Megaphylogeny resolves global patterns of mushroom evolution.

Mushroom-forming fungi (Agaricomycetes) have the greatest morphological diversity and complexity of any group of fungi. They have radiated into most niches and fulfil diverse roles in the ecosystem, including wood decomposers, pathogens or mycorrhizal mutualists. Despite the importance of mushroom-forming fungi, large-scale patterns of their evolutionary history are poorly known, in part due to the lack of a comprehensive and dated molecular phylogeny. Here, using multigene and genome-based data, we assemble a 5,284-species phylogenetic tree and infer ages and broad patterns of speciation/extinction and morphological innovation in mushroom-forming fungi. Agaricomycetes started a rapid class-wide radiation in the Jurassic, coinciding with the spread of (sub)tropical coniferous forests and a warming climate. A possible mass extinction, several clade-specific adaptive radiations and morphological diversification of fruiting bodies followed during the Cretaceous and the Paleogene, convergently giving rise to the classic toadstool morphology, with a cap, stalk and gills (pileate-stipitate morphology). This morphology is associated with increased rates of lineage diversification, suggesting it represents a key innovation in the evolution of mushroom-forming fungi. The increase in mushroom diversity started during the Mesozoic-Cenozoic radiation event, an era of humid climate when terrestrial communities dominated by gymnosperms and reptiles were also expanding.

Taxonomy and phylogeny of Macrolepiota: two new species from Brazil.

Macrolepiota is a poorly known genus in the Neotropics. In order to increase knowledge about this group, we collected specimens from the Atlantic Forest in southern and northeastern Brazil. Macrolepiota cyanolamellata and M. sabulosa from subtropical and tropical regions, respectively, are proposed as new species. We performed molecular phylogenetic analyses of the nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer region ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS) and the combined data set ITS + nuclear large subunit rDNA (28S) + RNA polymerase II second largest (RPB2), as well as morphological analyses. Two lineages with unique morphotypes were found. The species proposed were strongly supported as the sister lineage closely related to M. clelandii and M. subcitrophylla. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of their macro- and microscopic characters are provided.

[Toxic fungi in Buenos Aires City and surroundings]. / Hongos tóxicos en la Ciudad de Buenos Aires y alrededores.

In Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales,Universidad de Buenos Aires there is a service called Servicio de Identificación de Hongos Tóxicos, directed by researchers of the Program of Medicinal Plants and Fungi Involved in Biological Degradation (PROPLAME-PRHIDEB, CONICET) that assist hospitals and other health establishments, identifying the different samples of fungi and providing information about their toxicity, so that patients can receive the correct treatment. The objective of the present study was to analyze all the cases received from 1985 to 2012. This analysis permitted the confection of a table identifying the most common toxic species. The information gathered revealed that 47% of the patients were under 18 years of age and had eaten basidiomes; the remaining 53% were adults who insisted that they were able to distinguish edible from toxic mushrooms. Chlorophyllum molybdites turned out to be the main cause of fungal intoxication in Buenos Aires, which is commonly confused with Macrolepiota procera, an edible mushroom. In the second place Amanita phalloides was registered, an agaric known to cause severe symptoms after a long period of latency (6-10 hours), and which can lead to hepatic failure even requiring a transplant to prevent severe internal injuries or even death, is not early and correctly treated.

Hongos tóxicos en la Ciudad de Buenos Aires y alrededores / Toxic fungi in Buenos Aires City and surroundings

En la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales de la Universidad de Buenos Aires (FCEN-UBA) funciona el Servicio de Identificación de Hongos Tóxicos. Lo integran los investigadores del Programa de Plantas Medicinales y Programa de Hongos que Intervienen en la Degradación Biológica (PROPLAME-PRHIDEB, CONICET) y colabora con servicios médicos, estatales y privados, identificando los materiales remitidos en casos de intoxicaciones con hongos, permitiendo, en muchos casos, realizar el tratamiento adecuado. El presente trabajo da a conocer los casos atendidos por el servicio desde 1985 hasta 2012 inclusive, además de una tabla para reconocer las especies tóxicas más comunes de la región. Según esta información, el 47% de las consultas que se recibieron correspondieron a pacientes menores de 18 años de edad que ingirieron materiales fúngicos de forma accidental (o al menos se sospechaba que lo hubieran hecho). El 53% restante correspondió a adultos que afirmaron ser capaces de distinguir hongos comestibles de tóxicos. Se determinó que Chlorophyllum molybdites fue la principal especie causante de intoxicaciones, la cual es comúnmente confundida con el hongo comestible Macrolepiota procera. En segundo lugar Amanita phalloides, un hongo altamente tóxico, que se caracteriza por presentar inicio de síntomas en forma tardía (latencia de 6-10 horas), evolucionando a falla hepática con el consiguiente requerimiento de trasplante o la muerte, si no se realiza el tratamiento adecuado en forma oportuna.

In Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires there is a service called Servicio de Identificación de Hongos Tóxicos, directed by researchers of the Program of Medicinal Plants and Fungi Involved in Biological Degradation (PROPLAME-PRHIDEB, CONICET) that assist hospitals and other health establishments, identifying the different samples of fungi and providing information about their toxicity, so that patients can receive the correct treatment. The objective of the present study was to analyze all the cases received from 1985 to 2012. This analysis permitted the confection of a table identifying the most common toxic species. The information gathered revealed that 47% of the patients were under 18 years of age and had eaten basidiomes; the remaining 53% were adults who insisted that they were able to distinguish edible from toxic mushrooms. Chlorophyllum molybdites turned out to be the main cause of fungal intoxication in Buenos Aires, which is commonly confused with Macrolepiota procera, an edible mushroom. In the second place Amanita phalloides was registered, an agaric known to cause severe symptoms after a long period of latency (6-10 hours), and which can lead to hepatic failure even requiring a transplant to prevent severe internal injuries or even death, is not early and correctly treated.

Hongos tóxicos en la Ciudad de Buenos Aires y alrededores / Toxic fungi in Buenos Aires City and surroundings

En la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales de la Universidad de Buenos Aires (FCEN-UBA) funciona el Servicio de Identificación de Hongos Tóxicos. Lo integran los investigadores del Programa de Plantas Medicinales y Programa de Hongos que Intervienen en la Degradación Biológica (PROPLAME-PRHIDEB, CONICET) y colabora con servicios médicos, estatales y privados, identificando los materiales remitidos en casos de intoxicaciones con hongos, permitiendo, en muchos casos, realizar el tratamiento adecuado. El presente trabajo da a conocer los casos atendidos por el servicio desde 1985 hasta 2012 inclusive, además de una tabla para reconocer las especies tóxicas más comunes de la región. Según esta información, el 47% de las consultas que se recibieron correspondieron a pacientes menores de 18 años de edad que ingirieron materiales fúngicos de forma accidental (o al menos se sospechaba que lo hubieran hecho). El 53% restante correspondió a adultos que afirmaron ser capaces de distinguir hongos comestibles de tóxicos. Se determinó que Chlorophyllum molybdites fue la principal especie causante de intoxicaciones, la cual es comúnmente confundida con el hongo comestible Macrolepiota procera. En segundo lugar Amanita phalloides, un hongo altamente tóxico, que se caracteriza por presentar inicio de síntomas en forma tardía (latencia de 6-10 horas), evolucionando a falla hepática con el consiguiente requerimiento de trasplante o la muerte, si no se realiza el tratamiento adecuado en forma oportuna.(AU)

In Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires there is a service called Servicio de Identificación de Hongos Tóxicos, directed by researchers of the Program of Medicinal Plants and Fungi Involved in Biological Degradation (PROPLAME-PRHIDEB, CONICET) that assist hospitals and other health establishments, identifying the different samples of fungi and providing information about their toxicity, so that patients can receive the correct treatment. The objective of the present study was to analyze all the cases received from 1985 to 2012. This analysis permitted the confection of a table identifying the most common toxic species. The information gathered revealed that 47% of the patients were under 18 years of age and had eaten basidiomes; the remaining 53% were adults who insisted that they were able to distinguish edible from toxic mushrooms. Chlorophyllum molybdites turned out to be the main cause of fungal intoxication in Buenos Aires, which is commonly confused with Macrolepiota procera, an edible mushroom. In the second place Amanita phalloides was registered, an agaric known to cause severe symptoms after a long period of latency (6-10 hours), and which can lead to hepatic failure even requiring a transplant to prevent severe internal injuries or even death, is not early and correctly treated.(AU)

Hongos tóxicos en la Ciudad de Buenos Aires y alrededores. / [Toxic fungi in Buenos Aires City and surroundings].

In Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales,Universidad de Buenos Aires there is a service called Servicio de Identificación de Hongos Tóxicos, directed by researchers of the Program of Medicinal Plants and Fungi Involved in Biological Degradation (PROPLAME-PRHIDEB, CONICET) that assist hospitals and other health establishments, identifying the different samples of fungi and providing information about their toxicity, so that patients can receive the correct treatment. The objective of the present study was to analyze all the cases received from 1985 to 2012. This analysis permitted the confection of a table identifying the most common toxic species. The information gathered revealed that 47

of the patients were under 18 years of age and had eaten basidiomes; the remaining 53

were adults who insisted that they were able to distinguish edible from toxic mushrooms. Chlorophyllum molybdites turned out to be the main cause of fungal intoxication in Buenos Aires, which is commonly confused with Macrolepiota procera, an edible mushroom. In the second place Amanita phalloides was registered, an agaric known to cause severe symptoms after a long period of latency (6-10 hours), and which can lead to hepatic failure even requiring a transplant to prevent severe internal injuries or even death, is not early and correctly treated.

Mejora de los rendimientos en la producción de Pleurotus mediante la utilización de nuevas cepas silvestres. Pleurotus albidus, una nueva especie propuesta para la producción de hongos comestibles / Search for new naturally occurring strains of Pleurotus to improve yields. Pleurotus albidus as a novel proposed species for mushroom production

Antecedentes. Las especies del género Pleurotus son cultivadas en todo el mundo. Objetivos. Evaluar el crecimiento, la producción y la variación morfológica de las fructificaciones obtenidas en cultivo de catorce cepas silvestres de Pleurotus aisladas en la Argentina. Métodos. Las cepas fueron evaluadas a diferentes temperaturas de crecimiento en medio de Nobles. Se emplearon como sustrato aserrín de Salix suplementado, paja de trigo suplementada y no suplementada. Las especies estudiadas fueron Pleurotus albidus, Pleurotus cystidiosus, Pleurotus djamor, Pleurotus ostreatus y Pleurotus pulmonarius. Resultados. La máxima tasa de crecimiento fue lograda por las cepas de P. pulmonarius, P. albidus y P. ostreatus. No se encontraron relaciones entre el crecimiento micelial óptimo, el tiempo de incubación y los rendimientos. El mayor rendimiento se obtuvo con P. albidus en paja de trigo (eficiencia biológica 171,3%), que superó en un 82% el obtenido por la cepa comercial en el mismo sustrato. Al analizar las variaciones morfológicas para cada especie, se encontraron diferencias significativas entre las cepas. Fue posible encontrar una cepa silvestre de P. ostreatus con rendimientos superiores a la cepa control empleada. Conclusiones. Proponemos estudiar las cepas silvestres como práctica útil para incrementar los rendimientos en cultivo de las especies de Pleurotus. Por los altos rendimientos obtenidos, se propone a P. albidus como una nueva especie cultivable a nivel comercial(AU)

Background. The species of genus Pleurotus are worldwide cultivated. Aims. To evaluate growth, yield production and morphological variations of fruiting bodies obtained from the cultivation of fourteen naturally occurring Pleurotus strains isolated from Argentina. Methods. The strains growth was tested at different temperatures on Nobles’ medium. Substrates assayed were: supplemented Salix sawdust, supplemented and non supplemented wheat straw. The species studied were Pleurotus albidus, Pleurotus cystidiosus, Pleurotus djamor, Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus pulmonarius. Results. The maximum rate growth was reached by strains of P. pulmonarius, P. albidus, and P. ostreatus. No relationship was found when optimal mycelium growth, incubation time and yields were compared. The highest yield was obtained with P. albidus on wheat straw (biological efficiency 171.3%) which overcame in 82% the yield obtained for the commercial strain in the same substrate. When morphological variations were analyzed for each species, significant differences were found among strains. It was also possible to find a naturally occurring strain of P. ostreatus with better biological efficiency than the commercial strain assayed. Conclusions. We propose the study of naturally occurring strains as a useful practice to improve yields of species of Pleurotus. Due to the high biological efficiency obtained we propose P. albidus as a new species for commercial production(AU)

Search for new naturally occurring strains of Pleurotus to improve yields: Pleurotus albidus as a novel proposed species for mushroom production.

BACKGROUND: The species of genus Pleurotus are worldwide cultivated. AIMS: To evaluate growth, yield production and morphological variations of fruiting bodies obtained from the cultivation of fourteen naturally occurring Pleurotus strains isolated from Argentina. METHODS: The strains growth was tested at different temperatures on Nobles' medium. Substrates assayed were: supplemented Salix sawdust, supplemented and non supplemented wheat straw. The species studied were Pleurotus albidus, Pleurotus cystidiosus, Pleurotus djamor, Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus pulmonarius. RESULTS: The maximum rate growth was reached by strains of P. pulmonarius, P. albidus, and P. ostreatus. No relationship was found when optimal mycelium growth, incubation time and yields were compared. The highest yield was obtained with P. albidus on wheat straw (biological efficiency 171.3%) which overcame in 82% the yield obtained for the commercial strain in the same substrate. When morphological variations were analyzed for each species, significant differences were found among strains. It was also possible to find a naturally occurring strain of P. ostreatus with better biological efficiency than the commercial strain assayed. CONCLUSIONS: We propose the study of naturally occurring strains as a useful practice to improve yields of species of Pleurotus. Due to the high biological efficiency obtained we propose P. albidus as a new species for commercial production.

Polyporus tenuiculus: a new naturally occurring mushroom that can be industrially cultivated on agricultural waste.

Polyporus tenuiculus is a naturally occurring species from Central and South America that is consumed by different ethnic groups in the region. To determine the optimal conditions for fruiting body production, two strains were assayed on wheat straw and sawdust with or without supplements. Sixty days of incubation at 25 degrees C were needed to produce a solid block. The highest yield was obtained with strain ICFC 383/00 grown on supplemented willow sawdust. In a second experiment the strain ICFC 383/00 and different supplements were used to improve the biological efficiency (BE) and to determine the quality traits and its biodegradation capacity. The highest yields were obtained on sawdust with 25% of supplements reaching 82.7% of BE. Supplements raised the number of flushes, generally from four to five, contributing to increased yields. The type of substrate had a significant effect on fruiting body diameters of P. tenuiculus, and the largest mushrooms were harvested on supplemented substrate with the highest BE coinciding with the highest dry matter loss in substrates. P. tenuiculus showed a capacity to degrade sawdust, causing a decrease of 67.2-74.5% in cellulose, 80.4-85.7% in hemicellulose, and 60.6-66.2% in lignin content at the end of the cultivation cycle. The decrease in hemicellulose was relatively greater than that of cellulose and lignin on supplemented substrates. This is the first report of the cultivation of P. tenuiculus on lignocellulosic waste, and it is a promising species both for commercial production and for its potential use in the degradation of other biowastes.

Optimal conditions for the fruit body production of natural occurring strains of Lentinus tigrinus.

Lentinus tigrinus is a species with a fleshy pileus, strong odor and agreeable taste. In order to determine the optimal conditions for the production of this species, three substrates based on Salix sp. sawdust, wheat straw and supplements were tested in 500g dry weight bags at two different fruiting temperatures. Naturally occurring strains of this species were incubated at 30 degrees C. Primordium initiation could be observed 11-16 days after induction conditions began. This species produced highest yields with biological efficiency (BE) of 62% with supplemented sawdust at 25 degrees C. When bags were reduced to 100g dry weight, spawning run time was reduced from 28 to 30 to 10 to 14 days and BE increased more than 100%. L. tigrinus is a promising species with possibilities for commercial production.

The genus Pleurotus in Argentina.

Macro- and micromorphological characters of specimens of the genus Pleurotus (Fr.) P. Kumm. in Argentina obtained in the field and from different national herbaria were analyzed. Cultivation techniques were used to obtain basidiomata, allowing for a macro- and micromorphological study of fresh developing fruit bodies. We concluded that in Argentina there are, so far, six species, namely P. albidus, P. cystidiosus, P. ostreatus, P. pulmonarius, P. rickii and P. djamor, the latter with three varieties: var. djamor, var. cyathiformis and var. roseus.