Schizophyllum amplum (Agaricales, Schizophyllaceae): A rare Basidiomycete from Malta and Estonia

Abstract

Schizophyllum amplum (Agaricales, Schizophyllaceae) is reported for the first time in Malta and Estonia. The collections from Malta were examined morphologically and compared with previously published accounts of this species. The specimens from Estonia and Malta were sequence d after PCR amplification with ITS1F and ITS4 for ITS region. The sequences were then compared to other sequences deposited in public databases using BLASTn. Genetically the ITS rDNA data obtained from the Maltese and Estonian specimens are 99% similar but show some differences from other sequences of S. amplum (L43381 and L43382) deposited in GenBank. A multigenetic approach with a larger number of specimens should be employed to define the currently accepted genetic limits for Schizophyllum species.

Keywords

• auriculariopsis ampla
• its rdna
• mycobiota
• mediterranean
• morphology
• phylogeny