Taxonomic studies on selected Austral polypores

Abstract

Cultural studies, mating systems and/or compatibility tests on six polypore species (Aphyllophorales, Basidiomycota) that decay standing and/or fallen trees in southern Argentina were performed in order to better understand their taxonomic position. Bondarzewia guaitecasensis formed sulphopositive gloeopleurous hyphae but did not form the Spiniger anamorph state typical of other species in the genus. Ceriporiopsis merulinus comb. nov. is proposed on the basis of morphological features of the basidiocarp (i.e. resupinate, brightly coloured, with metachromatic generative hyphae) and cultural characters. Porpomyces mucidus formed ampulliform septa in culture, a feature that supports its inclusion in that genus and not in Ceriporiopsis. Compatibility tests showed the isolation of Junghuhnia collabens var. meridionalis, described from southern Argentina, New Zealand and Australia, from J. collabens and J. nitida from the Northern Hemisphere; therefore, the new combination J. meridionalis is proposed. Two incompatibility groups were found within Postia dissecta, one that is fully compatible with Tyromyces exiguus from New Zealand, and supports their synonymy, and another that is fully incompatible but morphologically indistinct. Four forms of Trametes versicolor described from Argentina and treated as distinct by some authors, were shown to be fully compatible and deserve subspecific treatment.