The rare distinctive species Geoglossum hakelieri was discovered in Slovakia (Central Europe) for the first time, representing the only known locality outside Denmark, Norway, Russia, and Sweden. Its morphological characteristics are given, and its intraspecific variability is briefly evaluated. Particularly noteworthy is the presence of hyaline, 0–3-septate, relatively short ascospores, a feature unique within the genus Geoglossum . The weak amyloid reaction of the ascus walls in Melzer’s and Lugol’s reagents, together with the microstructure of the stipe surface, is reported for the first time for this species. Phylogenetic analyses of the nrITS1–5.8S–ITS2 and nrLSU regions unequivocally confirm the conspecificity of the Slovak and Norwegian collections. Habitat characteristics and co-occurring grassland fungi are also provided. To date, this remarkable taxon is known in Slovakia from a single locality, the Besník saddle.
The diversity of Clavariadelphus species in oak-hornbeam dominated forests of the Czech Republic was clarified using DNA sequences of the ITS region of the ribosomal RNA gene. We report four species from the habitat: C. flavoimmaturus , C. griseoclavus , C. pistillaris , and C. xanthocephalus . A generally poor match between identification based on morphological characters and ITS sequences was observed, which questions the validity of morphological characters used in identification keys. Clavariadelphus griseoclavus is newly reported in Europe and its possible conspecifity with the older species C. helveticus is discussed. The recently described East Asian species C. khinganensis is likely to be conspecific with C. xanthocephalus .
Although transfers and invasions of alien fungi and oomycetes to new environments have ecological and economic impacts comparable to those of plants and animals, their importance has so far been underestimated. Here, we compile accessible records of alien species from these two groups. Extensive research of data across literature, on-line databases, herbaria, and institutional and personal collections has resulted in the first list of alien and cryptogenic fungi and oomycetes for the present-day area of the Czech Republic. A total number of 352 alien taxa recorded in the period 1813–2022 includes 38 archaeomycetes (i.e. species introduced into Europe before 1492), 310 neomycetes, and 4 unranked species. The highest proportion of alien fungi and oomycetes originated from North America, Europe, and temperate Asia. From the taxonomic point of view, ascomycetes represent the highest proportion of alien species, while at the class level, Peronosporomycetes , Dothideomycetes , Leotiomycetes , Pucciniomycetes , Sordariomycetes , and Agaricomycetes are the most frequent. Plant parasites prevail, whereas saprotrophic fungi are less numerous and other ecological groups are rare: six mycorrhizal fungi and two wild animal parasite species have been recorded in the Czech Republic. An assessment of potential risk indicated that numerous species impact (in order of frequency) horticulture, agriculture, and forestry. We identified 56 casually introduced species, 156 naturalised taxa, and 72 invasive species. Significant ecosystem damage may be expected for 36 introduced species, six of which can be classified as transformers. Five species were classified as eradicated. The terminology used in invasive plant and animal biology was adopted, with minor modifications to reflect the specificity of fungi and oomycetes. Natural and geopolitical conditions are discussed and taken into account in the proposed general scheme of invasions of fungi and oomycetes representing an integral part of neobiota and sharing invasion principles and rules with alien macroorganisms.
The article presents the first record of the very rare corticioid species Scytinostromella humifaciens in the Czech Republic. Macro- and microscopic characters of the species are described and supplemented with photographs of basidiomata and habitat, line drawings and a microphotograph of microscopic characters as well as a discussion on its ecology and distribution.
During a survey on root endophytes in mining areas, Aquapteridospora sp. was isolated from the roots of Pinus densiflora and Miscanthus sinensis . Morphological observation and molecular analysis revealed it to be an undescribed species. Here we provide its description as a novel taxon, A. rhizicola , with its phylogenetic position.
Three years after a large-scale fire in the Bohemian Switzerland National Park (Czech Republic), the rare species Obba rivulosa was found at three locations. Its basidiomata grew on burnt stumps of Picea abies and on a fallen, charred trunk of Pinus sylvestris . The macromorphological and micromorphological characters of the found basidiomata are briefly summarised. The obtained ITS barcode fits the European subpopulation, which may represent a cryptic species. Habitats of the finds are described and discussed in detail. The occurrence of O. rivulosa on burnt wood is reported in the literature, but its connection to this substrate may be stronger than previously expected. This is evidenced by the fact that during the long history of intensive research on polypores in the Czech Republic, the species had never been recorded, while it recently suddenly appeared at three burnt sites within one year.
The article summarises records of wood-inhabiting macrofungi from a week-long research trip to Wigry National Park and Suwałki Landscape Park in Poland, a lowland landscape significantly modelled by former continental glacier and sedimentary-erosive activity of subglacial waters. A total of 41 species of macromycetes are published, 33 of which are not listed in the latest summary work on the fungi of Wigry National Park. Some very rare species were recorded, e.g. Erastia ochraceolateritia , the most valuable ones including those having a montane-boreal distribution character, e.g. Phellinidium ferrugineofuscum , Phlebia serialis , and Skeletocutis biguttulata . The most valuable localities included the strictly protected natural forests with a long continuity of development, hosting species such as Amylocorticium subincarnatum , Crustoderma dryinum , Hermanssonia centrifuga , Jacksonomyces subulatus , Pycnoporellus fulgens , and Rhodofomes roseus , as well as remnants of natural stands around lakes and on steep slopes of moraines, where, in addition to some of the already mentioned species, also e.g. Porotheleum fimbriatum was found. Detailed information about the records is provided for all species and notes on taxonomy, ecology, and distribution in Poland and Europe are added for rare fungi and species associated with natural habitats.
In this study, we combined classical taxonomy, DNA barcoding, environmental metabarcoding, and citizen science to assess the diversity and distribution of the genus Sarcoscypha in Ukraine. A targeted citizen science campaign yielded 53 specimens, enabling detailed morphological and molecular characterisation. Only two species, S. austriaca and S. coccinea , were confirmed. Morphological identification was best achieved based on the shape of the excipular hairs and spore size, although some overlap was observed. The ascoma survey revealed that S. austriaca is the most common and widely distributed species in Ukraine, whereas S. coccinea is rare and geographically restricted. However, environmental DNA detected in soil samples revealed a broader range for S. coccinea than indicated by fruitbody records, suggesting that climatic or microhabitat constraints may limit the formation of apothecia. Modelling the probability of presence of the genus Sarcoscypha based on 298 fruitbody records and 13 environmental variables showed that the proportion of deciduous tree species was the strongest predictor of presence, with limited explanatory power of climatic variables. Our results demonstrate the power of integrating citizen science and molecular tools to assess fungal diversity, while also revealing the limitations of presence-only models in capturing ecological nuances in ephemeral fungi.
Based on a long tradition of field research aimed at this group, stipitate hydnoid fungi belong to the best explored macromycetes in Czechia. However, following groundbreaking taxonomic changes emerging from recent molecular studies, previous knowledge of particular taxa and their features has been questioned. To resolve this issue, selected specimens of Czech hydnoids were sequenced to confirm their identity. Generally, the presence of 39 taxa of Boletopsis, Hydnellum, Phellodon, and Sarcodon in the Czech Republic was confirmed, including the recently described species Boletopsis mediterraneensis, Hydnellum bomiense, H. fagiscabrosum, H. rubidofuscum, Phellodon aquiloniniger, P. castaneoleucus, and two so far undescribed taxa of Boletopsis and Hydnellum, as well as the recently reported Hydnellum gracilipes, H. illudens, Phellodon secretus and Sarcodon quercinofibulatus. Ecological requirements of newly delimited species are specified based on collection data from Czech localities, and GlobalFungi data are presented to supplement the current knowledge of the global distribution of particular species. Taxonomic issues, identification limits in species complexes, ecology, and threats to the species are discussed in relevant cases. Several more species, documented from or probably present in Czechia but not sequenced yet, are commented as well.
Despite being under intense deforestation pressure, few studies regarding the Brazilian Amazon have focused on the diversity of puffball fungi, which makes taxonomic studies in this region particularly relevant. Thus, the present work aimed to describe a new species of Lycoperdon found in Jamari National Forest, Rondônia, Brazil. Macro- and micromorphological features of the basidiomata were analysed, and the species was proposed based on comparative analyses with related taxa. Lycoperdon jamariense sp. nov. is characterised by subglobose to depressed globose basidiomata, an exoperidium covered with small spines which partially fall off at maturity, a compact cellular subgleba, a conspicuous diaphragm, and a paracapillitium covered with glebal membranes. The combination of a distinct diaphragm, characteristic of subgenus Vascellum , and a paracapillitium with glebal membranes, typical of subgenus Morganella , has not been reported in any other species of Lycoperdon , making this taxon morphologically unique. This is the second record of a Lycoperdon species from the State of Rondônia and adds to the limited knowledge of gasteroid fungi in the Brazilian Amazon.
Clathrus treubii (C. Bernard) Lloyd ( Phallaceae ) is a rare stinkhorn fungus which can be recognised by its red to pink receptacle, not fused at its base. This macrofungus was originally described from fresh material found in Bogor Botanical Garden (Indonesia) in 1906, and later, in 1980, from material preserved in spirits. To date, no subsequent occurrence of C. treubii from the type locality has been reported. This study is aimed at updating the current knowledge of C. treubii , providing a morphological description, and contributing to the molecular data of this species. During field surveys in the forest at the IPB University campus (Bogor, Indonesia) in 2022–2023, the basidiome of a red Clathrus was spotted. The fresh basidiome was studied and the combination of morphological and molecular analysis confirmed the identity of the specimen as C. treubii . The morphology of the basidiome is described based on macroscopic and microscopic features, and illustrations are provided. The molecular and phylogenetic analysis was made using ITS rDNA sequence data. The collected specimen is designated as an epitype due to the impossibility of sequencing the DNA of the holotype. This study provides the first molecular data on C. treubii and can be used for future studies of Phallales .
All groups of macrofungi were monitored on 32 decaying trunks of Norway spruce in Białowieża National Park, Poland. Spruce is a declining keystone species there. By means of a fruitbody-based survey, we captured 272 species in total, with 11–63 species per trunk. We registered 59 species of the Polish Red list and 30 species unpublished from Białowieża National Park, especially ones with inconspicuous fruitbodies. Detailed monitoring proved to be an effective way to capture them. The species number on individual trunks was significantly correlated with decay stage, shrub cover above the fallen trunks and trunk diameter. The most species-rich trunks were those in decay stages II and III, simultaneously having the largest diameter and shrub cover. These had the highest diversity, some even in comparison with previously published data. The species composition significantly reflected the different decay stages, trunk contact with the soil, trunk diameter, and shrub cover. Increased shrub cover was accompanied by a rich occurrence of corticioids and small agarics, apparently supported by a humid microclimate under the canopy of young trees. A total of 48 species were classified as generally rare, preferring natural forests, or associated with boreal/montane ecosystems. The most interesting of them, e.g. Amylocystis lapponica , Antrodiella citrinella , Crustoderma dryinum , Fomitopsis rosea , and Steccherinum gracile , were mainly associated with trunks having less contact with the soil. The funga of dead spruce wood in the Białowieża forest is enormously rich. It is distinguished by the occurrence of some extremely rare species ( Cyphelloporia bialoviesensis , Gloeocystidiellum sibiricum , Mucronella pulchra ) and rare boreal or boreal-montane elements ( Asterodon ferruginosus , Boreostereum radiatum , Ceriporiopsis jelicii , Dichostereum boreale , Pycnoporellus alboluteus , Tricholomopsis sulphureoides ). To preserve this diversity, measures will be needed at both the global and local level.
In this paper, we report the first occurrence in Armenia of two fungi belonging to the phylum Ascomycota : the keratinophilic species Onygena equina and a truffle species resembling the recently described Tuber iranicum . We also document the first report of the Basidiomycota species Panaeolus plantaginiformis , along with the rediscovery of Battarrea phalloides , which had previously been considered extinct in the country, with the only known record dating back to 1915. The aim of this study is to contribute to the knowledge of the geographic distribution of these fungi. The ecology and conservation status of the recorded species are also discussed. Additionally, ITS rDNA sequences were obtained from specimens of Onygena equina , Panaeolus plantaginiformis , and Tuber aff. iranicum .
Trichoderma species are commonly used as biocontrol agents to manage various soilborne fungal and oomycete pathogens affecting crop plants. Various organic and inorganic carriers for mass production of Trichoderma intended for field application have been documented in the literature. In this study, Trichoderma asperellum strain SQU7, isolated from Omani soil, was screened for antagonistic activity against Pythium aphanidermatum , the causal agent of damping-off disease in cucumber. In addition, the possibility of using common reed ( Phragmites australis ) for mass production of T. asperellum was explored and its efficacy in controlling P. aphanidermatum -induced damping-off in cucumber was evaluated under controlled glasshouse conditions. The findings showed that T. asperellum provided a strong inhibitory effect on the growth of P. aphanidermatum in the confrontation assay and caused morphological abnormalities in the pathogen’s hyphae as determined by means of scanning electron microscopy analysis. Trichoderma asperellum proliferated well on common reed, and significantly suppressed P. aphanidermatum damping-off incidence in cucumber seedlings grown in pots. This study presents an efficient and affordable approach for the large scale production of T. asperellum , which can be utilised to effectively control damping-off of cucumber in an environmentally sustainable way.
A short report is given on the first find of the poorly known species Aphanodesmium gabretae . This sporodochial anamorphic ascomycete was previously only known as an endophytic isolate from a spruce needle. The newly obtained collection originated from bark of a living spruce twig. Both specimens have an identical morphology, but comparison of their rDNA showed polymorphism. Thanks to the GlobalFungi database, we have been able to demonstrate a contrasting geographical distribution of the two genotypes differing in the rDNA cistron.
Recent mycological research in Slovakia has identified several ecologically valuable grassland habitats. Among them is a site near the village of Čierny Balog, which hosts a diverse assemblage of grassland fungi, including numerous species of waxcaps, club and coral fungi, pinkgills, and earthtongues. Notably, this locality represents a newly documented site of the rare species Microglossum pratense . A detailed characterisation of the site is provided, along with a comprehensive list of all known occurrences of this species. Until 2017, M. pratense had been recorded from only four localities. However, subsequent investigations have confirmed its presence at six additional sites in Slovakia and one in the Czech Republic. Furthermore, inventory list of noteworthy accompanying species of grassland fungi from the newly documented site near Čierny Balog is presented.
This paper reports the first occurrence of basidiolichen Multiclavula corynoides ( Agaricomycetes , Clavulinaceae ) in the Czech Republic, collected in the Šumava Mountains near Železná Ruda. Additionally, we discuss in detail a remarkable find of M. mucida growing atypically on soil in the Šumava foothills. In Europe, three species of Multiclavula are known: M. corynoides , M. mucida , and M. vernalis . Multiclavula mucida is traditionally considered a lignicolous species, typically found on decaying wood in old-growth forests, while M. corynoides is known to inhabit bare soil, often in association with bryophytes. Multiclavula vernalis , a boreo-montane terricolous species, has not yet been recorded in the Czech Republic. The identity of both specimens was confirmed by the nrITS DNA barcode. The discovery of M. mucida on soil is particularly surprising, as substrate type – wood versus soil – often serves as a crucial criterion for distinguishing the species and M. corynoides in widely used identification keys. The paper further discusses the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of European Multiclavula species, highlighting small inconsistencies in diagnostic features, such as basidiocarp colour and spore dimensions, in various sources. Finally, we provide an identification key to these species.
The current knowledge of the lignicolous genus Heteroradulum was clarified for the Czech Republic. The occurrences of both European species, Heteroradulum deglubens and H. kmetii , are based on field collections and herbarium specimens. Heteroradulum deglubens was collected on dead hardwoods in near-natural forests and its identity was confirmed by DNA sequences of the ITS region. Heteroradulum kmetii was collected in warmer parts of the Czech Republic only and differs from H. deglubens in its ecology. An extended host tree spectrum is confirmed for both species.
