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Type: Article
Published: 2016-10-14
Page range: 1–22
Abstract views: 26
PDF downloaded: 1

Variability, host range, delimitation and neotypification of Amanita simulans (Amanita section Vaginatae): collections associated with Helianthemum grasslands, and epitypification of A. lividopallescens

Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e Biologia dei Sistemi, Università di Torino, Viale P.A. Mattioli 25, I-10125 Torino, Italy
Department of Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genoa, Corso Europa 26, I-16132 Genova, Italy
Via San Marino 111/16, I16127 Genova, Italy
Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e Biologia dei Sistemi, Università di Torino, Viale P.A. Mattioli 25, I-10125 Torino, Italy
Faculté des Sciences pharmaceutiques et biologiques. Université de Lille. 3 rue du Pr. Laguesse, F-59006 Lille, France
British Mycological Society, c/o Wolfson Wing: Jodrell Laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB UK
Via Ronzani 61, I-40033 Casalecchio di Reno (Bologna), Italy
The Beeches, Pleck Lane, Kingston Blount, Oxon OX39 4RU UK
11 Tapton Bank, Crosspool S10 5GG, Sheffield, UK
Rue de la Corvée 2, F-25520 Goux-les-Usiers, France
Institute of Microbiology, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstraße 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Basidiomycota Amanitaceae ITS sequences Pluteoid clade Pluteineae biodiversity taxonomy Fungi

Abstract

Several collections of Amanita species from section Vaginatae have been reported to be strictly associated with Helianthemum plants growing in grasslands, a still largely under-explored ectomycorrhizal habitat. The main aim of this study was to investigate the taxonomic status and phylogenetic position of strictly Helianthemum-associated Amanita sect. Vaginatae taxa, informally named Amanita helianthemicola. Collections from Italy, England and France were included in this study. The morphologically closely related species complex A. lividopallescens was also examined. Analyses were carried out based on both morphological and molecular data (phylogenetic analysis of the nrITS sequences). All investigated Amanita collections, which are strictly associated with Helianthemum nummularium, turned out to be conspecific with A. simulans. Amanita simulans was recently described from Sardinia (Italy) from Populus nigra habitats based on morphological characters only. As the holotype of A. simulans was lost, a neotype is designated here based on a voucher from the original collecting area. Amanita simulans is re-described, and an extensive discussion on the morphological variability, host species range, distribution and related taxa is provided. Amanita lividopallescens was confirmed as a good species, and re-delimited based on our phylogenetic analysis; moreover, it was epitypified with a recent and well-documented collection from Corse (France). Amanita stenospora is a synonym of A. lividopallescens, being a colour form of the latter without taxonomic value.