Volume 42(2), 2002
Yeast-like fungal cells in Dominican amber.
Jouko Rikkinen and George O. Poinar, jr.
Karstenia 42: 29–32.
Hundreds of yeast-like fungal cells were found in a fragment of Dominican amber dating back to 15–45 million years ago. While yeast-like fungi are common and important in many extant ecosystems, fossils of these morphs have not been reported previously. All evidence indicates that the fossilised fungi lived in a moist tropical forest and utilised a fluid substrate, possibly plant exudate.
Alciphila vulgaris, a new genus and species of Deuteromycetes.
Harri Harmaja
Karstenia 42: 33–38.
The new form genus Alciphila Harmaja (Hyphomycetes) is described. It is characterized by (i) a superficial mycelium composed of voluminous hyaline hyphae, (ii) conidium development terminally in unspecialized hyphal ends, and (iii) large elongated brown aleurioconidia which possess a thick, complex wall with longitudinal ridges and a hyaline perisporium. The type and only species of the new genus is Alciphila vulgaris Harmaja, which is described as a new species at the same time. Judged from qualitative studies in the field and the herbarium, A. vulgaris occurs in a special ecological niche: on forest litter and mosses which have been impregnated by the urine of European elk (Alces alces L. ), accompanied by some species of the Pezizales (Ascomycetes). The species is reported from several localities in Finland and one in Norway. The interesting ecological niche concerned, a spot which has received elk urine, is discussed briefly.
(Amylolepiota, Clavicybe and Cystodermella, new genera of the (Agaricales.
>Harri Harmaja
Karstenia 42: 39–48.
Lepiota lignicola P.Karst., is referred to Amylolepiota Harmaja, n. gen., as Amylolepiota lignicola (P.Karst.) Harmaja, n. comb. Clitocybe clavipes (Pers. : Fr.) P.Kumm. (as the type) and two related species are separated from the externally very similar Clitocybe (Fr.) Staude to form a new genus, Clavicybe Harmaja. Clavicybe differs from Clitocybe: (i) the spore surface appears rough with a high magnification, the anatomy deviates as (ii) the hygrophanity of the fruit body is different and (iii) the gill trama is irregular. A key to the species is given. 3 new nomenclatural combinations in Clavicybe are made: C. avellaneialba (Murrill) Harmaja, C. clavipes (Pers. : Fr.) Harmaja, and C. squamulosoides (P.D.Orton) Harmaja. A third new genus, Cystodermella Harmaja, is described for a group of species with inamyloid spores segregated from Cystoderma Fayod. 12 new nomenclatural combinations in Cystodermella are made: C. adnatifolia (Peck) Harmaja, C. ambrosii (Bres.) Harmaja, C. cinnabarina (Alb. & Schwein. : Fr) Harmaja, ( C. contusifolia (Pegler) Harmaja, C. cristallifera (Thoen) Harmaja, C. elegans (Beeli) Harmaja, C. granulosa (Batsch : Fr.) Harmaja (type species of Cystodermella), C. japonica (Thoen & Hongo) Harmaja, C. luteohemisphaerica (Dennis) Harmaja, C. myriadocystis (Heinem. & Thoen) Harmaja, C. sipariana (Dennis) Harmaja, and C. subpurpurea (A.H.Sm. & Singer) Harmaja. Special attention was paid to correct nomenclature and author citations.
Newtonia buchananii and its fungal decayers in natural stands.
Tuomo Niemelä and Frank Anderson Mrema
Karstenia 42: 49–66.
Newtonia buchananii (Baker) G. Gilbert & Boutique is a leguminous tree ( Mimosaceae), an emergent in African moist forests, having its main distribution in southern central and eastern Africa. The characteristics and ecology of the tree are outlined. In natural forests the old, large N. buchananii individuals badly suffer of stem cracks and butt rot, caused by various fungi. In this paper decay-causing poroid Basidiomycetes (polypores) are dealt with. A new species, Phellinus newtoniae Niemelä & Mrema, is described from material collected in the Mazumbai Forest Reserve, West Usambara Mts., and the Amani Forest Reserve, East Usambara Mts., Tanzania. It produces perennial, finally large basidiocarps in gaps between the buttresses of old, living Newtonia buchananii trees, being a serious butt-rot and trunk-rot causing pathogen of its host. It belongs to the P. rimosus (Berk.) Pilát complex which is taxonomically difficult; related taxa are compared, e.g., Phellinus lloydii (Cleland) G. Cunn., P. fastuosus (Lév.) Ryvarden, P. merrillii (Murrill) Ryvarden and P. swieteniae (Murrill) S. Herrera & Bondartseva. Ganoderma boninense Pat., Fibroporia gossypium (Speg.) Parmasto and Phellinus sublaevigatus (Cleland & Rodway) P.K. Buchanan & Ryvarden are reported as new to East Africa. Twelve polypore species are dealt with, belonging to the genera Phellinus, Ganoderma, Fibroporia, Microporus and Perenniporia. Statistical data of the spore size variation is given for most species. The other fungal groups appearing on living Newtonia trees are briefly discussed.
