The genus Polyozellus was originally described by Murrill to accommodate the pileate-cantharelloid taxa of Thelephoraceae. However, molecular data indicate that most resupinate taxa previously considered as belonging to the genus Pseudotomentella form a monophyletic group that includes the pileate taxa in Polyozellus. Accordingly, Polyozellus is now recognized as a more diverse genus, including both pileate and resupinate ectomycorrhizal fungi. Until now, all of the known Polyozellus species have been restricted to the Northern Hemisphere. Repeated excursions to the Nothofagaceae forests in the Andean Patagonia revealed interesting resupinate specimens with simple septa and dimitic hyphal system that morphologically fit the classic concept of Pseudotomentella but do not match any of the described species. Here, using morphological and phylogenetic analyses, we show that this taxon is a new species of Polyozellus. This is the first Polyozellus species described from the Southern Hemisphere, and its occurrence (along with many other endemic taxa) highlights the importance of Patagonian forests as a biogeographically unique hotspot of fungal diversity.
The cultural characteristics and biomass formation of 10 genotyped dikaryotic strains of medicinal polypore fungus Fomes inzengae (Polyporaceae, Agaricomycetes) isolated from basidiomata collected from the Ijevan, Aparan, and Yerevan floristic regions of Armenia from Acer platanoides, Carpinus betulus, Fagus orientalis, Juglans regia, Populus nigra, and Salix alba trees have been studied. All strains formed cottony and cottony-felt, whitish-creamy and cinnamon-brown colonies on a 1.5% malt-extract agar (MEA) medium with an average growth rate (GRavr) of 7.5–10.0 mm·d−1 and 8.7–11.5 mm·d−1 at 26 and 30 °C, respectively. The GRavr of mycelia at 30 °C after 30 d pre-incubation at 4 °C decreased by 21.8%–33.0%. Taxonomically significant single round-shaped hyphal clamp connections, cuticular cells, chlamydospores, and crystals were observed in all strains. The fruiting bodies were developed in all cultures in a day/night regime, except the Fi/16 and Fi/20 strains, over 2–3 weeks after 14 d of incubation in the dark. The studied strains accumulated 4–5.5 g·L−1 of air-dried biomass over 21 d of static growth on a liquid malt-extract medium (pH 6), decreasing the medium pH by 11.7%–18.3%. The drying dynamics of wet biomass at room temperature lasted 4 d. The ratio of wet to dry biomass was about 20:1. The revealed mycelial characteristics are required to control the purity of cultures during biotechnological cultivation of F. inzengae. Further studies of eco-geographically different collections of F. inzengae will reveal the optimal growth conditions of selected productive strains to develop mycelium-derived innovative biotech products with high demand in biomedicine and bio-industry.
Macrofungi play a crucial role in forest ecosystems as primary decomposers and recyclers of nutrients. However, many valuable species in many areas remain under-documented. The unexplored biodiversity, varied habitats, and ambient climate of the Lower Magat Ecotourism Park (LMET) in Diadi, Nueva Vizcaya, make it an ideal site for mushroom exploration. Thus, this study aimed to provide a preliminary inventory of macrofungal composition and ecological distribution in the LMET to serve as baseline information, with identifications based primarily on morphological characterization. Purposive and opportunistic sampling was done on three identified collection sites: the riparian forest (RF), secondary forest (SF), and reforestation (RE) areas for three consecutive months, July, August, and September 2025. Recorded environmental conditions showed an average temperature ranging from 25 to 31 °C, relative humidity from 85% to 95%, and soil pH between 6.5 and 7.0. Results showed that the identified macrofungi belong to 2 phyla, 5 classes, 12 orders, 37 families, 91 genera, and 129 morphospecies. The RE area recorded the highest number of species (n = 81). Temporally, July and September showed high species presence, while a decline was observed during the month of August. The mid-elevational ranges (271–310 masl) hosted the highest species count. NMDS and PERMANOVA revealed that the variations in community structure revealed no significant difference (p > 0.05) across the three collection sites and sampling months. The computed Shannon index (H’ = 6.03) reveals a very high level of macrofungal diversity, highlighting a complex ecosystem that necessitates sustained conservation efforts to ensure the preservation of these vital ecological resources.
