Rearranging the Bird's Nest Fungi: molecular review of internal clades in Cyathus (Nidulariaceae, Basidiomycota).

The genus Cyathus was established in 1768, but more in-depth taxonomic studies with the group only occurred after 1844. In the following years, changes in the infrageneric classification of Cyathus were proposed based mainly on morphology. With advances in phylogenetic studies, the morphological classifications were tested and a new subdivision into three groups was proposed in 2007. Based on the last two classifications, this work aims to expand and understand the internal phylogenetic relationships among the fungi of the genus Cyathus and examine how these relationships are reflected in the taxonomic classification, through molecular analyses covering most of the species in the group, based on materials obtained from type specimens deposited in major fungal collections worldwide, besides expanding sampling with tropical species. Molecular analyses followed the protocols available in the literature, including the design of specific primers for Cyathus. In the phylogenetic analysis, using Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian methods, sequences of ITS and LSU regions from 41 samples of 39 species of Cyathus, 26 were placed with some nomenclatural types. The monophyly of Cyathus was confirmed with maximum support in both tests, and the infrageneric groups of the most recent classification were unchanged, but the clade striatum showed segregation into four groups and three subgroups. The phylogenetic organization is supported morphological characters, and diagnoses are presented for each group, as well as a dichotomous key for the infrageneric separation.

Life History of Erotylina jaspidea (Erichson, 1847) (Coleoptera, Erotyloidea, Erotylidae, Erotylini).

The life history of Erotylina jaspidea (Erichson, 1847) (Coleoptera, Erotyloidea, Erotylidae, Erotylini) is described. A female specimen was found in an Atlantic Forest remnant in Northeast Brazil. After oviposition, individuals were reared in Petri dish and terrarium, feeding on basidiomes of Lentinus substrictus (Bolton) Zmitr. Kovalenko, Favolus tenuiculus P. Beauv (Polyporaceae) and an unidentified resupinate fungus. Growth and feeding behaviors were regularly observed. We provide information on the observed life history stages, together with morphological descriptions, and photographs of eggs, larvae, pupae and adults. We compared our description of the teneral E. jaspidea to species of similar color pattern. Furthermore, we discuss hypotheses about larval defensive behavior and total instar durations in E. jaspidea and other Erotylinae representatives. The present work is the first to provide a description for the life history of a species of the genus Erotylina.

Phalloid and floweroid funga (Phallales, Basidiomycota) in Bahia State, Brazil / Funga faloide e floriforme (Phallales, Basidiomycota) no Estado da Bahia, Brasil

The order Phallales harbors gasteroid fungi known as stinkhorns, false-truffles, witches'cages and bridal veils, and is mainly characterized by the fetid smelling basidiome, insect-associated dispersal mechanism, and mucilaginous gleba. The order has been well studied in Brazil, with greater occurrence in the southern and northeastern regions of the country. The state of  Bahia has only records of the species Abrachium floriforme and Lysurus sphaerocephalum. The objective of this study is to present new occurrences of Phallales for the State.  The species were collected in the Bahia State, in the municipalities of Elísio Medrado, Mucugê, Salvador and Uruçuca. One herborized specimen from Lençóis was included in the analyses. Seven species were identified: Abrachium floriforme, Itajahya galericulata, Mutinus caninus, M. elegans, M. verrucosus, Phallus denigricans and P. merulinus. All represent new occurrences for the State of Bahia, except A. floriforme. Descriptions, identification key, notes and photos of the species are provided.

A ordem Phallales abriga fungos gasteroides conhecidos como chifres-fedidos, falsas trufas, gaiolas-de-bruxa e véus-de-noiva, e é caracterizada principalmente pelo cheiro fétido do basidioma, mecanismo de dispersão associado a insetos e gleba mucilaginosa. A ordem tem sido bem estudada no Brasil, com maior ocorrência nas regiões Sul e Nordeste do país. O Estado da Bahia apresenta apenas registros das espécies Abrachium floriforme e Lysurus sphaerocephalum. O objetivo deste estudo é apresentar novas ocorrências de Phallales para o Estado.  As espécies foram coletadas na Bahia, nos municípios de Elísio Medrado, Mucugê, Salvador e Uruçuca. Um espécime herborizado coletado em Lençóis foi incluído nas análises. Sete espécies foram identificadas: Abrachium floriforme, Itajahya galericulata, Mutinus caninus, M. elegans, M. verrucosus, Phallus denigricans e P. merulinus. Todas representam novas ocorrências para o Estado da Bahia, com exceção de A. floriforme. Descrições, chave de identificação, notas e fotos das espécies são disponibilizadas.

An Overview of 24 Years of Molecular Phylogenetic Studies in Phallales (Basidiomycota) With Notes on Systematics, Geographic Distribution, Lifestyle, and Edibility.

The order Phallales (Basidiomycota) is represented by gasteroid fungi with expanded and sequestrate basidiomata, known as stinkhorns and false truffles. In phalloids, the first DNA sequence was published in 1997, and after that, some studies aimed to resolve phylogenetic conflicts and propose new species based on DNA markers; however, the number of families and genera in the order still generates controversies among researchers. Thus, this work aims to provide an overview of Phallales diversity represented by selected DNA markers available in public databases. We retrieved Phallales sequences from DNA databases (GenBank and UNITE) of seven markers: ITS (internal transcribed spacer), nuc-LSU (nuclear large subunit rDNA), nuc-SSU (nuclear small subunit rDNA), mt-SSU (mitochondrial small subunit rDNA), ATP6 (ATPase subunit 6), RPB2 (nuclear protein-coding second largest subunit of RNA polymerase), and TEF1-α (translation elongation factor subunit 1α). To compose our final dataset, all ITS sequences retrieved were subjected to BLASTn searches to identify additional ITS sequences not classified as Phallales. Phylogenetic analyses based on Bayesian and maximum likelihood approaches using single and combined markers were conducted. All ITS sequences were clustered with a cutoff of 98% in order to maximize the number of species hypotheses. The geographic origin of sequences was retrieved, as well as additional information on species lifestyle and edibility. We obtained a total of 1,149 sequences, representing 664 individuals. Sequences of 41 individuals were unidentified at genus level and were assigned to five distinct families. We recognize seven families and 22 genera in Phallales, although the delimitation of some genera must be further revisited in order to recognize only monophyletic groups. Many inconsistencies in species identification are discussed, and the positioning of genera in each family is shown. The clustering revealed 118 species hypotheses, meaning that approximately 20% of all described species in Phallales have DNA sequences available. Information related to geographic distribution represents 462 individuals distributed in 46 countries on all continents, except Antarctica. Most genera are saprotrophic with only one putative ectomycorrhizal genus, and 2.1% of the legitimate specific names recognized in Phallales are confirmed edible species. Great progress in the molecular analyses of phalloids has already been made over these years, but it is still necessary to solve some taxonomic inconsistencies, mainly at genus level, and generate new data to expand knowledge of the group.

Obtaining monokaryotic and dikaryotic mycelial cultures of two Amazonian strains of Geastrum (Geastraceae, Basidiomycota)

The high diversity of the genus Geastrum and the difficulty of obtaining mycelial cultures impairs the study of the ecophysiology and the exploration of the biotechnological potential of the taxon. In this study, different culture media were tested to obtain mycelial cultures for G. lloydianum and G. subiculosum collected in the Brazilian Amazon. Data on spore germination, and isolation of monokaryotic cultures and in vitro sexual reproduction are presented, as well as a brief morphological description of the cultures obtained. For both species, Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) was the most promising of the tested culture media. The highest growth in agar culture ever recorded for this genus is reported (4.9 mm per week for G. lloydianum and 7.5 mm for G. subiculosum). In the PDA culture medium, spores germinated after 35-40 days of incubation and the isolation of monokaryotic cultures of the two species, as well as in vitro sexual crosses, were successfully performed. (AU)

Effect of glucans from Caripia montagnei mushroom on TNBS-induced colitis.

In this study, we evaluated the effect of different doses of polysaccharides extracted from Caripia montagnei mushroom at different intervals of treatment on colonic injury in the model of colitis induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). The FT-IR analysis and NMR showed that the polysaccharides from this species of mushroom are composed of α- and ß-glucans. The colonic damage was evaluated by macroscopic, histological, biochemical and immunologic analyses. The results showed the reduction of colonic lesions in all groups treated with the glucans. Such glucans significantly reduced the levels of IL-6 (50 and 75 mg/kg, p < 0.05), a major inflammatory cytokine. Biochemical analyses showed that the glucans from C. montagnei acted on reducing levels of alkaline phosphatase (75 mg/kg, p < 0.01) and myeloperoxidase (p < 0.001), a result confirmed by the reduction of cellular infiltration observed microscopically. The increase of catalase activity possibly indicates a protective effect of these glucans on colonic tissue, confirming their anti-inflammatory potential.

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of an Extract Rich in Polysaccharides of the Mushroom Polyporus dermoporus.

Polyporus dermoporus mushroom, native to Brazil, is produced under natural conditions in the unexplored reserve of Mata da Estrela-Rio Grande do Norte-RN. These mushrooms were delipidated with chloroform:methanol (2:1 v/v), extracted with water at 100 °C, and fractionated with ethanol (one and three volumes) and then centrifuged. The ethanol precipitation showed a high total sugar level of 64.8% and 1% of protein. This precipitate contained a high glucan level, characterized by chemical methods and by NMR of (13)C and ¹H and spectroscopy. The (13)C NMR spectrum of these mushroom extracts showed the presence of ß-glucose by a signal at 103.25 ppm. Studies with these glucans were made to elucidate antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This extract of glucans inhibited the lipid peroxidation (42.9%) and superoxide radicals (83.3%) at 67 µg/mL. However, the inhibition of hydroxyl radical by the extract of this mushroom was 96% at 267 µg/mL. The action of this extract on induced pleurisy showed a 92.5% and 68.7% reduction in polymorphonuclears cells and nitric oxide, respectively, at 30 mg/kg. The glucans reduced the croton oil-induced ear edema by 65.6% at 30 mg/kg.

Gasteroid mycobiota of Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil: Lysuraceae (Basidiomycota) / Micobiota gasteróide do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil: Lysuraceae (Basidiomycota)

As part of a review of gasteroid mycobiota from Rio Grande do Sul State, in southern Brazil, members of the Lysuraceae (Phallales) family were studied. Fresh and herbarium specimens were analyzed macro- and micromorphologically. Lysurus cruciatus, L. cruciatus var. nanus (new record from Brazil) and L. periphragmoides have been collected in the area. Their specific limits, distribution and ecological data are discussed. Macroscopic photographs and line drawings of the basidiospores are presented

Como parte de um trabalho de revisão dos fungos gasteróides do Estado de Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, a família Lysuraceae (Phallales) foi estudada. Espécimes recém-coletados e preservados em herbários foram estudados macro e micromorfologicamente. Lysurus cruciatus, L. cruciatus var. nanus (primeiro registro para o Brasil) e L. periphragmoides foram coletadas na área de estudo. Seus limites taxonômicos, ecologia e distribuição são discutidos. Fotos macroscópicas e ilustrações dos basidiósporos são apresentadas.

Amanita viscidolutea, a new species from Brazil with a key to Central and South American species of Amanita section Amanita.

We described and illustrated Amanita viscidolutea sp. nov. from specimens collected in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, northeastern Brazil. The main characteristics of the new species are its yellow pileus with white margin, the viscidity of the pileal surface, an exannulate stipe and inamyloid basidiospores. We also present an artificial dichotomous key to Central and South American species of Amanita (subgenus Amanita) section Amanita.