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Four New Additions to Helvella (Helvellaceae, Pezizales) from Northern Thailand

Summary

This research discovered and documented new species of mushrooms in Thailand, specifically focusing on the genus Helvella (saddle fungi). The study is significant because it shows that tropical regions contain previously unknown fungal species, expanding our understanding of global fungal diversity. Impacts on everyday life: • Contributes to the documentation and preservation of fungal biodiversity • Helps identify potentially edible mushroom species • Improves our understanding of forest ecosystems and plant-fungal relationships • Aids in the conservation of tropical forests and their fungi • Provides new knowledge for mushroom cultivation and biotechnology

Background

Helvella is the largest genus in the family Helvellaceae and is distributed worldwide, mainly found in mountainous and forested regions in north-temperate Eurasia and North America. While most species have been described from temperate regions, little is known about the genus from tropical regions. Some Helvella species form ectomycorrhizal symbioses with plants and have economic value as edible mushrooms.

Objective

To investigate and document new Helvella species from northern Thailand through morphological and phylogenetic analyses of newly collected saddle-like fungi specimens.

Results

The study identified four species of Helvella from northern Thailand, including two new species (H. atroides and H. orentitomentosa) and two species reported for the first time in Thailand (H. fistulosa and H. rugosa). Detailed morphological descriptions and phylogenetic analyses confirmed their taxonomic placement within Helvella. The findings bring the total number of Helvella species recorded in Thailand to seven.

Conclusion

The study expands our knowledge of Helvella diversity in tropical regions, particularly Thailand, by describing two new species and documenting two new geographic records. The research demonstrates that tropical regions likely harbor undiscovered Helvella species and highlights the importance of combining morphological and molecular methods for accurate species identification.
  • Published in:Frontiers in Microbiology,
  • Study Type:Taxonomic Research,
  • Source: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1182025
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