Rhacophyllus and Zerovaemyces—teleomorphs or anamorphs?

Abstract

JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org. . International Association for Plant Taxonomy (IAPT) is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to Taxon. Summary Redhead, S. A., Seifert, K. A., Vilgalys, R. & Moncalvo, J.-M.: Rhacophyllus and Zerovaemyces-teleomorphs or anamorphs? -Taxon 49: 789-798. -ISSN 0040-0262.The originally monotypic genus Rhacophyllus was conceived for an agaric-like fungus that bore sheets of miniature sclerotium-like bodies (lysomeres) in place of lamellae. Subsequently it was demonstrated that a "normal" Coprinus-like teleomorph exists as an alternative state (morph). Following this discovery, most authors have treated Rhacophyllus as an anamorph. Ontogenetic studies indicate that the Rhacophyllus state is a variation on basidiome production. Rhacophyllus apparently was rediscovered and redescribed as a new genus Zerovaemyces, for which a new family, Zerovaemycetaceae, and a new order, Loculomycetes, were also described, all as teleomorphs. Nomenclatural application of these names are analysed, and it is concluded that Rhacophyllus (and Zerovaemyces, Zerovaemnycetaceae) are best considered to be nomina anarmorphosium. These decisions affect the naming of other taxa newly resolved molecularly. An analogous second case of modified basidiomes involves the anamorph Decapitatus gen. nov., described here for the well-known gemmiferous state of Mycena citricolor, Decapitatus flavidus comb. nov. (= Stilbum flavidum).

Evidence that the gemmae of Papulaspora sepedonioides are neotenous perithecia in the Melanosporales

“…as aborted perithecia) or merely represent large multicellular conidia can be obtained through the examination of similar structures in other taxa. The conversion of structures associated with sexual reproduction into asexual propagules or conidiomata has been observed in a taxonomically diverse suite of fungi, including the Phoma state of some Leptosphaeria species (Samuels 1980), the Rhacophyllus state of Coprinus clastophyllus (Redhead et al 2000), the Decapitatus flavidus (Cooke) Redhead & Seifert anamorph of Mycena citricolor (Buller 1934, Redhead et al 2000 and the Tilachlidiopsis racemosa anamorph of Collybia racemosa (Stalpers et al 1991). The argument for neoteny in Papulaspora sepedonoides is well supported by developmental comparisons; while the development of Papulaspora gemmae is apparently homologous to the initial stages of perithecial development in the Melanosporales it does not share developmental characters with other multicellular asexual propagules.…”

Of mushrooms and chocolate trees: aetiology and phylogeny of witches' broom and frosty pod diseases of cacao

“…This gross modification of the basidioma is not unique within the Agaricales and a similar situation in the genus Rhacophyllus has provoked considerable debate over the past century (Redhead et al, 2000). The latter authors considered it to represent an anamorphic Coprinus, despite the fact that the spores ('lysomeres'), produced within sclerotial-like structures ('bulbils') in an agaricoid basidioma lacking true lamellae, had been considered to be homologous to basidia, with cytological evidence of meiosis (Moreau, 1913).…”

“…Redhead et al . () used the argument that although Rhacophyllous is the earliest known name for coprinoid species, its use to characterize ‘normal agaric basidiomes … would create confusion’. The same logic is employed here with the name Moniliophthora , as this was erected for an anamorphic genus and is duly treated as such in the most up‐to‐date mycological texts (Seifert et al ., ).…”

“…Conversely, Singer (1976) and Pegler (1986) recognised two teleomorphs, based on evidence that both morphs, the Coprinus form and the lysomere-forming Rhacophyllus, as well as intermediate forms, could develop in culture (Maniotis, 1964). Redhead et al (2000) used the argument that although Rhacophyllous is the earliest known name for coprinoid species, its use to characterize 'normal agaric basidiomes … would create confusion'. The same logic is employed here with the name Moniliophthora, as this was erected for an anamorphic genus and is duly treated as such in the most up-to-date mycological texts (Seifert et al, 2011).…”

“…The same logic is employed here with the name Moniliophthora, as this was erected for an anamorphic genus and is duly treated as such in the most up-to-date mycological texts (Seifert et al, 2011). Thus, if there are no changes to the generic diagnosis, then species with true agaricoid basidiomata would not be included, or, at the very least, the situation would be as equally confusing as that of Rhacophyllus-Coprinus sensu (Redhead et al, 2000).…”