Biological species concepts in eastern North American populations of Lentinellus

Abstract

As part of a biosystematic study of the Lentinellus ursinus species complex in eastern North America, field and herbarium specimens from North America, Central America, and Europe were examined. Crossing single basidiospore isolates demonstrated tetrapolar (bifactorial) mating systems. Three biological species are recognized as L. ursinus, L. angustifolius, and L. vulpinus. The production of gloeocystidia and/or chlamydospores is considered taxonomically significant for identifying somatic cultures of these species. All three taxa produced laccase, tyrosinase, and peroxidase in culture and are white-rot fungi. This is the first confirmed report of L. angustifolius from North America.

Key Words:

• Auriscalpiaceae
• Basidiomycetes
• culture mat analyses
• Hericiales
• mating systems
• phenoloxidase enzymes
• systematics