Taxon 49:789-798 (2000).
 
 

Rhacophyllus and Zerovaemyces -- teleomorphs or anamorphs?

Scott A. Redhead1 , Keith A. Seifert, Rytas Vilgalys2 , and Jean-Marc Moncalvo

1Systematic Mycology and Botany, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0C6, Canada
2Department of Botany, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA




 


Abstract.-  The originally monotypic genus Rhacophyllus was conceived for an agaric-like fungus that bore sheets of miniature sclerotium-like bodies (lysomeres) in place of lamellae.  Subsequently it was demonstrated that a ënormalí Coprinus-like teleomorph exists as an alternative state (morph).  Following this discovery, most authors have treated Rhacophyllus as an anamorph.  Ontological studies indicate that the Rhacophyllus state is a variation on basidiome production and suggestions have been made by several authors that meiosis might occur in the lysomeres. Rhacophyllus may be unique in possessing two teleomorphs, which if true complicates nomenclatural analysis of the name Rhacophyllus lilacinus. Furthermore, Rhacophyllus apparently was rediscovered and redescribed as a new genus Zerovaemyces, for which a new family, Zerovaemycetaceae, and a new order, Loculomycetes, were also described, all as teleomorphs. These names are analysed and it is concluded that Rhacophyllus (and Zerovaemyces, Zerovaemycetaceae) are best considered to be nomina anamorphosium.  These decisions affect the naming of molecularly newly resolved taxa.  An analogous second case of modified basidiomes involves the anamorph Decapitatus gen. nov., described here for the well-known gemmiferous state of Mycena citricolor, Decapitatus flavidus comb. nov. (= Stilbum flavidum).

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