The corticioid fungi are a group of fungi in the Basidiomycota typically having effused, smooth basidiocarps (fruit bodies) that are formed on the undersides of dead tree trunks or branches. They are sometimes colloquially called crust fungi or patch fungi . Originally such fungi were referred to the genus Corticium ("corticioid" means Corticium -like) and subsequently to the family Corticiaceae , but it is now known that all corticioid species are not necessarily closely related. The fact that they look similar is an example of convergent evolution . Since they are often studied as a group, it is convenient to retain the informal (non-taxonomic) name of "corticioid fungi" and this term is frequently used in research papers and other texts.
15-481: Botryobasidium Suillosporium Botryobasidioideae Parm. (1968) Botryohypochnoideae Parm. (1968) Botryohypochnaceae (Parm.) Jülich (1982) The Botryobasidiaceae are a family of fungi in the order Cantharellales . The family contains a group of corticioid fungi that form thin, web-like basidiocarps . Some species form asexual anamorphs producing chlamydospores . All are believed to be wood-rotting or litter-rotting saprotrophs . None
30-481: A second genus, Botryohypochnus , for species with ornamented basidiospores. The genus was later monographed by Langer (1994) who included Botryohypochnus within the generic concept of Botryobasidium . Asexual anamorphic forms, producing chlamydospores but not basidia and basidiospores, had been treated separately and given a variety of generic names. These were reviewed by Holubová-Jechková (1980) who considered most of these genera synonymous with Haplotrichum ,
45-501: A synonym of Botryobasidium ), Candelabrochaete , Suillosporium , and Waitea , based mainly on similarities in their basidiocarp micromorphology . The family was placed in the order Stereales . Molecular research, based on cladistic analysis of DNA sequences , has confirmed the Botryobasidiaceae as a separate family, but restricted to the genus Botryobasidium , including its anamorphs and Botryohypochnus . The family
60-471: Is known to be of any economic importance. The name Botryobasidioideae was first introduced as a subfamily of the Corticiaceae in 1958 by Swedish mycologist John Eriksson , but was not fully described and validly published until taken up by Estonian mycologist Erast Parmasto in 1968. Parmasto placed the genera Botryobasidium (together with the anamorphic genus Oidium ) and Uthatobasidium within
75-466: Is now restricted to a few species closely related to the type. The Corticiaceae is now equally restricted to a few genera close to (and including) Corticium . Crust-like species are found in no less than 18 of the 24 currently recognized orders of higher basidiomycetes (Agaricomycotina). Corticioid fungi are rather loosely defined, but most have effused fruit bodies, the spore bearing surface typically being smooth to granular or spiny. Some species (in
90-630: Is placed alongside the Ceratobasidiaceae and Tulasnellaceae within the order Cantharellales. Genera previously included within the Botryobasidiaceae have now been placed in the Corticiales ( Waitea ), Hymenochaetales ( Botryodontia ), and Polyporales ( Candelabrochaete ). The disposition of Suillosporium is as yet unknown. According to a 2008 estimate, the Botryobasidiaceae contains around 80 species worldwide. Species are assumed to be wood- and litter-rotting saprotrophs and are typically found on
105-405: The 1950s. Though a number of genera had been recognized as distinct from Corticium from the late nineteenth century onwards, it was not until Swedish mycologist Prof. John Eriksson reviewed the corticioid fungi in a series of publications starting in 1950 that modern concepts were formed. The eight-volume work that he initiated, Corticiaceae of North Europe (1973-1987), effectively established
120-494: The anamorphic state of Botryobasidium . Following changes to the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants , the practice of giving different names to teleomorph and anamorph forms of the same fungus has been discontinued, meaning that Haplotrichum and other anamorph genera have become synonyms of Botryobasidium . Molecular research, based on cladistic analysis of DNA sequences , indicates that
135-409: The current circumscription of the corticioid fungi. Eriksson and his co-authors, however, still placed all or most of these fungi within the Corticiaceae , though stating that this was "not a natural taxon but an assemblage of species with similar habitat." It was not until the advent of DNA sequencing that the full diversity of these fungi was realized. The genus Corticium is still retained, but
150-552: The fruiting bodies are formed on the underside of dead branches or logs, the fungus resides within the wood. A number of species are litter-rotting and produce fruitbodies underneath fallen leaves and compacted litter as well as on fallen wood. Some of these species are known to be ectomycorrhizal (forming a beneficial association with the roots of living trees). A few specialist species grow on dead herbaceous stems and leaves or on dead grass, rush, and sedge stems, especially in marshes. Parasites of plants and other fungi are also found in
165-464: The genera Stereum and Steccherinum , for example) may form fruit bodies that are partly bracket- or shelf-like with a smooth to spiny undersurface. The corticioid fungi currently comprise around 1700 species worldwide, distributed amongst some 250 genera. They constitute around 13% of the homobasidiomycetes known to date. Most corticioid fungi are wood-rotting species and rely on wood degradation as their primary means of nutrition. Although
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#1733084585185180-485: The genus (including Botryohypochnus ) is monophyletic and forms a natural group within the Cantharellales. Corticioid fungi The genus Corticium was established by Persoon in 1794 for fungi having smooth, effused fruit bodies. Corticium roseum Pers. was later selected as the type species. Subsequent authors described over 1000 species in the genus which continued to be used in its wide sense up until
195-563: The genus has a worldwide distribution. The genus was first described by Dutch mycologist M.A. Donk in 1931. Species had previously been referred to the genus Corticium , formerly used for most corticioid fungi with effused fruit bodies. Donk recognized a group of species within Corticium that (microscopically) produced basidia in " botryose " clusters (hence Botryobasidium ), had wide, often right-angled hyphae , large two- to eight-spored basidia, and smooth basidiospores . He described
210-597: The subfamily, noting that they shared certain "primitive" characters linking them to the Ceratobasidiaceae and Tulasnellaceae . In 1982 Jülich raised the subfamily to the rank of family, as the Botryobasidiaceae, and placed it in a new order , the Botryobasidiales (which also included the family Botryohypochnaceae). A standard 1995 reference work included within the Botryobasidiaceae the corticioid genera Botryobasidium , Botryodontia , Botryohypochnus (considered
225-566: The undersides of fallen, rotting branches in woodland leaf litter. Basidiocarps are thin and ephemeral. None is known to be of any economic importance. Botryobasidium Botryobasidium is a genus of corticioid fungi belonging to the order Cantharellales . Basidiocarps (fruit bodies) are ephemeral and typically form thin, web-like, white to cream, effused patches on the underside of fallen branches, logs, and leaf litter. Several species form anamorphs producing chlamydospores . All species are wood- or litter-rotting saprotrophs and
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