Angela Lantieri

Biodiversity, evolution and adaptation of fungi in extreme environments

Fungi play irreplaceable roles for ecosystem functioning. They may adopt different lifestyles, for example saprotrophs, symbionts or parasites: some species are cosmopolitan with a wide distribution and others, thanks to their ecological plasticity, may adapt to harsh environments precluded to most of life forms. In stressing conditions, their role is even more crucial for the recycling of organic matter or favoring nutrients uptake. When the conditions become really extreme and competition is low, fungi focus on extremotolerance and evolve peculiar competences to exploit natural or xenobiotic resources in the particular constrains imposed by the environment. This paper focuses on three different cases of fungal life in the extremes: hydrocarbon-polluted sites, extremely acidic substrates, and littoral dunes, aiming to give few but significant examples of the role of these fascinating organisms in peculiar habitats and the valuable biotechnological potentialities of the abilities they have evolved in response to such constrains.

Fungal biodiversity and in situ conservation in Italy.

Abstract A remarkable increase in knowledge of fungal biodiversity in Italy has occurred in the last five years. The authors report up-to-date numbers of fungi (Basidiomycota and Ascomycota) by regions together with distributional and ecological data on hypogeous fungi. Specific case studies such as alpine fungi, orchid mycorrhizas symbionts, invasive species, and the use of macrofungi as food by red squirrels are analyzed. In situ conservation strategies carried out on target species and/or taxonomic groups are also indicated.

Seed germination in Sarcopoterium spinosum (L.) Spach from South-Eastern Sicily

Abstract Sarcopoterium spinosum (L.) Spach is a nanophanerophyte whose presence in Sicily is limited to the South-East of the island. A study on seed germination behaviour of seeds collected from some populations indicates low viability of seedlings which could seriously put the long-term survival of these populations at risk.

A new species of Ruhlandiella (Pezizaceae) from Italy

This paper describes the newly discovered species Ruhlandiella peregrina. Full description and illustrations of macro- and micromorphological features of the new taxon are provided. This species differs from other described species in ascus and ascospore size and in the crested and ridged ornamentation of ascospores. As is the case in two other similar species, the asci of R. peregrina do not becoming blue in iodine solutions.

Pollen morphology and seed germination studies on Retama raetam ssp. gussonei, endemic subspecies from Sicily

A study on pollen morphology and seed germination behaviour of Retama raetam (Forssk.) Webb ssp. gussonei (Webb) Greuter, endemic subspecies from Sicily and Calabria, is herein presented, aiming to preserve these populations strongly affected by anthropic pressure.

Seed germination in the Sicilian subspecies of Dianthus rupicola Biv. (Caryophyllaceae)

Abstract Five populations belonging to three subspecies of Dianthus rupicola Biv. (D. rupicola subsp. rupicola, D. rupicola subsp. aeolicus, and D. rupicola subsp. lopadusanus) and growing in different geographical areas of Sicily were tested for seed germination at various temperatures. All populations showed high germination rates with an optimum temperature between 15°C and 25°C. Efficient seed germination might contribute significantly to the preservation of these subspecies which are currently exposed to several environmental threats.

The Caloscyphaceae (Pezizomycetes, Ascomycota), with a new genus

The family Caloscyphaceae with a single genus, Caloscypha, has been considered to include a single species, C. fulgens. Study of an overlooked second species, Caloscypha incarnata from North Africa and Italy, using SSU, LSU rDNA, and morphology allows placement of this species in a new genus, Kallistoskypha, in the Caloscyphaceae. This fungus is found in association with Eucalyptus species. The species was recently redescribed from Spain under the name Marcelleina parvispora. Caloscypha fulgens, the type species of the genus Caloscypha, shows sequence variation from across its range.

Clarification of Peziza fimeti with notes on P. varia collections on dung

The smooth-spored species inhabiting dung, mainly of the Peziza fimeti group, were studied morphologically and through ITS sequence comparison. The results established that Peziza varia is also able to fruit on dung, clarifying a long-standing situation regarding two conflicting interpretations given in P. fimeti literature.

A new species of Marcelleina from Italy

Marcelleina mediterranea is described as a new species and is illustrated. It occurs on sandy soil among scattered mosses, in Southeast Sicily (Italy). It differs from other species in size and ornamentation of ascospores. Its ecology and taxonomical relationships are examined.

First record of Trichoglossum tetrasporum Sinden & Fitzp. (Helotiales, Geoglossaceae) from Italy

Abstract The first record of Trichoglossum tetrasporum from Italy is here reported. The work reports macro- and microscopic descriptions of the taxa and remarks on its distribution also in comparison with some related species.