New species of Amanita from the eastern Himalaya and adjacent regions.

Four new species of Amanita, Amanita-ceae (Agaricales) are described from the eastern Himalaya and adjacent regions of southwestern China. Amanita altipes and A. parvipantherina are members of section Amanita, while A. orientifulva and A. liquii are representatives of section Vaginatae. They are compared with similar species and illustrated with line drawings.

In vitro interaction of the truffle Terfezia terfezioides with Robinia pseudoacacia and Helianthemum ovatum.

The type of the in vitro root interactions of Terfezia terfezioides with the plants Robinia pseudoacacia and Helianthemum ovatum was investigated including detailed anatomical and ultrastructural characterization. No difference in growth was detected at different phosphate concentrations on agar synthetic medium between the inoculated and control plants during a short-time cultivation. The fungal colonization of the roots increased with higher phosphate level in both plant species, but was always lower in R. pseudoacacia roots. Septate hyphae formed frequently intracellular branched coils in dead cortical cells. In H. ovatum intercellular hyphae were observed forming finger-like structures reminiscent of Hartig-net structures in ectomycorrhizae. A loose hyphal envelope covered the root surface of both colonized and noncolonized roots. The features resembled similar structures described earlier during the mycorrhizae of different Terfezia species. Our detailed anatomical and ultrastructural study shows that the in vitro root interactions of the T. terfezioides cannot be considered unambiguously as mycorrhiza.

Phylogenetic relationships of European Phlegmacium species (Cortinarius, Agaricales).

Phylogenetic relationships of 54 European Phlegmacium species, including members of most of the sections of classical systematics, were studied, integrating macro-, micromorphological and chemical characters of the basidiomes, as well as molecular phylogenetic analysis of nuclear rDNA sequences. Microscopical structures of the basidiomes were studied by light microscopy. Basidiospore morphology was examined by scanning electron microscopy. Internal-transcribed spacers (ITS 1 and 2, including the 5.8S) and the D1/D2 (LSU) regions of nuclear rDNA were sequenced and analyzed with a Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo approach. Many subgroups detected by the molecular analysis are related to groups known from classical systematical concepts. Among others, these subgroups were significantly supported: i) a group containing most of the members of section Fulvi ss. Brandrud and the species Cortinarius arcuatorum, C. dibaphus and C. multiformis; ii) a group comprising taxa of section Calochroi ss. Brandrud and the species C. fulvocitrinus and C. osmophorus; iii) a group containing species of section Glaucopodes ss. Brandrud and C. caerulescens; iv) a group including members of section Phlegmacioides ss. Brandrud; v) a group that includes the species C. cephalixus, C. nanceiensis and C. mussivus. Stipe shape, color of flesh, pigment contents, KOH reaction on pileipellis and gelatinous layer, degree of development of a gelatinous layer on the pileipellis, and pileipellis structure were useful characters in delimiting subgroups in Phlegmacium, while basidiospore morphology was significant at species level. With the exception of C. glaucopus, C. infractus and C. scaurus, ITS and D1/D2 sequences obtained from collections of the same species from different geographical origins showed very little variation. Our molecular and morphological analyses suggest revisions of the traditional concepts of the subgenus Phlegmacium in Europe.

Studies on the root associations of the truffle Terfezia terfezioides.

The paper contains an overview of the results of the studies made on the truffle Terfezia terfezioides, particularly the investigations related to the associations of this fungus with plants. Twelve plant species originated from a natural habitat of the fungus were supposed to be connected with T. terfezioides based on the anatomy of the endogenous fungal structures in their roots. Aseptic experiments were carried out on modified MMN substrates with different phosphate concentrations to study the interaction of T. terfezioides with Robinia pseudoacacia and Helianthemum ovatum. The colonization of the roots of black locust was always weaker than that of Helianthemum. The main characteristics were the intracellular coiled, branched, frequently septated hyphae in dead root cells. The intercellular hyphae formed Hartig-net with finger like structures only in Helianthemum, the interactions could not be considered unambiguously as mycorrhizae. There was no difference between the RFLP profiles of the nr DNA ITS of nineteen fruit bodies collected at the same time from the habitat and the ITS of three randomly chosen specimens were identical on sequence level, too. These invariability makes to design species specific PCR primers possible to check unambiguously the host plants.

New Cortinarius species from Nothofagus forests in South Chile.

Four new Cortinarius species are described from Nothofagus forests in South Chile. Cortinarius aurantiorufus and C. punctatisporus, subgenus Phlegmacium, stirps Inflatipes, are mainly characterized by a viscid to glutinous pileus and a bulbous whitish stipe. They differ in the color of the pileus, and shape, ornamentation, and size of the basidiospores. Futhermore, C. punctatisporus has a translucently striate pileus. Cortinarius rubrivelatus and C. parahumilis belong to subgenus Telamonia, stirps Brunneivelatus and Scabrisporus, respectively. Cortinarius rubrivelatus has a reddish veil, a viscid pileus, and large, ellipsoid to amygdaliform basidiospores. Cortinarius parahumilis has small, subglobose to broadly elliptical, minutely verrucose basidiospores and a viscid pileus.

Phylogenetic relationships of the downy mildews (Peronosporales) and related groups based on nuclear large subunit ribosomal DNA sequences.

In order to investigate phylogenetic relationships of the Peronosporomycetes (Oomycetes), nuclear large subunit ribosomal DNA sequences containing the D1 and D2 region were analyzed of 92 species belonging to the orders Peronosporales, Pythiales, Leptomitales, Rhipidiales, Saprolegniales and Sclerosporales. The data were analyzed applying methods of neighbor-joining as well as maximum parsimony, both statistically supported using the bootstrap method. The results confirm the major division between the Pythiales and Peronosporales on the one hand and the Saprolegniales, Leptomitales, and Rhipidiales on the other. The Sclerosporales were shown to be polyphyletic; while Sclerosporaceae are nested within the Peronosporaceae, the Verrucalvaceae are merged within the Saprolegniales. Within the Peronosporomycetidae, Pythiales as well as Peronosporales as currently defined are polyphyletic. The well supported Albugo clade appears to be the most basal lineage, followed by a Pythium-Lagenidium clade. The third, highly supported clade comprises the Peronosporaceae together with Sclerospora, Phytophthora, and Peronophythora. Peronophythora is placed within Phytophthora, indicating that both genera should be merged. Bremiella seems to be polyphyletic within the genus Plasmopara, suggesting a transfer to Plasmopara. The species of Peronospora do not appear as a monophyletic group. Peronospora species growing on Brassicaceae form a highly supported clade.

Cuniculitrema polymorpha (Tremellales, gen. nov. and sp. nov.), a heterobasidiomycete vectored by bark beetles, which is the teleomorph of Sterigmatosporidium polymorphum.

In a study of the mycobiota associated with bark beetles, a dimorphic fungus producing longitudinally septate basidia of the Tremella-type and yeast cells budding off from stalks, was collected. Detailed morphological, physiological and molecular studies revealed that this fungus represents the teleomorph of Sterigmatosporidium polymorphum. Consequently, a new genus, Cuniculitrema gen. nov., and a new species, C. polymorpha sp. nov., are proposed. Comparative morphological and molecular studies indicated that the new taxon belongs to a group that also comprises species of the stalk-forming anamorphic genera Fellomyces and Kockovaella. The new family Cuniculitremaceae is proposed for this group.

[Resupinate basidiomycetes from Costa Rica. New or rare species of Atractiellales (Auriculariales s.l.), Exidiaceae, Sirobasidiaceae y Tremellaceae]. / Basidiomicetos resupinados de Costa Rica. Especies nuevas o raras de Atractiellales (Auriculariales s.l.), Exidiaceae, Sirobasidiaceae y Tremellaceae.

Species of Atractiellales (Auriculariaceae s.l.), Exidaceae, Sirobasidaceae and Tremellaceae are reported as new for Costa Rica or as new to science, Tremella coalescens L.S. Olive, Sirobasidium minutum Kisim., Oberw. & Gómez sp. nov., Heterochaete vitrea Kisim., Oberw. & Gómez sp. nov., Exidiopsis mucedinea (Pat.) K. Wells, Helicogloea aurea Baker, Saccoblastia sphaerospora Möller and Occultifur internus (L.S. Olive) Oberw. All the new species are described and illustrated. Since the original material collected in Brazil by Möller is lost, a neotype for Saccoblastia sphaerospora Möller is proposed. This Costa Rican collection represents the first record since the discovery of the species in 1891. Hyphoderma argillaceum (Bres.) Donk is reported for the first time from Costa Rica as the fungal host of Occultifur internus.

[Resupinate basidiomycetes from Costa Rica. Myxariaceae s. Jülich, Sebacinaceae Wells & Oberw., and Tremellodendropsidaceae Jülich]. / Basidiomicetos resupinados de Costa Rica. Myxariaceae s. Jülich, Sebacinaceae Wells & Oberw., y Tremellodendropsidaceae Jülich.

Thirteen representatives of Myxariaceae sensu Jülich: Heterochaetella brachyspora (Bourdot & Galzin) Luck-Allen, Myxarium atratum (Peck) Ginns & Lefebvre, M. granulum Hauersl., M. laccatum (Bourdot & Galzin) Reid, M. mesomorphum (Bourdot & Galzin) Haursl., M. mesonucleatum Kisim., Oberw. & L.D. Gómez nov. sp., M. subsphaerosporum Kisim., Oberw. & L.D. Gómez nov. sp., Protodontia subgelatinosa (Karst.) Pilát; Pseudohydum gelatinosum (Fr.) P. Karst., P. gelatinosum var. paucidentata Lowy; one species of Sebacinaceae, Efibulobasidium albescens (Sacc. & Malbr.) K. Wells; and the Tremellodrendropisidaceae Tremellodendropsis flagelliformis (Berk.) Crawford var.ovalispora Crawford, are reported or described from Costa Rica. The corticioid Cystidiodontia artocreas (Berk & Curt. ex Cooke) Hjortstam is also reported from Costa Rica.

Xerocomus badius - Picea abies, an ectomycorrhiza of high activity and element storage capacity in acidic soil.

Mycorrhizas were collected from three Norway spruce (Picea abies) stands in southwest Germany, sorted on the morphotype level and analysed by fluorescein diacetate vital fluorescence staining and the accumulation of elements using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS). Xerocomus badius - Picea abies mycorrhizas showed a higher frequency of active hyphal sheaths and a higher potential to store nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, iron and zinc than other mycorrhizal types. Phosphorus and nitrogen were localized by EELS in vacuolar bodies which occurred consistently in the sheath of X. badius mycorrhizas. The results indicate that X. badius is well adapted to acidic stands and that its mycorrhizas are very efficient in uptake and storage of macronutrients.

Reduction of phenolics in mycorrhizas of Larix decidua Mill.

Soluble and cell-wall-bound phenolics in mycorrhizas of Larix decidua-Laccaria amethystea and in nonmycorrhizal fine roots of larch grown in sterile culture were analyzed by HPLC. The soluble phenolics p-hydroxybenzoylglucose, p-hydroxybenzoic acid glucoside, picein, catechin, and epicatechin were identified in nonmycorrhizal fine roots. The same phenolics also occurred in mycorrhizas, but only in very small quantities compared with those in nonmycorrhizal fine roots. The amount of cell-wall-bound ferulic acid was much lower in mycorrhizas than in nonmycorrhizal fine roots. Pure mycelia of Laccaria amethystea (Bull.) Murr. contained none of the identified phenolics. We conclude that L. amethystea induced a large decrease in soluble and cell-wall-bound phenolics in fine roots of Larix decidua Mill. that may explain their rapid mycorrhization.

Myxozyma neotropica sp. nov. (Candidaceae)--a new yeast species from Costa Rica.

Two strains of an undescribed, soil-borne species of the genus Myxozyma were recovered. They differ from other accepted species of this genus in their carbon assimilation pattern, mol% G+C and low extent of DNA complementary. A description of the new species, Myxozyma neotropica, and a key to the species accepted in the genus are given.

Fellomyces horovitziae sp. nov., a new basidiomycetous yeast species isolated from a Xenasmatella basidiocarp.

A new species of the genus Fellomyces, F. horovitziae, was isolated from a Xenasmatella basidiocarp. It differs from other accepted species in its carbon assimilation pattern, mol% G + C and low DNA-DNA homology. The delimiting characters are discussed and a key to the genus is provided.

Phenolics of mycorrhizas and non-mycorrhizal roots of Norway spruce.

The occurrence and amount of soluble and insoluble phenolics in mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal roots of Picea abies (L.) Karst, were investigated, p-Hydroxybenzoic acid glucoside, picein, piceatannol and its glucoside, isorhapontin, catechin and ferulic acid could be identified by high-performance liquid chromatography in mycorrhizas of Picea abies-Lactarius deterrimus and Picea abies-Laccaria amethystea. Both types were collected from axenic cultures and the latter also from a spruce stand. The same phenolics occurred in non-mycorrhizal short roots from sterile cultures. However, the amounts of p-hydroxybenzoic acid glucoside, picein, catechin and cell wall-bound ferulic acid were considerably reduced in mycorrhizas from axenic culture, whereas the hydroxystilbenes piceatannol, its glucoside and worhapontin were not significantly reduced. Pure mycelia of Laccaria amethystea (Bull.) Murr, and Lactarius deterrimus Gröger were also analysed for phenolic compounds. Both fungal species contained none of the identified phenolics. The results are discussed with respect to mycorrhization in different mycorrhizal types.

Ascomycete mycorrhizas from pot-grown silver-fir seedlings (Abies alba Mill.).

Four types of ascomycete mycorrhizas were found on seedlings of Abies alba grown in pot cultures on mineral soil. One type was formed by Cenococcum graniforme Ferd. & Winge; the fungal partners of the other three types could not be identified. The macroscopic and microscopic characteristics are described. One mycorrhiza appeared to be identical with Type 15 of Haug & Oberwinkler, found in natural spruce stands. Senescent stages of this type are also described. Ultrastructural investigations showed that the dolipore seemed to be the main distinguishing feature between ascomycete and basidiomycete mycorrhizas. Differences in the matrix of the interface and the fungal wall were not stable enough to be used as a distinguishing feature between asco- and basidiomycetes. Dead fungal cells were isolated from the living tissue by plugging of septa with Woronin bodies and walling-over of the plugged septa. Subsequently these isolated dead cells could be colonized by the fungus. The predominant mycorrhization of the fir seedlings by ascomycetes in pot culture with mineral soil is discussed.

A new tremelloid yeast isolated from Asterophora lycoperdoides (Bull.: Fr.) Ditm.

Reports of a yeast stage of the homobasidiomycete Asterophora lycoperdoides were reexamined. Substantial differences in the physiological description and a gap of 11% G + C content were detected between the yeast and the mycelium. On the basis of nDNA reassociation experiments and restriction enzyme cleavage patterns of mtDNA using two different enzymes it has been concluded that the yeast strains and the mycelia are probably not the same species. The results of earlier reports about the life cycle, however, cannot be explained with these data. This yeast is newly described, because it shows unique physiological properties and no significant homology in DNA-DNA reassociation experiments to species it would normally be identified with in the literature. Because of its dolipore with cup-shaped parenthesome, we prefer the term tremelloid over assigning the strains to any existing genus, because no sexual structure or ballistospore has been observed so far.

A contribution to the species definition in the genus Exobasidium (Basidiomycetes).

The G + C content of the DNA from 25 strains of various species of the parasitic Exobasidia (Basidiomycetes) ranges from 39.1 to 68.1 mol%. They can be ordered into ten distinct groups. Exobasidium vaccinii (65.8-68.1 mol% G + C) lives on various Vaccinium species causing mostly local infections. E. splendidum (48.0-51.7 mol% G + C) was found on the same Vaccinium species and also on Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. E. vaccinii-uliginosi (43.7-47.7 mol% G + C) found on Vaccinium uliginosum did not fit into any other group and therefore represents a distinct species. Systemic infections on both Vaccinium myrtillus and V. vitis-idaea are caused by E. myrtilli (39.1-39.9 mol% G + C). On Rhododendron species two different groups of Exobasidia have been found with G 4- C mol% of about 47.5 and 55.8. E. japonicum on Azalea indica is characterized by 40.3 mol% G + C, which could not be found in other Exobasidia attacking Rhododendron species. From Andromeda polifolia two Exobasidia with different G + C contents (43.7 and 52.8 mol% G + C) could be isolated. The G + C content in E. vexans, which parasitizes on members of the Theaceae, is 53.2 mol%. The wide range of G 4- C values in Exobasidium, very unusual within one genus, renders the G + C content of DNA a very useful tool for taxonomic studies.

Trimorphomyces: a new genus in the tremellaceae.

Trimorphomyces Bandoni and Oberw. gen. nov. (Tremellaceae) includes a single species, T. papilionaceus Bandoni and Oberw. sp. nov., which parasitizes Arthrinium sphaerospermum Fckl. The sporocarps are mainly or entirely conidial at first; conidia and basidia are mixed in mature basidiocarps. The basidia are cruciately-septate, stalked. Basidiospores germinate by repetition or by budding to form a haploid yeast phase. Blastic conidia are formed successively; terminal pairs develop synchronously and conjugate before release. The conidia are H-shaped and dikaryotic. The dikaryotic conidia germinate by forming paired buds and a dikaryotic yeast phase is initiated. Dikaryotic yeast cells are produced in the same manner as the parental conidia and are released as H-shaped, conjugated pairs. In the presence of Arthrinium sphaerospermum hyphae, dikaryotic conidia or dikaryotic yeast cells germinate by hyphal and haustorial formation.

Cystofilobasidium: a new genus in the filobasidiaceae.

Description is provided of a new heterobasidiomycetous genus, Cystofilobasidium, based on Rhodosporidium capitatum. The genus is characterized by teliospores which give rise to filobasidiaceous basidia, sessile primary basidiospores which remain attached to the basidium, and a yeast phase developing from buds produced by the primary spores. Two species formerly placed in Rhodosporidium are transferred to Cystofilobasidium; these are C. bisporidiis (Fell, Hunter and Tallman) Oberw. and Bandoni comb, nov., and C. capitatum (Fell, Hunter and Tallman) Oberw. and Bandoni, comb. nov.