Observations on tissue morphology and spore ultrastructure of Colostoma junghuhnii (Gasteromycetes)

Abstract

Fresh specimens of Colostoma junghuhnii (Schl. & Müll.) Massee, collected in Nepal, are described. The ultrastructure of the basidiospore wall is compared with that in the three North American species of Colostoma. The spore wall of C. junghuhnii is ornamented with pyramidal warts; that of C. cinnabarina Desvaux, the type species of the genus, is pitted. The ultrastructure of the spore wall in the two species is similar. The distinctive stoma and other features distinguish C. junghuhnii from the other species of Colostoma but do not warrant recognition as a second genus in the Calostomataceae.

Discovery of a rare stiped puffball Calostoma junghuhnii in Neora Valley National Park, India: A new record for West Bengal, India

“…Habitat-wise, the altitudinal range of C. junghuhnii varies from 2380 m in Chipling, Nuwakot District Nepal (Miller and Cotter 1988); 2438.4 m in Sikkim (Massee 1888); 2446 m in the present study; 2500 m in S.E. Tibet (Balfour-Browne 1955); ca.…”

“…However, the spores of the sample from Sikkim were found to be spherical rather than ellipsoid, as in Kuchibenitake. The C. junghuhnii is distinguished from all other species in the genus by its distinctive exoperidial warts, bright orangered ostiole/stoma with convergent, pointed teeth, and bluntly warted/tuberculose, globose spores that are 12.5-18 µm in diameter (Massee 1888;Miller and Cotter 1988).…”

“…Specimens were identified using published literature (Kobayasi 1962(Kobayasi , 1965Chen and Yeh 1975;Massee 1888;Miller and Cotter 1988;Das 2009). Kornerup and Wanscher (1978) were followed for color terminology, while hex color code was used especially for the color of the Ostiole.…”

“…Nepal, India, S.E. China, Bhutan, Java, Taiwan, Japan, East Indies (Balfour-Browne 1955; Chen and Yeh 1975; Massee 1888; Miller and Cotter 1988;Das 2009).…”

The sclerodermatoid fungi

“…More in-depth studies such as that of Castro-Mendoza et al (1983) and Miller and Cotter (1988) are required, especially as a wide range of morphologies, even almost hypogeous, are demonstrated by a series of undescribed taxa from Borneo, some fruiting in forests above 1615 m. If separation is required at generic level, then there are several names available, especially Mitremyces Nees, 1816. Less known suggested synonyms are Husseia Berk., 1847 and Gyropodium E.…”