Four new species of Russula subsection Roseinae from tropical montane forests in western Panama

Abstract

Species of the genus Russula are key components of ectomycorrhizal ecosystems worldwide. Nevertheless, their diversity in the tropics is still poorly known. This study aims to contribute to the knowledge of the diversity of Russula species classified in subsection Roseinae based on specimens recently collected in tropical montane rainforests in western Panama. A five gene multilocus phylogeny based on the nuclear markers ITS nrDNA, MCM7, RPB1, RPB2 and TEF-1α was constructed to identify the systematic position of 22 collections from Panama. Four new species, Russula cornicolor, Russula cynorhodon, Russula oreomunneae and Russula zephyrovelutipes are formally described and illustrated. None of the four species are sister species and they are more closely related to North American or Asian species. Two of the newly described species were associated with the ectomycorrhizal tree species Oreomunnea mexicana, while the other two species were associated with Quercus species. All four species are so far only known from mountains in western Panama.

Biogeographic history of a large clade of ectomycorrhizal fungi, the Russulaceae, in the Neotropics and adjacent regions

“…However, a tropical African origin has long been posited for Russulaceae based on endemism and morphological distinctiveness (Pirozynski, 1983; Buyck et al ., 1996). In the wider Neotropics, Russulaceae occur in all highland and lowland regions where ECM vegetation is found, and modern work has revealed a plethora of new species (Buyck & Ovrebo, 2002; Miller et al ., 2002, 2012; Wartchow & Cavalcanti, 2010; Cheype & Campo, 2012; Sà et al ., 2013, 2019; Sà & Wartchow, 2013, 2016; Wartchow et al ., 2013; Montoya et al ., 2014; Trierveiler‐Pereira et al ., 2014; Crous et al ., 2017; Delgat et al ., 2020; Duque Barbosa et al ., 2020; Silva‐Filho et al ., 2020; Manz et al ., 2021; Vera et al ., 2021). Several lowland neotropical Russulaceae have affinities with tropical African species (Buyck, 1990; Buyck & Ovrebo, 2002; De Crop et al ., 2017).…”

Forest Type and Climate Outweigh Soil Bank in Shaping Dynamic Changes in Macrofungal Diversity in the Ancient Tree Park of Northeast China

“…Our study found that ectomycorrhizal fungi, wood-decaying fungi, soil saprotrophs, and litter saprotrophs were predominantly present in mixed forests ( Figure 4 b). Ectomycorrhizal fungi, such as Lactarius [ 46 , 47 ], Amanita [ 48 , 49 ], Russula [ 50 , 51 ], and Cortinarius [ 52 , 53 ], are known to associate primarily with Quercus and Pinus trees. Since mixed forests in our study area consist of Quercus mongolica and Pinus koraiensis , it is likely that the presence of these tree species contributes to the higher abundance of ectomycorrhizal fungal species.…”