Studies on Hymenogaster (Basidiomycotina): A Re-Evaluation of the Subgenus Dendrogaster

ABSTRACT

Type specimens of Hymenogaster brunnescens, H. diabolus, H. subcaeruleus, H. sublilacinus, H. subochraceus, and H. subolivaceus, originally described in Hymenogaster subgenus Dendrogaster, plus a number of other collections were reexamined. Particular attention was given to variability in spore dimensions within specimens, among populations, and the effect of stage of development on mean spore size. The condusion is that the six names represent but one species, H. sublilacinus. Reexamination of Dendrogaster revealed that the type specimen has spores possessing an apical beak characteristic of members of the subgenus Hymenogaster, that it differs insignificantly in other characters, and is thus synonymous.

Key Words:

• Hymenogastrales
• hypogeous fungi
• taxonomy