Fungal Diversity in Europe, 2nd Edition

A special issue of Journal of Fungi (ISSN 2309-608X). This special issue belongs to the section "Fungal Evolution, Biodiversity and Systematics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (29 February 2024) | Viewed by 10701

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Since the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Rio de Janeiro (1992), fungi have become increasingly important in our daily lives. Although 30 years have passed since the first national and regional checklists and redlists were published, knowledge about fungi is still fragmented. In addition, there is a clear knowledge gap between Northern European and Mediterranean countries as well as North African countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. This Special Issue aims to produce data on the distribution and ecology of fungi and on conservation strategies in order to provide an up-to-date picture not only to researchers but also to ordinary citizens who are increasingly involved in safeguarding ecosystems and biodiversity.

Prof. Dr. Giuseppe Venturella
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • fungi checklists
  • redlists
  • Europe
  • North Africa ecology conservation
  • citizen sciences
  • open sciences

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

27 pages, 5991 KiB  
Article
Checklist of Macrofungi Associated with Nine Different Habitats of Taburno-Camposauro Massif in Campania, Southern Italy
by Maurizio Zotti
J. Fungi 2024, 10(4), 275; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10040275 - 9 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1929
Abstract
The checklist serves as an informative method for evaluating the diversity, geography, and ecology of established and reproducing macrofungi. Additionally, considering macrofungi as bioindicator species, their census should be incorporated into efforts to monitor the state of health of ecosystems and directly applied [...] Read more.
The checklist serves as an informative method for evaluating the diversity, geography, and ecology of established and reproducing macrofungi. Additionally, considering macrofungi as bioindicator species, their census should be incorporated into efforts to monitor the state of health of ecosystems and directly applied to conservation policies. Between 2019 and 2023, a census of macrofungal species was conducted in Taburno-Camposauro Regional Park (Campania, Italy) across nine distinct habitats. A total of 453 fungal taxa were identified, including several new records for the Campania region. The fungal diversity exhibited significant variations based on the dominant plant species in each habitat. Fagacean tree species and Carpinus spp. shared similar fungal communities. Equally, coniferous tree species displayed a comparable fungal composition. In Abies alba and mixed broad-leaved forests, low levels of ectomycorrhizal taxa were observed alongside a concurrent increase in saprotrophs, indicating a disturbed habitat and a reduction in the Gadgil effect. Notably, lower fungal diversity was documented in the grassland habitat, suggesting the potential implications of wildlife imbalance and excessive grazing. The provided checklist constitutes a valuable resource for local management authorities, providing insights to formulate specific management policies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Diversity in Europe, 2nd Edition)
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17 pages, 7726 KiB  
Article
Habitat Diversity, Environmental Conditions, and Distribution of Endangered Fungus Sarcosoma globosum (Ascomycota) in Lithuania
by Eglė Vabuolė, Sigitas Juzėnas and Ernestas Kutorga
J. Fungi 2024, 10(4), 263; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10040263 - 30 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1448
Abstract
Sarcosoma globosum (Pezizales, Ascomycota) is a rare and endangered fungus, and it is believed to be extinct in most central European countries. Known records of S. globosum in Lithuania reveal that it is situated on the south-western edge of a shrinking geographical distribution [...] Read more.
Sarcosoma globosum (Pezizales, Ascomycota) is a rare and endangered fungus, and it is believed to be extinct in most central European countries. Known records of S. globosum in Lithuania reveal that it is situated on the south-western edge of a shrinking geographical distribution range in Europe. An assessment of the species’ current habitat conditions and threats could enhance and provide new knowledge and guidelines to facilitate the efficient conservation of this threatened fungus and its habitats. The main aim of this study was to analyse the habitats and environmental conditions of S. globosum in Lithuania. We examined the diversity of habitats, various soil and tree stand characteristics, forest management activities, and natural disturbances in all 28 known fungus localities. S. globosum habitats in Lithuania are restricted to coniferous forests with the presence of Picea abies; the species was observed in boreo-nemoral bilberry western spruce taiga (the European Nature Information System habitat type T3F14), continental tall-herb western spruce taiga (T3F44), and native fir, spruce, larch, and cedar plantations (T3N1). An analysis of forest stand age structures in Lithuanian S. globosum localities revealed a rather large proportion of young Norway spruce stands of cultural origin (25.6% of study plots were assigned to age classes from 21 to 50 years); nevertheless, the majority of fungus growth sites were situated in older forests. Various natural and anthropogenic disturbances that threaten S. globosum habitats were assessed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Diversity in Europe, 2nd Edition)
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13 pages, 1713 KiB  
Article
Hydnum pallidum Raddi, the Correct Name for H. albidum Peck in the Sense of European Authors and the Recently Described H. reginae Kibby, Liimat. & Niskanen
by Rodrigo Márquez-Sanz, Sergio Pérez Gorjón, Isabel Salcedo and Ibai Olariaga
J. Fungi 2023, 9(12), 1141; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9121141 - 25 Nov 2023
Viewed by 2289
Abstract
The systematics of the genus Hydnum have undergone important advances, and many new species have been described with the aid of molecular data. A revision of old names that refer to Hydnum s. str., considering the knowledge now available, might reveal prioritary names [...] Read more.
The systematics of the genus Hydnum have undergone important advances, and many new species have been described with the aid of molecular data. A revision of old names that refer to Hydnum s. str., considering the knowledge now available, might reveal prioritary names of recently described species. This study focuses on the study of names that refer to white Hydnum in Europe, among which earlier synonyms of Hydnum reginae (=Hydnum albidum s. auct. pl. eur.) are potentially found, a species characterized by producing white basidiomata and smaller spores than any other European species. Our revision revealed the existence of three earlier names based on European material, namely H. pallidum Raddi, H. album Fr. and H. heimii Maas Geest. The earliest of those, Hydnum pallidum, is epitypified using material from Tuscany (Italy), from where it was originally described, and hence, it becomes the correct name for H. albidum s. auct. pl. eur. A full description and photographs of H. pallidum are provided, and further comments on other names that refer to white Hydnum based on European material are made. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Diversity in Europe, 2nd Edition)
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49 pages, 21759 KiB  
Article
Species Diversity of Lycoperdaceae (Agaricales) in Israel, with Some Insights into the Phylogenetic Structure of the Family
by Maxim Krakhmalnyi, Omoanghe S. Isikhuemhen, Mikael Jeppson, Solomon P. Wasser and Eviatar Nevo
J. Fungi 2023, 9(10), 1038; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9101038 - 22 Oct 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2310
Abstract
The diversity of Lycoperdaceae in Israel was studied. Molecular phylogenetic relationships within the family, and genus Lycoperdon in particular, were inferred using original ITS rDNA sequences of 58 samples belonging to 25 species from Israel and six other countries, together with 66 sequences [...] Read more.
The diversity of Lycoperdaceae in Israel was studied. Molecular phylogenetic relationships within the family, and genus Lycoperdon in particular, were inferred using original ITS rDNA sequences of 58 samples belonging to 25 species from Israel and six other countries, together with 66 sequences stored in the GenBank database. The current molecular phylogenetic study recovered the family Lycoperdaceae as a monophyletic group, which was supported in both maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses. The clades corresponding to the genera Apioperdon, Bovista, Calvatia, Disciseda, and Lycoperdon were revealed. The taxonomic structure of the named genera was partially resolved. Within the genus Lycoperdon, some species received significant statistical support; however, their relationships, as well as the problem of the genus monophyly, mostly remained questionable. As a result of a thorough literature survey, extensive sample collection, and studies of the material stored in the Herbarium of the Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa (HAI, Israel), fifteen species representing five genera were found in the territory of Israel. Six species, namely Apioperdon pyriforme, Bovista aestivalis, Calvatia candida, Lycoperdon decipiens, L. niveum, and L. perlatum, are new additions to the diversity of Lycoperdaceae in Israel. Detailed macro- and micromorphological descriptions, ecology, geography, and critical notes, together with light microscopy photos and SEM micrographs, are provided. In-depth discussion on some taxonomically challenging species is presented. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Diversity in Europe, 2nd Edition)
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15 pages, 690 KiB  
Article
Biodiversity of Fungi in Freshwater Ecosystems of Italy
by Giulia Mirabile, Valeria Ferraro, Francesco Paolo Mancuso, Lorenzo Pecoraro and Fortunato Cirlincione
J. Fungi 2023, 9(10), 993; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9100993 - 7 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1775
Abstract
Fungal biodiversity is still mostly unknown and their presence in particular ecosystems such as freshwater habitats is often underestimated. The ecological role that these fungi play in freshwater environments mainly concerns their activity as decomposers of litter and plant material. At present, it [...] Read more.
Fungal biodiversity is still mostly unknown and their presence in particular ecosystems such as freshwater habitats is often underestimated. The ecological role that these fungi play in freshwater environments mainly concerns their activity as decomposers of litter and plant material. At present, it is estimated that 3870 species belong to the ecological group of freshwater fungi (13 phyla and 45 classes). In this survey, we provide an overview of the Italian freshwater fungal diversity on the basis of the field and literature data. In the literature, data on freshwater fungi are fragmentary and not updated, focusing mainly on northern Italy where the most important lakes and rivers are present, while data from central and southern Italy (including Sicily and Sardinia) are almost completely ineffective. In particular, Ascomycota are reported in only 14 publications, most of which concern the freshwater environments of Lombardia, Piemonte, and Veneto. Only one publication explores the biodiversity of freshwater Basidiomycota in the wetlands of the Cansiglio forest (Veneto). The field observation allowed for us to identify 38 species of Basidiomycota growing in riparian forest of Italy. However, the number of fungi in freshwater habitats of Italy is strongly underestimated and many species are still completely unknown. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Diversity in Europe, 2nd Edition)
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