Basidiome reduction in litter-inhabiting Thelephorales in boreal forest environments: morphological and molecular evidence

Diversification of many taxa of thelephoroid fungi is associated with basidiome reduction via transition to life and sporulation within caverns of windfall-soil complexes as well as between fallen logs and moss cover in boreal forests. The present expertise observation regarding the xylotrophic fungi and its niches. The present report describes a number of boreal Thelephorales with reduced basidiomes with considerations on the evolution of basidiome within the group based on molecular phylogeny. Two new forms (Hydnellum concrescens f. petaloides and Phellodon melaleucus f. suspensis) were described, rare species Hydnellum gracilipes is characterized molecularly, and one replacing name (Thelephora wakefieldii) as well as two new combinations (Th. ellisii and Th. umbrinella) were made. The molecular characterization of Phellodon secretus holotype is given for the first time here.