Molecular phylogeny and morphology reveal three new species of Cantharellus within 20 m of one another in western Wisconsin, USA

Abstract

Three new species, Cantharellus phasmatis, Cantharellus flavus and Cantharellus spectaculus, all previously considered Cantharellus cibarius, are described in this study. The circumscription of these three species from C. cibarius and other Cantharellus species is supported by morphological differences and nuclear DNA sequence data (nLSU, ITS, TEF1). All were found under Quercus spp. in a small plot in Hixon Forest Park in La Crosse, Wisconsin, emphasizing the need for further taxonomic study of even common and conspicuous genera in North America. In addition, a review of the current state of C. cibarius sensu lato systematics is presented, including a review of the recent elevation of C. cibarius var. roseocanus to the species rank. Taxonomic descriptions and photographs are provided for the newly described species.

• Cantharellales
• Cantharellus cibarius
• chanterelle
• diversity
• systematics

Acknowledgments

We thank Daniel Lindner for providing the primary author with training in molecular techniques and assistance with our preliminary investigations. We also thank Bart Buyck, Toby Feibelman and Steve Rehner for helpful suggestions and advice. Many collectors sent in their chanterelle samples to assist in our investigation (Table I), and their contributions are appreciated. We also thank Greg Thorn for sharing unpublished information. Thank you to Anita Baines, Meredith Thomsen and two anonymous reviewers for helpful suggestions for this manuscript.

This study was conducted with financial support from a Graduate Student Research, Service and Educational Leadership grant provided by the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse.