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Tuber torulosum: A new truffle species decorated with moniliform cystidia from Japan

Summary

Scientists have discovered a new truffle species called Tuber torulosum in Japan. This truffle can be identified by its unique bead-like structures on its surface and distinctive spore patterns under a microscope. The discovery adds to our understanding of truffle diversity in East Asia and suggests these truffles may have a wider distribution across the region than previously known.

Background

The genus Tuber comprises ectomycorrhizal ascomycetes that form hypogeous fruiting bodies known as truffles. The Japonicum clade includes Japanese and Chinese truffle species that form single globose pale yellow ascospores per ascus, distinguishing them from other Tuber species.

Objective

To describe and characterize a new truffle species based on molecular and morphological analyses, distinguishing it from closely related species in the Japonicum clade of the Tuber phylogeny.

Results

Tuber torulosum is distinguished by whitish tomentose mycelium partially covering the ascoma surface, moniliform yellowish to reddish cystidia, and ascospore ornamentation with fewer and wider meshes compared to related species. Phylogenetic analyses strongly support T. torulosum as a distinct species within the Japonicum clade with wide distribution in East Asia.

Conclusion

T. torulosum is confirmed as a new truffle species that can be reliably distinguished from T. flavidosporum, T. turmericum, and T. xanthomonosporum through morphological and molecular characteristics. A key to species in the Japonicum clade is provided to facilitate future identification.
  • Published in:Mycoscience,
  • Study Type:Taxonomic Description Study,
  • Source: 10.47371/mycosci.2021.10.005, PMID: 37091221
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