Articles by Taxonomic Group

Microbotryum marginale is reported for the first time on Bistorta plumosa, based on a collection from the Yukon coast, Canadian Arctic, at 68°55'N. This locality is a new northern limit for M. marginale in North America.

The group of seed-destroying Microbotryum species on caryophyllaceous hosts includes ten species, among which only M. alsines, on Stellaria nitens from USA, is known on Stellaria. Recently, a specimen of Stellaria media from Greece, infected by a seed-destroying Microbotryum species, was found in a phanerogams herbarium. Based on distinct morphology and phylogenetic evidence, this fungus was considered to represent an unknown species which is described and illustrated as Microbotryum graecum. It can be distinguished from M. alsines by having smaller spores, fewer meshes per spore diameter, a different spore ornamentation, wider meshes, and higher spore wall muri.

Two poorly known smut fungi are recorded for the first time from Africa: Tilletia brachypodii-ramosi on Brachypodium retusum (from Morocco) and Ustilago constantineanui on Sporobolus schoenoides (from Algeria). Descriptions and illustrations are provided for these taxa.

Two generic names, Meira and Acaromyces, and nineteen species names of basidiomycetous yeasts, earlier proposed and invalidly published, are validated.

Bauerago (with B. abstrusa on Juncus as the type species) is a small genus in the Microbotryales. Its species infect plants belonging to three, monocotyledonous families, Commelinaceae (Commelina and Tinantia), Juncaceae (Juncus and Luzula), and Cyperaceae (Cyperus). There are four Bauerago species on hosts in the Commelinaceae (three species on Commelina and one on Tinantia). Bauerago commelinae on Commelina communis was studied by molecular and morphological methods. Phylogenetic analyses using rDNA (ITS, LSU, and SSU) sequences indicate that B. commelinae does not cluster with other species of Bauerago on Juncaceae. For accommodation of this smut fungus in the Microbotryaceae, a new genus, Kalmanago, is introduced, with four new combinations: Kalmanago commelinae (Kom.) Denchev et al., K. combensis (Vánky) T. Denchev et al., K. boliviana (M. Piepenbr.) T. Denchev et al., and K. tinantiae (J.C. Lindq.) T. Denchev et al. A lectotype is designated for K. commelinae.

A type specimen of Bauerago capensis, a smut fungus endemic to the Cape Floristic Region, is re-examined and designated as a lectotype. An emended description of that species and for the first time, illustrations of the spores in SEM are presented.

Microbotryum polygoni-alati, known only from India and China, is reported for the first time from Africa (from Ethiopia).

Twelve species of the genus Ganoderma, G. amboinense, G. applanatum, G. australe, G. crebrostriatum, G. curtisii, G. lobatum, G. lucidum, G. mediosinense, G. parvulum, G. ramosissimum, G. resinaceum, and G. subumbraculum, are reported and illustrated from different localities of state of Punjab (India) and its capital Chandigarh, which is also a union territory. Of these, G. mediosinense is a new record for India, while G. amboinense, G. australe, G. curtisii, G. crebrostriatum, G. lobatum, G. parvulum, G. ramosissimum, G. resinaceum, and G. subumbraculum are reported for the first time from the state of Punjab. A key to all twelve species from the study area is presented.

Anthracocystis compacta, known only from the type collection from Senegal, is reported from a second locality, from Mali.

Haradaea moenchiae-manticae is reported for the first time from the Iberian Peninsula (from Spain), on Moenchia erecta subsp. erecta, and from Africa (from Morocco and Algeria), on a new host plant, M. erecta subsp. octandra.

The first Finnish records of Athelia singularis and Leptosporomyces mundus (Basidiomycota) are reported and notes of their habitats and substrata are given. The descriptions of the species are presented as well as their microscopical drawings. The taxonomy of two species is briefly discussed. The new records derived from Northern Finland, Rovaniemi, Pisavaara Strict Nature Reserve.

Four species of smut fungi are reported for the first time from the following areas: Melanopsichium pennsylvanicum from Egypt and Madagascar, Sporisorium foveolati from the Canary Islands and Somalia, Sporisorium lanigeri from Somalia, on a new host, Cymbopogon pospischilii, and Urocystis corsica from the Canary Islands. Echinochloa stagnina is a new host of Ustilago trichophora in Africa (based on a record from Zambia).

Tilletia lolioli, previously known only from Lebanon and Iran, is reported from Armenia.

Leucocintractia scleriae is reported for the first time from Japan.

The basidiomycete Hyphobasidiofera malaysiana, described from Malaysia, has been found in Vietnam for the first time. This hitherto rarely encountered species is described, illustrated and discussed.

The data about some interesting representatives of the genus Conocybe found in Ukrainian Carpathians (Vyzhnytsia National Nature Park) are presented. A total of 14 taxa (including three varieties) were found. Four species and one variety new for this country (C. apala, C. inocybeoides, C. juniana var. sordescens, C. magnispora, and C. tuxlaensis) are reported, as well as some previously unknown localities for a further 9 taxa (C. echinata, C. hexagonospora, C. juniana var. subsejuncta, C. macrospora, C. pulchella, C. rostellata, C. siliginea, C. subpallida, and C. subxerophytica var. brunnea).

This work provides new information about five interesting and uncommon hypogeous fungi from Greece – Balsamia vulgaris, Geopora clausa, Hydnocystis piligera, Sclerogaster compactus and Wakefieldia macrospora. Descriptions of the five species are included based upon Greek collections, accompanied by colour macro- and microphotographs, and molecular data of four of them. On the basis of molecular results, the genus Wakefieldia seems to be closely related to Hebeloma in the Hymenogastraceae, while Geopora clausa appears to be related to Geopora in the Pyronemataceae.

Agrocybe pediades is a rather widespread species mentioned in many Russian regional check-lists. However, there is no agreement among different authors concerning the volume of this species. Some of them recognize single polymorphic species A. pediades with several intraspecies groups. In this case Agrocybe arenicola, A. semiorbicularis and A. subpediades are accepted as synonyms of A. pediades. Under another above-listed species are considered as a group of close but separate taxa. In this research the representatives of A. pediades species complex collected in different parts of Russia have been studied using both molecular and morphological techniques. The analysis of nrITS1-5.8-ITS2 regions has revealed one large well supported clade consisting of specimens labeled before this study as Agrocybe arenicola, A. pediades, A. semiorbicularis and A. subpediades. This clade was characterized by the absence of the reliable morphological differences between included collections. The obtained results correspond to the wide species concept of A. pediades. Several small subclades have been also revealed inside the main clade. Most of them were inconstant with low bootstrap support in NJ, MP and ML analyses. They were shown to belong presumably to A. pediades var. pediades. One subclade recovered in all analyses with high bootstrap support was characterized by some distinct morphological features and was considered afterwards as a new variety of A. pediades – var. bispora. Therefore, all known so far Russian collections belong to A. pediades var. pediades and A. pediades var. bispora.

Synnemacrodictys stilboidea on Ailanthus altissima and Juniperus chinensis is recorded for the first time from Korea and Asia. Occurrence of Diplodia subtecta on Acer palmatum, Melanconis aucta on Alnus glutinosa, and Microbotryum stellariae on Stellaria graminea is reported from Bulgaria. Records of three larger basidiomycetes are given as new for Ukraine (Cantharellus amethysteus) and Bulgaria (Sarcodon joeides and Pluteus salicinus). A new Turkish record of a myxomycete, Physarum perfectum, is also presented.

Examples from the spectacular and economically important fungus genus Boletus illustrate the current state of and recent events in fungal conservation in Bulgaria. National legislation is reviewed as a base for conservation and sustainable management of fungi. The evaluation approach and application of IUCN criteria for boletes on the new national Red List are illustrated by suitable examples.

Nature conservation and conservation training in Africa are actively pursued and receive much international interest, but there is little awareness of fungi, of their importance, their uses, their unexplored diversity and the need to protect them. This review summarises the current state of fungal conservation in Africa, describes the recent establishment of the African Workgroup on Fungal Conservation, and discusses possible ways forward for fungal conservation on the continent.

Fungal conservation needs a good knowledge of the ecology and distribution of target species. A computerized database is essential to store large amounts of records which can be enhanced and corrected. Three examples are given to illustrate the potential of a database for conservation management and developing conservation strategies. Distribution maps and especially estimated areas of occurrence, obtained by modelling, help build reliability. Associated organism of wood-inhabiting fungi identifies pioneer trees as exceptionally rich woody substrata which have implications in forestry management. The correlation between area size and number of inhabitants reveals the importance of urban areas for conservation.

The need for conservation of fungi in Europe has arisen after it was found in several countries that hundreds of fungal species have become extinct. Although Greece is located at the southernmost end of Europe in the Eastern Mediterranean, in a climatic zone characterized by long periods of drought, its mycota appear quite rich and unique. In recent years, Greek and also foreign companies have been picking enormous quantities of edible mushrooms from restricted geographical regions on a commercial level. There is no legislation as yet to monitor this new activity and to certify the mushrooms that are consumed by the public. After studying this situation, a technical committee submitted a proposal in 2007 for legislation to be introduced in order to protect the public from possible mushroom poisoning and also to regulate mushroom picking in an effort to conserve the fungal biodiversity. Sadly, the proposal has not been forwarded accordingly, the reason being “it was opposed by commercial interests”. It is concluded that in addition to having an integrated and sound scientific proposal on the subject, political will is also necessary.

Fungi merit protection no less than other living organisms. This is best effected using when ex situ conservation complements in situ conservation. Ex situ conservation means preservation and maintenance of fungal genetic resources in pure culture. Culture collections (“genetic resource collections” and “biological resource centres”) play a key role in successful storage of fungal strains. Specialist organizations direct global co-ordination of culture collection activities in conservation, research, and sustainable use of genetic resources. In Russia the largest culture collection preserving fungi (and various groups of micro-organisms) is the All-Russian Culture Collection (VKM), with over 5000 fungal strains. Ex situ conservation of macromycete diversity is carried out by the Komarov Botanical Institute Basidiomycetes Culture Collection (LE–BIN), a specialized collection maintaining taxonomic diversity of macromycetes with an emphasis on rare, endangered and ectomycorrhizal species, medicinal fungi, and strains useful for biotechnology. Currently that collection maintains over 1600 strains of about 600 species from 184 genera, 51 families, and 8 orders of macromycetes. The LE–BIN culture collection has been developed for ex situ conservation of as many macromycete species as possible.

Australia’s biota, including fungi, is highly diverse and highly endemic with many species also highly at risk of extinction. Despite ratifying international conventions and the development of national biodiversity conservation strategies, little has changed in the conservation status of Australian fungi over the last decade. Fungi remain largely neglected in most conservation legislation, notwithstanding their importance to ecosystem functioning and consequently to humanity, and there are very few mycologists employed in reference collections or conservation agencies. Few fungi have been included on formal threat status lists and a coordinated national approach toward compiling a threat status list for fungi is urgently required. Given the anthropogenic impacts on biodiversity including climate change, increases in wildfire and subsequent habitat destruction, there is a pressing need for recognition and incorporation of fungi in management and conservation initiatives. Community groups are making an increasingly significant contribution to fungal conservation, especially through mapping and monitoring, but their efforts need greater support from government. There remains a need for a coherent national strategy for the conservation of Australian fungi.

The New Zealand Government’s Department of Conservation facilitates assessment of the threat status of all species of New Zealand’s fauna, flora, and fungi on a regular basis. Fungi have been included in these assessments since 2002, and this has stimulated renewed research and awareness of fungal conservation. Assessment has centred mainly on macrofungi and obligate species on threatened plants. Currently, 49 fungal species are listed in the highest threat category (Nationally Critical), 16 species in lower threat categories, and about 1440 species as Data Deficient. In a complementary initiative, the Department is prioritising long-term recovery plans of all species of New Zealand’s threatened taxa that are in decline through evaluation of methodology, feasibility, and cost. This work includes the fungi. To support this work, recent studies have applied molecular techniques to seek new records of Data Deficient fungal species to more accurately define their threat status.

Fungal conservation started attracting the attention of mycologists when the decrease of certain groups of macrofungi became prominent in some countries in the 1980s. Today accurate information on habitat types, substrates, and host specificity of species especially in a semi-quantitative form, are most needed. There is need to pay special attention to experimental studies on the impact of man’s influence on the ecosystems and consequently on the mycoflora. Good legislation on threatened species and communities exists in Cameroon. However, there are no evaluation on the conservation studies of Cameroonian fungi, no comprehensive threat assessment for fungi, no culture collection and maintenance centres and no national organ to promote fungal protection and conservation. Poor public perception and knowledge of fungal diversity, lack of personnel, and public and stakeholder education and training should also be given priority.

More than 1,000 species of fungi have been reported from the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic region. Most are species known from elsewhere in the world, particularly from cool temperate and alpine habitats: few are considered truly endemic to the Antarctic region. Several legislative mechanisms are available that could be used to protect or conserve the Antarctic mycota. These include national legislation within the sub-Antarctic islands, and the Measures and Decisions of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting which have jurisdiction within the Antarctic Treaty area south of latitude 60° S.

Data on 30 species of agaricoid basidiomycetes searched out for the first time in the Western Caucasus are given. As a result, the species diversity of studied region is estimated at 867 agarics taxa.

Fifty-eight species and seven varieties of fungi and one protozoan associated with Cistus spp. have been collected and studied in the Sierra Calderona Nature Reserve, Castellón–Valencia, Spain. Significant diagnostic characteristics are given for some of them. Several species that belong to Myxomycota, anamorphic fungi and Basidiomycota are of special interest: Agrocybe ochracea, Cladosporium tenuisimum, Cortinarius scobinaceus var. volvatus, var. nov., Entoloma malenconii, Gymnopus lanipes, Hebeloma plesiocistum, Inocybe amblyspora, I. splendens, Inocybe cf. squarrosa, Lindbladia tubulina, Lyophyllum cistophilum, Melanoleuca polioleuca, M. subpulverulenta, Panaeolina foenisecii, Tomentellopsis pusilla and Tulostoma macrocephalum.

This is the first combined checklist of corticioid and polypore species from the territories in the Caucasus region, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russian Caucasus, NE Turkey, and N–NW Iran. Altogether 389 corticioid and 246 polypore species are known from the area, 74 of which are reported as new to the entire region. Each record includes literature references, and, when available, selected unpublished specimens deposited in herbaria or collected recently are listed. The distribution of each species in the Caucasian countries is summarized, and brief notes are provided for some species. Finally, a table and a diagram representing the number of corticioids and polypores and the ratio of these in each country are provided. The checklist aims to serve as a baseline for more detailed studies of wood-inhabiting basidiomycetes in the Caucasus region. The importance of this catalogue for fungal conservation is also mentioned.

Information about the first finding in Bulgaria and the Balkan Peninsula of Boletus roseoalbidus (= Xerocomus roseoalbidus) is presented. A description and illustrations are provided upon the Bulgarian collections. Cytospora sacculus on Ailanthus altissima is a new record for Bulgaria. Four ascomycetes, Hyponectria buxi, Plagiosphaera immersa, Pleuroceras pleurostylum, Pseudovalsa umbonata, are reported for the first time from Bulgaria.

Fourteen species of hypogeous fungi have been collected and studied in the province of Castellón in Spain. Significant diagnostic characters are given for some of them. Several species that belong to the Basidiomycota are of special interest: Alpova microsporus, Hymenogastser bulliardii, H. hessei, H. luteus, H. lycoperdineus, H. muticus, H. niveus and Protoglossum aromaticum (= Hymenogaster remyi).

Three names of families in the Pucciniomycotina, Spiculogloeaceae, Erythrobasidiaceae, and Naohideaceae, are validated.

The current article presents information about six species of Agaricus recorded for the first time from Bulgaria: A. albosericeus, A. fissuratus, A. maskae, A. moelleri, A. pseudopratensis, and A. tenuivolvatus.

This work deals with 25 species and 4 varieties of fungi; which were collected in the north-east of Portugal. All of them were associated with Cistus ladanifer except Terfezia olbiensis, which was associated with Cistus ladanifer × Cistus salviifolius. Significant diagnostic characters are given for some of the collected specimens. Several species are of special interest: Amanita muscaria var. inzengae, Cortinarius asiduus var. plesiocistus, Cortinarius cystidifer and Terfezia olbiensis.

The distribution and ecology of forty hypogeous fungi from Sicily (southern Italy) is here pointed out. Hysterangium stoloniferum, Protoglossum aromaticum, Sclerogaster compactus and Tuber maculatum are reported as new records from Sicily. Gymnomyces xanthosporus and Melanogaster umbrinigleba are also new for Italy.

A comparative evaluation was conducted to assess the effects of some environmental parameters such as pH, type of carbon source and temperature on the mycelial growth of two species of ectomycorrhizal fungi, Tricholoma caligatum and Morchella angusticeps. All carbon sources were found to be equally beneficial for mycelial growth. However fructose and sucrose were better sources of nitrogen. Maximum mycelial growth in Petri dishes was achieved at 25 °C after 8 and 20 days for T. caligatum and M. angusticeps respectively. Growth was reduced significantly below 15 °C and above 35 °C. Different pH levels (4.5 to 8.0) markedly affected the mycelial growth of the fungi.

Thirty five isolates of Armillaria were obtained from 15 different host species in fruit orchards and forest regions of Iran. In order to identify species, diploid and haploid cultures were paired with two or three known haploid tester isolates from each intersterile group. Sexual compatibility was evaluated after 6 to 8 weeks based on changes in morphology of haploid colonies from white, with aerial mycelium (fluffy) to brownish, without aerial mycelium (crustose). Citrus aurantium and Abies alba were identified as new hosts of Armillaria mellea; Carpinus betulus was identified as a new host of Armillaria gallica in Iran, which previously has been reported from Serbia and Montenegro. Armillaria spp. isolated from Diospyros lotus, Carpinus betulus, and Alnus subcordata, were not compatible with any tester strains. Diospyros lotus, Citrus aurantium, and Abies alba were new hosts of Armillaria spp. from Iran.

Data are presented on the second record in Europe of Entoloma exiguum. A full description and illustration of the Ukrainian collection, as well as information about its habitat are provided.

A gasteromycetous fungus, Geastrum minimum is newly recorded for the Tunisian mycobiota. It is described and illustrated based on its morphological characteristics.

The genus Cystolepiota is new for Israel. In Israel it is represented by two species: Cystolepiota bucknallii and C. moelleri. Locations, dates of collections in Israel, general distribution, detailed macro- and micromorphological descriptions and illustrations are given.

Entoloma occultipigmentatum var. cystidiatum, a very rare taxon known only from two, Austrian localities, is reported as new for Italy and the Mediterranean region and compared with similar taxa.

Seventy-seven species of coprophilous fungi, including Podospora macrodecipiens sp. nov., were recorded from 43 herbivore dung samples collected from fifteen Aegean islands (from 35-41^o N and 24-28^o E) and subsequently incubated in moist chambers. Collections are described and the occurrence and distribution of species is discussed. The species richness of the Aegean coprophilous mycota is lower than might be expected from simple latitudinal considerations, possibly because of a reduced diversity of herbivores and the island nature of the collections.

The genus Agaricus includes saprotrophic species occurring in a variety of ecosystems. Most of them, however, are confined to grasslands. Forty one taxa have been recorded in Greece to date. Some species, although heavily picked for their gastronomic value, seem to appear in abundance while others, which are inedible, seem to be infrequent or rare. As in recent years grass and pasturelands in Greece have been included in “improvement programmes” and subjected to the use of fertilizers, there is concern about the disturbance caused to the habitats of the Agaricus species and consequent changes in the fungal biodiversity. It is obvious that further research on the ecology and particularly the factors governing the fruiting and spreading of Agaricus species is necessary before any concrete conclusions are reached and any conservation measures are imposed.

In 1999 and 2007 mycobiota of several locations in the Eastern Carpathians, Ukraine was studied. The Chornohora, Svydovets and Horhany mountain massifs were visited, especially locations with natural (primeval or near-natural) forests. Records of 32 rare, threatened or overlooked species of macrofungi are published. Ten of them are probably new to Ukraine (Cordyceps rouxii, Gymnopilus josserandii, Hydropus atramentosus, H. marginellus, H. subalpinus, Hypholoma subviride, Hypoxylon vogesiacum, Lopadostoma pouzarii, Omphalina cyanophylla, Skeletocutis carneogrisea) and 10 can be considered bioindicators of natural forests (Cystostereum murrayi, Hohenbuehelia auriscalpium, Hydropus atramentosus, Hypoxylon vogesiacum, Multiclavula mucida, Omphalina cyanophylla, Phellinus nigrolimitatus, P. pouzarii, Rigidoporus crocatus, Skeletocutis stellae). The records are compared with the mycobiota of the Poloniny National Park, Slovakia and with data on indicator species of fungi from abroad. The Eastern Carpathians (covering parts of Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine and Romania) seem to be the best refugee for rare (especially lignicolous) fungi of mountain beech and mixed forests in Europe.

Physarum galbeum is reported for the first time from Turkey. Four species of fungi are recorded for the first time from Bulgaria (Botryosphaeria visci on Viscum album, Erysiphe elevata on Catalpa bignonioides, Erysiphe flexuosa on Aesculus hippocastanum, and Scleroderma polyrhizum). Additionally, Botryosphaeria visci is a new record for Romania.

Cladosporium aecidiicola on spermogonia of Tranzschelia pruni-spinosae on Anemone ranunculoides is reported from Austria. It is the first record of this species from spermogonia. The following new records are reported for the first time: Merendera attica, as a new host of Urocystis colchici (from Bulgaria); Helleborus orientalis, as a new host of Urocystis floccosa – a new species for Turkey; Cantharellus amethysteus from Bulgaria; and Badhamia dubia from Turkey. New combinations of Microbotryum viviparum on Polygonum viviparum in Bauhinus, and Neovossia japonica on Alopecurus geniculatus in Tilletia are proposed.

A Puccinia fungus parasitic on cultivated Levisticum officinale was found in various areas of Romania starting in 2000. The fungus is described, illustrated, and identified as Puccinia bornmuelleri, a species previously known from Iran and Afghanistan.

This brief note provides information about the first finding in Bulgaria and the southeastern Europe of Lysurus cruciatus, an alien species in this continent. Description is provided upon the Bulgarian sample.

Ganoderma lucidum and allied species are widespread and cause white rot diseases on economically important crops, hardwoods and forest trees. An attempt has been made to distinguish G. lucidum complex by cultural characteristics. This study showed that the G. lucidum complex in a native collection is represented by G. lucidum, G. resinaceum, G. tropicum, G. weberianum, and Ganoderma sp. Most of the collections were confined to hardwood and rarely found on palm host. All the five species produced chlamydospores with varying shape and size. Ganoderma resinaceum and G. lucidum had an optimum growth rate at 30-35 °C; the former produced larger chlamydospores in culture than the later. Ganoderma tropicum produced cylindrical chlamydospores and had average growth rate at 20-25 °C. Ganoderma weberianum produced both chlamydospores and gastrospores in cultures with optimum growth rate at 30-35 °C. Ganoderma sp. produced both amyloid and inamyloid chlamydospores in culture and had optimum growth temperature of 20-25 °C. All the eight isolates showed positive reaction to acid aniline test.

Antioxidant properties were studied from ten submerged cultivated mycelium Basidiomycetes strains of aphyllophoroid mushrooms using the ß-carotene bleaching method and ten strains using DPPH free-radical scavenging assay. Three different solvents: ethanol, water (culture liquid), and ethyl acetate were used for extraction. The yield of extracts from biomasses depended on the mushroom species and solvent used. Water extracts from Stereum hirsutum 524 and Ganoderma lucidum 545 showed high (74 % and 81 %) antioxidant activities (AA) at 2 mg/ml using the ß-carotene bleaching method. When the ethanol extracts were tested, the highest AA were found in Ganoderma lucidum 545, Stereum hirsutum 524, and Trametes versicolor 1013 extracts (77 %, 68 %, and 72 %, respectively) at a concentration of 2 mg/ml. Water and ethanol extracts from Ganoderma lucidum showed the highest scavenging ability (70 % and 56 %, respectively) on 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals at a minimal sample concentration of 0.5 mg/ml. The scavenging capacity of extracts varied from 1 to 85 % depending on the mushroom species, solvent used, and concentration. Inonotus tamaricis and Trametes gibbosa, exerted high scavenging abilities at low-effective concentrations.

The present paper is based on macrofungal specimens collected from Muğla City, in years of 2004-2005. As a result of field and laboratory studies, seven new records are presented. These are Hebeloma syrjense, H. sordescens, Pluteus robertii, Psilocybe cubensis, P. subviscida var. velata, Stropharia luteonitens, and Mycena rorida.

During field studies two interesting species were recorded for the first time from Bulgaria, namely Pluteus aurantiorugosus (on chestnut wood in Belasitsa Mt near the border with Greece) and Suillus lakei, an allien species, associated with Pseudotsuga menziesii in the western part of Stara Planina Mts. Another unrecorded in this country bolete, Boletus cisalpinus, was recognized on previously misidentified specimen from the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. Descriptions of both species are provided upon the Bulgarian samples.

The present study reports on specimens of macrofungi collected in different localities of Hasandağı Mountain and Göreme District, in the period 1999-2001. The field and laboratory studies resulted in the identification of 66 taxa, belonging to two classes and 22 families. Among them, eight taxa belong to Ascomycota and 62 to Basidiomycota. Moreover, two taxa, Peziza moravecii and Coprinus leiocephalus, are recorded for the first time for the Turkish mycota.

Mycena juniperina (Mycena section Supinea) which was described by Aronsen was collected in Turkey on bark of Juniperus excelsa. It is characterized by small pileus, globose and amyloid spores.

The first official Red List of fungi in Bulgaria is presented where the current IUCN Red List categories are put into practice. It includes 215 species of ascomycetes and basidiomycetes, as follows: 37 Critically Endangered (CR), 105 Endangered (EN), 40 Vulnerable (VU), 14 Near Threatened (NT), and 19 Data Deficient (DD).

Current knowledge of fungal diversity in Sicily is reported based on historical data and recently field records. A preliminary list of rare and infrequent fungal species is also provided.

The European Council for the Conservation of Fungi (ECCF) promotes and co-ordinates efforts for protection of fungi in Europe. Activities over the last 19 years are summarised. The ECCF is seen as a link between research and practice, with provision of information as its most important task. Current projects include European-level mapping of selected species and a European Red List of larger fungi. Examples from various countries are given of conservation strategies (e.g. monitoring, mapping, selection of Important Fungus Areas), public relations (protected species, flagship species, species of the year), and management guidelines for macromycetes.

The number of mushrooms on Earth is estimated at 140 000, yet perhaps only 10 % (approximately 14 000 named species) are known. They make up a vast and yet largely untapped source of powerful new pharmaceutical products. Particularly, and most important for modern medicine, they present an unlimited source for polysaccharides with anticancer and immunostimulating properties. Many, if not all Basidiomycetes mushrooms contain biologically active polysaccharides in fruit bodies, cultured mycelia, and culture broth. The data about mushroom polysaccharides are summarized for 651 species and seven intraspecific taxa from 182 genera of higher Hetero- and Homobasidiomycetes. These polysaccharides are of different chemical composition; the main ones comprise the group of b-glucans. b-(1→3) linkages in the main chain of the glucan and further b-(1→6) branch points are needed for their antitumor action. Numerous bioactive polysaccharides or polysaccharide-protein complexes from medicinal mushrooms are described that appear to enhance innate and cell-mediated immune responses, and exhibit antitumour activities in animals and humans. Stimulation of host immune defense systems by bioactive polymers from medicinal mushrooms has significant effects on the maturation, differentiation, and proliferation of many kinds of immune cells in the host. Many of these mushroom polymers were reported previously to have immunotherapeutic properties by facilitating growth inhibition and destruction of tumour cells. Whilst the mechanism of their antitumor actions is still not completely understood, stimulation and modulation of key host immune responses by these mushroom polymers appears central. Recent evidence suggests that mushroom polymers (b-glucans) may trigger the stimulation of many kinds of immune cells in animals and humans. Several of the mushroom polysaccharide compounds have proceeded through Phases I, II, and III clinical trials, and are used extensively and successfully in Asia to treat various cancers and other diseases. The present review analyzes the pecularities of polysaccharides derived from fruit bodies and cultured mycelia (two main ways of biotechnological production today) in selected examples of medicinal mushrooms.

Two species of Crepidotus from the Crimean Mountain (Ukraine) are described and discussed, C. malachius var. trichiferus and C. macedonicus, both very rare in Europe.

This study is based on the macrofungal specimens collected from West Anatolia between 2003 and 2004. Three species identified among these specimens have been recorded for the first time in Turkey. These species are described and illustrated.

The paper provides information about the first findings in Bulgaria of four rare and noteworthy taxa of Boletus. A new combination, B. persicolor, is proposed for the accommodation of Xerocomus persicolor into Boletus. Boletus depilatus, B. luteocupreus, B. permagnificus, and B. persicolor are described and illustrated. In addition a second locality in Bulgaria is reported for B. dupainii, which is one of the candidates for inclusion of the Appendix I of the Bern Convention. The potential conservation status of the five species is briefly discussed.

This paper attempts to compile available data on Turkish myxomycetes and macromycetes published between 1915 and February, 2005, and obtained from 294 publications. Two main lists of myxomycetes and macromycetes are given where the taxa are alphabetically arranged. The total number of correct names of species, recorded from Turkey and presented in both checklists, is 1778, including 177 myxomycetes and 1601 macromycetes. For each taxon, references are cited. An index of synonyms based on literature records from Turkey is appended. It includes 671 species and infraspecific taxa. Information about the species distribution in the European or/and Asian parts of Turkey is also given.

This paper provides information about the distribution of 22 species of Boletales. New data are reported or confirmations of previous older records are made.

The species of the genus Chamaemyces present in Israel and their distribution are considered. Detailed data on Chamaemyces fracidus var. pseudocastaneus, new to Israel’s mycobiota, and Ch. carmelensis M. Didukh et S. Wasser, sp. nov. are presented.

A taxonomic revision of Phragmidiaceae in Bulgaria was carried out. The study yielded distribution of 5 genera, among which Frommeëla (F. tormentillae) is a new Bulgarian genus record, and 16 species on 46 hosts from Rosaceae, making 61 rust-host combinations. Trachyspora pentaphylleae is reported for the first time from Bulgaria and the Balkan Peninsula. Twenty-two rust-host combinations are new records for Bulgaria, viz. Phragmidium bulbosum on Rubus canescens and R. praecox; Ph. mucronatum on Rosa canina var. andegavensis, R. dumalis, and R. pendulina; Ph. potentillae on Potentilla bornmuelleri and P. pedata; Ph. sanguisorbae on Sanguisorba minor subsp. muricata; Ph. tuberculatum on Rosa centifolia, R. chinensis, R. damascena, R. dumalis, R. pendulina, and R. turcica; Ph. violaceum on Rubus canescens var. glabratus, R. geniculatus, and R. radula; Trachyspora intrusa on Alchemilla catachnoa, A. connivens, A. gorcensis, A. incisa, and A. jumrukczalica. Twenty-six rust-host combinations, previously recorded for Bulgaria, are treated here as doubtful or wrong records, viz. Phragmidium bulbosum on Fragaria vesca, Rubus corylifolius, R. fruticosus, R. glandulosus, R. nemorosus, R. thyrsanthus, and Rubus thyrsoideus; Ph. fragariae on Fragaria vesca and Potentilla patula; Ph. fusiforme on Rosa gallica and R. pulverulenta (R. glutinosa); Ph. mucronatum on Rosa micrantha; Ph. potentillae on Potentilla crantzii; Ph. tuberculatum on Rosa arvensis, R. myriacantha, R. sepium, R. spinosissima, and R. vosagiaca; Ph. violaceum on Rubus fruticosus, R. macrostachys, and R. nemorosus; Kuehneola uredinis on Rubus caesius and R. glandulosus; Trachyspora intrusa on Alchemilla gracilima, A. heterophylla, and A. pubescens.

We found 131 species of wood-inhabiting fungi in two different beech forest types in the Carpathian Mountains of Ukraine. The corticioid and poroid aphyllophorales (Basidiomycetes) showed a remarkably high species richness. Among them species highly depending on large amounts of dead wood, especially logs for growth and fruiting, such as Dentipellis fragilis. The woodruff beech forests (Galio-Fagenion) harbour a greater number of fungal species than the fir beech forests (Abieti-Fagenion). These beech forests in the Carpathian Mountains provide an interesting opportunity to study the beech forests in Europe in their natural appearance, not or hardly influenced by human activity.

The paper provides a preliminary checklist of Boletales in Bulgaria. It includes 77 species belonging to 18 genera. For each recorded taxon the distribution throughout the country, references to literature sources as well as the collection in which herbarium specimens are kept are given.

Data on the species diversity of macromycetes and bryophytes from montane peat habitats of three floristic regions in Bulgaria are here reported. Twelve macromycetes are new to Bulgaria: Cortinarius sphagneti, C. sphagnogenus, Galerina paludosa, Hygrocybe ceracea, Inocybe acutella, I. napipes, Lactarius sphagneti, L. vietus, Mycena concolor, M. megaspora, Pholiota myosotis, and Psilocybe elongata. Five macromycetes are rare for Bulgaria: Arrhenia lobata, Cortinarius paleaceus, Galerina sphagnorum, Mycena adonis, and Psilocybe polytrichi. A number of recorded macromycetes grow on Bryophyta. As regards bryophytes two are new to Rhodopi Mts and one to Rila Mts. Besides new chorological data are reported for three bryophytes. Nine macromycetes and two bryophytes, reported in this paper, are of high conservation importance.

A total of 117 species and 1 variety of macromycetes belonging to 37 families of phylla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota has been recorded on the Serbian side of Stara Planina Mts. All taxa are new for this area and 12 species and 1 variety are reported for the first time for Serbia. Nine species are included in national and/or European Red Lists.

An overview of the research projects recently activated in Sicily (South Italy) for the assessment of fungal diversity together with considerations on stress factors responsible of changes in the composition of mycological flora and decline of fungal communities, respectively, are here reported. The paper also deals with the problems concerning fungal conservation and the needs to co-ordinate future actions at European level.

Alarming reports of recent loss of biodiversity have emphasized the importance of studies of the natural heritage with a view to its conservation. Basic steps for the conservation of fungi by means of the Tuscan experience are here reported.

New and interesting records of macrofungi are reported in the framework of a detailed inventory on 
selected ecosystems of Greece and they are further evaluated on the basis of existing pertinent data. Various  types of habitats were investigated consisting mainly of conifer, oak and beech forests and their mycofloristic wealth is presented. In addition, information is provided on taxa which could be considered as rare and/or endangered in conjunction with notes on conservation priorities.

The current article presents data about seven species of Agaricus, new for Bulgaria, A. deylii, A. impudicus, A. leucotrichus, A. maleolens, A. mediofuscus, A. spissicaulis, and A. subfloccosus. The specimens were collected from the Forebalkan, Toundzha Hilly Country, Pirin Mts, Mt Sredna Gora, and the Western Rhodopes.

A consistent number of records for Clathrus ruber have been reported for the Adriatic coast while the presence of this basidiomycete in the continental part of the ex-Yugoslav countries is still rare. In Serbia, C. ruber had not been recorded until 1983, when it was found during a botanical field trip. This record has not been published until now, although it is the first record of C. ruber for Serbia.

Puccinia campanulae and P. galanthi are added to the Mycoflora of Romania, and Uromyces dianthi is recorded on a new host, Dianthus leptopetalus.