Volume 48(2), 2009

New Studies in Otidea (Pezizales).
Harmaja, H..
Karstenia 48: 33–48.
Three new species of Otidea (Pers.) Bonord. (Pyronemataceae, Pezizales) are described on the basis of Finnish material: Otidea angusta Harmaja, Otidea caeruleopruinosa Harmaja, and Otidea avidobrunneola Harmaja. They were found in rich woods with more or less calcareous soils in SW Finland. A synopsis with an annotated list of the twenty species of Otidea in Finland is presented, four of the latter as nomina provisoria. The habitat of each species is described more accurately than previously. Two keys are presented, one based on macroscopic and habitat characters, the other on microscopic characters. The characters of the North American O. unicisa (Peck) Harmaja are discussed, the species is retained in the genus in spite of its ornamented spores, and it is reported as new to North Carolina. Two previously unreported responses of the pigment in the outer part of the apothecial excipulum to Melzer’s reagent are reported. The original material of C. H. Persoon’s species referable to Otidea has been revised: no changes in current nomenclature are needed. O. cantharella (Fr.) Quél. is considered to be an older name for O. caligata (Nyl.) Sacc.

Field and moist chamber collections of Paraguay myxomycetes.
McHugh, R..
Karstenia 48: 49–56..
During June–July 2008 the author visited Paraguay with the objective of collecting myxomycetes, and substrates from which they might be cultured. This resulted in a count of 73 species, bringing the total for the country to 90 species. A new species, Physarum minutum, is described.

Finnish records on the genus Inocybe. The new species Inocybe saliceticola.
Vauras, J. & Kokkonen, K.
Karstenia 48: 57–67..
Inocybe saliceticola, a new species of section Marginatae, is described from Finland. It is characterized by ochraceous pileus, bulbous stipe base and weakly nodulose spores. It grows with Salix in moist habitats. The holotypes of I. alnea, I. dunensis, I. obtusiuscula, I. ochracea and I. straminipes are treated. I. straminipes is reduced to a synonym of I. salicis. The synonymy of I. ochracea with I. alnea is supported by DNA analysis. The microscopical drawings of the type of I. obtusiuscula are given for the first time.