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Abstract
Sedecula is a monotypic genus of hypogeous fungi that is rare and endemic to dry conifer forests of the western United States. The only known species, Sedecula pulvinata, was described in 1941 and its taxonomic placement and trophic status have remained uncertain ever since. Here we employ isotopic and molecular phylogenetic analyses to determine its nutritional mode and placement on the fungal tree of life. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that S. pulvinata is closely related to the genus Coniophora, in Coniophoraceae (Boletales). Stable isotope comparisons with known ectomycorrhizal and saprotrophic fungi together with phylogenetic evidence also suggest that S. pulvinata is saprotrophic. We conclude that Sedecula likely represents a unique morphological transition between a resupinate basidiocarp morphology (in Coniophora and relatives) and a hypogeous, sequestrate basidiocarp morphology (in Sedecula). Spore dimensions are amended from the original description.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Greg Bonito, Jonathan Frank and Darlene Southworth for preliminary sequencing. Michael Wood generously provided a color photo of Sedecula pulvinata for use in this paper. Grant NSF-0843366 to E. Hobbie supported a portion of this work. Participation of M. E. Smith was financially supported in part by the University of Florida’s Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS). MICH and OSC herbaria generously provided sample specimens for analysis. Two reviewers provided helpful suggestions to improve the manuscript.