''Phlegmacium basorapulum'' 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 mycologists Melissa Danks,
Teresa Lebel, and Karl Vernes 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 in
Mount Kaputar
Mount Kaputar, a mountain with an elevation of above sea level, is located near Narrabri in northern New South Wales. It is part of the Nandewar Range and has been preserved within the Mount Kaputar National Park. The mountain is a prominent ...
, 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 sequences places ''Cortinarius basorapulus'' in the
section ''Percomes'' of the genus ''
Cortinarius'', along with the European species ''
C. langei'', ''
C. nanciencis'' and ''
C. percomis''. 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 ...
''basorapulus'' is derived from the
Latin words ''rapulum'' (a turnip) and ''baso'' (base) and refers to the distinct shape of the fruit bodies.
In 2022 the species was transferred from ''Cortinarius'' and reclassified as ''Phlegmacium basorapulum'' based on genomic data.
Description
The
fruit body of ''Phlegmacium basorapulus'' 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, including at maturity. The
caps are convex to roughly spherical, sometimes with a flattened top, and measure in diameter. A cottony white
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 whitish to pale brown with a texture ranging from finely hairy to felt-like. Remnants of the partial veil can give the surface a whitish to
tan powdery coating that is readily rubbed off. The
flesh is translucent white to pale yellow-brown and thick. The internal spore-bearing tissue of the cap (the
hymenophore), is dull brown at first, but darkens as the spores mature. A white stipe extends into the fruit body through its entire length; measuring long by thick, it stains tan-brown when injured. Fruit bodies have no distinctive taste or odor. The spores are roughly elliptical and measure 9.6–11.6 by 7–9.4
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 ...
. The 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), narrowly club-shaped, four-spored, and have dimensions of 32.0–36.5 by 6.7–10.2 μm.
Habitat and distribution
The fruit bodies of ''Phlegmacium basorapulus'' grow underground in dry
sclerophyll forest. Known only from the type collection, the species occurs on high-elevation slopes of the Kaputar Plateau in New South Wales.
Vegetation associated with the fungus includes ''
Brachychiton populneus
''Brachychiton populneus'', commonly known as the kurrajong, is a small to medium-sized tree found naturally in Australia in a diversity of habitats from wetter coastal districts to semi-arid interiors of Victoria, New South Wales and Queen ...
'', ''
Eucalyptus albens
''Eucalyptus albens'', known as the white box, is a common tree of the western slopes and plains of New South Wales and adjacent areas in Queensland and Victoria. It has rough, fibrous bark on the base of its trunk and smooth, white bark above. ...
'', ''
E. elliptica'', ''
E. laevopinea'' and ''
Exocarpus cupressiformis
''Exocarpos cupressiformis'', with common names that include native cherry, cherry ballart, and cypress cherry, belongs to the sandalwood family of plants. It is a species endemic to Australia. Occasionally the genus name is spelt "Exocarpus" but ...
''.
See also
*
List of ''Cortinarius'' species
References
External links
*
{{Taxonbar, from=Q5173313
basorapulus
Fungi described in 2010
Fungi of Australia
Taxa named by Teresa Lebel