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Fomitiporia punctata (Basidiomycota, Hymenochaetales) and its presumed taxonomic synonyms in America: taxonomy and phylogeny of some species from tropical/subtropical areas

     Mycothéque de l’Université catholique de Louvain (MUCL^,2, MBLA), Université catholique de Louvain, Croix du Sud 3, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium

Sara Herrera Figueroa

     Instituto de Ecologia y Sistematica, Carretera de Varona Km. 3.5, Capdevila, Boyeros, A.P. 8029, 10800 C. Habana, Cuba

Gerardo Robledo

     Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, C.C. 495, 5000 Córdoba, Argentina

Gabriel Castillo

     Laboratoire d’Algologie, de Mycologie, et de Systématique Expérimentale et Appliquée (B22), Université de Liége, B-4000 Liége

	ABSTRACT

TOP ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION MATERIALS AND METHODS RESULTS TAXONOMY DISCUSSION LITERATURE CITED

 

The status of the F. punctata complex in tropical/subtropical America, and more specifically in Cuba and the surrounding area, was partially assessed. Fomitiporia langloisii, Fomitiporia dryophila and Fomitiporia maxonii, three names long considered taxonomic synonyms of F. punctata, are recognized as representing three distinct species that are distinguished from the latter on the basis of morphological, molecular and ecological (biogeographical) data. The three species are described again and their preliminary phylogenetic relationships within Fomitiporia are discussed. Fomitiporia tabaquilio comb. nov. is proposed. The status of Fomitiporia in America and its present circumscription are discussed.

Key words: Basidiomycota, biogeography, neotropics, Phellinus, phylogeny, taxonomy

	INTRODUCTION

TOP ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION MATERIALS AND METHODS RESULTS TAXONOMY DISCUSSION LITERATURE CITED

 
Fomitiporia originally was erected with F. langloisii as type, a species described from southeastern USA (Louisiana) (Murrill 1907). From then on the genus was regarded mostly as one of the numerous taxonomic synonyms of Phellinus (e.g. Bernicchia 1990, 2005; Corner 1991; Gilbertson 1979; Gilbertson and Ryvarden 1987; Larsen and Cobb-Poulle 1990; Ryvarden 1991; Ryvarden and Gilbertson 1994; Ryvarden and Johansen 1980). In addition F. langloisii was reduced to and commonly accepted as a synonym of Ph. punctatus (P. Karst.) Pilát ( Fomitiporia punctata) (Dai 1999, Fischer 1996, Gilbertson and Ryvarden 1987, Larsen and Cobb-Poulle 1990, Ryvarden 1991). Phellinus punctatus and related taxa commonly were referred to as the "punctatus-robustus" complex, in which the species concepts remained vague (Baxter 1933; Cunningham 1965; David et al 1982; Lowe 1957, 1966; Overholts 1953; Ryvarden and Gilbertson 1994). This complex is above all characterized by globose to subglobose, thick-walled, cyanophilous and dextrinoid basidiospores. The basidiome habit ranges from resupinate to pileate and hymenial setae, and cystidioles are variably present.

In the past 20 y the gathering of new types of data—biochemical at first (Fiasson 1983, Fiasson and Niemelä 1984), then DNA sequences (e.g. Wagner and Fischer 2001, 2002), combined with morphological features—greatly challenged the traditional concept of the genera recognized in the poroid Hymenochaetaceae. This has led to a profound reorganization of the family with, as one of the multiple taxonomic consequences, the reappraisal of Fomitiporia at genus level (Fiasson and Niemelä 1984; Fischer 1996; Wagner and Fischer 2001, 2002). Although this new taxonomic scheme nowadays is largely accepted, at least in theory (Dai 1999, Decock et al 2005, Fischer and Binder 2004, Fischer et al 2005, Ryvarden 2004), some authors mainly for pragmatic reasons avoid incorporating it and still use Phellinus in a wide sense (e.g. Bernicchia 1990, 2005; Ryvarden 2004).

The species concepts within the F. punctate-robusta complex also has improved in the past 20 y, thanks to some critical morphological, ecological and DNA sequence studies, considered either alone or in combination (e.g. Decock et al 2005, Fischer and Binder 2004, Fischer et al 2005). New taxa thus have emerged from this complex, most of them segregated on the basis of sometimes subtle morphological characteristics, considered either alone or in combination with ecological data (the morphological or ecomorphological species concept) (e.g. Bernicchia 1990, Buchanan and Ryvarden 1993, David et al 1982, Dai et al 2001, Dai and Zang 2002, Dai and Cui 2005, Rajchenberg and Wright 1987, Urcelay et al 2000, Wright and Blumenfeld 1984). Some cryptic taxa, seemingly morphologically indistinguishable from either F. punctata or F. robusta, also have been recognized on the basis of molecular data, considered alone (phylogenetic species concept/recognition, Taylor et al 2000) or vaguely linked to ecological or biogeographical parameters (e.g. Fischer 2002, Fischer and Binder 2004, Fischer et al 2005). Some taxa were recognized on the basis of combined morphological, molecular and biogeographical data (Decock et al 2005).

Occurrences of F. punctata sensu auctores (s.a.) in South and Central America and the Caribbean are widely reported in literature (e.g. Carranza-Morse 1992; Herrera Figueroa and Bondartseva 1985; Kotlaba and Pouzar 2003; Loguercio-Leite and Wright 1991, 1995; Lowe 1966; Ryvarden 2004; Ryvarden and de Meijer 2002; Wright and Blumenfeld 1984). Nevertheless in most cases the concept considered in morphological terms deviates in some respects from the European/North American concept (Bernicchia 1990, 2005; Domaski 1972; Fischer 2002; Gilbertson and Ryvarden 1987; Núñez and Ryvarden 2000; Pieri and Rivoire 2000; Ryvarden and Gilbertson 1994). For instance Wright and Blumenfeld (1984), Loguercio-Leite and Wright (1995) and Herrera Figueroa and Bondartseva (1985) described collections of F. punctata s.a., respectively from Argentina, Brazil and Cuba with basidiospores 3.0–5.7 x 3.0–5.7 µm, 4.3–6.1 x 4.3–5.0(–5.8) µm and 5.6–6.1 x 4.2–5.6 µm. These are outside the range usually reported for the species in north-central European or North American and temperate Asian regions (viz. 6.5–8.5 x 5.5–7.0 µm) (Bernicchia 1990, 205; Dai 1999; Domaski 1972; Fischer and Binder 2004; Gilbertson 1979; Gilbertson and Ryvarden 1987; Núñez and Ryvarden 2000; Pieri and Rivoire 2000; Ryvarden and Gilbertson 1994) although with the remarkable exception of Parmasto and Parmasto (1987), who report an average of 6.26 x 5.7 µm. However they studied specimens originating from a wide geographical range, mostly throughout Russia and their concept might encompass other taxa (see e.g. Fischer and Binder 2004 for the variation in F. punctata s.l.). Although a priori we cannot dismiss the idea that this deviating morphology reflects intraspecific (environmental/geographic) variability (e.g. Steyaert 1975) it also might reflect the existence of distinct taxonomic entities, whose circumscriptions have not been defined. The occurrence of F. punctata s.s. in tropical/subtropical regions also may be questioned.

Fomitiporia maxonii, a name long considered a synonym of F. punctata (Ryvarden 1985), has similar basidiospores (Ryvarden 2004) and could represent a placement for some of these collections. However several other older names also exist and are based on types originating in either South America (Murrill 1907, Spegazzini 1926), the Caribbean (Murrill 1907) or the southeastern subtropical belt of the USA (Murrill 1907); these names are Fuscoporella costaricencis Murrill, Fomitiporia dryophila Murrill, F. earleae Murrill, F. jamaicensis Murrill, F. langloisii Murrill and Fomes platincola Speg. (Spegazzini 1926). Although presumably considered as synonyms of F. punctata (Larsen and Cobb-Poulle 1990; Rajchenberg and Wright 1987; Ryvarden 1985, 1991) they might need to be critically revised.

The type of names mentioned above was revised as a continuation of a taxonomical and biogeographical survey of Hymenochaetales from the Caribbean. Several field trips in Cuba also yielded new materials and pure cultures of species from the F. punctata complex; these collections together with additional specimens gathered from various herbaria and culture collections were critically revised, compared to the above-mentioned types and to the current concept of F. punctata and other species of the F. punctata complex. Furthermore phylogenetic affinities of collections (or cultures) referred to as F. punctata and originating in Cuba and surrounding areas and their relationships with F. punctata s.s. and other species of the F. punctata complex also were inferred with parsimony analysis based on partial ribosomal large subunit sequences (LSU) and ITS sequences data.

We concluded from these studies that the concept of F. punctata s.a. in subtropical/tropical America is morphologically heterogeneous and phylogenetically polyphyletic, encompassing at least four taxa except F. punctata s.s. Three of these taxa are morphologically well characterized and genetically well differentiated from each other and from other species of the F. punctata complex, and three historical names could apply to them, F. langloisii, F. dryophila and F. maxonii. The fourth taxon known from a single culture without voucher specimen remains unidentified. Fomitiporia langloisii and F. hesleri also were demonstrated to be synonymous. The results are presented and commented on below, and preliminary phylogeny of Fomitiporia LSU-based sequence data is discussed briefly.

	MATERIALS AND METHODS

TOP ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION MATERIALS AND METHODS RESULTS TAXONOMY DISCUSSION LITERATURE CITED

 
Materials.— – Herbarium specimens are preserved at BR, CFMR, FLAS, HAC, LPS, MUCL, NY, O and PRM (herbarium acronyms are from Holmgren et al 1990). Living cultures (strains) used in the study are preserved at CBS, CFMR, MUCL and VPRI. MUCL strains all were isolated from basidiome tissue (pore layer). The species and strains sequenced in this study are listed (TABLE I).

Sequencing.— – DNA was extracted from freshly collected mycelium from pure culture grown in liquid malt at 25 C in the dark. Extractions were carried out with the QIAGEN Dneasy plant Mini Kit (QIAGEN Inc.) and purified with Geneclean^® III kit (Q-Biogene), following the manufacturer’s recommendations. The primer pairs LROR-LR6 and NS7-ITS4 (White et al 1990) were used to amplify respectively the 5' end of the nr LSU DNA regions and ITS regions. Successful PCR reactions resulted in a single band observed on a 0.8% agarose gel, corresponding to approximately 1200 bps and 900 bps, respectively. Polymerase chains reaction products were cleaned with the QIAquick^® PCR purification kit (250) (QIAGEN Inc.), following the manufacturer’s protocol. Sequencing reactions were performed with CEQ DTCS Quick Start Kit^® (Beckman Coulter) according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, with the primers LROR, LR3, LR3R and LR5 for the LSU and ITS1, ITS2, ITS3 and ITS4 for the ITS regions (biology.duke.edu/fungi/mycology/primers). Nucleotide sequences were determined with a CEQ 2000 XL capillary automated sequencer (Beckman Coulter).

Phylogenetic analysis.— – Nucleotide sequences initially were aligned with Clustal x for Macintosh (version 1.5b), then manually adjusted as necessary with the editor in PAUP* (version 4.0b10).The final LSU dataset comprised 58 sequences (41 taxa, TABLE I) and 906 characters including gaps. A small inserts was present in the sequence of P. dryadeus (5 nucleotides) and only the first character was coded (as a single event) without considering subsequent gap characters. Six hundred ten characters were constant and 184 parsimony informative. The final ITS dataset comprised 27 sequences (11 taxa, TABLE I) and 714 characters including gaps. Some small inserts specific to some taxa were coded (as a single event) without considering subsequent gap characters, and a total of 673 characters were considered. Phylogenetic analysis of the aligned sequences was performed with maximum parsimony in PAUP* version 4.0b10 (Swofford 2002) with gaps treated as fifth base. Most parsimonious trees were identified with heuristic searches with random addition sequence (1000), MAXTREES set to 200 and further evaluated by bootstrap analysis, retaining clades compatible with the 50% majority rule in the bootstrap consensus tree. Analysis conditions were tree bisection addition branch swapping (TBR), starting tree obtained via stepwise addition, steepest descent not in effect, MULTREES effective.

	RESULTS

TOP ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION MATERIALS AND METHODS RESULTS TAXONOMY DISCUSSION LITERATURE CITED

 
ITS analysis.— – The overall length of the ITS-5.8S regions of our tropical/subtropical American F. punctata s.a. was 699–706 bps. This agrees with published data of the length of Fomitiporia ITS-5.8S regions (viz. 702–704 [F. hesleri] to 746–749 nucleotides [F. polymorpha]) (Fischer and Binder 2004). The presence/absence of a 31 bps long fragment located near the 5' end of the ITS1 accounts for about 65–72% of this variation, and it differentiated two groups within the species considered. This fragment is present in the isolates of F. hartigii, F. mediterranea, F. punctata, F. polymorpha and F. robusta and absent in all the F. punctata s.a. isolates considered originating in tropical/subtropical America, including F. hesleri. (Authorships of scientific names are provided in TABLE I.) This fragment also is absent in F. australiensis. In the following analysis this region either was considered entirely (673 characters of which 399 were constant and 169 parsimony informative) or recoded as a single evolutionary event (642 characters of which 399 were constant and 139 parsimony informative).

Preliminary indications of the relationships of tropical/subtropical American F. punctata s.a. isolates were obtained with a BLAST search at GenBank (Altschul et al 1990). Their sequences demonstrated homology with sequences of F. hesleri, a species described from southeastern USA (Fischer and Binder 2004); some of our sequences were in fact 100% identical to that of the type of F. hesleri and in the subsequent phylogenetic inference (see below) clustered in the same clade, supporting their conspecificity.

The two heuristic searches, either including or excluding the 31 bps long fragment yielded respectively six equally most parsimonious trees (412 steps long; CI = 0.830, RI = 0.931), representing a single main topology and 12 equally most parsimonious trees (374 steps long; CI = 0.866, RI = 0.910) representing two main topologies. One representative tree of each topology is presented (FIGS. 1–3). The first topologies (FIG. 1) clearly resolved two clades, corresponding to the species having or lacking the 31 bps long fragment. Bootstrapping well supports each of these clades. In the second analysis two main topologies were resolved (FIGS. 2–3), differing mainly in the position of the F. punctata-F. robusta clade; the latter is either joined with F. hartigii, F. polymorpha and F. mediterranea in a larger (but unsupported) clade (6 MPT, FIG. 2, topology also present in the bootstrap consensus tree) or linked to the F. langloisii clade (6 MPT, FIG. 3). This second topology conforms to an ITS based phylogeny in which F. langloisii (under F. hesleri) clustered with a F. robusta-F. punctata clade (Fischer and Binder 2004).

View larger version (14K): [in this window] [in a new window]   FIGS. 1–3. Phylogenetic trees. 1. One of six MPT resulting from a heuristic search based on ITS including the 31 bps long fragment (see text for explanation) (1000 random addition sequence replicates, trees 412 steps in length, CI = 0.830, RI = 0.931). 2–3. Two of the 12 MPT resulting from a heuristic search based on ITS excluding the 31 bps long fragment (see text for explanation) (1000 random addition sequence replicates, trees 374 steps long, CI = 0.816, RI = 0.910). Thick branches in bold are supported by bootstrap value greater than 80%. Bootstrap values less than 60% are not included.

LSU analysis.— – A heuristic search with 1000 random additions produced four most parsimonious trees, 777 steps long (CI = 0.530, RI = 0.770). Their topologies were mostly identical to some previously published trees, resolving the same generic entities (Decock et al 2004, 2006; Wagner and Fischer 2001, 2002). One of the MPT is presented (FIG. 4). The Fomitiporia clade as defined by Wagner and Fischer (2001, 2002) is resolved with good bootstrap support (81%).

View larger version (30K): [in this window] [in a new window]   FIG. 4. One of four MPT resulting from a heuristic search based on LSU dataset (1000 random additions, 777 steps long, CI = 0.530, RI = 0.770). Thick branches in bold are supported by bootstrap value greater than 80%. Bootstrap values less than 60 % are not included.

Subsequent examinations of the various collections pertaining to each of these clades (except the single isolate) allowed evidencing combinations of morphological features unique to and characteristic of each clade. The critical morphological features were the pore surface color, presence/absence of pseudopileus and basidiospore size (TABLE II, FIGS. 5–6). Biogeographical and ecological data might also prove critical. Specimens of the "F. hesleri clade" deviated slightly from the description of the latter species in basidiospore size, which was found to be smaller than reported, (4.7–)5.3–6.7(–7.3) x (4.0–)4.8–6.0(–6.5) µm in the collections considered against 6.5–7.5 x (5.5–)6.0–7.0(–7.5) µm in F. hesleri (fide Fischer and Binder 2004). However the study of the paratype specimen of F. hesleri gave us this: 5.5–6.7(–7.0) x 5.0–6.0(–6.3) µm, which agrees with the range obtained from other collections pertaining to this clade (TABLE II). Further comparison with type material of F. hesleri did not show other differences.

View larger version (10K): [in this window] [in a new window]   FIGS. 5–6. Compared average basidiospores size ranges. 5. Fomitiporia langloisii () – F. punctata () – F. dryophila () 6. Fomitiporia maxonii () – F. punctata () – F. dryophila (). Larger symbols represent the arithmetic means of the individual average. Deviations around the average are the confidence intervals at 0.95.

	TAXONOMY

TOP ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION MATERIALS AND METHODS RESULTS TAXONOMY DISCUSSION LITERATURE CITED

 
1. Fomitiporia langloisii Murrill, North American Flora 9, part I:9, 1907. FIG. 7

View larger version (111K): [in this window] [in a new window]   FIGS. 7–8. Basidiomes. 8. Fomitiporia langloisii (specimen FP-94347-R). Bar = 50 mm). 9. F. dryophila (specimen TJV 93–259). Bar = 50 mm.

= Fomitiporia hesleri M. Fisch., Mycologia 96:805, 2004.

Basidiome perennial, resupinate, adnate, effused to cushion shaped, pieces up to 140 x 65 mm, 2–18 mm thick, consistency hard corky to woody, texture densely fibrous; margin effused, extending over several millimeters (2–3), or well delimited, rounded, densely velutinous, up to 1 mm wide, pale to golden yellow, light brown (5D8, golden brown to 6D[6–8]); sterile area in the pore surface concolorous with the margin; pore surface grayish brown (grayish corky), brownish orange to golden brown (5[B–C][4–5], 5[C–D]6, 5D[7–8]) to grayish light brown (6D[4–5], camel, sunburn), sometimes with a faint pinkish tint in young specimens, up to dark brown (6E[5–6]), cocoa brown or dark grayish brown (6E4) in older part, slightly iridescent (when dried); pores small, round, ellipsoid when oblique, (6–)7–8(–9)/mm, (95–)100–129(–140) µm diam (

Distribution: – Continental USA: Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina* (Murrill 1907), Tennessee and Texas* (Murrill 1907) (* records not corroborated by examination of the voucher specimens). Doubtful: Bahamas, Cuba.

Specimens examined: – USA. ALABAMA: Lee County, Auburn, Dec 1896, L.M. Underwood, unidentified wood (Alabama Biological Survey), NY; Auburn, Dec 1895, L.M. Underwood (Flora of Alabama) NY; GEORGIA: near Bain-bridge, west side of Flint River, Southlands Expt. Forest, 2 Apr 1961, on Quercus [oak] branch, R.W. Davidson, W.A. Campbell, K. Aoshima, C.H. Driver, FP 105694 (CFMR); FLORIDA: Alachua County, Gainesville, Hogtown Creek Basin, NW 8th St, on Carpinus cardiniana, 11 Jul 1972, H.J. Burdsall Jr, No. 6476 (FLAS, F-50925); Dade County, about the Silver Palm School, in "hammocks near the homestead trail", 24–27 Nov 1904, J. K. Small, NY; Leon County, on "tall timbers" of Quercus nigra, 9 Aug 1977, H.H. Burdsall Jr, HHB-9868-Sp (CFMR); LOUISIANA: near St Martins-ville, on decaying pieces of deciduous wood, in low woods, 12 Nov 1897, A.B. Langlois, No. 2525, NY (HOLOTYPE); on Cercis canadensis, Jan 1948, R.M. Lindgren, FP-94347-R (CFMR); St Charles Parish, near Luling, 19 May 1957, A.L. Welden No. 320, NY; MISSISSIPPI: Biloxi, on dead oak (Quercus sp.) branch, 13 Nov 1904, E.S. Earle, No. 65, NY (Holotype of Fomitiporia earleae); Harrison County, on dead, down Magnolia acuminata, 24 Apr 1963, Campbell, FP-105816-T (CFMR); Harrison County, Harrison Exp. Forest, on Magnolia log, 24 Apr 1963, Campbell, FP-105818-R (CFMR); Perry County, De Soto National Forest, Black Creek Trail, 2 Dec 1993, T.J. Volk, TV-93-223 (CFMR); TENNESSEE: on dead lying [on the ground] hardwood, 12 Jul 2001, M. Fischer (PT of F. hesleri); TENNESSEE (?), 12 Jul 2001, M. Fischer 01-712/2, on dead lying [on the ground] hardwood, REG (Paratype of F. hesleri); Great Smoky Mts. Nat. Park, East of Crib Gap, on Robinia pseudoacacia, HHB-4401-Sp. (CFMR);

Specimens of uncertain identity: – Cuba. PROV. CALMA-GÜEY: Sola, on Citrus aurantium cv. Valencia, 22 Mar 1968, C. Paulech and F. Kotlaba, PREM 887300. USA; ALABAMA: Auburn, [Jan] 1896, L.M. Underwood, (flora of Alabama), NY; Auburn, 25 Dec 1895, L.M. Underwood (flora of Alabama), NY; BAHAMAS ISLANDS: Nassau, N.P., on wood, 18 Jun 1921, L.J.K. Brace, NYBG.

2. Fomitiporia dryophila Murrill, North American Flora 9, part I:8, 1907. FIGS. 8–10

View larger version (18K): [in this window] [in a new window]   FIGS. 9–16. Fomitiporia dryophila, basidiospores. 9. From the type specimen. 10. From specimen NY 2053f. Fomitiporia maxonii. 11–13. 11. Basidia. 12. Cystidioles. 13. Basidiospores, all from the type specimen. 14–16. 14. Basidia. 15. Cystidioles. 16. Basidiospores, all from specimen MUCL 45133. Bar = 5 µm.

Basidiome resupinate, adnate, well delimited, ellipsoid, cushion-shaped to pseudopileate, up to 85 mm long, 50 mm wide, to 30 mm thick, or widely effused, adnate, up to 170 mm long, 90 mm wide, up to 45 mm thick at the center or the upper margin when growing on a vertical substrate; the whole basidiome dense, consistency woody and texture densely fibrous; margin first grayish, grayish orange, cork-colored to golden blonde next to the pore field, and in multilayered specimens, becoming strongly indurate and turning rusty brown, dark rusty, ferruginous brown, to black, then surface as a hard dark crust, rimose with age, indurations as much as 30 mm wide; in specimens having grown on a vertical substrate, accumulation of tubes layers at the upper margin and subsequent surface indurations lead to a pseudopileus, triquetrous in section, up to 45 mm long (distance from substrate to margin), rusty brown, dark rusty, ferruginous brown, to black, and rimose with age; pore surface mainly grayish corky to light brown shade (golden blonde, honey brown), slightly iridescent, from grayish orange (5B[3–4]) to light brown, light grayish brown (6D[4–6], camel to pale cinnamon, 6D7, raw Sienna), to pale cocoa brown (6E6); pores round, slightly elongated on oblique part, (6–)7(–8)/mm, 80–125 µm diam (

Distribution: – continental USA: Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi³.

Specimens examined: – USA. FLORIDA: Lloyd, No. 2151(?), NY; Duval County, Jacksonville, Swamp forest, on fire-killed Quercus, 28 Dec 1953, A.S. Rhoads, FP-104030-T (CFMR); GEORGIA: Decatur County, on the bank of the Flint River, opposite Bainbridge, alt. 110 m asl., on dead branch of Quercus virginiana, 19 Feb 1904, R.M. Harper, No. 2053f, NY; Brunswick, on down, live oak branch, 3 Aug 1950, J.L. Lowe, NY; LOUISIANA: Tulane Campus, Freret Street, Percival Stern Hall, on living Quercus virginiana, 8 Dec 1993, T.J. Volk, TJV-93-259 (CFMR); Orleans Parish, Bayou Sauvage, on branch of Celtis occidentalis, 16 Apr 1994, T.J. Volk, TJV-93-234 (CFMR); Orleans Parish, Bayou Sauvage, on Quercus nigra, 6 Dec 1993, T.J. Volk, TJV-93-232 (CFMR); MISSISSIPPI: Back Bay, edge of salt marsh, on a decayed live-oak stump, 3 Sep 1904, E.S.E. Earle, No. 25, NY (HOLOTYPE).

Remarks.— – The taxonomic status of F. langloisii and F. dryophila have been questioned (Baxter 1933; Lowe 1957, 1958, 1966) and both names long considered synonyms of F. punctata (Lowe 1966; Fiasson and Niemelä 1984; Fischer 1996, 2002; Ryvarden 1985, 1991). Lowe (1957, 1958) considered both names as synonyms of F. robusta sensu Lowe. Cooke (1959) erroneously noted that Lowe (1958) considered F. langloisii a synonym of Poria umbrinella Bres. (Phellinus umbrinellus [Bres.] S. Herrera & Bondartseva). However in all probability Cooke (1959) mistook F. langloisii for Fomitiporella langloisiana Murrill, which Lowe (1958) considered a synonym of Ph. umbrinellus.

The current phylogenetic studies, based on ITS and partial LSU sequence data (FIGS. 1–4), however demonstrated F. langloisii and F. dryophila to be genetically distinct from and distantly related to both F. punctata and F. robusta and belonging to a different lineage (FIG. 4). This was demonstrated for F. langloisii by Fischer and Wagner (2004) under the name F. hesleri.

This genetic divergence also is reflected in some morphological characteristics and possibly ecological/biogeographical features. Particularly in the case of F. langloisii basidiospores size should be critically analyzed because it deviates from that commonly reported for F. punctata s.s. (TABLE II, FIG. 5) or F. robusta (TABLE II). In both latter taxa the average basidiospores size is about 7.0 x 6.0 µm and the lower and upper range limits (mostly) exceed 6.5 µm long and reach 8 µm long (Bernicchia 2005, Decock et al 2005, Domaski 1972, Núñez and Ryvarden 2000, Pieri and Rivoire 2000, Ryvarden and Gilbertson 1994). In the present study the average basidiospores size on specimens originating from western Europe (F. punctata s.s.) (TABLE II, FIG. 5) were 6.6–7.1 x 5.9–6.3 µm (arithmetic mean of the individual averages was 6.9 ± 0.15* x 6.2 ± 0.14 µm, n = 6 [*confidence interval at 0.95%]). In F. langloisii (TABLE II) the average size was 5.8–6.1 x 5.3–5.7 µm⁴ (arithmetic mean of the individual averages was 5.9 ± 0.16 x 5.4 ± 0.17 µm = 13); the upper range rarely exceeds 6.5 µm long (only 5% of the basidiospores are larger than 6.5 µm, but none exceed 7.0 µm). The case of F. dryophila is more critical morphologically. It has basidiospores seemingly identical to those of F. punctata or F. robusta (TABLE II). Its lighter pore surface color and the blackish indurate margin would distinguish it from F. punctata. However both taxa might be difficult to identify in early development. Fomitiporia robusta differs by forming a true pileus (F. langloisii is strictly resupinate) and having hymenial setae (although these sometime are rare or difficult to find in some collections; Decock et al 2005, Gilbertson and Ryvarden 1987, Ryvarden and Johansen 1980).

Biogeography and ecology also might distinguish F. langloisii and F. dryophila from F. punctata. So far in the continental USA the two formers taxa occur sympatrically at least in the subtropical belt of the southeast or in a biogeographical perspective in the southeastern and Coastal Plain mixed-forest provinces of the subtropical division (Thorne 1994) (Southern oak/pines forest, Duffield 1982). They might be restricted to these area of continental USA, although this should be ascertained by critical examination and gathering of molecular data from more collections originating in both northern and southern locations and a more in-depth knowledge of their autecology. The hypothesis of a regional endemism does not exclude that both taxa extend northward, either along the Atlantic Coastal Plain or through the Mississippi Valley, as is the case for other mainly tropical occurring poroid Hymenochaetales or polypores s.l., that otherwise has a distribution in continental USA mainly centered on the Gulf Coast region (a, b e.g. Inonotus ludovicianus [Pat.] Murrill, Phellinus johnsonianus [Murrill] Ryvarden, or Perenniporia tephropora [Mont.] Ryvarden [e.g. Grand and Vernia 2004a, b Inonotus ludovicianus [Pat.] Murrill, Phellinus johnsonianus [Murrill] Ryvarden, or Perenniporia tephropora [Mont.] Ryvarden [Grand and Vernia 2005]). Beyond the United States F. langloisii might extend to the Bahamas and to Cuba, but this also should be confirmed. The fact that they belong to a presumed neotropical lineage (see discussion section) could support the hypothesis of a regional endemism in continental USA.

Gilbertson and Ryvarden (1987) reported F. punctata s.l. from all over North America while Ryvarden (2004) reported the species as rare in tropical/subtropical America. However both authors used a wide species concept encompassing in addition to F. punctata s.s. several taxa as Fischer and Binder (2004) and our study demonstrated. In fact F. punctata s.s. might be absent from tropical/subtropical America. Although present in North America (Fischer and Binder 2004) F. punctata is restricted to northern or more temperate areas of the continent; its southern limit of distribution in North America is uncertain. Whether the distribution of F. punctata s.s. overlaps those of F. langloisii and F. dryophila is uncertain; however if they occur sympatrically in some areas, some degree of differentiation in their biology/ ecology could be expected. A comparable situation occurs in Europe with F. punctata s.s. and the complex F. mediterranea/F. pseudopunctata, three morphologically similar taxa (David et al 1982, Fischer 2002), F. punctata reportedly covering western central and northern Europe while F. mediterranea/F. pseudopunctata typically occur in southerly, warmer forests (pers obs), but they might co-exist in certain areas. Fomitiporia robusta might co-exist with F. langloisii, but this remained to be ascertained (see Pyropolyporus calkinsii Murrill, described from a collection on oak in Florida [Murrill 1915]), and presently considered a synonym of F. robusta, Ryvarden [1985, 1991]).

In a phylogenetic and biogeographical perspective F. langloisii and F. dryophila should be compared to each other and to F. maxonii (see descriptions below). These three taxa so far appear to be phylogenetically more closely related to each other than to any other Fomitiporia for which sequences data are presently available, forming together with an unnamed collection from Argentina a moderately and well supported (bootstrap 66% and 100% respectively) lineage in the LSU- and ITS-based phylogenetic inferences (FIGS. 1–4). Fomitiporia sonorae (Gilbn.) Y.C. Dai also belongs to that clade (Decock pers obs). These three taxa morphologically share a resupinate basidiome and absence of setae. Furthermore at least F. langloisii and F. dryophila occur sympatrically and their host range partly overlaps. Fomitiporia langloisii also might occur in Cuba (see above), along with F. maxonii, although in different ecosystems. Fomitiporia langloisii (FIG. 8) and F. dryophila (FIG. 9) share a commonly light brown pore surface (brownish orange, golden brown, corky, blonde honey [at least in dried specimens, the color of the pore surface in fresh and actively growing specimens being unknown]) and small pores. Young, single-layered specimens of F. langloisii occasionally may have a faint pinkish tint; one collection was also darker, grayish chocolate brown (HBB 9868). The marginal area or sterile patches of mycelium in the pores field also can be variably colored in F. langloisii although commonly pale yellow, golden yellow. Setae are absent in both taxa; cystidioles are variably present in the hymenium, occasionally with an elongated hyphoid ending, of variable length, which is nevertheless without taxonomic significance, being most probably an environmentally dependent character. Fomitiporia dryophila differs by having distinct basidiomes, whose margin in multiseasonal specimens are progressively indurate at surface and become blackish and eventually rimose with age (FIG. 8) and larger basidiospores, with the average of 6.7–7.5 x 6.2–6.9 µm (TABLE II, FIG. 6).

In their known area of distribution the host ranges of F. langloisii and F. dryophila species overlap (both occur on Quercus spp.). Although both species may compete for the same host and substrate, some degree of differentiation in their biology/ecology is to be expected. However for the time being little is known about their autecology because few ecological data are available.

Fomitiporia maxonii (see below, TABLE II) and F. langloisii both have small basidiospores, which distinguish them from F. dryophila (TABLE II). F. maxonii differs from both F. langloisii and F. dryophila by having a darker pore surface, mostly cocoa brown, and a more southern distribution and belongs to a different biogeographical area, occurring typically in distinctly tropical ecosystems, and in all probability having different ecological requirements.

In North America F. sonorae, a poorly known species recorded from Texas (USA) and Mexico (Valenzuela and Chacón-Jiménez 1991) shares with F. langloisii and F. dryophila a resupinate habit (Gilbertson and Ryvarden 1987). It also belongs to the same clade (pers obs). It differs in having scarce and peculiar hymenial setae, with a bulbous base and a slender apical portion, and occurring in a different biotope. It differs also from F. dryophila mainly in having smaller basidiospores (5.0–5.5(–6.5) x 4.5–5.0(–5.5) µm (fide Gilbertson and Ryvarden 1987, Valenzuela and Chacón-Jiménez 1991). Fomitiporia texana (Murrill) I. Nuss and F. polymorpha, two North American species, differ from both F. langloisii and F. dryophila in having a basidioma either commonly or occasionally pileate, hymenial setae (although variably abundant and sometimes absent in F. polymorpha). Their basidiospores are respectively 7.0–9.0 x 6.5–9.0 µm (Gilbertson and Ryvarden 1987), 6.5–7.5(–8.0) x 5.5–6.5(–7.0) µm (Fischer and Binder 2004) and are similar to those of F. dryophila but larger than those of F. langloisii. Furthermore F. polymorpha have been reported only from the western USA coast (Fischer and Binder 2004). In a phylogenetic perspective F. polymorpha also belongs to a distinct lineage (the phylogenetic relationships of F. texana presently are unknown).

The reconsideration of F. langloisii as a species distinct from F. punctata is important for the typification of Fomitiporia because it is the type of Fomitiporia by original designation (Murrill 1907, Cooke 1959, Ryvarden 1991). Up to now F. punctata was considered the correct name for the type of Fomitiporia (Ryvarden 1985, 1991), F. langloisii being presumed to be a taxonomic synonym.

3. Fomitiporia maxonii Murrill, North American Flora 9, part I:11, 1907. FIGS. 11–16

Phellinus maxonii (Murrill) D.A. Reid, Kew Bull. 35:867, 1981.

= Fomitiporia jamaicensis Murrill, North American Flora 9, part I:11, 1907.

= Fuscoporella costaricencis Murrill, N Am Fl 9:7, 1907.

= Fomes platincola Speg., Bol Acad Nac Cienc Córdoba 28:358, 1926.

Basidiome resupinate, broadly effused, following the substrate, adnate or separable, extending over the substrate up to 130 x 60 mm wide, 3–10 mm in the thickest part, hard corky to woody consistency, densely fibrous texture; margin effused, 1–3 mm wide, white to pale yellow (3A[3–4], pale yellow to pastel yellow) at the margin, then slightly fimbriate, the hyphae extending parallel to the substrate, soon grayish orange (5[B–C][4–6], grayish orange, apricot yellow) to brownish orange (5C[6–7], yellow ochre, caramel) up to light rusty brown, light brown to brown cinnamon (6[D–E]6), then densely, minutely velutinous with short, erected hyphae; pore surface in brown shade, commonly chocolate brown (6E[5–6], cocoa brown), grayish chocolate brown (6E[4–5–6]) or darker, up to very dark brown (6F5), iridescent then either grayish orange (5B3–4), golden blonde, corky-colored) to grayish light brown (6D[4–5], sunburn, camel); pores small, round, ellipsoid when oblique, 7– 9(–10)/mm, (80–)90–120(–130) µm (

Specimens examined: – ARGENTINA. Parque La Plata, [on] Tamarix, 12 Jul 1922, LPS 24961 (lectotype of F. platincola); COSTA RICA: vicinity of Santo Domingo de San Mateo, alt. 300 m. a.s.l., on rotten log, 15–17 May 1906, W.R. Maxon, No. 587, NY (holotype of F. maxonii); vicinity of Santo Domingo de San Mateo, alt. 300 m. a.s.l., 15–17 May 1906, W.R. Maxon, No. 588, NY (holotype of F. costaricensis); below Montaña de la Cruz, above Escazu, on unidentified wood, 9 Jun 1972, A.L. Welden ("Fungi of Costa Rica"), NY; CUBA. PROV. GUANTÁ NAMO: Municipio Baracoa, Quibiján–La Perrera, on a dead stump of an unidentified angiosperm, 6 Sep 2003, C. Decock, J.L. Ortiz, K. Licea, & L. del Castillo Suárez, No. CU-03/35, MUCL 45133 (culture ex-specimen MUCL 45133 = CRGF 180); PROV. GRANMA: Pico Turcino, on dead wood of unidentified angiosperm, J.L. Ortiz, No. 146, MUCL 45695, HAC; PROV. PINAR DEL RIO: Sierra del Rosario, La Mulata, Cajálbana, on dead small trunk of Brya ebenus DC, 25 Nov 1966, F. Kotlaba, PRM 878651; Sierra del Rosario, on a living branch of Citrus sp., Citrus orchard, 11 Sep 2004, C. Decock and D. Thoen, CU-04/139, MUCL 46016 (HAC, culture ex-specimen MUCL 46016 = CRGF 181), and No. CU-04/140, MUCL 46017 (HAC, culture ex-specimen MUCL 46017 = CRGF 182); Peninsula de Guanahacabibes, Municipio Sandino, Guanahacabibes National Park, near entrance gate, on small dead branch on the ground, unidentified angiosperm, 27 Sep 2005, C. Decock, No. CU-05/208, MUCL 47077 (culture ex-specimen MUCL 47077 = CRGF 576); idem No. CU-05/200, MUCL 47075 (culture ex-specimen MUCL 47075 = CRGF 577); PROV. VILLA CLARA: Sierra del Escambray, Mataguá, on dead wood of unidentified angiosperm tree, 6 Jan 1967, F. Kotlaba, PRM 887258; PROV. CIUDAD DE LA HABANA: Botanical Garden, on living trunk of Caesalpinia spinosa, 27 Dec 1966, F. Kotlaba, PRM 887321; PROV. MATANZAS: along the highway near road from Jagüey Grande to Jovellanos, Empresa Citrícola de Jagüey Grande, in Citrus orchard, on living branch of grapefruit (Citrus x paradisi), Sep 2004, C. Decock, D. Thoen, J. Ortiz and A. Fidalgo, No. CU-04/173, MUCL 46037 (culture ex-specimen MUCL 46037 = CRGF 183); JAMAICA. On grapefruit (Citrus x paradisi), Earl, 215, NY (holotype of F. jamaicensis); Kingston area, St Andrew Parish, along Cane River and slope of Good Hope Mountain, on bark of unidentified hardwood, 12 Jan 1971, R.P. Korf, J.R. Dixon, K.P. Dumont, R.W. Erb, D.H. Pfister, D.R. Reynolds, A.Y. Rossman & G.L. Samuels, No. 433, NY; VENEZUELA. ESTAD. AMAZONAS: Yutajé, 5°36'51''N-66°06'85''W, 110 m. alt., on dead deciduous wood, 12–19 Jun 1997, L. Ryvarden, No. 40396, O.

Other doubtful specimens cited in literature, but not examined. ECUADOR, GALAPAGOS ISLANDS: Santa Cruz, 5 km inland from Puerto Ayora, transition zone Opuntia/cultivated land, on root of dead Bursera graveolens, 5 Jun 1976, Evans & Cronshaw 69; Santa Cruz, 6 km inland near Bella Vista, old path, on dead branch of Bursera, 5 Jun 1976, Evans & Cronshaw 70.

Remarks.— – Fomitiporia maxonii is characterized by a resupinate, perennial basidiome, a white to yellow margin when fresh, a mainly chocolate brown pore surface, although iridescent, then appearing lighter, small to very small pores, 7–9(–10)/mm, absence of setae, and basidiospores that average 5.7–6.2 µm x 5.1–5.7 µm (arithmetic mean of the individual averages is 5.9 ± 0.16 x 5.4 ± 0.15 µm = 15). It typically occurs in wet tropical forests on various hosts and has a more southern, tropical distribution compared to F. langloisii and F. dryophila. It can be found also in open, anthropogenic ecosystems such as Citrus orchards. The species is in all probability endemic to the neotropics.

Reid et al (1981) recorded the species from the Galapagos Islands. However he reported in his collections 4–6(–7) pores/mm with thin papery dissepiments (Reid et al 1981), which deviates from our observations (viz. 7–9[–10] pores/mm [8–9 in the type]). Reid’s specimens were not studied, and it is not known whether the pore size could be a variable character in the species or a critical taxonomic feature at species level. Locality (Galapagos Islands) and related local ecological conditions (transition zone Opuntia/cultivated land, Reid et al 1981) would rather support the hypothesis of a distinct species.

Fomitiporia maxonii is mainly distinguished from F. punctata, as it is described by most authors (although with the exception of Parmasto and Parmasto (1987), by having distinctly smaller basidiospores (TABLE II, FIG. 6). Phylogenetic inference of their relationships confirmed that they are distantly related (FIGS. 1–4, see also discussion under F. langloisii).

Fomitiporia langloisii (see above) has similar, small basidiospores, but differs by having a different basidiome development, more cushion-shaped, a lighter pore-surface color and slightly larger pores. Fomitiporia dryophila has distinctly larger basidiospores (TABLE II) and develops a blackish pseudopileus. Fomitiporia maxonii also differ from both F. langloisii and F. dryophila by its ecological requirements (including the host relationships).

Phellinus apiahynus (Rajchenberg and Wright 1987, Wright and Blumenfeld 1984), a lowland forest neotropical taxon, also lacks hymenial setae but has pileate basidiomes. Phellinus spinescens and Ph. uncinatus both have hymenial setae and occur on Bamboo, thus differing from F. maxonii (Coelho and Wright 1996, Rajchenberg 1987, Wright and Blumenfeld 1984).

Fomitiporia tabaquilio (Urcelay et al) Decock et Robledo comb. nov.

Basionym: Phellinus tabaquilio Urcelay et al, Mycotaxon 76:288, 2000.

Fomitiporia tabaquilio was described from Andean mountain range on Polylepis, a genus endemic to the area (Urcelay et al 2000). It was related to F. punctata, from which it was distinguished by the development of pilei at the margin of otherwise cushion-shaped basidiome. This certainly could be interpreted as pseudopileus, as seen e.g. in F. dryophila. Current phylogenetic studies confirmed its relationships with F. langloisii and both species are congeneric, hence the new combination proposed above. Its relationships within Fomitiporia remain uncertain, the species appearing mostly basal to the Fomitiporia clade.

	DISCUSSION

TOP ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION MATERIALS AND METHODS RESULTS TAXONOMY DISCUSSION LITERATURE CITED

 
Fomitiporia punctata complex.— – The status of the F. punctata complex in tropical/subtropical America, and more specifically in Cuba and the surrounding area, was partially assessed. These studies, combining morphological and DNA sequence data and considering ecological/biogeographical elements, demonstrated species diversity greater than previously recognized in the area (Gilbertson and Ryvarden 1987, Ryvarden 2004). Within the tropical/subtropical American F. punctata s.a. collections four distinct taxa were recognized; they are F. langloisii (type of Fomitiporia, Murrill 1907), F. dryophila and F. maxonii. A fourth taxon evidenced by molecular data remains unnamed due to absence of voucher specimen. None of the four corresponded to F. punctata s.s. Fomitiporia hesleri, a species segregated from the F. punctata in the USA (Fischer and Binder 2004), is reduced to synonymy with F. langloisii. Phellinus tabaquilio is shown to belong to Fomitiporia.

However the species concept in the F. punctata-robusta complex in America needs to be assessed more carefully. Other species doubtlessly will emerge from this complex. For instance an Argentinean collection remains unnamed (see above); Ryvarden and de Meijer (2002) reported a Brazilian Fomitiporia unable to be assigned to a defined taxon; occurrence of cryptic speciation was suspected in North American collections of F. hartigii (Fischer and Binder 2004) shown to be genetically distinct from European or Asian collections; F. maxonii sensu Reid (1984) morphologically and ecologically deviates from the F. maxonii species concept defined here; voucher specimens (K!) need to be revised carefully.

However before new names are added to literature it is worth considering first several old names based on types originating from the area. This is especially true as far as temperate North America is concerned where five historical names, all presently considered as taxonomic synonyms of F. punctata or F. robusta, are in need of revision. They are Fomitiporia laminata Murrill, F. lloydii Murrill, F. obliquiformis Murrill and F. tsugina Murrill (Murrill 1907) or Pyropolyporus abramsianus Murrill (California, Murrill 1915), a synonym of F. robusta (Ryvarden 1985, 1999).

Pyropolyporus abramsianus has to be compared critically to F. polymorpha. The type specimen of the former name is pileate and was collected from the Pacific Coast (California) on Salix sp. (Murrill 1915). These are features shared also by F. polymorpha (the holotype and all paratypes of F. polymorpha were collected on Salix hindsiana in California [Fischer and Binder 2004]), (F. robusta presently is considered the correct name of P. abramsianus and although reported on Salix in Europe occurs more commonly on Quercus [Gilbertson and Ryvarden 1987, Ryvarden and Gilbertson 1994].)

Fomitiporia tsugina is worth considering in relation to a hypothetic North American F. hartigii; F. hartigii s.l. has been reported as occurring commonly on Tsuga fide Gilbertson and Ryvarden (1987). Fomitiporia juniperina Murrill needs revision because the substrate (Juniperus) is peculiar. Phellinus juniperinus Bernicchia & Curreli, a species of the Fomitiporia complex, was described on Juniperus in Mediterranean Europe (Bernicchia 1990, 2005) (but see also Pieri and Rivoire [2000] who hypothesized that Ph. juniperus is a synonym of F. erecta). We question whether this polypore follows its host (Juniperus) in a way similar to other Juniperus-associated polypores (see Pyrofomes demidoffii [Lév.] Kotl. & Pouzar or Antrodia juniperina [Murrill] Niemelä & Ryvarden, Ryvarden 1991).

The occurrence of so-called cryptic species in Fomitiporia (and more globally in the poroid Hymenochaetales) with no "indication of perceptible morphological change" (Fischer and Binder 2004) and evidenced only by molecular data (phylogenetic species concept/recognition) might place some doubts on the application of long forgotten names. Indeed for most the DNA data of their type are unavailable (at least for the time being, see Bernicchia et al 2006). Unless morphological, subtle or ecological/biogeographical characteristics, which are rarely considered, support the application of a name, the relevance of returning to old names needs to be re-examined.

Preliminary phylogeny and biogeography of American Fomitiporia.— – In a phylogenetic perspective the current LSU-based analysis (FIG. 4), although still preliminary (see above), shows that the Fomitiporia species occurring in America originate from distinct lineages. They are distributed over at least two distinct clades and in an unresolved set of residual species.

Fomitiporia langloisii, F. dryophila, F. maxonii and an unnamed species so far known only from Argentina form a monophyletic, moderately supported (bootstrap 66%) clade in the present LSU sequences data-based analysis and a well supported clade (bootstrap 100%) in the ITS-based phylogeny. These species also share the absence of a 31 bps fragment in their ITS1 region (see also FIGS. 1–3), a feature also present in F. australiensis. These four neotropical taxa represent elements of a hypothetically endemic South American lineage, to which can be added F. sonorae (Decock unpubl). This will be discussed in detail elsewhere.

On the other hand F. polymorpha (western USA), F. hartigii s.l., F. punctata s.l. and F. robusta s.l. (circumtemperate taxa) share a phylogenetic background with taxa having either a Mediterranean or paleotropical distribution, such as F. mediterranea, F. pseudopunctata (also reported from Africa (Ethiopia, Uganda; Decock et al 2005, Ipulet, 2006) or F. aethiopica (Ethiopia). All these taxa share the 31 bps fragment, absent in neotropical species. Nevertheless this clade is not resolved with confidence in the LSU-based analysis (FIG. 4). Fomitiporia tabaquilio has an isolated position in our phylogeny, basal to the Fomitiporia clade (FIG. 4), and represent a third hypothetically endemic South American lineage.

Fomitiporia and the Hymenochaetales.— – Fomitiporia morphologically is characterized by thick-walled, globose/subglobose, dextrinoid and cyanophilous basidiospores. The hyphal system is (pseudo)dimitic with moderately thick-walled skeletal hyphae. Hymenial setae are variably present, and their abundance may vary greatly among collections of the same species. Fiasson and Niemelä (1984) also emphasized the presence of hymenial cystidioles. Present (FIG. 4) and previous phylogenetic studies (Decock et al 2005, 2006; Jeong et al 2005; Wagner and Fischer 2001, 2002) support the current circumscription of the genus.

However its affinities within the Hymenochaetales remain unresolved (Wagner and Fischer 2001, 2002). Fiasson and Niemelä (1984) related it to Inonotus P. Karst. s.l. Later phylogenetic inferences based on partial LSU or partial mitochondrial SSU sequence data linked the genus to Pseudoinonotus (Rizzo et al 2003, Wagner and Fischer 2002) and to a lesser degree to Onnia (Jeong et al 2005, Wagner and Fischer 2002) and Porodaedalea (Wagner and Fischer 2002). Fomitiporia and Pseudoinonotus share thick-walled, dextrinoid, and cyanophilous basidiospores and an intermediate, mono- to dimitic hyphal system (Wagner and Fischer 2001).

In the present LSU-based phylogenetic inference Fomitiporia’s closest relative appears to be Phellinus uncisetus, a species occurring in the high Andes Mountains on Polylepis (Robledo et al 2003). Phellinus uncisetus appears to be basal to the Fomitiporia clade. It shares with Fomitiporia thick-walled, subglobose, slightly cyanophilous basidiospores and moderately thick-walled skeletal hyphae with a wide lumen, which makes the basidiome light in weight when dried (Decock pers obs). It differs from Fomitiporia by having nondextrinoid basidiospores. Although both morphological and molecular data support the fact that this species does not belong to Phellinus s.s. (the Phellinus ignarius clade) we refrain transferring it to Fomitiporia for the time being. Too many poroid Hymenochaetales, especially tropical taxa, are missing from the present phylogenetic inferences, and future studies might reveal related taxa. The pertinence of basidiospore wall dextrinoidity for the delimitation of Fomitiporia also might also be questioned.

	ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

 
Cony Decock, S. Herrera Figueroa and G. Castillo acknowledge the financial support received from the Conseil Inter-Universitaire de la Communauté Française de Belgique: Commission Universitaire pour le Développement (project CIUF-CUD-MUCL-Caraïbes). Cony Decock also acknowledges the financial support received from the Belgian Federal Science Policy Office (contracts BCCM C3/10/003 and BL/10/C41), the FNRS (grant V4/345-CB/MC-5.144, cooperation agreement with the Chinese NNSF) and together with G. Castillo the FRFC (contract 2.4551.99). The authors also are grateful for the loan of specimens or cultures in their possession of the curators of BR, FLAS, HAC, LPS, CFMR, NY (especially Ellen Bloch), O, REG, PRM and VPRI. Fomitiporia bannaensis MUCL 45926 was collected during a field expedition kindly organized by Prof. G. Jones, BIOTEC (Thailand). Thanks are extended to the facilities and staff of the University of Hong Kong’s Mushroom Research Center at Chiang Mai. Sara Herrera Figueroa acknowledges the facilities and financial support provided by the Cuban Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment. The authors also sincerely thank the directors and staff members of the area protegida de recursos manejados "Mil Cumbres", the Sierra del Rosario Biological Station and the Bahia de Taco (Baracoa) Field Station for their invaluable help during field trips.

	FOOTNOTES

 
Accepted for publication July 10, 2006.

² MUCL is a part of the Belgian Coordinated Collections of Microorganisms, BCCM.

³ Cunningham (1965) reported the species from New Zealand (under Fuscoporia dryophila). However he noted basidiospores 4.0–5.5 µam, thus smaller than F. dryophila as defined here. This and the fact that occurrences in NZ would imply a disjointed distribution for the species, which in a biogeographical perspective hardly would be arguable (see also Decock et al 2005), lead us to question the identity of Cunningham’s collections.

⁴ Specimen "HBB 9868" (see list of specimens) has a spore print deposited on a small twig embedded in the pore field, which let us more accurately measure mature basidiospores thus: (5.5–)5.8– 6.5(–6.5) x 5.5–6.0(–6.5) µ

¹ Corresponding author. E-mail: decock{at}mbla.ucl.ac.be

	LITERATURE CITED

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