New species and records of Crepidotus from Costa Rica and Mexico.

2008·1.3 MB·

by  Bandala, V M

Fungal Diversity
New species and records of Crepidotus from Costa Rica and Mexico

Bandala, V.M.1*, Montoya, L.1 and Mata, M.2

1Dept. Biodiversidad y Sistemática, Instituto de Ecología, A.C., P.O. Box 63, Xalapa, Veracruz 91000, Mexico
2Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad, P.O. Box 22-3100, Santo Domingo de Heredia, Costa Rica

Bandala, V.M., Montoya, L. and Mata, M. (2008). New species and records of Crepidotus from Costa Rica and Mexico.
Fungal Diversity 32: 9-29.

The new species C. pseudoantillarum and C. herrerae are described from Costa Rica and Mexico respectively. Records
of C. pseudoantillarum from different localities in Mexico are presented, as well as the first report of C. albescens from
Costa Rica. The newly described species, related to the taxa with smooth spores, gelatinous tissues and clamped
hyphae, prompted us to make a reexamination of type specimens of C. albescens, C. antillarum, C. betulae, C. cinchonensis
and C. phaseoliformis. On account of the morphological features are recognized: C. albescens (= C. betulae, C.
phaseoliformis) and C. cinchonensis. The type of Tremellopsis antillarum is found to be a member of Crepidotus uber but
under the name of C. antillarum s. auct. a distinct taxon has been obscured, which is being described here as C.
pseudoantillarum. Descriptions, illustrations of microscopic features and discussions are provided.

Key words: Crepidotaceae, taxonomy, tropical fungi, wood-inhabiting fungi

Article Information
Received 6 June 2007
Accepted 19 January 2008
Published online 30 September 2008
*Corresponding author: V.M. Bandala; e-mail: [email protected]

Introduction occurrence (in some cases embracing far-off
points) is reasonably well supported (Horak,
There has been an increment in studying 1964; Singer, 1973; Bigelow, 1980; Luther and
the macrofungi of Central and South America Redhead, 1981; Redhead, 1984; Nordstein,
(Capelari et al., 2006; Lechner et al., 2006; 1990; Pereira, 1990; Senn-Irlet, 1995a; Astier,
Ovrebo and Baroni, 2007; Ortiz-Santara et al., 1998; Senn-Irlet and De Meijer, 1998; Bandala
2007). In this paper we report new records and et al., 1999, 2006, 2008; Bandala and Montoya,
new species of Crepidotus from Mexico and 2000a,b, 2004; Krisai-Greilhuber et al., 2002;
Coast Rica. Crepidotus includes several species Ripková et al., 2005). While few species are
of lamellate, often sessile, small, brown-spored recognized to have a rather widespread distribu-
mushrooms that constitute an important tion [e.g. C. applanatus (Pers.) P. Kumm, C.
component in the community of forest sapro- epibryus (Fr.) Quél. or C. cinnabarinus Peck]
trophic fungi. They occur in a wide variety of (Pilát, 1948; Hesler and Smith, 1965; Luther
ecosystems normally colonizing small plant and Redhead, 1981; Senn-Irlet, 1995a; Bandala
debris and fallen wood. Such habits could be et al., 1999), most representatives (including
the reason for the worldwide distribution of the several taxa currently known only by their
genus and perhaps the patterns of occurrence respective diagnoses) display an apparently
currently recorded for the species, in part being restricted or fragmentary distribution. Several
influenced by the local ecological conditions, species described from both hemispheres, have
rather depend on selected sampling areas (or been recorded in a variety of types of
intensity of explorations). A small group of vegetation in Mexico (Bandala et al., 1999;
American species have been well documented Bandala and Montoya, 2000a,b, 2004; Krisai-
(Hesler and Smith, 1965; Singer, 1973) with Greilhuber et al., 2002). Type studies of
additional information on variation of taxono- phenotypically similar Crepidotus species
mically important morphocharacters, and their describeed from Mexico (Bandala et al., 1999,
taxonomic circumscription and geographic 2006; Bandala and Montoya, 2000a,b, 2004),
9
revealed that there are eight Mexican species already noted also by Hesler and Smith (1965),
that currently show an apparent endemism Horak (1968) and Singer (1947), is in poor
(Singer, 1957, 1973), excluding C. rubrovinosus condition of preservation that prevents making
Bandala, Montoya & E. Horak (2006), recently an appropriate study. Data introduced by this
found also in Central America and not treated latter author suggest that the microscopic
here. In Costa Rica, a single sample of C.
information provided in his monograph is a
calolepis subsp. polycistis Singer, was gathered
composite description resulted by including his
during 1925-1926 by P.C. Standley and J.
collections from Florida, as well as the type
Valerio in El Cerro de Las Vueltas (San José)
specimen of Crepidotus cinchonensis Murrill
(Singer, 1973).
(1913) from Jamaica. Following Singer (1947),
During ongoing revisions of Crepidotus
the so-called C. “antillarum” was therefore a
(Bandala et al. 2008; Bandala and Montoya,
taxon microscopically characterized by smooth,
2008), we studied some collections from
ellipsoid (“…with the inner side flatter…”)
Mexico and Costa Rica that represent new
basidiospores, clamped hyphae, gelatinous
species and new records related to the group of
hyphae in the pileus trama and clavate or at
smooth-spored taxa with gelatinized, clamped
times subcapitate cheilocystidia (Hesler and
hyphae that cluster around C. albescens
(Murrill) Redhead. Besides the opportunity to Smith, 1965; Horak, 1968; Singer, 1973; Pegler,
give information about their ranges of extension, 1983; Senn-Irlet and De Meijer, 1998). Our
the comparative study of the samples with the reexamination of Tremellopsis antillarum type
reexamination of type specimens revealed collection Duss s.n. revealed, however, informa-
interesting information to support the new tion that agrees in part with the aforementioned
species and to provide additional data for the authors, especially with observations by Horak
taxonomic status of some type collections. (1968) regarding the basidiospore features (see
below). Our results after studying the type of T.
Materials and methods antillarum and collections from Costa Rica and

Mexico, compared with published descriptions
Macrocharacters were observed on fresh
of all phenotypically related taxa, led to
basidiomes collected in Mexico and Costa
conclude that: i) the specimen of Duss s.n. falls
Rica. Specimens from Santuario del Bosque de
within the range of variation recorded for C.
Niebla (a cloud forest adjacent to the Instituto
uber (Berk. & M.A. Curt.) Sacc. and perhaps it
de Ecología A.C. at Xalapa) were collected in
represents a sample of this species, and ii) we
monitored sites (cf. Bandala et al., 2006).
recognized two undescribed species (one of
Colour codes in descriptions refer either to
them obscured under the name C.” antillarum”
Kornerup and Wanscher (1967, e.g. 2A2–3) or
s. auct.) which share taxonomically important
to Munsell (1994, e.g. 2.5Y 8/2–3). Methods
and unique set of striking features with the
employed in the microscopic analysis of
group of taxa around C. albescens, i.e.
specimens, including basidiospore measure-
ments and their statistics, SEM and symbols, ellipsoid-reniform basidiospores, clamped
are the same as those used by Bandala et al. hyphae, and gelatinized tissues. Additionally,
(1999, 2006) and Bandala and Montoya (2000a, on the basis of microscopic characters shown
2004). Photographs of microscopic features by the collection of Duss s.n. (clampless
were taken from hand sections of revived hyphae, relatively small spores) and the type
tissues mounted in 3% KOH or Congo Red 1% specimen of Crepidotus cinchonensis (clamped
aqueous solution and observed on a microscope hyphae, broad spores), they could hardly be
equipped with a digital camera. Herbarium considered to belong to the same taxon. Type
acronyms are according to Holmgren et al. studies, descriptions and discussions on these
(1990).
taxa are presented below in three sections, one

includes the reevaluation of Tremellopsis
Results
antillarum, other the description of the two
The Tremellopsis antillarum Pat. type new species, and the third, the study of
specimen, Duss s.n. from Guadaloupe, as collections related to C. albescens.
10
Fungal Diversity
Taxonomy basidiospores and some of the features of
A. Reevaluation of Tremellopsis antillarum certain tissues can be recovered. Singer (1947)
recognized the taxon as Crepidotus especially
Tremellopsis antillarum Pat., in Duss, Enum.
pointing out the macromorphology in combi-
Champ. Guad. p.13 (1903).
nation with basidiospore features seen in the
(Figs 1a, 2-3a-b)
holotype. The basidiospores in fact were the
= Crepidotus antillarum (Pat.) Singer,
only microscopic structure clearly indicated by
Lilloa 13: 62 (1947)
Singer to have been observed in the holotype
Material examined: GUADALOUPE. Matouba,
[with regard to basidia in 1973: 429, he wrote:
no date, Duss s.n. (Holotype, FH, Patouilliard
“…The type of C. antillarum is said to be 2-4
Herbarium No. 224)
Tremellopsis Pat. (in Duss op. cit.) was spored (which I could not verify any more)…”].
conceived as a “gélatineux-tremelloïde” genus His previous information (Singer 1947) “…
with “…basides claviformes, non septées, derived from the type specimen in the
portant 2-4 stérigmates… cystides nulles… Patouilliard herbarium … secured by studying
spores ocracées”. Macroscopic data in the the type of C. cinchonensis and some fresh
protologue for the single species recognized by material collected by myself in South
N.T. Patouilliard (T. antillarum) are the Florida…”, denotes that the author provided a
following: “…plante de 1-2 centim. de haut composite description. He concluded that
sur 2-3 de large… réceptacle formant une “…summing up the data obtained from these three
masse gélatineuse, composée de feuillets sources, one will attribute to C. antillarum…
dressés, chiffonnés, entiers ou lobés, plus ou spores (8-)8.2-10.5(-11) × 5.2-6.8 µm, smooth…
moins rameux, rayonnants autour d´un point ellipsoid, with the inner side flatter… basidia
central, sessile ou élevé sur une portion (16-)20-37 × (5-)7.5-10.3 µm, either 2-spored or
stiptiforme trés courte. Feuillets grisâtres, 4-spored (the Florida collection… was entirely
devenant roux-ocracés, peu épais…”. bisporous; the other collections are predominantly
Microscopic features seen in the holotype are: tetrasporous)…; cheilocystidia ventricose… the
basidiospores 6.5-9(-9.5) × (4-)4.5-6 µm, x = upper ventricosity often appearing as if the
7.7 × 5.1 µm, Q = 1.50, ellipsoid, often weakly cheilocystidia were capitate… 33-51 × 5.5-10.3
attenuated towards apex, then more or less µm…, hyaline hyphae with clamp connections…
amygdaliform on side view, smooth, thick- trama of the pileus rather thin, subgelatinous…”.
walled (≤ 0.5µm wide), pale yellowish-brown, A similar concept was maintained until his work
under SEM smooth and lacking germ pore of 1973. One of his collections from Mexico
(Figs 1a and 3a-b). Tissues hardly revived with (Singer M 8093) studied here fits indeed that
KOH but both pileus and hymenophoral concept. Hesler and Smith (1965) followed Singer
tramae consist of slightly gelatinized, hyaline, providing a composite description also with C.
clampless hyphae (at least most septa recover- cinchonensis as a synonym. These authors as
ed). Basidia, cheilocystidia and pileipellis not well as Horak (1968), stressed the bad state of
recovered (in protologue the basidia were the holotype of Tremellopsis antillarum, Horak
reported 30-35 × 10 µm). in fact, underlined not having found cheilo-
Notes: Judging by its present, rather cystidia, hence referring to information by
papyraceous consistency and appearing strongly Singer (1947) and Hesler and Smith (1965) for
pressed, probably the material of Duss s.n. was the interpretation of the character. We share
wet or overmature when collected, and consi- Horak’s (1968) opinion that in the material of
dering its gelatinous nature, it practically collapsed Duss s.n. it was not possible to verify the
after drying. Data provided by Duss (1903), presence of cheilocystidia (although the proto-
indeed, rather suggest the inappropriate condition logue indicates indeed the absence of cystidia).
of his collection when gathered, perhaps the The pattern of size and shape of the basidio-
reason why N.T. Patouilliard related it to spores observed in this revision also agrees with
tremelloid forms. The protologue does not the results of Horak (op. cit.) who showed that
mention the presence or absence of clamps but it the specimen of Duss s.n. is characterized by its
specifies the lack of cystidia. Lamellae edges moderately small-sized (7.5-9 × 5-6 µm),
can hardly be analyzed and no more than the ellipsoid to amygdaliform basidiospores. Our
11
Fig. 1. a. Tremellopsis antillarum. Basidiospores (from holotype). b. Crepidotus cinchonensis (from holotype). Bars =
10 µm.

antillarum as described above. We interpret that
the collections that Singer (1947) treated under
C. “antillarum” are not the same as Tremellopsis
antillarum, since the set of characters that
include medium to large-sized, ellipsoid to
oblong and more or less kidney-like or bean-like
shaped (due to a flattening or a weak curving
inward in the adaxial face) basidiospores,
cheilocystidia mostly clavate, pileipellis bearing
somewhat undifferentiated terminal elements,
and tissues with gelatinized, clamped hyphae

(Figs 4-6f-g) are features that taxonomically

Fig. 2. Scatter plot of basidiospore size (means) in show similarity to the group of species near C.
collections of Tremellopsis antillarum (×, holotype), albescens rather than to Tremellopsis antillarum
Crepidotus albescens (□), C. cinchonensis (+, holotype),
or even Crepidotus cinchonensis. We found that
C. herrerae ((cid:85)), and C. pseudoantillarum ((cid:123)).
C. cinchonensis and Tremellopsis antillarum are

type study did not reveal clearly the presence of only superficially similar based on macroscopic
clamps at least in many accurately recovered features. Hand sections of the holotype of C.
septa. cinchonensis (JAMAICA. Cinchona, wet moun-
On account of the ellipsoid to amygda- tainous region, 25 December 1908-8 January
liform, moderately small-sized basidiospores, 1909, W.A. Murrill & E.L. Murrill 610, NY)
gelatinized, clampless hyphae, in combination revived with difficulty in KOH preventing us
with the relatively small, grayish basidiome, the from developing an appropriate evaluation of
specimen of Duss s.n. that supports Tremellop- gelatinized layers in pileus and lamellae tramae
sis antillarum, in our opinion, represents a (cf. e.g. key in Hesler and Smith 1965). How-
member of C. uber (for description cf. Singer, ever, it presents gelatinized, clamped hyphae
1973; Senn-Irlet and De Meijer, 1998). The that more or less recall puzzle-like elements,
taxonomic implication of all this is the existence, therefore it differs from Tremellopsis antillarum
in fact, of a distinct taxon represented by but resembles members close to C. albescens
specimens inhabiting fallen wood in tropical or (like C. “antillarum” s. auct.). Crepidotus cincho-
subtropical forest from Mexico, the Caribbean nensis is also distinguished by its pileipellis,
and Central and South America. This taxon apparently a cutis, composed of undifferentiated
exhibits just the set of characters fixed until now terminal elements, basidia 23-35 × 7-11 µm,
for what has been called C. “antillarum” after clavate, 4-spored, clamped, and basidiospores
Singer (1947) (Hesler and Smith, 1965; Horak, (7.5-)8-10 × 5-6.5 µm (x = 8.9 × 5.8 µm, Q =
1968; Singer, 1973; Pegler, 1983; Senn-Irlet and 1.54), ellipsoid, mostly without an adaxial
De Meijer, 1998) but it excludes Tremellopsis concavity (so appearing not reniform)(Figs 1b-3
12
Fungal Diversity

Fig. 3. Scanning electron micrographs of Crepidotus basidiospores. a-b. Tremellopsis antillarum (from holotype). c-d.
Crepidotus cinchonensis (from holotype). Bar: 1 µm, except b = 2 µm.

c-d). L.R. Hesler wrote in a note of revision and therefore Tremellopsis antillarum is
accompanying the holotype (indeed the same interpreted as a later synonym:
data later published by Hesler and Smith, 1965) Crepidotus uber (Berk. & M.A. Curt.) Sacc.,
that most cheilocystidia are collapsed against Syll. Fung. 5: 878 (1887).
the gill edges. In fact, the cheilocystidia revived Basionym: Agaricus uber Berk. & M.A. Curt.,
with difficulty and prevent us to describe with Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts Sc. 4: 117 (1858).
Synonym: Tremellopsis antillarum Pat., in Duss,
confidence the shape of individual cells, to have
Enum. Champ. Guad. p.13 (1903).
an appropriate interpretation of their pattern of
= Crepidotus antillarum (Pat.) Singer, Lilloa 13:
variation and compare them within the range of 62 (1947).
variation of this character shown by collections Crepidotus uber is a small, white, gelatinous
of C. “antillarum” s. auct. fungus inhabiting the tropical and subtropical
In conclusion, C. cinchonensis does not forest from the Gulf of Mexico area, Caribbean
seem to share unique morphological characters and South America (Singer, 1973; Pegler, 1983;
with the so-called C. “antillarum” or at least the Senn-Irlet and De Meijer, 1998; Bandala and
available data from the holotype do not allow us Montoya, 2002).
to accurately place it within that taxon. For the On account of the aforementioned infor-
time being C. cinchonensis should be kept mation, as well as the data obtained from
separate since it is also fairly different from different examined specimens (from Costa Rica
Tremellopsis antillarum or even shows a certain and Mexico, type specimens supporting species
resemblance to C. virgineus Har. Takah. related to the group of C. albescens), all
(Takahashi, 2003). The holotype of Tremellopsis compared with published descriptions of C.
antillarum strongly resembles members of “antillarum” s. auct., it is now accepted that
Crepidotus uber in having similar basidiospores three distinct species can be recognized, two of
(size, shape) and gelatinized, clampless hyphae, them representing undescribed taxa. These three
13
species share a consistent set of characters, i.e. rounded flabelliform or somewhat petaloid, with
clamps, gelatinized tissues, ellipsoid, more or or without a slot in the rear portion (when seen
less reniform and smooth basidiospores, and from the hymenophore), this produces two
constitute a group of taxa phenotypically similar short, lobe-like hemispheres, then somewhat
to the species of the C. mollis (Schaeff.) Staude rounded reniform, whitish, whitish-translucent
group which form gelatinized tissues, have to pale grayish, brownish in parts by spores
smooth basidiospores but lack clamps. Crepidotus deposit on surface, not or slightly translucent
albescens described from the USA (Murrill, striate, variably viscid (sticky to the touch), hy-
1916 as Geopetalum; Redhead, 1984) is distin- grophanous, tomentose to tomentose-fibrillose,
guished by the subcylindric to more or less almost minutely villose near point of attach-
narrowly lageniform, remarkably elongate ment; margin incurved, later inflexed to
cheilocystidia in combination with a pileipellis moderately straight, thin, weakly tomentose-
made of more or less filamentous, undifferen- fimbriate to glabrous, wavy (mainly when fully
tiated terminal elements (Figs 6a-e and 9-11). expanded), slightly exceeding the lamellae.
The two new species differ in having somewhat Lamellae whitish becoming pale brown, some
large basidiospores and clavate or moderately with pinkish shades, with whitish, fimbriate,
capitate cheilocystidia (Figs 2, 4-6f-i and 7-8). somewhat irregular edges which are somewhat
One of these species, which corresponds to what elastic; adnexed to narrowly adnate, some
has been called C. “antillarum” s. auct., is weakly subdecurrent, concurrent to a lateral
distinct in that it combines a pileipellis with point, subdistant, broad (≤ 4 mm broad), more
undifferentiated terminal elements, while the or less ventricose, lamellulae 3-4 different
other undescribed taxon combines a pileipellis length. Stipe in young stages lateral, rudimen-
bearing distinctly versiform (i.e. constrictions, tary (< 2 mm long.), whitish, pruinose, with age
short outgrowths, contorted), ventricose ter- absent or persisting as a lateral, glabrous knob
minal elements similar to its cheilocystidia. The (when seen from the hymenophore) but the
three species are described below. pileus is directly attached laterally or almost
dorsally to the substratum; basal mycelium
B. Description of new species white, present or absent. Context watery,
whitish, thin to more or less thick from center
Crepidotus pseudoantillarum Bandala, Montoya backwards (2-5 mm thick), hygrophanous then
& M. Mata, sp. nov. (Figs 2, 4-6f-g & 12a) opaque, soft, elastic, unchanging on exposure.
MycoBank: 512445 Odor and taste not distinctive.
Etymology: referring to a false Tremellopsis anti- Basidiospores (7-)7.5-11 × (4-)4.5-5.5(-
llarum.
6.5) µm, x = 8.2–9.9 × 4.8-5.7 µm, Q = 1.7-
Pileus 4-42 mm latus, dimidiatus vel flabellatus,
1.79, oblong to ellipsoid or moderately narrowly
convexus, albidus, tomentosus vel tomentoso-fibrillosus,
striatulatus, hygrophanous, viscidus. Lamellae subdistantes, ellipsoid, weakly applanate or depressed adax-
albidae, dein brunneae, marginem fimbriatae. Stipes ially then slightly reniform, apiculus very small,
primo lateralis, minutus, senectute saepe deest. Contextus apex weakly tapered but rounded, wall at times
albidus, immutabilis, gelatinosus. Basidiosporae (7-)7.5-
bearing a discontinuity resembling a germ pore,
11 × (4-)4.5-5.5(-6.5) µm, ellipsoideae vel subreniformeae,
smooth, thin- to slightly thick-walled (≤ 0.5 µm
laevis, ochraceae. Basidia 20-35 × 5-7 µm, clavata,
bispora vel monospora. Cheilocystidia 27-65 × 4-7(-8) × thick), yellow to pale yellowish-brown; under
(apicem) 6-13(-14) µm, clavata vel clavato-capitata, SEM smooth and lacking germ pore. Basidia
hyalinis, gelatinous. Pileipellis ex hyphis hyalinis, cylin- 20-35 × 5-7 µm, 2-spored, often monosporic,
draceis, laxe intricatis, subtrichodermium vel cutem
clavate, thin-walled, hyaline, clamped. Pleuro-
formantibus. Tramate pilei et tramate hymenophoralis
cystidia absent. Cheilocystidia 27-65 × 4-7 (-8)
gelatinosae. Fibulae praesentes. COSTA RICA. Guana-
caste: Arenal, Volcán Tenorio, Hacienda Montezuma, 5 µm, numerous, narrowly clavate to subclavate,
May 2000, López 1296 (Holotypus, INB; Isotypus often narrowly utriform, apex rounded or sub-
XAL). capitate 6-13 (-14) µm wide, occasionally sub-
Pileus 4-42 mm broad, in young stages
cylindric-capitate, straight or somewhat sinuous,
ungulate to more or less campanulate, becoming
hyaline, thin-walled, clamped, gelatinized, pro-
convex or almost plano-convex, subcircular or
ducing a more or less dense, refringent layer on
circular to dimidiate, at times more or less
lamellae edge.Pileipellis a loose trichoderm or a
14
Fungal Diversity

Fig. 4. Crepidotus pseudoantillarum (from holotype). a. Basidiospores. b. Pileus trama hyphae. c. Cheilocystidia. d.
Basidia e. Pileipellis. Bars: a, c & d = 10 µm, b & e = 20 µm.

15
Fig. 5. Crepidotus pseudoantillarum (from holotype). a. Tangential section of pileipellis. b. Cheilocystidia. Bars: a =
20 µm, b = 10 µm.

transition to a loose cutis, composed of cylin- or wood, in tropical and subtropical cloud forest,
dric, interwoven hyphae 5-8(-11) µm wide, at 800-1700 m alt.
hyaline, simple or bifurcate, clamped, thin- or Known distribution: Bermuda, Brazil,
slightly thick-walled (≤ 0.5 µm thick), smooth, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Jamaica, Martini-
with a variable number of undifferentiated que, Mexico.
(rarely very narrowly sublageniform or elongate Material examined: COSTA RICA: Guanacaste:
-subcapitate), straight terminal elements, the Arenal, P.N. Volcán Tenorio, Hacienda Montezuma, 5
May 2000, López 1296 (Holotype, INB; Isotype XAL).
layer is ungelatinized and variable in depth and
MEXICO. Chiapas: Mpio. Ocozocuautla, Reserva
in density of hyphae, at times in some areas
Laguna Bélgica, 5 September 2006, Bandala 4211 (XAL).
even of a single specimen the ascendant hyphae
Veracruz: 7 km S of Montepio, Estación Biológica de
are more tightly packed and projecting or in Los Tuxtlas, 20 May 1969, Singer M 8093 (F, as
other areas these hyphae are more postrated. Crepidotus antillarum). Mpio. Rafael Lucio, Sta.
Pileus trama (in tangential section) differen- Bárbara Farm, 18 February 1986, Bandala 735; Mpio.
tiated in two layers, one beneath pileipellis, Apazapan, Apazapan, 7 August 1994, Leal 458 (XAL).
Other material examined: CUBA. Prov. Pinar del
gelatinized, refringent, variable in depth,
Río, Candelaria Co., Reserva Sierra del Rosario, 9
composed of more or less filamentous hyphae 2-
December 1994, Bandala 2720 (XAL). JAMAICA.
5 µm wide, hyaline, thin-walled, smooth, some Marce's Gap, mountainous region, 29 December 1908-2
occasionally obscurely punctate, somewhat flex- January 1909, Murrill & Murrill 686 (NY, as Crepidotus
uous, more or less radially oriented and loosely cinchonensis).
interwoven; below that layer is a distinctive Notes: Distinctive features that separate
moderately compact, gelatinized but not refrin- C. pseudoantillarum from other white,
gent stratum comprising most of the pileus gelatinized, clamped, smooth-spored species
context and composed of colorless, thin-walled, are the clavate to more or less subcapitate
subcylindric to subventricose, simple, bifurcate cheilocystidia and a pileipellis composed of
or occasionally ramified hyphae (3-)4-15(-17) undifferentiated terminal elements. This taxon
µm wide, often short-bifurcate, somewhat encompasses the attributes of what Singer
irregularly arranged forming a puzzle-like (1947) understood and circumscribed as C.
structure. Hymenophoral trama with a medio- “antillarum”, a concept later extended in
stratum, irregular to subregular, composed of subsequent literature (for further information
hyphae similar to those from lower part of please refer to the discussion under Tremel-
pileus trama; laterostrata refringent, gelatinized, lopsis antillarum above). Crepidotus pseudo-
composed of filamentous, colorless to pale antillarum seems to enclose some variants
yellowish, thin-walled hyphae 2-5 µm wide, producing different numbers of spores per
loosely and more or less divergently arranged. basidium. Collections examined here often
Clamp connections present in all tissues. presented 2-spored or monosporic basidia; the
Habitat: Gregarious, on decaying branches taxon is reported to include specimens (1-)2(3-)-

16
Fungal Diversity

Fig. 6. Scanning electron micrographs of Crepidotus basidiospores. a-e. C. albescens (a-b: from holotype; c: Kelly 158,
holotype of C. phaseoliformis; d-e: Earle 241, holotype of C. betulae). f-g. C. pseudoantillarum (from holotype). h-i. C.
herrerae (from holotype). Bars: a-e = 1 µm, f-i = 2 µm.

spored, 2-4-spored or 4-spored basidia (Singer, laterostrata, being more refractive in some than
1947, 1973; Pegler, 1983; Senn-Irlet and De in others. Singer (1973) observed something
Meijer, 1998; all as C. antillarum). The similar among his specimens. Pegler (1983)
gelatinous layer resting just beneath the reported the subhymenial layer as being poorly
pileipellis can be thick and refringent in fresh developed and the hymenophoral trama
or well revived specimens, although in some subgelatinized, not mentioning the pileus trama
cases it is weakly refringent but differentiated characteristics. Senn-Irlet and De Meijer
(as in specimen Bandala 4211) or it can be (1998) described a distinct gelatinous layer
very compact and hence apparently absent behind the subhymenium and jigsaw-like cells
(Bandala 735, 2720), in both later situations of the pileus trama. Our study of specimens of
the pileipellis hyphae rather rest on the pileus C. pseudoantillarum and other related members
trama. At times some lamellae (even of a same revealed that a well preserved sample from
specimen) in tangential section show a which a good revived tangential section can be
variation in the depth of the gelatinized obtained, allows to observe the disposition of
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the gelatinized layers, one of them located just that macroscopy has been used as the first
beneath the pileipellis, another just below the criterion of segregation between a more consis-
lower part of the context (i.e. the continuation tently stipitate taxon (Simocybe) and another
of the subhymenium), and finally, the apparently sessile (Crepidotus). Through C.
laterostrata in the lamellae (cf. Fig. 11a-b) (at pseudoantillarum and allied species as well as
times producing a dense, gelatinized lamellae other lineages, Crepidotus not only shares with
tip where the cheilocystidia are immersed). Simocybe morphologically similar spores
Such layers, even in the same sample, vary to a (yellowish to yellowish-brown or brownish,
greater or lesser degree both in depth and smooth, variably reniform, lacking germ pore)
refraction, and consequently one or more layers (Pegler and Young, 1975; Senn-Irlet, 1995b)
can be better defined. A similar variation, more but also anatomical details of the pileipellis
dependent on the influence of weather conditions (more than with Agrocybe and other Bolbitia-
and later drying of the material, is, in fact, ceae which differ in having a cuticle in a
observed also among samples representing palisadoderm, Watling, 1965; Watling and
different species of Crepidotus that form Largent, 1976). The core species of Simocybe,
gelatinized tissues (Singer, 1973; Nordstein, that includes European species like S. centun-
1990; Senn-Irlet, 1995a; Bandala and Montoya, culus (Fr.) P. Karst. and S. sumptuosa (P.D.
2004; Gonou-Zagou and Delivorias, 2005). Orton) Singer, or American members like S.
Apart from the diagnostic set of characters alachuana (Murrill) Singer or S. atomacea
of C. pseudoantillarum the size of the basidio- (Murrill) Singer among others, certainly have a
spores can be indicative also of taxonomic pileipellis with a closer arrangement pattern,
differences. Fig. 2 depicts the mean values of bearing more defined cystidia-like terminal
length and width of the basidiospores based on elements and hence appearing more tricho-
available collections of the three species dermoid. However, other members like S.
studied in this group. Comparing these values, iberica G. Moreno & Esteve-Rav. and S.
the specimens of C. pseudoantillarum show a quebecensis Redhead & Cauchon possess a
different range in relation to that observed on pileipellis with a looser or somewhat entangled
C. albescens and the next new species treated arrangement, composed of interwoven, more or
(see below). This later taxon presented larger less filamentous elements, rather radially
basidiospores, with a range above that displayed oriented, hence appearing in parts as a loose
by C. pseudoantillarum which at the same cutis or a loose trichodermoid pileipellis
time, showed a larger basidiospore range than (Redhead and Cauchon, 1989; Moreno and
C. albescens. Collections of C. albescens Esteve-Raventós, 1990; Senn-Irlet, 1995b;
perhaps produce small-sized basidiospores due pers. obs.). The pileipellis in both cases seems
to the consistent presence of tetrasporic basidia, to be comparable (if not identical) with that
in comparison with the other two species which found in several Crepidotus species, e.g. C.
possess bisporic or monosporic basidia. Further eucalyptinus Maire & Malençon, C. lepton
confirmation of the taxonomic value of the (Berk.) Sacc., C. pezizula (Berk. & Broome)
basidiospore size will be achieved when the Sacc., C. variabilis (Pers.) P. Kumm., among
number of collections be increased to corrobo- others (Malençon and Bertault, 1975; Pegler,
rate if those patterns are effectively consistent. 1986; Senn-Irlet, 1995a; pers. obs.). In cases
It is interesting to comment additionally such as Simocybe fulvifibrillosa (Murrill)
that a similar situation in the size of the Singer, S. ovalis Singer or S. coroicensis Singer
basidiospores is well known among bisporic (Singer, 1973) a pileipellis like that of many
and tetrasporic forms of Simocybe (Senn-Irlet, Crepidotus, i.e. with more prostrate, relatively
1995b), the sister genus of Crepidotus (Moser, compact hyphae and with scattered, not neces-
1983; Singer, 1986; Moncalvo et al., 2002; Aime sarily differentiated terminal elements, can be
et al., 2005). The limits between Simocybe and found. Even in species like C. cristulatus
Crepidotus have been (until recently) defined Singer, C. rubriceps Singer and the other new
artificially to some extent by having been based species herein proposed (see below), the pilei-
exclusively on a reduced number of species of pellis has more defined terminal elements,
each genus for comparison. It is not surprising resembling cystidia-like structures in compari-
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