Biology, morphology, and phylogeny of some strains of the Pleurotus eryngii species complex

Effective methods of preserving the gene pool of valuable edible and medicinal mushrooms are to maintain them in in vitro culture collections and to correctly identify and verify the preserved strains. It is necessary to consider not only the results of molecular genetic studies but also cultural, morphological and physiological characteristics as additional criteria. This article presents data on the colony and mycelial morphology, growth characteristics and temperature tolerance, and phylogenetical placement of four strains of edible and medicinal mushroom from the P. eryngii species complex received into the IBK Mushroom Collection as P. nebrodensis strains. All the studied strains are mesophiles with the fastest growth rate of 11.0 mm/day at 26 degrees C and a lethal temperature of 40 degrees C. In addition to common anastomoses, mycelial strands and clamp connections, the vegetative mycelium of the studied strains formed single colorless round excretory cells on the lateral hyphal ramifications. All cultures were able to form primordia and fruit bodies on agar media. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that all four strains do not belong to P. nebrodensis, but two of them, IBK 1947, 2035 are P. eryngii var. ferulae, and two strains, IBK 1855 and 1927, belong to P. tuoliensis (P. eryngii var. tuoliensis).