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Convergent evolution of sequestrate forms in Amanita under Mediterranean Climate conditions

     ¹ Biology Department, Clark University, Lasry Center for Biosciences, 950 Main Street, Worcester, MA, 01610, United States of America
² Dept of Biology, Clark University, Worcester, MA, 01603
³ Michigan State University., East Lansing, Michigan
⁴ Clark University, Worcester, MA, 01610, United States of America

The systematic position of secotioid (Torrendia) and gasteroid (Amarrendia) forms within the agaricoid Amanita lineage (Agaricales, Basidiomycota) was studied using molecular (nLSU, ITS) data. Secotioid and gasteroid forms occur in four independent clades nested within agaricoid forms. One clade corresponds to the secotioid T. pulchella, from Southern Europe and North Africa. The others correspond to Torrendia and Amarrendia species from Australia. Mediterranean-type climatic conditions are postulated as a force driving the convergent evolution of these secotioid and at least one of the gasteroid forms in geographically distant areas. Species formerly placed in Torrendia and Amarrendia are transferred to Amanita. A new species of Torrendia from Australia was discovered during the revision of the collections originally identified as T. arenaria and is here described as Amanita pseudoinculta.

Key words: Torrendia, Amarrendia, sequestrate forms, nLSU, ITS