Wood Decay Fungi in South Korea: Polypores from Seoul

Abstract

In Seoul, a majority of plant communities have undergone significant changes over the last few decades; however, how wood decay fungi have responded and adapted to the changes in vegetation remains unknown. Through an ongoing investigation of Korean indigenous fungi, ca. 300 specimens with poroid basidiocarp were collected in Seoul during 2008~2012. Morphological examination and molecular analysis using the internal transcribed spacer and nuclear large subunit ribosomal DNA region sequences helped identify 38 species belonging to 28 genera, 10 families, and 5 orders in this area. Among them, three polypores, Abundisporus pubertatis, Coriolopsis strumosa, and Perenniporia maackiae were found to be new to South Korea.

Diversity of Wood-Inhabiting Polyporoid and Corticioid Fungi in Odaesan National Park, Korea

“…For the identification of polyporoid and corticioid fungi, morphological features are examined and compared to those of known species. The molecular identification method of fungal fruiting bodies with 28S (large subunit; LSU) or internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of rDNA sequences has also been used to confirm the morphological identification results in recent works due to the high morphological similarities among closely related species [ 13 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 ]. When nucleotide sequences are generated from the morphologically identified species, the molecular identification method can be used solely when the collected specimens are not suitable for morphological analysis.…”

Taxonomic Study of the Genus Abundisporus in Korea

“…Size of pore, basidia, and basidiospore can be used to distinguish A. pubertatis from A. fuscopurpureus . Although smaller basidia size (10.0~13.0 × 3.0~4.5 µm) of A. pubertatis (KUC20080726-14) was proposed [ 8 ], we correct the basidia size as 18.3~20.0 × 6.3~7.9 µm through the re-examination of the originally recorded specimen (KUC20080726-14).…”

“…In Korea, all wood rot fungi with purple hymenophores were originally identified as F. rosea [ 14 ]. After detailed morphological and molecular studies, some specimens were identified as A. fuscopurpureus [ 4 ], A. pubertatis [ 8 ], or a new species F. incarnatus [ 24 ]. Although superficially similar, these species can be differentiated based on micromorphology, DNA, and ecology.…”

“…Ryvarden [ 5 ]. Six of these species ( A. fuscopurpureus , A. mollissimus , A. pubertatis , A. quercicola , A. roseoalbus , and A. sclerosetosus ) are recorded in Asia [ 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ].…”

“…Before 2006, there were no records of Abundisporus in Korea. After detailed morphological and molecular analyses, two Abundisporus species were identified: A. fuscopurpureus [ 4 ] and A. pubertatis [ 8 ]. Both of these species were previously misidentified as Fomitopsis rosea [ 14 ], as they are superficially similar (e.g., have a purple hymenophore).…”