Helvellosebacina Granulata Sp. Nov. (Basidiomycota: Sebacinaceae) from the East Black Sea Region of Turkey

Abstract

Helvellosebacina granulata, collected from the Euro-Siberian phytogeographical region by the eastern Black Sea in Turkey but most probably also present in Estonia, is described as a species new to science based on both morphological and rDNA data. The new species is well distinguished from similar taxa by typically granular, tough, smooth, whitish to beige basidiomata, elliptical to cylindrical or allantoid basidiospores and elliptical to subglobose or pyriform, longitudinally septate hypobasidia. Several DNA sequences originating from unidentified Estonian material but almost identical or closely similar to those of the type of Helvellosebacina granulata were found in databases, suggesting a wider distribution of the species. The species was found in mixed deciduous forest but is presumed to form mycorrhiza with Carpinus spp. The presence of the genus Helvellosebacina in Turkey is herby revealed for the first time in this study. A full description of the new species is provided with field photos of holotype and paratype collections, micromorphological illustrations, a phylogenetic reconstruction and a short discussion.