Four new species in the Tremellafibulifera complex (Tremellales, Basidiomycota).

Samples of species close to Tremellafibulifera from China and Brazil are studied, and T.fibulifera is confirmed as a species complex including nine species. Five known species (T.cheejenii, T.fibulifera s.s., T. "neofibulifera", T.lloydiae-candidae and T.olens) and four new species (T.australe, T.guangxiensis, T.latispora and T.subfibulifera) in the complex are recognized based on morphological characteristics, molecular evidence, and geographic distribution. Sequences of eight species of the complex were included in the phylogenetic analyses because T.olens lacks molecular data. The phylogenetic analyses were performed by a combined sequence dataset of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the partial nuclear large subunit rDNA (nLSU), and a combined sequence dataset of the ITS, partial nLSU, the small subunit mitochondrial rRNA gene (mtSSU), the translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF1), the largest and second largest subunits of RNA polymerase II (RPB1 and RPB2). The eight species formed eight independent lineages with robust support in phylogenies based on both datasets. Illustrated description of the six species including Tremellafibulifera s.s., T. "neofibulifera" and four new species, and discussions with their related species, are provided. A table of the comparison of the important characteristics of nine species in the T.fibulifera complex and a key to the whitish species in Tremella s.s. are provided.

The community structure of macroscopic basidiomycetes (Fungi) in Brazilian mangroves influenced by temporal and spatial variations.

Mangroves are transitional ecosystems between terrestrial and marine environments, and are dis- tinguished by a high abundance of animals, plants, and fungi. Although macrofungi occur in different types of habitat, including mangroves, little is known about their community structure and dynamic. Therefore the aim of this study was to analyze the diversity of macrofungi in a number of Brazilian mangroves, and the relation- ship between such diversity, precipitation and area of collection. A total of 32 field trips were undertaken from 2009 to 2010, and macrofungi were studied in four 250 x 40 m transects: Timbó and Santa Cruz Channel on the Northern coast, and Maracaipe and Ariquindá on the Southern coast. All basidiomata found along the transects were placed in paper bags, air-dried and identified using existing literature. It was found that Northern areas predominantly featured Avicennia schaueriana mangroves, while Rhizophora mangle dominated in Southern transects. A total of 275 specimens were collected, and 33 species, 28 genera, 14 families and six orders were represented. Overall abundance and species richness did not vary significantly among areas, but varied according to time, being higher during the rainy season. Subtle differences in composition were observed over time and between areas, probably due to variations in plant species occurrence. Further studies with collections during months of greater precipitation in transects dominated by different mangrove species of the same ecosystem are suggested to assess the overall diversity of mycobiota in these ecosystems.