Poroid Fungi Research Articles

Aphyllophoroid Fungi of the North Karelian Biosphere Reserve (Finland)

Aphyllophoroid fungi were collected at 11 sites in the Finnish North Karelian Biosphere Reserve during the summer seasons of 1993 1998. A total of 252 species belonging to 115 genera in 19 families were recorded, including 20 protected and 38 so-called indicator species. Corticioid and poroid fungi on decayed wood are characteristic for the forests of the boreal zone. A high number of terrestrial fungi is also characteristic for the pine forests which dominate the area. Large, ancient forest sites surrounded by mires are normally more species-rich than smaller ones situated inside the timber-extraction zone. The richest of the sites studied is Syvaijrvi, followed by Kotavaara, Tapionaho, Lahnavaara and Koitajoki. All these sites contain a high level of threatened and indicator species. These and additional sites where endangered species have been recorded need to be protected and excluded from logging.

Chloromethane biosynthesis in poroid fungi

A survey of the distribution of chloromethane (MeCl), biosynthesis amongst polypores indicates that the trait is expressed widely in genera of the Hymenochaetaceae. Of 63 species examined in this family, including species from the genera Phellinus, Inonotus, Hymenochaete, Onnia, Phaeolus and Fomitoporia, 34 (54%) were capable of MeCl biosynthesis. The magnitude of MeCl production was dependent on the nature of the medium and the fungal species; however 21 species were capable of converting more than 10% of chloride ion in the medium to MeCl on at least one of the media employed. Of 27 species screened from the Ganodermataceae and the Polyporaceae, only one Fomitopsis cytisina was capable of MeCl biosynthesis. Of the 23 MeCl biosynthesizing species in the genus Phellinus, 12 were also capable of producing methyl benzoate and, in most instances, methyl esters of salicylic and 2-furoic acid. Ester production was not observed in Phellinus species not possessing the MeCl biosynthesis trait. It is postulated that the biosynthesis of esters and MeCl is biochemically linked; ester biosynthesis being a more advanced trait in evolutionary terms. The results suggest that the potential for MeCl production in nature by wood-rotting fungi is considerable. The environmental implications of a significant fungal contribution to the atmospheric MeCl burden are considered.

Erratum: The genus Aporpium and two additional poroid fungi

Erratum: The genus <i>Aporpium</i> and two additional poroid fungi

The genus Aporpium and two additional poroid fungi

The genus Aporpium is defined and descriptions given for four known species, as well as two other collections. Of the latter, Polystictus subreflexus Lloyd is found to have cruciate septate basidia and collection Dumont PA-84 from Panama is described as a Poria infected by the tremellaceous fungus Basidiodendron eyrei (Wakef.) Luck-Allen.