First records of ectomycorrhizal Cortinarius species (Agaricales, Basidiomycetes) from tropical India and their phylogenetic position based on rDNA ITS sequences

Enlargement of the knowledge of Cortinarius section Anomali (Agaricales, Basidiomycota): introducing three new species from China

Cortinarius is a globally distributed agaricoid genus that has been well studied in Europe and America with over 1,000 described species. However, as part of an ongoing effort to investigate the diversity of Cortinarius section Anomali in China, the resource investigation and classification research are still limited, and the species diversity has not been clarified by far. During the re-examination of the Chinese Cortinarius specimens, C. cinnamomeolilacinus, C. subclackamasensis, and C. tropicus, belonging to the sect. Anomali, were described in China as new to science based on morphological examination and phylogenetic analysis. The three new species are described and illustrated in detail according to the Chinese materials. The phylogenetic analysis based on internal transcribed spacer sequences confirmed the placement of the three species in the Cortinarius sect. Anomali clade. Phylogenetically related and morphologically similar species to these three new species are discussed.

Cortinarius subsalor and C. tibeticisalor spp. nov., two new species from the section Delibuti from China

Cortinarius subsalor and C. tibeticisalor, belonging to the section Delibuti, are described from China as new to science. Cortinarius subsalor has been found to be associated with Lithocarpus trees in subtropical China and resembling C. salor, but it differs from the later by having slender basidiomata and the narrower basidiospores. Cortinarius tibeticisalor was collected from eastern Tibetan Plateau, associated with Abies. It differs from other species within sect. Delibuti by having olive tinge of mature or dried basidiomata and bigger basidiospores. The molecular data also support C. subsalor and C. tibeticisalor as new species. The phylogenetic analyses and biogeography of sect. Delibuti are discussed and a key to the species of this section currently known in the world is provided.

Loose Ends in the Cortinarius Phylogeny: Five New Myxotelamonoid Species Indicate a High Diversity of These Ectomycorrhizal Fungi with South American Nothofagaceae

This paper is a contribution to the current knowledge of taxonomy, ecology and distribution of South American Cortinarius (Pers.) Gray. Cortinarius is among the most widely distributed and species-rich basidiomycete genera occurring with South American Nothofagaceae and species are found in many distinct habitats, including shrublands and forests. Due to their ectomycorrhizal role, Cortinarius species are critical for nutrient cycling in forests, especially at higher latitudes. Some species have also been reported as edible fungi with high nutritional quality. Our aim is to unravel the taxonomy of selected Cortinarius belonging to phlegmacioid and myxotelamonioid species based on morphological and molecular data. After widely sampling Cortinarius specimens in Patagonian Nothofagaceae forests and comparing them to reference collections (including holotypes), we propose five new species of Cortinarius in this work. Phylogenetic analyses of concatenated rDNA ITS-LSU and RPB1 sequences failed to place these new species into known Cortinarius sections or lineages. These findings highlight our knowledge gaps regarding the fungal diversity of South American Nothofagaceae forests. Due to the high diversity of endemic Patagonian taxa, it is clear that the South American Cortinarius diversity needs to be discovered and described in order to understand the evolutionary history of Cortinarius on a global scale.

Three new species of Cortinarius subgenus Telamonia (Cortinariaceae, Agaricales) from China

Cortinarius is an important ectomycorrhizal genus that forms a symbiotic relationship with certain trees, shrubs and herbs. Recently, we began studying Cortinarius in China and here we describe three new species of Cortinarius subg. Telamonia based on morphological and ecological characteristics, together with phylogenetic analyses. Cortinariuslaccariphyllussp. nov. (section Colymbadini) is associated with broadleaf trees, with strongly hygrophanous basidiomata, special Laccaria-like lamellae and white and extremely sparse universal veil. Cortinariusneotorvussp. nov. (section Telamonia) is associated with broadleaf trees and is easily confused with C.torvus, but can be distinguished by the colour of the fresh basidiomes and the stipe usually somewhat tapering towards the base. Cortinariussubfuscoperonatussp. nov. (section Fuscoperonati) is associated with coniferous trees, with subglobose to broadly ellipsoid spores and is closely related to C.fuscoperonatus. A key to the new species and similar species in sections Colymbadini, Telamonia and Fuscoperonati is provided.

Fungal Systematics and Evolution: FUSE 5

Thirteen new species are formally described: Cortinarius brunneocarpus from Pakistan, C. lilacinoarmillatus from India, Curvularia khuzestanica on Atriplex lentiformis from Iran, Gloeocantharellus neoechinosporus from China, Laboulbenia bernaliana on species of Apenes, Apristus, and Philophuga (Coleoptera, Carabidae) from Nicaragua and Panama, L. oioveliicola on Oiovelia machadoi (Hemiptera, Veliidae) from Brazil, L. termiticola on Macrotermes subhyalinus (Blattodea, Termitidae) from the DR Congo, Pluteus cutefractus from Slovenia, Rhizoglomus variabile from Peru, Russula phloginea from China, Stagonosporopsis flacciduvarum on Vitis vinifera from Italy, Strobilomyces huangshanensis from China, Uromyces klotzschianus on Rumex dentatus subsp. klotzschianus from Pakistan. The following new records are reported: Alternaria calendulae on Calendula officinalis from India; A. tenuissima on apple and quince fruits from Iran; Candelariella oleaginescens from Turkey; Didymella americana and D. calidophila on Vitis vinifera from Italy; Lasiodiplodia theobromae causing tip blight of Dianella tasmanica 'variegata' from India; Marasmiellus subpruinosus from Madeira, Portugal, new for Macaronesia and Africa; Mycena albidolilacea, M. tenuispinosa, and M. xantholeuca from Russia; Neonectria neomacrospora on Madhuca longifolia from India; Nothophoma quercina on Vitis vinifera from Italy; Plagiosphaera immersa on Urtica dioica from Austria; Rinodina sicula from Turkey; Sphaerosporium lignatile from Wisconsin, USA; and Verrucaria murina from Turkey. Multi-locus analysis of ITS, LSU, rpb1, tef1 sequences revealed that P. immersa, commonly classified within Gnomoniaceae (Diaporthales) or as Sordariomycetes incertae sedis, belongs to Magnaporthaceae (Magnaporthales). Analysis of a six-locus Ascomycota-wide dataset including SSU and LSU sequences of S. lignatile revealed that this species, currently in Ascomycota incertae sedis, belongs to Pyronemataceae (Pezizomycetes, Pezizales).

The enigmatic Cortinarius magellanicus complex occurring in Nothofagaceae forests of the Southern Hemisphere

Cortinarius magellanicus Speg. is an edible, ectomycorrhizal fungus, widely distributed in Argentina, Chile and New Zealand. However, earlier studies already indicated that the epithet 'magellanicus' might have been applied in a wide sense, thus circumscribing several species. A neotype was designated by Moser and Horak (1975) due Spegazzini's type was lost. Argentinian Nothofagaceae forests' samples, from autumn of 2017, morphologically recognized as C. magellanicus were used for a phylogenetic analysis, including sequences from type material and closely related species. Our results showed that C. magellanicus represents a complex of species, with at least three phylogenetic lineages, each with strong regionalism and distinct host associations. Cortinarius magellanicus s. str. is restricted to Patagonia of Argentina and Chile. The misidentified reports from New Zealand and Australia represent distinct and different lineages. In the present contribution, the re-description of C. magellanicus is based on neotype material and two new species are proposed. Cortinarius vitreopileatus var. similissimus is described as variety from New Zealand resembling C. magellanicus, however without close phylogenetic relationship to it. The taxonomic delimitation for C. magellanicus species complex is of high relevance due to the abundance of these fungi and their ectomycorrhizal role in Nothofagaceae forests in Gondwanian region.

Study on Cortinarius subgenus Telamonia section Hydrocybe in Europe, with especial emphasis on Mediterranean taxa

In this paper we have attempted to clarify the taxonomy and nomenclature of thirteen taxa of the genus Cortinarius subgenus Telamonia (sections Hydrocybe, Fraternii) well represented in the southwestern Mediterranean area of Europe (C. atrocoeruleus, C. bombycinus, C casimiri, C. contrarius, C. decipiens, C. fraternus, C. gallurae, C. hoffmannii, C. petroselineus, C. sertipes, C. subturibulosus, C. urdaibaiensis and C. vernus). To this end we have performed a combined study of morphological and molecular data (rDNA ITS sequences). The morphological analysis was carried out on 114 collections and the molecular analysis involved 31 of the 114 collections, including 11 type collections (types for C. casimiri and C. fraternus were not available). In addition, a study of spores under field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) was conducted. The results of the combined analysis allowed us to asign the studied material to five species (C. casimiri s.l., C. decipiens s.l., C. gallurae, C. subturibulosus s.l. and C. vernus s.l.). Thus, all collections from more continental areas, which were originally identified as six different taxa (C. atrocoeruleus, C. contrarius, C. decipiens, C. fraternus, C. sertipes, C. flexipes fo. sertipes) corresponded to C. decipiens sensu lato, a widely distributed, genetically and morphologically variable species. Cortinarius casimiri is also found in such habitats, but it is confirmed as distinct taxon. Collections from Mediterranean sclerophyllous communities correspond to C. gallurae, C. vernus sensu lato and C. subturibulosus sensu lato. Due to close phylogenetic relationships we propose the new combinations C. casimiri var. hoffmannii (=C. decipiens var. hoffmannii non C. hoffmannii) and C. subturibulosus var. bombycinus (=C. bombycinus), and the new variety C. vernus var. nevadavernus (=C. vernus H. Lindstr. & Melot sensu auct.).

Cortinarius mahiquesii, a new subhypogeous species from Catalonia (Iberian Peninsula)

We describe and comment on a new species of Cortinarius (Basidiomycota), C. mahiquesii, collected in a pure Cistus monspeliensis scrub community in Catalonia (NE of the Iberian Peninsula). Drawings of microscopic characters, scanning microphotographs of the basidiospores, and colour pictures of the basidiomes in their natural habitat are provided. A molecular analysis was carried out to characterize the new species using ITS sequences.

Strong host preference of ectomycorrhizal fungi in a Tasmanian wet sclerophyll forest as revealed by DNA barcoding and taxon-specific primers

Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) symbiosis is a widespread plant nutrition strategy in Australia, especially in semiarid regions. This study aims to determine the diversity, community structure and host preference of ECM fungi in a Tasmanian wet sclerophyll forest. Ectomycorrhizal fungi were identified based on anatomotyping and rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-large subunit (LSU) sequence analysis using taxon-specific primers. Host tree roots were identified based on root morphology and length differences of the chloroplast trnL region. A total of 123 species of ECM fungi were recovered from root tips of Eucalyptus regnans (Myrtaceae), Pomaderris apetala (Rhamnaceae) and Nothofagus cunninghamii (Nothofagaceae). The frequency of two thirds of the most common ECM fungi from several lineages was significantly influenced by host species. The lineages of Cortinarius, Tomentella-Thelephora, Russula-Lactarius, Clavulina, Descolea and Laccaria prevailed in the total community and their species richness and relative abundance did not differ by host species. This study demonstrates that strongly host-preferring, though not directly specific, ECM fungi may dominate the below-ground community. Apart from the richness of Descolea, Tulasnella and Helotiales and the lack of Suillus-Rhizopogon and Amphinema-Tylospora, the ECM fungal diversity and phylogenetic community structure is similar to that in the Holarctic realm.

Ectomycorrhizal fungi of the Seychelles: diversity patterns and host shifts from the native Vateriopsis seychellarum (Dipterocarpaceae) and Intsia bijuga (Caesalpiniaceae) to the introduced Eucalyptus robusta (Myrtaceae), but not Pinus caribea (Pinaceae)

Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi form highly diverse communities in temperate forests, but little is known about their community ecology in tropical ecosystems. Using anatomotyping and rDNA sequencing, ECM fungi were identified on root tips of the introduced Eucalyptus robusta and Pinus caribea as well as the endemic Vateriopsis seychellarum and indigenous Intsia bijuga in the Seychelles. Sequencing revealed 30 species of ECM fungi on root tips of V. seychellarum and I. bijuga, with three species overlapping. Eucalyptus robusta shared five of these taxa, whereas P. caribea hosted three unique species of ECM fungi that were likely cointroduced with containerized seedlings. The thelephoroid (including the anamorphic genus Riessiella), euagaric, boletoid and hymenochaetoid clades of basidiomycetes dominated the ECM fungal community of native trees. Two species of Annulatascaceae (Sordariales, Ascomycota) were identified and described as ECM symbionts of V. seychellarum. The low diversity of native ECM fungi is attributed to deforestation and long-term isolation of the Seychelles. Native ECM fungi associate with exotic eucalypts, whereas cointroduced ECM fungi persist in pine plantations for decades.

Molecular phylogenetics and delimitation of species in Cortinarius section Calochroi (Basidiomycota, Agaricales) in Europe

Cortinarius is the most species rich genus of mushroom forming fungi with an estimated 2000 spp. worldwide. However, species delimitation within the genus is often controversial. This is particularly true in the section Calochroi (incl. section Fulvi), where the number of accepted taxa in Europe ranges between c.60 and c.170 according to different taxonomic schools. Here, we evaluated species delimitation within this taxonomically difficult group of species and estimated their phylogenetic relationships. Species were delimited by phylogenetic inference and by comparison of ITS sequence data in combination with morphological characters. A total of 421 ITS sequences were analyzed, including data from 53 type specimens. The phylogenetic relationships of the identified species were estimated by analyzing ITS data in combination with sequence data from the two largest subunits of RNA polymerase II (RPB1 and RPB2). Seventy-nine species were identified, which are believed to constitute the bulk of the diversity of this group in Europe. The delimitation of species based on ITS sequences is more consistent with a conservative morphological species concept for most groups. ITS sequence data from 30 of the 53 types were identical to other taxa, and most of these can be readily treated as synonyms. This emphasizes the importance of critical analysis of collections before describing new taxa. The phylogenetic separation of species was, in general, unambiguous and there is considerable potential for using ITS sequence data as a barcode for the group. A high level of homoplasy and phenotypic plasticity was observed for morphological and ecological characters. Whereas most species and several minor lineages can be recognized by morphological and ecological character states, these same states are poor indicators at higher levels.

A framework for a phylogenetic classification in the genus Cortinarius (Basidiomycota, Agaricales) derived from morphological and molecular data

Phylogenetic relationships in the genus Cortinarius with emphasis on European species were studied by integrating a molecular phylogenetic analysis of nuclear rDNA sequences with morphological, chemical, and ecological data. Internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2, including 5.8S) and the D1–D2 regions of nuclear rDNA of 262 Cortinarius species including most of the recognised subgenera from Europe, South America, Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, and Asia were sequenced and analysed by maximum likelihood and neighbour joining. Our morphological and molecular analyses showed considerable disagreement with earlier morphology-based hypotheses concerning the infrageneric delimitations in Cortinarius. We propose a new base for a more natural classification system in Cortinarius involving the taxonomic rearrangement of the species into the following major lineages that we informally designate as “clades” at this time: (1) phlegmacioid species are included in Alluti, Amarescentes, Arguti, Calochroi, Caerulescentes, Percomes, Phlegmacioides, Phlegmacium, Purpurascentes, Scauri, and Vulpini; (2) the Heterocliti clade includes species of the subgenera Leprocybe and Cystogenes ; (3) most of the Myxacium species are included in the Delibuti and Myxacium clades; (4) part of Rozites are included in the Rozites clade; (5) the north-hemispheric species of subgenus Dermocybe are included in the Dermocybe clade and part of the south-hemispheric species in the Splendidi clade; (6) part of Sericeocybe are integrated in the Anomali and Telamonia clades; (7) members of subgenus Cortinarius are assigned to the Cortinarius clade; (8) telamonioid taxa are included in the Obtusi, Renidentes, and Telamonia clades. Several Cortinarius species with peculiar patterns of morphology and basidiome coloration had isolated positions in the sequence analysis, and the evolutionary relationships among the major lineages remained unresolved. Our results suggest the convergent evolution of certain morphological traits across phylogenetically divergent lineages in Cortinarius. However, combinations of features such as pileipellis anatomy, spore shape, veil coloration, basidiome pigments, and stipe shape appear useful to circumscribe clades. Our molecular phylogenetic analysis allows insights in global geographical patterns of species distribution within the major lineages in the genus Cortinarius. The clade structure proposed here could be used as backbone for further more detailed systematic studies.

Phylogenetic analyses reveal deeply divergent species lineages in the genus Sphaerobolus (Phallales: Basidiomycota)

Phylogenetic analyses of 27 artillery fungus (Sphaerobolus sp.) isolates were conducted to identify species boundaries in the genus Sphaerobolus. Multiple gene genealogies inferred from maximum likelihood, Bayesian, and maximum-parsimony analyses of sequence data from individual loci (mtSSU, ITS, EF 1-alpha, and LSU) and a combined dataset (mtSSU, ITS, and EF 1-alpha) concordantly indicate the existence of three deeply divergent lineages in the genus Sphaerobolus, each representing a phylogenetic species. These three phylogenetic species correspond to two known species: Sphaerobolus iowensis and Sphaerobolus stellatus, and a newly discovered species. Suprageneric phylogenetic analyses of the mtSSU and LSU datasets containing representatives of related genera of the gomphoid-phalloid clade of Homobasidiomycetes suggested that the undescribed taxon likely is more closely related to S. stellatus than to S. iowensis.