Geastrum minimum

Abstract: Xerothermic habitats of protected sites in the Nida Basin are of special natural value. The richness of steppe plant species contributes to the biodiversity of grassland ecosystems and increases the floristic and landscape uniqueness of Ponidzie. A rich thermophilous biota of interesting steppe macromycetes (Basidiomycetes) develops in the xerothermic vegetation in the area. As preliminary investigations into macrofungi in xerothermic communities in the Nida Basin have shown, many very rare and valuable species as well as species new to the Polish mycobiota occur in the study area. Several rare species of gasteroid fungi, such as Geastrum minimum and G. schmidelii , were found in patches of Sisymbrio-Stipetum capillatae . Many taxa are indicator species of these biocoenoses. Noteworthy are parasitic macrofungi infecting roots of the genus Stipa : Gastrosporium simplex and Polyporus rhizophilus . Localities of species of the genus Tulostoma : T. brumale , T. kotlabae and T. melanocyclum , T. squamosum , new to the Nida Basin, were recorded in patches of Koelerio-Festucetum rupicolae and Festucetum pallentis . The above fungi are very rare in Poland’s mycobiota. They are strongly threatened and are classified as endangered (E). Geastrum minimum and the species of the genus Tulostoma are strictly protected.

Abstract: The recently revised Geastrum minimum species complex in sect. Geastrum subsect. Quadrifida revealed that the name G. minimum is a nomen ambiguum and dubium and was collectively used for at least two European species (viz. G. granulosum and G. marginatum). During the morphological revision of the Hungarian materials labelled as G. minimum, different crystal structures were found on the endoperidial body of some specimens than those of characteristic for G. granulosum and G. marginatum. These collections were exclusively found on open rocky grassy vegetation on dolomite bedrock in Hungary. Multigene phylogenetic analyses involving nrITS, nrLSU, rpb1, atp6 and tef1-α sequences of the collections with unique crystal morphology and ecology revealed that these form a distinct clade in close relationship with G. granulosum s.l. (i.e. specimens from Europe and North America). Based on molecular evidence, macro- and micromorphology as well as X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRD) characterisation of the mesoperidial crystals, here we propose the new species Geastrum dolomiticum.

Abstract: Sousa, J. O.; B. D. B. Silva; D. S. Alfredo & I. G. Baseia. 2014. New records of Geastraceae (Basidiomy- cota, Phallomycetidae) from Atlantic Rainforest remnants and relicts of Northeastern Brazil. Darwiniana, nueva serie 2(2): 207-221. This work presents records of Geastraceae for northeastern Brazil, collected in remnants of the Atlan- tic Rainforest and Atlantic Rainforest relicts "Brejo de Altitude". The species were identified based on macro- and micromorphology with the aid of specific literature. Eleven species of the family are distrib- uted into two genera: Geastrum fimbriatum, G. javanicum, G. lageniforme, G. lloydianum, G. minimum, G. pectinatum, G. rusticum, G. schweinitzii, G. setiferum, G. triplex, and Myriostoma coliforme. Nine of these records are new for Rio Grande do Norte state, five for Paraiba and five for Ceara. Geastrum minimum is the first record for Northeastern Brazil; G. rusticum is the first report for the semiarid region, while G. pectinatum and M. coliforme are the first records for the Northeastern Atlantic rainforest and "Brejo de Altitude" vegetation. We also provide observations, habitat, and species distribution in Brazil.

Abstract: An updated, annotated list of earthstars found in the Hawaiian Islands is presented that includes 19 species of Geastrum and Myriostoma coliforme. Favored habitats for these gasteroid fungi include periodically wet windward coastal Casuarina groves, windward Leucaena thickets, and leeward coastal Prosopis groves. In contrast to these nonnative vegetation zones, earthstars such as Geastrum minimum, G. campestre, and G. corollinum are found also in largely native leeward montane Sophora/Myoporum forests, whereas Geastrum velutinum and G. reticulatum appear in montane native Acacia koa/Metrosideros forests. Eighty-two percent of the collections were made between September and February, although Geastrum triplex may be found earlier during the summer months. Two species, Geastrum litchiforme Desjardin & Hemmes and Geastrum reticulatum Desjardin & Hemmes, are described as new, accompanied by illustrations and comparisons with allied taxa. Geastrum xerophilum, originally published without Latin diagnosis, is formally validated. Specific collections are documented and island distribution and preferred habitats of the various species are listed. An artificial dichotomous key to aid in identification is provided.