The Genus Leccinum (Boletaceae, Boletales) from China Based on Morphological and Molecular Data
- Author: mycolabadmin
- 2021-09-06
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Summary
This research examined mushroom species from the genus Leccinum in China, discovering three new species and providing detailed information about their characteristics and relationships with specific trees. The study helps scientists better understand fungal biodiversity in China and the important ecological relationships between mushrooms and trees.
Impacts on everyday life:
– Helps identify edible mushroom species that can be safely collected
– Improves understanding of forest ecosystem health and management
– Contributes to conservation of fungal biodiversity
– Aids in cultivation of economically important mushroom species
– Advances knowledge of plant-fungal relationships important for forestry
Background
Leccinum is one of the most important groups of boletes. Most species in this genus are ectomycorrhizal symbionts of various plants, and some are well-known edible mushrooms, making it ecologically and economically important. Scientific problems include verifying identification of Chinese species, especially those referring to European or North American species, and limited knowledge of phylogeny and diversity of Chinese species.
Objective
To conduct multi-locus and single-locus phylogenetic investigations along with morphological observations of Leccinum species from China, Europe and North America to elucidate species diversity, evaluate phylogenetic relationships, and make morphological and ecological comparisons between closely related species.
Results
Nine Leccinum species from China were revealed and described, including three new species: L. album, L. parascabrum and L. pseudoborneense. The study found that most species exhibit strong mycorrhizal host specificity, with distribution determined by host preferences, climate type and edaphic factors. Species were found in different forest types (temperate, tropical, subtropical) associated with specific plant hosts on mainly acidic soils.
Conclusion
The study confirmed the existence of nine Leccinum species in China, including three new species and two species new to China. The combination of basidioma color, pileal surface morphology, basidiospore size, stipe morphology, color changes when injured, climate type, edaphic factors and host preferences is crucial for distinguishing species in this genus. Most species showed strong mycorrhizal host specificity influencing their distribution.
- Published in:Journal of Fungi,
- Study Type:Taxonomic Research,
- Source: 10.3390/jof7090732