Monday, November 26, 2018

[Fungi • 2018] Gymnopus nidus-avis • A New Gymnopus Species with Rhizomorphs and Its Record as Nesting Material by Birds (Tyrannidae) in the Subtropical Cloud Forest from eastern Mexico


Gymnopus nidus-avis César, Bandala & Montoya

in César, Bandala, Montoya  & Ramos, 2018. 

Abstract
A new species of Gymnopus is described on the basis of collections from the subtropical cloud forest of eastern Mexico. Macro- and micromorphological characters, in combination with ITS sequences obtained from fruit body tissues, were used for its taxonomic circumscription. Basidiomata of this species were found growing scattered on fallen twigs of Quercus and also developing abundant long, black, wiry rhizomorphs. The authors discovered that these latter are used as part of nesting material by Mionectes oleaginous (Tyrannidae) inhabiting the subtropical cloud forest studied. A macro- and microscopical description as well as a discussion and illustrations are provided. A new combination in Gymnopus is proposed for Marasmius westii, a synonym of Marasmius brevipes.

Keywords: Marasmioid fungi, Neotropical fungi, nesting biology, Omphalotaceae


Figure 2. Gymnopus nidus-avis: basidiomata (César 36, holotype).
Scale bar: 4 mm 

Gymnopus nidus-avis César, Bandala & Montoya, sp. nov.

Holotype: MEXICO. Veracruz: Municipality of Xalapa, Santuario del Bosque de Niebla, Instituto de Ecología A.C., 1343 m a.s.l., gregarious, on fallen twigs of Quercus, 20 April 2016, Cesar 36 (XAL).

Diagnosis: Pileus pale brown to brown. Lamellae adnexed, distant, very pale brown. Basidiospores ellipsoid to subcylindrical. Basidia 2–4-spored, narrowly clavate. Cheilocystidia 20–39 × 3–8 µm, irregularly cylindrical, with constrictions and small lateral appendages. Pileipellis hyphae with colourless incrustations; terminal elements appendiculate. Pileus and lamellar tissues clampless.
...

Etymology: Referring to the use of rhizomorphs as nesting material by birds.


 Enrique César, Victor M. Bandala, Leticia Montoya and Antero Ramos. 2018. A New Gymnopus Species with Rhizomorphs and Its Record as Nesting Material by Birds (Tyrannidae) in the Subtropical Cloud Forest from eastern Mexico. MycoKeys. 42: 21-34.  DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.42.28894