Publications

Presented at the International Mycological Congress, July 2018

First published by Fries in 1825, the genus Sarea today comprises two accepted species of resinicolous discomycetes. Both species have a very broad range, with S. difformis reported from North America, Europe, and northwestern Africa, and S. resinae reported from North America, Europe, northern and central Africa, and central and eastern Asia. Both species have also been reported in southern hemisphere locations, such as New Zealand, on non-native trees. Both species also have a broad range of hosts in the Pinaceae, with S. difformis reported on Cedrus atlantica and both Sarea species reported on species of Pinus, Picea, Larix, Pseudotsuga, Abies and Tsuga. In addition, S. resinae has been reported on species in the Cupressaceae, including members of the genera Cupressus, Chamaecyparis, Juniperus and Taxodium. With few exceptions, specimens of each Sarea species share a very similar macro- and micromorphology, with specimens from multiple hosts fitting the specific concepts published by Hawksworth and Sherwood in 1981. Some molecular work has been done on the genus, but in almost all cases sequences are not associated with a vouchered herbarium specimen including the sexual morph. The objective of this study is to determine the degree of relatedness of geographically distant specimens collected in North America, Europe, and Macaronesia on different native and non-native host species. With permission, collections have been made of both species of Sarea from California, Georgia and the New England states in the USA, Northern and Southern Europe and Macaronesia. In addition to detailed measurements of the micromorphological features of specimens, ITS and LSU sequences have been generated using Sanger sequencing for analysis and comparison with published sequences. In contrast to the generally only slight morphological differences noted among specimens, ITS sequences from Europe, Asia, and North America not only differ by about 4% from each other, but also when submitted to phylogenetic analyses form multiple well-supported clades for each continent. These patterns are supported by similar analyses using the LSU sequences and ITS+LSU sequences. These clades also point to host specificity at the host family or genus level. In conclusion, the composition of the genus Sarea seems much more complicated than previously reported, with the possibility of multiple cryptic species in both accepted taxa; additional work must be done to further expand geographical and host range sampling of specimens to include in these analyses in order to approach a full picture of the diversity in Sarea.

 A new species, Amanita griseofusca  in section Vaginatae  is described and illustrated here from Pakistan. Distinguishing

characters of the new species include medium-sized basidiomata, greyish brown pileus surface with white to beige, membranous

volval remnants present as one (large) to a few (small) warts, close lamellae which are cream colored with a pink

tone, striations one third of the total pileus radius, broadly ellipsoidal to ellipsoidal basidiospores and white loose saccate

volva turning beige at maturity. Molecular data inferred from partial nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer region (ITS),

partial nuc rDNA larger subunit region (LSU) and partial translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1) confirms the novelty

of the present taxon.

Parasola is a genus of small, veil-less coprinoid mushrooms in the family Psathyrellaceae (Agaricales). The genus is not well documented in Asia, specifically in Pakistan. In this study we describe two new species Parasola glabra and P. pseudolactea from Pakistan, based on morphological and molecular data. Phylogeny based on three DNA regions: nuc rDNA region encompassing the internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2 along with the 5.8S rDNA (ITS), nuc 28S rDNA D1-D2 domains (28S) and translation elongation factor 1α gene (TEF1α) show that the new taxa are clustered in a clade formed by the members of section Parasola of genus Parasola. Parasola glabra with grayish pileus, slightly depressed pileal disc, lamellae separated from the stipe by pseudocollarium, basidiospores 14.5–16.5 × 9.5–11.5 × 8.0–10.5 µm, in front view broadly ovoid to oblong, some with rhomboidal outline, in side view ellipsoid, with eccentric germ-pore of 1.5 µm diameter. Parasola pseudolactea with yellowish brown to dull brown pileus, disc indistinctly umbonate, lamellae free, pseudocollarium absent, basidiospores 13.5–14.5 × 10.5–12.0 × 9.5–10.5 µm, in face view rounded triangular to heart shaped, rarely ovoid to subglobose, in side view ellipsoid to oblong, with eccentric germ-pore of 1.5 µm diam. In addition to these new species, P. auricoma and P.lilatincta were also studied. Morphological descriptions for the new species and comparison with known Parasola species are provided. Our observations highlight the diversity of Parasola in northern Pakistan and further document the need for additional systematic focus on the region’s fungi.

Keywords:

Basidiomycota, diversity, Parasola, phylogeny, taxonomy

The genus Otidea was recently monographed and studied phylogenetically, but knowledge of the diversity and distribution of Otidea species in China is fragmentary. In this study, collections from China were examined morphologically and included in phylogenetic analyses. Using LSU, TEF1-α, and RPB2 new species were placed within previously recognized clades in the genus. The results agree with both Genealogical Concordance Phylogenetic Species Recognition (GCPSR) and genetic divergence as previously reported. Three new species, Otidea hanseniae, Otidea korfii and Otidea purpureogrisea are recognized based on phylogenetic reconstruction using ITS, LSU, TEF1- α and RPB2. Comments on some incompletely known species are added. With the discovery of these three new species, the genus Otidea in China proves to be more diverse than previously recognized.

Keywords

Morphology Otidea hanseniae sp. nov. Otidea purpureogrisea sp. nov. Otidea korfii sp. nov. Pyronemataceae 

The large genus Leucoagaricus (Basidiomycota) is poorly studied in Pakistan, where the northern parts of the country are considered hotspots for biodiversity. Based on morphological and molecular data, five new species are described: Leucoagaricus badius, L. lahorensiformis, L. pakistaniensis, L. sultanii and L. umbonatus. Descriptions and illustrations are given for the new taxa. A phylogeny based on morphology and four DNA regions, including the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 = ITS) and D1-D2 domains of the 28S gene of the nuc rDNA), the gene for RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2) and the translation elongation factor 1α gene (TEF1-α), show that the new taxa are clustered in a clade representing Leucoagaricus section Rubrotincti subgenus Sericeomyces.

KEY WORDS: Agaricales, biodiversity, Leucocoprinus, Malakand, phylogenetic analysis, taxonomy

Gorongosa National Park (GNP) was a frequent battleground during the Mozambican Civil War (1977-1992) and was left unprotected for a decade after cessation of hostilities. In that time, the Park’s fauna was decimated. Today, restoration of the wildlife and tourist infrastructure is advancing apace with support from the Gregory C. Carr Foundation. The establishment of the E. O. Wilson Biodiversity Laboratory in the Park, modeled along the lines of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute on Barro
Colorado Island in Panama, provided an attractive research destination.

We conducted a fungal survey of GNP in June-July of 2016. Our survey was conducted in the beginning of the dry season and our collections represent species in fruit during a season that is not often sampled. We collected voucher specimens at random localities and habitats within the Park, focusing on discomycetes, polypores and anamorphic fungi. Despite a severe drought that had affected the region that year, we made
over 500 collections.

Collections of a species referred to Sarcosomataceae (Pezizomycetes) from eastern North America were studied both morphologically and using nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 = ITS) and approximately 800 bp from the 5' region of the nuc 28S rDNA (28S) to construct a phylogeny. The analyses indicate that these collections are Donadinia seaveri, a species previously known only from Bermuda. Because the associated tree, Juniperus bermudiana, has declined as a result of insect attack, it was thought that D. seaveri might be extinct. This work indicates that it is not extinct but is present in eastern North America. The species is described, new distributional records are given, and its association with the genus Juniperus is discussed.