''Thaxterogaster caesibulga ''is a species of
truffle-like fungus in the family
Cortinariaceae.
Found in
New South Wales, Australia, the species was described as new to science in 2010.
Taxonomy
The species was first
described scientifically by Australian mycologists Karl Vernes, Melissa Danks, and
Teresa Lebel in a 2010 issue of the journal ''Persoonia''. The
type
Type may refer to:
Science and technology Computing
* Typing, producing text via a keyboard, typewriter, etc.
* Data type, collection of values used for computations.
* File type
* TYPE (DOS command), a command to display contents of a file.
* Ty ...
collection was made near
Waterfall Way, New South Wales in July 2007.
Molecular
A molecule is a group of two or more atoms held together by attractive forces known as chemical bonds; depending on context, the term may or may not include ions which satisfy this criterion. In quantum physics, organic chemistry, and bioche ...
analysis of
internal transcribed spacer DNA sequence data show that the fungus belongs to the
section ''Purpurascentes'', and groups in a
clade
A clade (), also known as a monophyletic group or natural group, is a group of organisms that are monophyletic – that is, composed of a common ancestor and all its lineal descendants – on a phylogenetic tree. Rather than the English term, ...
with the
agaric species ''
C. submagellanicus'' (found in
Tasmania). The
specific epithet
In taxonomy, binomial nomenclature ("two-term naming system"), also called nomenclature ("two-name naming system") or binary nomenclature, is a formal system of naming species of living things by giving each a name composed of two parts, bot ...
''caesibulga'' is derived from the
Latin words ''caesius'' (lavender pale blue with grey tinge) and ''bulga'' (purse or bag) and refers to the bag-like shape of the fruit bodies.
In 2022 the species was transferred from ''Cortinarius'' and reclassified as ''Thaxterogaster caesibulga'' based on genomic data.
Description
The
fruit body of ''Thaxterogaster caesibulga'' is sequestrate, meaning that its
spore
In biology, a spore is a unit of sexual or asexual reproduction that may be adapted for dispersal and for survival, often for extended periods of time, in unfavourable conditions. Spores form part of the life cycles of many plants, algae, f ...
s are not forcibly discharged from the
basidia, and it remains enclosed during all stages of development, even when mature. The shape of the
caps ranges from irregularly spherical to like an inverted cone, sometimes with a flattened top, and they measure long by in diameter. A cobwebby silvery-grey
partial veil connects the cap to the
stipe. The outer skin of the cap (the
pellis The term pellis refers to the cellular cortical layers of a mushroom. The term was introduced by Dutch mycologist Cornelis Bas
Dr. Cornelis (Kees) Bas (1928 – February 10, 2013) was a Dutch mycologist.
Dr. Bas was born in Rotterdam and grad ...
) is
lavender (mixed with
tan in mature specimens) with a finely hairy texture. Remnants of the
universal veil are readily rubbed off with handling. The
flesh is translucent white to cream and thick. The internal spore-bearing tissue of the cap (the
hymenophore) is pale brown at first, but darkens as the spores mature. A slender, silvery lavender stipe extends into the fruit body through its entire length; it measures long by thick. Young fruit bodies have no distinctive or odor, but develop a pungent smell as they mature; their taste is somewhat
farinaceous (similar to freshly ground flour). The spores are egg-shaped to roughly elliptical and measure 8.7–11 by 4.8–6.5
μm
The micrometre ( international spelling as used by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures; SI symbol: μm) or micrometer (American spelling), also commonly known as a micron, is a unit of length in the International System of Unit ...
. They are densely covered with nodules up to 0.5 μm high. The thin-walled basidia (spore-bearing cells) are
hyaline
A hyaline substance is one with a glassy appearance. The word is derived from el, ὑάλινος, translit=hyálinos, lit=transparent, and el, ὕαλος, translit=hýalos, lit=crystal, glass, label=none.
Histopathology
Hyaline cartilage is ...
(translucent), club-shaped to cylindrical, four-spored, and have dimensions of 26–39 by 5–8 μm.
Habitat and distribution
The fruit bodies of ''Thaxterogaster caesibulga'' grow underground in dry
sclerophyll forest, and appear from May to July. It is found on the high eastern slopes of the New England Plateau in northern New South Wales, and in mixed forest near
Mount Imlay
Mount Imlay is a national park in New South Wales (Australia), 387 km south of Sydney, named after the Imlay brothers, who were early pioneers to the district. It is accessed from the Princes Highway, south of Eden, New South Wales. The ...
in southern NSW.
Vegetation typically associated with the fungus at the former location includes ''
Allocasuarina littoralis'', ''
Eucalyptus caliginosa
''Eucalyptus caliginosa'', commonly known as broad-leaved stringybark or New England stringybark, is a tree that is endemic to eastern Australia. It has stringy bark, lance-shaped or curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven or nine, ...
'', ''
E. dalrympleana'' subsp. ''heptantha'', and ''
E. radiata'' subsp. ''sejuncta'', while ''
E. cypellocarpa'' and ''
E. sieberii'' are found at the latter locale. The fungus has also been recorded in wet sclerophyll forest in
Victoria, where ''
E. regnans'' is a common plant associate.
See also
*
List of ''Cortinarius'' species
References
External links
*
{{Taxonbar, from=Q5173311
Cortinariaceae
Fungi described in 2010
Fungi of Australia
Taxa named by Teresa Lebel