According to records available in the literature, 380 species of fungi and fungus-like organisms are known for the state of Quintana Roo on the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico. We carried out mycological surveys in this state, following the classical methods for collecting, describing, and curating macrofungi. As a result of our research, 21 species are recorded for the first time for Quintana Roo, and Amanita arenicola O. K. Milller & Lodge, Inocybe xerophytica Pegler, and Russula cremeolilacina Pegler are recorded for the first time for Mexico. The distinctive characteristics and photographs are provided for the new records. As a result of this study, 401 species of macrofungi are known for Quintana Roo.
Background and Aims: The genus Melanogaster is characterized by its hypogeous to semi hypogeous habit, brownish basidiomata, gel-filled gleba locules, and globose to ellipsoid basidiospores. The genus is distributed in temperate zones, but sequences from Coccoloba root tips and a few basidiome collections have revealed its presence in the tropics. The aim of this article is to describe a new species of Melanogaster based on ecological, molecular, and morphological data.
Methods: Specimens were collected in urban vegetation of Quintana Roo in the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico. For morphological description, the classic protocols for sequestrate fungi were followed. The dried material was deposited in the mycological herbarium “José Castillo Tovar” of the Instituto Tecnológico de Ciudad Victoria (ITCV) and the herbarium of the Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (UADY).
Key results: Melanogaster coccolobae is presented as a new species from the urban gardens of Quintana Roo based on ecological, molecular, and morphological evidence. This species is characterized by its hypogeous to semi hypogeous basidioma, greyish orange, brown to reddish brown peridium composed of two layers, sweet smell, subglobose, ellipsoid or piriform basidiospores, and by its mycorrhizal association with Coccoloba spicata.
Conclusions: Melanogaster coccolobae is the first species described from the Mexican Caribbean from urban gardens with Coccoloba spicata. More studies about the tropical sequestrate fungi are recommended.
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