Five new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Conocybe</Emphasis> (Agaricomycetes,Bolbitiaceae) from Russia

Five new Conocybe species are described from Russia based on collections made in different parts of the country. One species (C. olivaceopileata) belongs to sect. Conocybe, two species (C. praticola and C. coniferarum) to sect. Mixtae. The ornamented basidiospores of C. confundens and C. incerta is characteristic for sect. Ochromarasmius. All new species are described based on morphology and, in some cases, on DNA sequencing (ITS rDNA). Photos of basidiocarps, illustrations of microstructures and a comparison with similar taxa are given.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cortinarius</Emphasis> sect. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Riederi</Emphasis>: taxonomy and phylogeny of the new section with European and North American distribution

Cortinarius is one of the most species-rich genera of mushroom-forming fungi. Based on phylogenetic and morphological evidence, Cortinarius, sect. Riederi, is introduced at sectional level (= subsect. Riederi sensu Brandrud & Melot). The taxonomy, phylogeny, ecology and distribution of not only mainly European but also including some North American taxa of this section are treated, which includes nine species and two varieties. Of these, three taxa are described as new (C. burlinghamiae, C. pallidoriederi and C. argenteolilacinus var. dovrensis). The sect. Riederi species possess morphological features similar to Phlegmacium group(s) and forms a phylogenetically isolated lineage, with no supported affinity to other phlegmacioid groups. Three taxa are known from both Europe and North America, two species are known only from North America and five only from Europe. Altogether, eight of the ten taxa are associated with conifers or northern (boreal-subalpine) deciduous trees (Betula spp.). Only two species occur in more temperate forests (Fagus forests), and no species have so far been found in thermophilous Quercus forests     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cantharellus</Emphasis> sect. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Amethystini</Emphasis> in Asia

In this contribution on the genus Cantharellus in Asia, C. subvaginatus is described from the Republic of Korea as a close relative to the Chinese C. vaginatus, which is here reported for the first time from India. Both species are here placed in Cantharellus subg. Cantharellus sect. Amethystini, together with the Indian C. pseudoformosus (syn.: C. umbonatus) and the Malayan C. subamethysteus. As such, Asia has suddenly become the continent with the highest diversity for Amethystini. Species delimitation in sect. Amethystini is molecularly supported by a combined phylogenetic analysis of rDNA sequences obtained for LSU and ITS and additionally suggests the existence of a still undescribed species in North America. Character variability is discussed for all known members of Amethystini, including atypical specimens of the North American C. lewisii that are morphologically more reminiscent of the South Korean C. subvaginatus.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ramaria chocoënsis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a gomphoid member of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ramaria</Emphasis> sect. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dendrocladium</Emphasis> from Colombia,El Chocó, with special regards to rhizomorph anatomy

The new species Ramaria chocoënsis (Gomphales, Basidiomycota) from Colombian Pacific rainforest is described. Despite the gomphoid habit, the new species is inserted in Ramaria sect. Dendrocladium due to rhizomorph anatomy. In rhizomorphs of members of Ramaria sect. Dendrocladium, as in the new species R. chocoënsis, peculiar, thick-walled, gnarled, sphere-bearing hyphae are found, a feature unknown for any other higher fungi. A short survey of hitherto known rhizomorph features within the Gomphales is given. The possibility of putting the members of Ramaria sect. Dendrocladium in a separate genus is taken into account. It would be advisable to have additional data by screening the anatomy of the rhizomorphs in other species, to more accurately predict the classification of Ramaria chocoënsis sp. nov.     

Plant functional types and their ecological responses to salinization in saline grasslands,Northeastern China

Photosynthetic pathways (C₃, C₄, and CAM) and morphological functional types (e.g. shrubs, high perennial grasses, short perennial graminaceous plants, annual grasses, annual forbs, perennial forbs, halophytes, and hydrophytes) were identified for the species from salinity grasslands in Northeastern China, using the data from both stable carbon isotope ratios (δ¹³C) and from the references published between 1993 and 2002. 150 species, in 99 genera and 37 families, were found with C₃ photosynthesis, and most of these species are dominants [e.g. Leymus chinensis (Trin.) Tzvel., Calamagrostis epigeios (L.), Suaeda corniculata (C.A. Mey.) Bunge]. 40 species in 25 genera and 8 families were identified with C₄ photosynthesis [e.g. Chloris virgata Sw., Aeluropus littoralis (Gouan) Parlat] and 1 species with CAM photosynthesis. Gramineae is the leading family with C₄ photosynthesis (27 species), Chenopodiaceae ranks the second (5 species). The significant increase of C₄ proportions with intense salinity suggested this type plant is remarkable response to the grassland salinization in the region. 191 species were classified into eight morphological functional types and the changes of most of these types (e.g. PEF, HAL, and HPG) were consistent with habitats and vegetation dynamics in the saline grassland. My findings suggest that the photosynthetic pathways, combined with morphological functional types, are efficient means for studying the linkage between species and ecosystems in this type of saline grassland in Northeastern China.     

Updates on East Asian <Emphasis Type="Italic">Asterostroma</Emphasis> (Russulales,Basidiomycota): new species and new records from Thailand and China

Two new species from northern Thailand, Asterostroma bambusicola and A. vararioides, are described and illustrated. Asterostroma bambusicola is characterized by globose, echinulate, and amyloid basidiospores and growing on rotten bamboo. Asterostroma vararioides is distinguished by the presence of Vararia-like dichohyphae, subglobose, smooth, and amyloid basidiospores and growing on bark of living angiosperm trees. In the phylogenetic tree inferred from a combined dataset of ITS and nLSU sequence data of Peniophoraceae, A. bambusicola forms a distinct lineage in the sect. Asterostroma clade, whereas A. vararioides and A. laxum form the sect. Laevispora clade. Asterostroma andinum, reported from China for the first time, forms a distinct lineage sister to Gloiothele spp. and Scytinostroma portentosum group. Asterostroma muscicola is reported from Thailand and China for the first time. A key to the species of Asterostroma from Thailand and China is provided.     

Three new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Davilla</Emphasis> (Dilleniaceae) from Bahia,Brazil

Three new species of Davilla (Davilla sessilifolia, Davilla minutifolia and Davilla aymardii) from Bahia, Brazil, are described and illustrated. Affinities and diagnostic characteristics of each species are discussed. The new species belong to Davilla sect. Homalochlaena.     

A new species and a new combination in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ctenitis</Emphasis> (Dryopteridaceae) from South America

We describe a new species and propose a new combination of Ctenitis from South America. The new species is from Peru. We named it Ctenitis megalastriformis due to the resemblance to Megalastrum. The new combination corresponds to the species known until now as C. pedicellata. This species should be called C. nervata, based on the older name Aspidium nervatum. Lectotypes are designated for A. pedicellatum and Dryopteris indecora, both considered here to be synonyms of C. nervata.     

Supplementary notes on American Labiatae. X

Notes on the taxonomy and distribution of various species of Labiatae of Mexico, and Central and South America, are presented, as part of a continuing series of supplements to the authors’ earlier monographs. Eight new species are described in the generaHyptis, Salvia, Satureja, andScutellaria. Two new combinations are made, one each inHarlanlewisia andSatureja. A key and revision are given for the six species ofLepechinia sect.Parviflorae.     

Systematic studies in Neotropical <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rinorea</Emphasis> (Violaceae): Two new sections and a new generic segregate

Rinorea, the second most species-rich genus in the Violaceae, has been shown to be polyphyletic with four separate clades recovered in phylogenetic studies. Among these clades is the Rinorea crenata group, which is composed of three Neotropical species. This group has been shown in family- and genus-level molecular phylogenies to be resolved outside of a large clade representing Rinorea s.str. Based on phylogenetic, morphological, and anatomical evidence, Bribria, a new genus, is segregated from Rinorea s.str. and described, with new combinations made for its three species: Bribria apiculata, Bribria crenata, and Bribria oraria. In addition, two new sections in Rinorea s.str. are described to accommodate the remaining Neotropical species: Rinorea sect. Rinorea and Rinorea sect. Pubiflora, which correspond to Group IIa Rinorea and Group IIc Pubiflora, respectively, in W. H. A. Hekking’s monograph of Neotropical Rinorea.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chamaecrista elata</Emphasis> (Leguminosae,Caesalpinioideae), a new species from the highlands of Goiás,Brazil

During the course of a taxonomic study of Chamaecrista sect. Absus subsect. Absus ser. Rigidulae, a new species of Chamaecrista was discovered growing in disturbed areas of Cerrado sensu stricto in the municipality of Alto Paraíso de Goiás. Chamaecrista elata is herein described and illustrated. Morphological comparison with related species and information on geographical distribution, environmental preferences, conservation status, and phenology are provided.     

Taxonomy and phylogeny of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptocoryneum</Emphasis> (Pleosporales,Dothideomycetes)

Species of Cryptocoryneum were taxonomically reassessed on the basis of morphological observations and the results of molecular phylogenetic analysis. Eighteen isolates of Cryptocoryneum species, namely two strains from Africa, three from Europe, and 13 from Japan, were phylogenetically analysed using sequences of nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacers (ITS) and the partial sequence of the translation elongation factor 1α gene (TEF1). The phylogenetic analysis indicated that Cryptocoryneum species formed a monophyletic clade and were closely related to Lophiotrema (Lophiotremataceae) and Aquasubmersa (incertae sedis) in the Pleosporales (Dothideomycetes). We examined holotype specimens of C. fasciculatum, C. hysterioides, and Torula uniformis and concluded that these species are conspecific, with C. hysterioides having priority. Although C. hysterioides has long been regarded as a synonym of C. condensatum, we consider C. hysterioides to be a distinct species within the genus. We found several cryptic species that were morphologically similar to C. condensatum sensu lato, but that could be separated on the basis of conidial size and the number of conidial arms and conidial septa, characters that seem to be informative for species delimitation within Cryptocoryneum. A total of seven new species, namely C. akitaense, C. brevicondensatum, C. congregatum, C. japonicum, C. longicondensatum, C. paracondensatum, and C. pseudorilstonei, are described and illustrated. A key to species accepted in Cryptocoryneum is provided.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Elaphoglossum mickeliorum</Emphasis> (Dryopteridaceae), a new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Elaphoglossum</Emphasis> sect. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Polytrichia</Emphasis> from Peru

Elaphoglossum mickeliorum, a new species from the eastern slopes of the Peruvian Andes, is here described and illustrated. It belongs to E. sect. Polytrichia, which is characterized by the presence of subulate scales and absence of hydathodes on the sterile leaves of adult sporophytes. Herbarium specimens of this new species were first collected by Alwyn H. Gentry ca. 40 years ago, but these got readily confused with E. erinaceum and went undescribed since then. The new species differs from members of the E. erinaceum complex by having a nearly continuous band of planar, nonsubulate scales along the laminar margins of sterile leaves. Based on this character, E. mickeliorum resembles species such as E. glaziovii, E. ornatum, and E. scolopendrifolium. It differs from these by the presence of minute glandular hairs on petioles and costae. A distribution map and a figure with line drawings are also provided. For comparative purposes, the line drawing includes E. blepharoglottis, which is here illustrated for the first time.     

Evolutionary relationships in the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Secale</Emphasis> revealed by DArTseq DNA polymorphism

Till this day, there is not much known about the phylogeny of the Secale genus; therefore, in our research, we tried to shed some lights on the issue of rye (Secale genus) taxonomy. The genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships were evaluated using 13,842 DArTseq? polymorphic markers. The model-based clustering (STRUCTURE software) separated our 84 samples into three main clusters: perennial cluster, annual cluster, and S. sylvestre cluster. The same result was obtained using Neighbour Joining tree and self-organizing maps. Secale sylvestre, S. strictum, and S. cereale are the three main species of the Secale genus. Three samples of rye are in basal positions in phylogenetic trees. These accessions share ancient morphological characters and are probably the ancestors of different lineages within Secale. Annual Secale taxa, with the exception of S. sylvestre, create one mutual taxon. We have found out that the semi-perennial taxa of S. cereale var. multicaule and S. strictum subsp. ciliatoglume are genetically closest to the annual species of S. cereale. Phylogenetic signals for semi-perennial and annual taxa are also present in S. strictum subsp. africanum. SNP-based analysis revealed that evolution of annual S. cereale has already begun in S. strictum subsp. africanum. The results showed that S. vavilovii cannot be considered as a separate species but a subspecies of S. cereale Secale cereale subsp. dighoricum is a hybrid. It is still not clear whether we can consider S. strictum subsp. strictum and S. strictum subsp. kuprijanovii as two separate species.     

A new subspecies of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Centaurea cassia</Emphasis> (Asteraceae) from Turkey

A new subspecies in sect. Jacea (Mill.) DC., Centaurea cassia Boiss. subsp. dumanii M. Dinç, A. Duran &; B. Bilgili subsp. nov., collected by the authors from South Anatolia, is described and illustrated. The new subspecies is restricted to Abies cilicica (Ant. &; Kotschy) Carr. subsp. cilicica forest above Göller Yaylas? (C6 Adana-Kozan). Diagnostic morphological characters from C. cassia subsp. cassia are discussed. The ecology, biogeography and conservation status of the new taxon are also presented.     

Assessing <Emphasis Type="Italic">Azorella</Emphasis> (Apiaceae) and its allies: Phylogenetics and a new classification

Phylogenetic analyses of nuclear rDNA spacers (ITS and ETS) from Azorella and five closely related genera confirm earlier plastid results indicating that Azorella, Huanaca, Mulinum, and Schizeilema are all polyphyletic, and that the monotypic genus Laretia is nested within one of the six subclades of Azorella. Only Stilbocarpa is monophyletic, but that genus is embedded within a larger clade that includes representatives of three other genera (Azorella, Huanaca, and Schizeilema). Both nuclear and plastid datasets identify the same 10 clades, but the placement of these clades remains unstable. A new classification is presented in which these six genera are reduced to a single genus (Azorella) comprising 58 species arranged in 10 sections, one of which is newly described here (Azorella sect. Ranunculus), and one lectotypified (Azorella sect. Glabratae). A total of 13 new combinations are made (A. albovaginata, A. allanii, A. boelckei, A. burkartii, A. colensoi, A. echegarayi, A. echinus, A. hallei, A. lyallii, A. polaris, A. prolifera, A. robusta, A. ulicina), along with three replacement names (A. atacamensis, A. ruizii, A. schizeilema). For each of the 58 accepted species, a full synonymy is provided along with geographic ranges (and nomenclatural notes, where useful).     

More white verticillium-like anamorphs with erect conidiophores

This study focuses on the former Verticillium section Albo-erecta that included white or whitish species with verticillium-like, erect conidiophores. Its type species was Verticillium fungicola, which was transferred to Lecanicillium, a genus that otherwise contains species with prostrate conidiophores. Phylogenetic analysis of ITS, 18S and 28S rDNA sequences revealed that this group is heterogeneous and its members belong to at least three families. The present study is a first step to its resolution. Supported by analyses of 68 sequences of ITS, 23 sequences of 18S and 43 sequences of 28S ribosomal DNA, the species are distributed over three families. In the Cordycipitaceae, Leptobacillium gen. nov. is described with L. leptobactrum comb. nov. and its new variety, calidius. In the Hypocreaceae, Hypomyces is treated with one new combination from former Nectriopsis, H. tubariicola, and two new anamorphic species, H. ellipsosporus and H. subglobosus; in Sphaerostilbella, one new anamorphic species, S. parabroomeana, is described. In the Bionectriaceae, anamorphic isolates of Nectriopsis requiring a new combination, N. lindauiana, and a new species, N. fuliginicola, are described. Parsimony analysis of the LSU suggests that Ovicillium gen. nov. with four new species, O. attenuatum, O. oosporum, O. subglobosum and O. napiforme, is a member of the Bionectriaceae by 93 % bootstrap support. Of uncertain family classification are Chlamydocillium gen. nov. with one new soil-borne species, C. cyanophilum, and Chlorocillium gen. nov. based on Acremonium griseum Petch. A few further white verticillium-like anamorphs, particularly V. biguttatum, could not yet be reclassified.     

Cladogenesis and reticulation in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cuscuta</Emphasis> sect. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Denticulatae</Emphasis> (Convolvulaceae)

As traditionally circumscribed, Cuscuta sect. Denticulatae is a group of three parasitic plant species native to the deserts of Western USA (Cuscuta denticulata, Cuscuta nevadensis) and the central region of Baja California, Mexico (Cuscuta veatchii). Molecular phylogenetic studies confirmed the monophyly of this group and suggested that the disjunct C. veatchii is a hybrid between the other two species. However, the limited sampling left the possibility of alternative biological and methodological explanations. We expanded our sampling to multiple individuals of all the species collected from across their entire geographical ranges. Sequence data from the nuclear and plastid regions were used to reconstruct the phylogeny and find out if the topological conflict was maintained. We obtained karyotype information from multiple individuals, investigated the morphological variation of the group thorough morphometric analyses, and compiled data on ecology, host range, and geographical distribution. Our results confirmed that C. veatchii is an allotetraploid. Furthermore, we found previously unknown autotetraploid population of C. denticulata, and we describe a new hybrid species, Cuscuta psorothamnensis. We suggest that this newly discovered natural hybrid is resulting from an independent (and probably more recent) hybridization event between the same diploid parental species as those of C. veatchii. All the polyploids showed host shift associated with hybridization and/or polyploidy and are found growing on hosts that are rarely or never frequented by their diploid progenitors. The great potential of this group as a model to study host shift in parasitic plants associated with recurrent allopolyploidy is discussed.