TAXONOMIC STUDIES ON TYLOPILUS BALLOUI SENSU LATO (BOLETACEAE, BASIDIOMYCOTA) FOR DUNE AREAS AND BOARD AREAS OF THE BRAZILIAN ATLANTIC FOREST
Tylopilus; Boletaceae; Basidiomycota; phylogeny; taxonomy
Tylopilus sensu lato is quite diverse within the Boletaceae and, due to the considerable morphological plasticity of the genus, the taxonomic and phylogenetic limits were evaluated in parts, and its infrageneric classification still remains unclear. As an example, we have Tylopilus balloui, originally described for North America and comprising fungi with an orange-toned cap, white to cream to yellow pores that turn brown to the touch, and a stipe with yellowish tones. Because the works are fragmented and with little abrangent about the genus, reanalysis using, in addition to morphology, molecular tools is necessary. The objective of this work is to analyze the species richness of T. balloui sensu lato collected in the states of Paraíba and Rio Grande do Norte and to interpret which morphological characteristics can be used in the delimitation of cryptic species for a better understanding of this group. For this study, six specimens were studied, two belonging to specimens collected in the Parque Estadual das Dunas do Natal and the other four in the REBio Guaribas (area of SEMA II), which are conservation units considered areas of coastal plains and tableland forests. Morphological and phylogenetic analyzes followed the traditional methodology for macrofungi. After ITS analysis, T. dunensis was identified, constituting a new record for Paraíba. Additionally, two new species will be proposed. One of these species might be considered as semi-cryptic with sympatric speciation with T. dunensis. The another is a well-delimited new taxon based on phylogenetic and morphological evidence. Thus, we describe two additional taxa of Tylopilus from ‘tabuleiro’ forest in the state of Paraíba.