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| (A, B) Scleroderma erubescens; (E) S. separatum; (G) S. squamulosum; (H, I) S. vinaceum Z.W. Ge, R. Wu & L.-R. Zhou, in Wu, Zhou, Qu et Ge, 2023. Scale bars = 1 cm. |
Abstract
The genus Scleroderma contains gasteroid basidiomycetes, which form globose spores with echinulate to reticulate ornamentation on the surface. Based on the morphological observations in combination with molecular data, four new species, S. erubescens, S. separatum, S. squamulosum, and S. vinaceum, were described from Yunnan, southwestern China. Images of fresh basidiomata and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of basidiospores are provided. Phylogenetic analyses based on ITS sequences show that these four new taxa belong to the Scleroderma section Scleroderma.
Keywords: four new species; Boletales; ectomycorrhizal fungi; Sclerodermataceae; taxonomy
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| Basidiomata of Scleroderma species. (A, B) Scleroderma erubescens ((A) Z. W. Ge 4356; (B) Z. W. Ge 4828, holotype). (C–E) Scleroderma separatum ((C) Z. W. Ge 4148, holotype; (D) Z. W. Ge 5394; (E) L. R. Zhou 31). (F, G) Scleroderma squamulosum ((F) Y. J. Hao 373, holotype; (G) L. P. Tang 821). (H, I) Scleroderma vinaceum ((H) J. Qin 197; (I) Z. W. Ge 5651). Scale bars = 1 cm. |
Scleroderma erubescens Z.W. Ge, R. Wu & L.-R. Zhou, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Differs from the similar S. verrucosum in having smaller basidiomata that turn reddish purple to blackish red after injury, smaller basidiospores with longer spikes, a thinner peridium, and hyphae with clamp connections.
Etymology: The species epithet refers to the basidiomata turning reddish purple to blackish red when bruised.
Scleroderma separatum Z.W. Ge, R. Wu & L.-R. Zhou, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Differs from Scleroderma albidum in having warty, peelable squamules on the peridium, smaller basidospores, and clamp connections at the hyphae of the rhizomorphs.
Etymology: The species epithet refers to the peelable squamules on the peridium.
Scleroderma squamulosum Z.W. Ge, R. Wu & L.-R. Zhou, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Differs from the similar species Scleroderma areolatum in having a well-developed stipe, light-colored basidiomata, and smaller basidospores, with abundant attachments.
Etymology: “squamulosum” refers to the scattered, tiny, and thin squamules on the stipes.
Scleroderma vinaceum Z.W. Ge, R. Wu & L.-R. Zhou, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Differs from the similar species Scleroderma verrucosum in the peridium, changing color to vinaceous after damage, with a longer stipe and smaller basidiomata.
Etymology: “vinaceum” refers to the basidiomata turning vinaceous when bruised.
Rui Wu, Lvrong Zhou, Hua Qu and Zai-Wei Ge. 2023. Updates on Scleroderma: Four New Species of Section Scleroderma from Southwestern China. Diversity. 15(6), 775. DOI: doi.org/10.3390/d15060775 [15 June 2023]
