engleski

Hidden diversity of bryophilous Pezizales (Ascomycota, Fungi) in Croatia

Bryophilous Pezizales is a phylogenetically well-defined group of ascomycete fungi living in an intimate relationship with bryophytes. It includes the genera Octospora, Lamprospora, Octosporopsis, Octosporella and Neottiella. The species from this group can infect different parts of bryophytes (protonemata, rhizoids, stems or leaves in mosses, rhizoids or thalli in liverworts) and form elaborate infection structures consisting of appressoria, penetration pegs, and intracellular haustoria. This group of fungi is under research attention in Croatia for more than 30 years now. More comprehensive research has begun in recent years (since the end of 2015), a result of which is presented here. This research is further intensified in the frame of ForFungiDNA project aimed at the barcoding of fungi in Croatian forest ecosystems (2018-today). Field excursions were mainly conducted in the Adriatic regions of Croatia: Istria, Kvarner, Primorje, Northern and Southern Dalmatia (including the islands). During our survey, more than 40 taxa from the genera Lamprospora, Octospora, and Octosporella were found. The fungi were detected in very diverse habitats – e.g. in waterfalls and brooks, on rocks and boulders, on trees in forests, along roads and pathways, or on walls. The most frequently collected species were Lamprospora dictydiola (on Tortula muralis), Octospora affinis (on Orthotrichum affine), Octospora gemmicola agg. (on Bryum spp.) and Octospora wrightii (on Amblystegium spp.). The most interesting finds can be considered Octospora svrcekii, Octosporella ornithocephala or the recently described Lamprospora densireticulata and L. benkertii. Undescribed species from the genera Lamprospora and Octospora were discovered as well, while their integrative taxonomic evaluation is currently underway. Samples collected during this study were treated mainly by applying vital taxonomy methods and sequencing of DNA barcoding regions. Nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences (primarily LSU) are available in most of the collections but also protein coding gene regions were sequenced in order to better characterize species' phylogenetic placement within the genus.

Barcoding ; biodiversity ; biogeography ; bryophytes ; fungi ; taxonomy

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