Phaeoclavulina decurrens (Gomphales, Basidiomycetes) – the first record for a coral fungus for the Maltese Islands

Abstract

The study about the mycobiota of the island of Gozo within the Maltese archipelago has resulted in the finding of new record of a basidiomycete – Phaeoclavulina decurrens. It is a coral fungus that grows on leaf litter of deciduous trees, where in fact, it was located under Ceratonia siliqua in a maquis community. The record as well the genus is also new for the Maltese Islands. A morphological description supplemented with macro- and micro-photographs are presented together with details about the ecology of this record. A brief taxonomic account of this species and its resemblance with closely related species are discussed.

Keywords

• central mediterranean region
• gozo
• ramaria
• subgenus echinoramaria