However, in the phylogenies gained from analyses of nrDNA sequences, the fungus formed a distinct lineage in a basal position relative to and highly diverged from that with P. majewskii and that with the other Paraglomus spp. of known molecular phylogeny. Comparisons of similarity of sequences and the spore wall structure of the new fungus with those of P. majewskii and the other Paraglomus spp. and the positions of clades of the three taxa relative to those of the other taxa of the Glomeromycotina suggested transferring P. majewskii to a new genus in the Paraglomeraceae and describing the new fungus as a new species of a new genus in a new family of the order Paraglomerales.

The genus Vararia (Russulales, Basidiomycota) in China. Two new species and two new Chinese records

Two new species, Vararia bispora and V. montana collected from southern China, are described and illustrated based on morphological characters. Vararia bispora is characterized by cinnamon‐buff to yellowish brown basidiocarps, clamped generative hyphae, ventricose gloeocystidia, 2‐sterigmata basidia, and large fusiform to cylindrical basidiospores that are negative in Melzer's reagent. Vararia montana is characterized by small pulvinate basidiocarps, clamped generative hyphae, rather strongly dextrinoid dichohyphae, and broadly ellipsoid basidiospores with a peculiar beak‐like extension, and without reactions in Melzer's reagent. In addition, V. ambigua and V. amphithallica are reported from China for the first time, and descriptions and illustrations are also provided for these two species.

A monograph of &lt;I&gt;Otidea&lt;/I&gt; (&lt;I&gt;Pyronemataceae, Pezizomycetes&lt;/I&gt;)

The easily recognised genus Otidea is subjected to numerous problems in species identification. A number of old names have undergone various interpretations, materials from different continents have not been compared and misidentifications occur commonly. In this context, Otidea is monographed, based on our multiple gene phylogenies assessing species boundaries and comparative morphological characters (see Hansen & Olariaga 2015). All names combined in or synonymised with Otidea are dealt with. Thirty-three species are treated, with full descriptions and colour illustrations provided for 25 of these. Five new species are described, viz. O. borealis, O. brunneoparva, O. oregonensis, O. pseudoleporina and O. subformicarum. Otidea cantharella var. minor and O. onotica var. brevispora are elevated to species rank. Otideopsis kaushalii is combined in the genus Otidea. A key to the species of Otidea is given. An LSU dataset containing 167 sequences (with 44 newly generated in this study) is analysed to place collections and determine whether the named Otidea sequences in GenBank were identified correctly. Fourty-nine new ITS sequences were generated in this study. The ITS region is too variable to align across Otidea, but had low intraspecific variation and it aided in species identifications. Thirty type collections were studied, and ITS and LSU sequences are provided for 12 of these. A neotype is designated for O. cantharella and epitypes for O. concinna, O. leporina and O. onotica, along with several lectotypifications. The apothecial colour and shape, and spore characters are important for species identification. We conclude that to distinguish closely related or morphologically similar species, a combination of additional features are needed, i.e. the shape of the paraphyses, ectal excipulum structure, types of ectal excipulum resinous exudates and their reactions in Melzer's reagent and KOH, tomentum and basal mycelium colours and exudates. The KOH reaction of excipular resinous exudates and basal mycelium are introduced as novel taxonomic characters.

Species limits and relationships within Otidea inferred from multiple gene phylogenies.

The genus Otidea is one of the more conspicuous members of the Pyronemataceae, with high species diversity in hemiboreal and boreal forests. The genus is morphologically coherent and in previous higher-level multi-gene analyses it formed a highly supported monophyletic group. Species delimitation within Otidea is controversial and much confusion has prevailed in the naming of taxa. To provide a phylogenetic hypothesis of Otidea, elucidate species diversity and limits we compiled a four-gene dataset including the nuclear LSU rDNA and three nuclear protein-coding genes (RPB1, RPB2 and EF-1α) for 89 specimens (total 4 877 nucleotides). These were selected from a larger sample of material studied using morphology and 146 ITS (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) and 168 LSU rDNA sequences to represent the full genetic diversity. Using genealogical concordance phylogenetic species recognition (GCPSR), Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses of the individual datasets resolved 25 species of Otidea. An additional eight singletons are considered to be distinct species, because they were genetically divergent from their sisters. Sequences of multiple genes were included from 13 holotypes, one neotype and three epitypes. Otidea angusta, O. myosotis and O. papillata f. pallidefurfuracea are nested within O. nannfeldtii, O. leporina and O. tuomikoskii, respectively and are considered synonyms. Otidea cantharella var. minor is shown to be a distinct species. Five new species were discovered: O. oregonensis and O. pseudoleporina for North America; and O. borealis, O. brunneoparva and O. subformicarum for Europe. The analyses of the individual four gene datasets yielded phylogenies that were highly concordant topologically, except for the RPB1 that showed supported conflict for some nodes in Bayesian analysis. Excluding the RPB1 from the combined analyses produced an identical topology to the four-gene phylogeny, but with higher support for several basal nodes and lower support for several shallow nodes. We argue to use the three-gene dataset to retrieve the maximum support for the higher-level relationships in Otidea, but still utilise the signal from the RPB1 for the delimitation and relationships of closely related species. From the four gene regions utilised, EF-1α and RPB1 have the strongest species recognition power, and with higher amplification success EF-1α may serve as the best secondary barcoding locus for Otidea (with ITS being a primary). The phylogeny from the three- and four-gene datasets is fully resolved and strongly supported in all branches but one. Two major clades, as part of six inclusive clades A-F, are identified - and ten subclades within these: A) O. platyspora and O. alutacea subclades, and B) O. papillata, O. leporina, O. tuomikoskii, O. cantharella, O. formicarum, O. unicisa, O. bufonia-onotica and O. concinna subclades. Morphological features in Otidea appear to be fast evolving and prone to shifts, and are poor indicators of higher-level relationships. Nevertheless, a conspicuous spore ornament is a synapomorphy for the O. unicisa subclade (/Otideopsis); all other species in Otidea have smooth or verruculose (in SEM) spores. Exclusively pale to bright yellow apothecia and straight to curved, broadly clavate to distinctly capitate paraphyses are synapomorphies for a restricted O. concinna subclade (/Flavoscypha). The curved to hooked apices of the paraphyses is suggested to be a symplesiomorphic trait for the genus. The reaction of resinous exudates on the outermost excipular cells that coalesce into amber drops in Melzer's reagent is likely an ancestral state for clade B. We estimate that Otidea consists of 47 species worldwide, based on all available information (including morphology, ITS or LSU sequences, and literature descriptions). Three fifths of the species occur in Europe, with 20 species recognised as endemic. At least 14 species occur in North America and 17 in Asia, with eight and ten species considered endemic to each continent, respectively. Our knowledge about Otidea in Asia is still fragmentary and the diversity likely much higher.

Two new genera, Dominikia and Kamienskia, and D. disticha sp. nov. in Glomeromycota

Two new genera, Dominikia and Kamienskia, with five species originally described as Glomus achrum, G. bistratum, G. iranicum, G. minutum and G. perpusillum and two undescribed fungi, D. disticha sp. nov. and D. 211-1 sp. ined., were erected based on morphological studies of spores and mycorrhizal structures and phylogenetic analyses of sequences spanning the small subunit (SSU, partial) nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nrDNA), the internal transcribed spacer (ITS1, 5.8S, ITS2, full) and the large subunit (LSU, partial) nrDNA. Glomus bistratum and G. perpusillum formed the genus Kamienskia, and the other species were transferred to Dominikia. The main feature linking the seven species is production of hyaline or pale-coloured, small spores in clusters that were not found in field-collected soils to date. Spores of D. disticha are hyaline, globose to subglobose, (28-)40(-57) µm diam., rarely egg-shaped to prolate, 29-34 × 36-52 µm and have a single subtending hypha. The spore wall of D. disticha consists of three hyaline layers: a mucilaginous, short-lived layer 1, forming the spore surface, which stains in Melzer's reagent, a laminate layer 2 and a flexible to semi-flexible layer 3. The subtending hypha is cylindrical to funnel-shaped. D. disticha was found associated with roots of Thinopyrum distichum colonizing maritime sand dunes of the Reserve Rooiels, South Africa, and this is the only site of its occurrence known to date.

Glomus tetrastratosum, a new species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomeromycota)

Morphological studies of spores and mycorrhizal structures and phylogenetic analyses of sequences of the partial small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene, the whole internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA region, including the 5.8S rRNA gene, and the partial large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (Glomeromycota) proved that it is an undescribed Glomus sp. of the family Glomeraceae. The species, named here G. tetrastratosum, forms spores in loose clusters and singly in soil. The spores are pastel yellow to brownish yellow, globose to subglobose, 55–240 μm diam (mean 136 μm), rarely ovoid, 90-135 × 110-150 μm, and have a subtending hypha with a pore that is open or occluded by a septum. The spore wall of G. tetrastratosum consists of four layers: a mucilaginous, hyaline layer 1 which stains in Melzer's reagent, a unit, hyaline, permanent layer 2, a laminate, colored layer 3 and a flexible to semi-flexible, colored layer 4. In the field G. tetrastratosum was frequently associated with roots of four plant species colonizing maritime sand dunes of the Słowiński National Park located in northern Poland. In single-species cultures with Plantago lanceolata as host plant G. tetrastratosum formed mycorrhiza with arbuscules and vesicles.

Lawrynomyces, a new genus of corticioid fungi in the Hymenochaetales

The new genus &lt;em&gt;Lawrynomyces&lt;/em&gt; is proposed to accommodate &lt;em&gt;Hyphoderma capitatum&lt;/em&gt;, a predominantly European species growing on decayed coniferous wood. The genus belongs to the &lt;em&gt;Rickenella&lt;/em&gt;-clade in the order &lt;em&gt;Hymenochaetales&lt;/em&gt;, and it includes species characterized by resupinate basidiomes, monomitic hyphal system with simple septate hyphae, presence of cystidia and hyphidia, suburniform to subcylindrical, pedunculate basidia, and subglobose to broadly ellipsoid basidiospores with slightly thickened walls not staining in Melzer's reagent or Cotton Blue. Published molecular data support the recognition of a distinct genus for &lt;em&gt;Hyphoderma capitatum&lt;/em&gt;.

Phlebia rhodanasp. nov.et Phlebia jurassicasp. nov.(Agaricomycotina), deux espèces nouvelles de France avec hyménophore tuberculé

Two new species of the genus Phlebia with tuberculate hymenophore, Phlebia rhodana and Phlebia jurassica (Polyporales, Basidiomycota), collected in the French departments Rhone and Jura respectively, are described and illustrated. The former is recognized by a resupinate, adnate basidiome, becoming widely effused and thick, up to 100 × 15 cm, and 2.5 mm thick; when fresh subgelatinous, ceraceous to subcartilaginous, becoming corneous when dried, with or without cracks. Hymenial surface continuous, smooth, granulose then verrucose-tuberculate with broad warts, or odontoid to subhydnoid with conical, crowded teeth with fimbriate to encrusted bristle apices; in fresh specimens brownish grey, light brown to brownish yellow with rosy or violaceous tints, sometimes reddish brown to very dark chocolate brown, lighter towards apices. Margin thinner, smooth, closely adherent to the substrate, ceraceous or sometimes fibrillose. Context homogeneous, composed of a single layer of densely agglutinated clamped hyphae, with crystalline white deposits up to theapex of the teeth. In hymenium composed of clavate, short basidia, 15-35 × 3.5-5 µm, some terminal dendroid hyphae and rare fusoid elements (cystidioles?). Spores 4.5-5-5.7 × 2.6-3-3.5 µm, shortly ellipsoid or oblong, adaxially slightly flattened, with hyaline, smooth walls, negative in Melzer's reagent. Phlebia jurassica has a basidiome that is resupinate, adnate, subgelatinous to ceraceous when fresh, becoming crustaceous, hard, brittle and with frequently uplifted margin when dried; pale ochraceous to pale brown, with a faint greyish or reddish tint. Surface papillose, pruinose, with more or less prominent bumps; margin variable, often fibrillose. Hyphal system monomitic, hyphae with clamps, those of the subiculum loosely united, irregular, 4–8 µm wide, in the subhymenium 2–4 µm wide and more densely united in a vertical direction. Cystidia numerous, immersed or projecting, 30-110 × 11-25 µm, thin- or thick-walled, stalked, often more or less ventricose and tapering to the more or less obtuse and incrusted apex. Basidia subclavate to subcylindrical, 25-45 × 3.5-5.5 µm, with (2-)4 sterigmata and basal clamp. Spores narrowly ellipsoid to subcylindrical, 4.5-6(-7.5) × (2-)2.5-3.5 µm, smooth, thin-walled, with oil drops, non-amyloid and non-cyanophilous.

A new species of Postia (Basidiomycota) from Northeast China

A new polypore, Postia subplacenta sp. nov. from Northeast China, is described and illustrated. It is characterized by resupinate basidiocarps, angular pores (3–5 per mm) with a cream buff to pale cinnamon-buff pore surface, and cylindrical basidiospores (4.2–6.0 × 1.9–2.4 μm) that are negative in Melzer's reagent and Cotton Blue. A key to accepted species of Chinese Postia is supplied.

Type studies in Helvella (Pezizales) 1

Sixteen type and some additional specimens representing fifteen species assigned to Helvella were studied with the aim of providing new data for their improved delimitation and recognition. Specimens were received on loan from DAOM, FH, H, K, MA, MICH, S and UPS. A synoptic key to the studied species is provided to contribute to a better understanding of the genus and the taxonomy of the morphospecies. Original descriptions are emended to include data on the anatomy of the apothecial excipulum and stipe layers, apothecium and stipe reactivity to Melzer's reagent, and ascospore ornamentation. Reasons are given for maintaining H. subglabra, H. atra, H. griseoalba, and H. costifera as independent taxa and for considering Helvella hyperborea a synonym of H. costifera. Previously imprecise descriptive terms are clarified.

Racocetra tropicana, a new species in the Glomeromycetes from tropical areas

A new species of the arbuscular mycorrhiza forming Glomeromycetes, Racocetra tropicana, was recently recovered from the semi-humid Atlantic coast line of Northeastern Brazil and from sub- Saharan savannas of Benin (West Africa). It forms yellow to dark yellow glomerospores on (dark) yellow brown sporogenous cells. With age, the spores become yellow-brown, are 190-275 µm in diameter and have two triple-layered walls. The germination shield is hyaline to subhyaline with multiple (4-10) lobes, which each may bear one germ tube initiation. Near complete 18S and partial 28S sequences of the ribosomal gene place the new species into the Racocetra clade adjacent to R. gregaria. Morphologically R. tropicana is most similar to R. fulgida and R. castanea whose spores are either lighter in color, or are generally larger and have substantially thicker outer and inner spore walls, respectively. Other morphological characters that clearly separate the new from the latter two species are i) the characteristic sloughing semi-persistent outermost spore wall layer in liquid mountants when pressure and a back-forward movement is applied to the cover slide, and ii) the abrupt color change of its spores that become bright red to bright brownish-red when exposed to Melzer's reagent. The new species was hitherto recovered from re-vegetated sand dune ecosystems of Paraiba State,

Two sebacinoid ectomycorrhizae on Chinese pine

Sebacinoid fungi show a broad mycorrhizal capacity; therefore, they play a very important role in natural systems. Worldwide, fungi of Sebacinales are present under different environmental conditions and associate with diverse plant hosts, however, are hitherto poorly studied in China. Two sebacinoid ectomycorrhizae (ECM), Pinirhiza multifurcata and Pinirhiza nondextrinoidea, are described in detail morphologically and anatomically in the present study. They share a plectenchymatous outer mantle with multiply ramified hyphae in a gelatinous matrix, clampless, thin, thick-walled emanating hyphae with mostly Y-shaped ramifications and triangular inflations at the point of ramification. P. multifurcata and P. nondextrinoidea can be distinguished by thick cells in mantle layers, the ramification of emanating hyphae, the presence or absence of rhizomorphs, as well as the differing color reaction in Melzer's reagent. The putative molecular phylogenetic relationships of P. multifurcata and P. nondextrinoidea were inferred by analyses of the partial large subunit nuclear rDNA (nLSU); however, an affiliation to fungal species was not possible. This is the first report of sebacinoid ECM on Chinese pine.