Morphological and molecular studies on Auriculariopsis albomellea and Phlebia albida and a reassessment of A. ampla

Abstract

Auriculariopsis (Corticiaceae, Aphyllophorales) consists of two species: A. albomellea and A. ampla, the generic type. Auriculariopsis albomellea (= Cytidiella melzeri) is an uncommon wood decay fungus known from Europe and the United States. Studies of morphological features and analyses of sequence from the internal transcribed spacer region and a portion of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene indicate that A. albomellea is closely related to Phlebia albida. Thus, the new combination P. albomellea is proposed. Basidioma descriptions and illustrations of P. albida and P. albomellea are included. In addition, morphological studies and sequence analyses of the internal transcribed spacer region and a part of the 18S rRNA gene suggest that A. ampla is closely related to Schizophyllum commune. Auriculariopsis is placed in synonymy under Schizophyllum, and the new combination S. amplum is proposed.

Key Words:

• Cytidiella
• internal transcribed spacer
• Schizophyllum
• 18S ribosomal gene