Re-Valuation of the Taxonomic Status of Species within the Inocybe similis Complex.

The taxonomy of Inocybe similis and closely allied species is addressed using morphological and molecular data (nrITS and nrLSU DNA). The holotypes of I. chondrospora and I. vulpinella and the isotype of I. immigrans were studied and sequenced. Our results suggest the synonymy between I. similis and I. vulpinella as well as that between I. chondrospora and I. immigrans.

Genera of Inocybaceae: New skin for the old ceremony.

A six-gene phylogeny of the Inocybaceae is presented to address classification of major clades within the family. Seven genera are recognized that establish a global overview of phylogenetic relationships in the Inocybaceae. Two genera-Nothocybe and Pseudosperma-are described as new. Two subgenera of Inocybe-subg. Inosperma and subg. Mallocybe-are elevated to generic rank. These four new genera, together with the previously described Auritella, Tubariomyces, and now Inocybe sensu stricto, constitute the Inocybaceae, an ectomycorrhizal lineage of Agaricales that associates with at least 23 plant families worldwide. Pseudosperma, Nothocybe, and Inocybe are recovered as a strongly supported inclusive clade within the family. The genus Nothocybe, represented by a single species from tropical India, is strongly supported as the sister lineage to Inocybe, a hyperdiverse genus containing hundreds of species and global distribution. Two additional inclusive clades, including Inosperma, Tubariomyces, Auritella, and Mallocybe, and a nested grouping of Auritella, Mallocybe, and Tubariomyces, are recovered but with marginal statistical support. Overall, the six-gene data set provides a more robust phylogenetic estimate of relationships within the family than do single-gene and single-gene-region estimates. In addition, Africa, India, and Australia are characterized by the most genera in the family, with South America containing the fewest number of genera. A total of 180 names are recombined or proposed as new in Inosperma, Mallocybe, and Pseudosperma. A key to genera of Inocybaceae is provided.

Phylogenetic assessment of Chromocyphellaceae (Agaricineae, Basidiomycota) and a new lamellate species of Chromocyphella.

Cyphelloid fungi represent a polyphyletic assemblage of reduced agarics, including the brown-spored family Chromocyphellaceae. In order to elucidate the phylogenetic position of Chromocyphellaceae, newly generated sequences of Chromocyphella were included in a multigene alignment of the Agaricineae and phylogenetically analyzed. The current analyses show that the Chromocyphella muscicola specimen used to phylogenetically place Chromocyphellaceae in its original description was misidentified and that the Chromocyphellaceae nests in the Hymenogastraceae, Chromocyphella being sister to Flammula. Chromocyphella is emended, including now a new species with lamellate and stipitate basidiomata, C. lamellata. The name Cymbella crouanii, type species of Chromocyphella, is lecto- and epitypified. Our analyses support a new origin of cyphelloid fungi. The shift to a cyphelloid basidioma from an agaric ancestor is suggested to have occurred in two evolutionary steps in Chromocyphella, an initial reduction in basidioma size and a subsequent loss of lamellae and stipe.

Unraveling the Inocybe praetervisa group through type studies and ITS data: Inocybe praetervisoides sp. nov. from the Mediterranean region.

Species in the Inocybe praetervisa group are characterized by producing nodulose to angular basidiospores and a bulbous, marginate, white stipe devoid of any pinkish to reddish tinge. Species delimitation problems and common misinterpretations in the I. praetervisa group have not yet been resolved through type studies and analysis of molecular data. This study seeks to clarify the taxonomy and nomenclature of species around I. praetervisa. Analyses of the nuc rDNA internal transcribed regions (ITS) recovered two major groups within the I. praetervisa group that can be separated on the basis of cystidial morphology. The study of three authentic and topotypic specimens in the Bresadola herbarium revealed that the name I. praetervisa has been misapplied often. The ITS region of one of the specimens was obtained, and this specimen is designated as epitype in support of a lectotype. Inocybe rivularis is demonstrated to be a later synonym of I. praetervisa, while Inocybe phaeocystidiosa is the correct name for the species most often misdetermined as I. praetervisa. Inocybe salicis-herbaceae and I. praetervisa var. flavofulvida are shown to be synonyms of I. phaeocystidiosa based on ITS sequence data from type collections. A new species sister to I. phaeocystidiosa with a Mediterranean distribution is described as I. praetervisoides. Cystidial morphology, distribution of caulocystidia, basidiospore morphology and ecology are shown to be the main diagnostic characters for separating the species. Inocybe praetervisa and I. phaeocystidiosa have a transoceanic distribution in Europe and North America, whereas I. praetervisoides so far is known only from the Mediterranean region.

Wood and humus decay strategies by white-rot basidiomycetes correlate with two different dye decolorization and enzyme secretion patterns on agar plates.

During several forays for ligninolytic fungi in different Spanish native forests, 35 white-rot basidiomycetes growing on dead wood (16 species from 12 genera) and leaf litter (19 species from 10 genera) were selected for their ability to decolorize two recalcitrant aromatic dyes (Reactive Blue 38 and Reactive Black 5) added to malt extract agar medium. In this study, two dye decolorization patterns were observed and correlated with two ecophysiological groups (wood and humus white-rot basidiomycetes) and three taxonomical groups (orders Polyporales, Hymenochaetales and Agaricales). Depending on the above groups, different decolorization zones were observed on the dye-containing plates, being restricted to the colony area or extending to the surrounding medium, which suggested two different decay strategies. These two strategies were related to the ability to secrete peroxidases and laccases inside (white-rot wood Polyporales, Hymenochaetales and Agaricales) and outside (white-rot humus Agaricales) of the fungal colony, as revealed by enzymatic tests performed directly on the agar plates. Similar oxidoreductases production patterns were observed when fungi were grown in the absence of dyes, although the set of enzyme released was different. All these results suggest that the decolorization patterns observed could be related with the existence of two decay strategies developed by white-rot basidiomycetes adapted to wood and leaf litter decay in the field.

Tubariomyces, a new genus of Inocybaceae from the Mediterranean region.

The taxonomic position of Inocybe inexpectata is reconsidered on the basis of new molecular and morphological data from four published records. Up to three species can be recognized to which the name I. inexpectata has been applied. In addition to distinct morphological features present in this lineage it is proposed here as the new genus Tubariomyces. A complete taxonomical description of the genus and the species Tubariomyces inexpectatus and T. hygrophoroides sp. nov. also is provided.

A re-evaluation of the Cortinarius scobinaceus and Cortinarius impolitus complex in the Mediterranean area.

We have conducted a taxonomic study of Cortinarius belleri, C. cistohelvelloides, C. impolitus and C. scobinaceus from material collected in Spain, France, Italy, Portugal and Morocco. Based on anatomy, morphology, ecology and distribution (geographical data) we recognize two species, C. impolitus and C. scobinaceus, and the new combination C. scobinaceus var. cistohelvelloides is made. Cortinarius belleri, C. cistohelvelloides, C. impolitus and C. scobinaceus have been typed, and a key for identification of these taxa is included.