Tomentella subamyloidea sp. nov. and T. radiosa (Thelephoraceae, Hymenomycetes, Basidiomycota) from Australia

Abstract

Two species of Australian tomentelloid fungi are described. The new species Tomentella subamyloidea is characterised by subglobose spores with evenly distributed echinuli and apiculi plugs that turn slightly bluish in Melzer’s reagent. A slight amyloid reaction is also apparent in the walls of very thick-walled hyphae close to the substrate. Other significant characteristics include blue granules on subicular and subhymenial hyphae and on basidia and the lack of rhizomorphs. Tomentella radiosa has triangular, warty spores and uniform rhizomorphs with rather loosely arranged hyphae. A slight amyloidy is restricted to cap-like thickenings of the marginal subicular hyphae. Tomentella radiosa is closely related to the ectomycorrhizal species Tomentella sublilacina and the former may also form mycorrhizae as its fruitbodies occur on burnt woody debris at the soil surface. Tomentella subamyloideahas some anatomical features that can be regarded as plesiomorphic within the family Thelephoraceae, e.g. thin farinose fruitbodies, lack of rhizomorphs, consistent presence of clamps and lack of cystidia. In contrast, Tomentella radiosa has some anatomical features that can be regarded as being more advanced, e.g. the formation of rhizomorphs, simple in this species and distinctly lobed spores.