KEW BULLETIN VOL 63: 87–99 (2008)
Heterobasidiomycetes from Belize
Peter Roberts1
Summary. Twenty-eight species of heterobasidiomycetes (phylum Basidiomycota) belonging to the orders Auriculariales, Dacrymycetales, Exidiales, Platygloeales, Sebacinales, Septobasidiales and Tremellales from Belize are described or
reported. Endoperplexa phlebioides, Heterochaete pentadelphai and Sebacina pileata are described as new. The genus
Aphelariopsis is considered a possible synonym of Septobasidium and the new combination Septobasidium kupemontis is
proposed. The new combination Endoperplexa obscura is also proposed.
Key Words. Basidiomycetes, biodiversity, Fungi, savannah, tropical forest, Urediniomycetes.
Introduction
The majority of species recorded in this paper were
collected by the author and colleagues in autumn
2002 as part of a US National Science Foundation,
Biotic Surveys and Inventories Program.
A range of sites were surveyed in the districts of
Belize, Cayo, Orange Walk, and Stann Creek. In Belize
District, the sites — La Democracia: Tropical Education Center (used as a field centre by ‘Birds Without
Borders’ in 2002) and nearby private land adjacent to
Belize Zoo — are open, lowland, pine savannah
(Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis [Sénécl.] W. H. Barrett
& Golfari) with oaks, other broadleaf trees and
shrubs, and palms, together with some damper,
narrow, streamside, broadleaf, gallery forest species.
Most collections were made on dead attached twigs
and branches following rainfall, though few fungi
could be found on the pines. In Cayo District, the
lowland sites in the Caves Branch river system (Jaguar
Creek Environmental Centre and, briefly, the adjacent Ian Anderson’s Adventure Centre) are close to
Blue Hole National Park and consist of mixed primary
and secondary, moist, tropical, broadleaf forest in
steep valleys and on limestone karst. Damp conditions
allowed collections to be made on both dead attached
and fallen wood. A brief visit was made to Cockscomb
Basin Wildlife Sanctuary in Stann Creek District, a
similar area of moist, tropical, broadleaf forest. Also in
Cayo District, several upland sites in the Mountain
Pine Ridge National Park were visited. These are
almost entirely covered in pines, 90% of which are
now dead as a result of infestation by the southern
pine bark beetle (Dendroctomus frontalis). Dry weather
meant that the dead pine forests were unproductive for
heterobasidiomycetes, but collecting was undertaken in
mixed tropical forest at Five Sisters on the Privassion
River and in damp, upland, oak-pine savannah near the
British Military Camp at Douglas D’Silva. Specimens
were collected on dead attached wood, fallen wood, and
on damp ground where two ectomycorrhizal species in
the Sebacinales were found. In Orange Walk District,
collecting was centred on an area of damp, tropical,
broadleaf forest surrounding La Milpa Field Station in
the Rio Bravo Conservation & Management Area.
Duplicates of cited collections from 2002 are deposited
in the herbarium of the Ministry of Natural Resources,
Local Government, and the Environment (BRH) in
Belmopan City, Belize.
Additional specimens from Belize held at Kew are
also recorded. Most of these were collected in 1966 by
Prof. J. N. Hedger, now at the University of Westminster, and were previously listed in Hedger (1970).
Also included are species reported in Lowy (1971),
the only other publication covering heterobasidiomycetes from Belize.
In the following entries, new and unusual species
are provided with full descriptions and illustrations,
whereas common or recently re-described species are
given shorter entries. Colour and habitat details for
each species are taken from the collectors’ field notes.
Dried specimens were mounted in 5% ammonia
solution for examination by light microscopy. Illustrations of microscopic details were made using a Leitz
Wetzlar drawing tube. Specimens are listed with both
their collectors’ numbers (e.g. Roberts B25) and their
herbarium numbers (e.g. K[M] 108880). All cited
Accepted for publication July 2007.
1
Mycology Section, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, UK.
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2008
88
KEW BULLETIN VOL. 63(1)
specimens have been seen by the author. Information
on Central American distribution (by country) is from
published references (as marked), from collections in
Kew (marked ‘K’), or from other herbaria (as
marked).
HABITAT. On fallen trunks, logs, and branches of dead
Auriculariales
Auricularia cornea Ehrenb., in Nees von Esenbeck
(1820: 91).
Auricularia polytricha (Mont.) Sacc., in Berlese &
Saccardo (1885: 722).
Dacrymycetales
Calocera cornea (Batsch) Fr. (Fries 1827: 67).
hardwood trees.
NOTES. Auricularia fuscosuccinea is a common pantrop-
ical species, distinguished by its smooth, purplish brown
basidiomes, without a macroscopically hirsute pileus.
DISTRIBUTION. Worldwide. Central America: Belize (K),
DISTRIBUTION. Pantropics. Central America: Belize (NY),
Costa Rica (K), El Salvador (K), Guatemala (K), Honduras (K), Mexico (K), Nicaragua (K), Panama (BPI).
HABITAT. On fallen trunks, logs, and branches of dead
hardwood trees.
NOTES. Auricularia cornea is a common pantropical
species, distinguished by its smooth hymenium and
hirsute but unzoned pileus. It was reported from
Belize (as A. polytricha) by Lowy (1971). The collection
listed as A. polytricha by Hedger (1970) has been redetermined as A. fuscosuccinea, as noted below.
Costa Rica (K), Guatemala (Lowy 1971), Honduras
(Lowy 1971), Mexico (Lowy 1971), Panama (BPI).
BELIZE. Belize Distr., La Democracia, Peter Foster’s
land (near Zoo) (17°16 ′49 ″N,88°32 ′50 ″W), 30 m, on
dead attached Quercus branch, 7 Oct. 2002, Roberts
B174, K(M) 123478.
HABITAT. On fallen trunks, logs, and dead branches of
hard- and softwood trees.
NOTES. Originally described from Germany, Calocera
cornea is a cosmopolitan species distinguished by its
gregarious, yellowish, subulate-cylindrical, gelatinous
basidiomes up to 10 mm high, its unclamped hyphae,
and its comparatively small, single-septate basidiospores.
Auricularia delicata (Fr.) Henn., in Bresadola et al.
(1893: 492).
Dacryopinax elegans (Berk. & M. A. Curtis) G. W.
Martin (1948: 116).
DISTRIBUTION. Pantropics. Central America: Belize
DISTRIBUTION. Warm temperate regions and pan-
(NY), Costa Rica (K), Guatemala (BPI), Honduras
(BPI), Mexico (K), Panama (BPI).
HABITAT. On fallen trunks, logs and branches of dead
hardwood trees.
NOTES. Auricularia delicata is a common pantropical
species, distinguished by its distinctly reticulate hymenium. It was reported from Belize by Lowy (1971).
tropics. Central America: Belize (K), Costa Rica (Lowy
1971), Mexico (Lowy 1971), Panama (Lowy 1971).
BELIZE. Belize Distr., La Democracia, Tropical Education Center, garden area (17°21 ′27 ″N, 88°32 ′30 ″W),
30 m, on deciduous wood, 6 Oct. 2002, Roberts B170, K
(M) 123480; Cayo Distr., Blue Hole National Park, St
Heman’s Cave Trail, on deciduous wood, 18 Nov.
2001, L. Ryvarden 44329, K(M) 123479; Central Farm,
on branches of Enterolobium cyclocarpon (Jacq.) Griseb.,
20 July 1967, Hedger 37, K(M) 123406.
HABITAT. On fallen trunks, logs, and dead branches of
hardwood trees.
NOTES. Dacryopinax elegans is a spathulate to cupulate
species with three-septate basidiospores, originally
described from the southern United States. The species
was previously listed from Belize in Hedger (1970).
Auricularia fuscosuccinea (Mont.) Henn. (Hennings
1893: 19)
DISTRIBUTION. Pantropical. Central America: Belize (K),
Costa Rica (K), El Salvador (BPI), Guatemala (BPI),
Honduras (K), Mexico (BPI), Nicaragua (BPI), Panama
(BPI).
BELIZE. Cayo Distr., Caves Branch, Jaguar Creek
Environmental Centre, Nature Trail (17°9 ′43 ″N, 88°
40 ′50 ″W), 80 m, on fallen deciduous trunk, 28 Sept.
2002, Roberts B25, K(M) 108880; Central Farm, Baking
Pot, on rotten wood, 22 Sept. 1964, R. H. L. Disney, K
(M) 8849; Central Farm, on rotten fallen branch, 13
July 1966, Hedger 17 (as Auricularia polytricha), K(M)
8850; Mountain Pine Ridge, Five Sisters, Nature Trail
(17°2 ′16 ″N, 88°59 ′8 ″W), 350 m, 10 May 2003, D. J.
Lodge BZ3051, K(M) 132276; San Antonio, on decayed
log, 23 July 1966, Hedger 47, K(M) 8446.
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2008
Dacryopinax spathularia (Schwein.) G. W. Martin
(1948: 116).
DISTRIBUTION. Pantropics. Central America: Belize (K),
Costa Rica (Lowy 1971), Guatemala (Lowy 1971),
Honduras (Lowy 1971), Mexico (Lowy 1971), Panama
(Lowy 1971).
BELIZE. Belize Distr., La Democracia, Peter Foster’s
land (near Zoo) (17°16 ′49 ″N, 88°32 ′50 ″W), 30 m, on
HETEROBASIDIOMYCETES FROM BELIZE
89
dead attached Pinus branch, 27 Sept. 2002, Roberts
B14, K(M) 134220; Cayo Distr., San Antonio, on wood,
23 July 1966, Hedger 45, K(M) 123071.
HABITAT. On fallen trunks, logs, and dead branches of
soft- and hardwood trees.
NOTES. Dacryopinax spathularia is a ubiquitous warm
temperate and tropical species, producing conspicuous, spathulate basidiomes with single-septate basidiospores. The species was previously listed from Belize
in Hedger (1970).
Endoperplexa phlebioides P. Roberts sp. nov. Basidiomata
effusa, laevia, ceracea, pallidogrisea, in sicco ochracea.
Systema hypharum monomiticum. Hyphae agglutinatae,
1 – 2 μm latae, fibulatae. Hyphidia sparsa, inconspicua,
dendroidea. Cystidia hyalina, irregulariter tubulosa, 8 –
12 × 4 – 6 μm, tunicis tenuibus, saepe stipitata. Basidia
tremelloidea, quadricellulares, globosa vel ovoidea, 6 –
8 × 6 – 7 μm. Basidiosporae oblongae, 5 – 6 × 2.5 –
3 μm. Typus: Belize, Cayo District, Caves Branch, Ian
Anderson’s Adventure Centre, 29 Sept. 2002, Roberts
B62, holotypus, K(M) 134233.
Exidiales
Basidiodendron excentrispora P. Roberts (2001: 168).
Basidiomes effused, smooth, ceraceous, without distinct
margins, pale grey drying ochraceous. Hyphal system
monomitic. Hyphae hyaline, agglutinated and difficult
to see clearly in dried material, c. 1 – 2 μm wide, thinwalled, with clamp-connexions. Hyphidia scattered,
inconspicuous, but finely branched. Cystidia abundant, irregularly tubular, obtuse, hyaline, 8 – 12 ×
4 – 6 μm, thin-walled, often stalked. Basidia tremelloid,
four-celled, globose to ovoid, 6 – 8 × 6 – 7 μm, not or
scarcely stalked, with short sterigmata. Basidiospores
oblong (Q = 2.0 – 2.2), 5 – 6 × 2.5 – 3 μm. Fig. 1.
DISTRIBUTION. Africa and Neotropics. Central America:
Belize (K).
BELIZE. Orange Walk Distr., La Milpa Field Station,
Lagunita Trail (17°50 ′30 ″N, 89°1 ′0 ″W), 100 m, on
fallen branch, 10 Oct. 2002, Roberts B230, K(M) 123476.
HABITAT. On fallen trunks, logs and dead branches of
hardwood trees.
NOTES. This tropical species was described and illustrated from Cameroon (Roberts 2001) and has since
been found in the Caribbean and South America. It is
distinguished by its ellipsoid basidiospores with conspicuous, excentric apiculus.
Basidiodendron farinaceum (D. P. Rogers) P. Roberts
(2001: 169).
DISTRIBUTION. Central America: Belize (K).
BELIZE. Cayo Distr., Caves Branch, Ian Anderson’s
Adventure Centre, Nature Trail (17°10 ′2 ″N, 88°
41 ′0 ″W), 65 m, on fallen branch, 29 Sept. 2002, Roberts
B62, holotype, K(M) 134233; Caves Branch, Jaguar
Creek Environmental Centre, Nature Trail (17°
9 ′43 ″N, 88°40 ′50 ″W), 80 m, on partly fallen twigs, 29
Sept. 2002, Roberts B50, paratype, K(M) 135951.
DISTRIBUTION. Africa, Pacific Ocean Islands, Caribbean,
Central & South America. Central America: Belize (K).
BELIZE. Cayo Distr., Mountain Pine Ridge, Five Sisters,
Nature Trail (17°2 ′16 ″N, 88°59 ′8 ″W), 350 m, on fallen
palm frond, 3 Oct. 2002, Roberts B109, K(M) 123438.
HABITAT. On fallen trunks, logs and dead branches.
NOTES. Basidiodendron farinaceum is similar to B. cinereum
(Bres.) Luck-Allen, having oblong basidiospores, but is
distinguished microscopically by its encrusted, metuloid
cystidia (illustrated in Roberts 2001 and abundant in
the Belize collection). The species was originally
described from the Hawaiian Islands.
Basidiodendron radians (Rick) P. Roberts (2001: 170).
DISTRIBUTION. Worldwide. Central America: Belize (K).
BELIZE. Orange Walk Distr., La Milpa Field Station,
Lagunita Trail (17°50 ′30 ″N, 89°1 ′0 ″W), 100 m, on fallen
branch, 10 Oct. 2002, Roberts B239, K(M) 123460.
HABITAT. On fallen trunks, logs and dead branches.
NOTES. Originally described from Brazil, Basidiodendron
radians is similar to B. cinereum but has ellipsoid (Q
under 1.5) rather than oblong basidiospores. It appears
to be a common species with a worldwide distribution.
Fig. 1. Endoperplexa phlebioides. Basidiospores; cross-section of
hymenium showing septate basidia, irregularly tubular cystidia
and branched hyphidium (Holotype, K[M] 134233)
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2008
90
HABITAT. On fallen or partly fallen twigs and branches.
NOTES. In the field, this was thought to be a species of
the corticioid genus Phlebia Fr., which typically produces effused, ceraceous basidiomes. Microscopically,
however, the small, non-stalked, tremelloid basidia,
the equally small basidiospores, the hyaline cystidia,
and the agglutinated hyphae all suggest a species of
the genus Endoperplexa P. Roberts. The type of this
genus, E. dartmorica P. Roberts described from England, has similar hyphae and cystidia and similarly
small basidia, measuring 6.5 – 8 × 6 – 6.5 μm, but
produces globose to subglobose basidiospores.
Endoperplexa subfarinacea (Hauerslev) P. Roberts,
described from Denmark, produces oblong to cylindrical
basidiospores, but they are much larger than those of E.
phlebioides (7 – 10 [ – 11] × 3 – 4.5 μm in the type collection).
Sebacina obscura G. W. Martin, a Central American
species described from Panama, also appears to be an
Endoperplexa species based on a re-examination of the
holotype (Canal Zone, Summit, on dead stalk of date
palm leaf, 19 July 1935, G. W. Martin 2873, IA 379268).
The collection is scant and collapsed, but has
inconspicuous hyaline cystidia and spores that are
larger than those of E. phlebioides (7.5 – 9 × 3.5 –
4 μm) and are slightly fusiform. A new combination is
proposed for this species as follows:
Endoperplexa obscura (G. W. Martin) P. Roberts comb. nov.
Sebacina obscura G. W. Martin, Lloydia 7: 70 (1944).
Exidiopsis endoramifera P. Roberts (2003: 33).
DISTRIBUTION. Central & South America. Central Amer-
ica: Belize (K).
BELIZE. Cayo Distr., Caves Branch, Jaguar Creek
Environmental Centre, Nature Trail (17°9 ′43 ″N, 88°
40 ′50 ″W), 80 m, on dead attached Rosa briars, 28
Sept. 2002, Roberts B34, K(M) 123609.
HABITAT. On fallen or partly fallen twigs and branches.
NOTES. The Belize collection differs from the Venezuelan
holotype (illustrated in Roberts 2003) only in having a
thin, effused basidiome that was ‘slightly pinkish’ when
fresh rather than pale buff. Basidiospores in the Belize
collection are 10 – 11 × 4 – 4.5 μm (10 – 11.5 × 4 –
5 μm in the type) and the context is mainly made up of
finely branched, hyphidia-like hyphae.
Exidiopsis scutelliformis (Berk. & M. A. Curtis) P.
Roberts (2006: 94).
Hirneola scutelliformis Berk. & M. A. Curtis, in Berkeley
(1873: 19).
Exidiopsis fuliginea Rick (1906: 8).
DISTRIBUTION. North America and pantropics. Central
America: Belize (K).
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2008
KEW BULLETIN VOL. 63(1)
BELIZE. Belize Distr., La Democracia, Tropical Educa-
tion Center, Nature Trail (17°21 ′27 ″N, 88°32 ′30 ″W),
30 m, on fallen deciduous branch, 27 Sept. 2002,
Roberts B9, K(M) 133321.
HABITAT. On fallen or partly fallen twigs and branches.
NOTES. Exidiopsis scutelliformis is distinguished by its
normally effused, subgelatinous basidiomes, its suballantoid basidiospores, the clustered basidia in a
loosely gelatinised context, the irregular presence of
cystidia-like elements, accretions of mineral matter in
the hymenium, and the granular, browning hyphidia.
The species was originally described from the
United States and has been re-described and illustrated from the Caribbean (Roberts 2006) and (as E.
fuliginea) from Cameroon (Roberts 2001).
Heterochaete pentadelphai P. Roberts sp. nov. Basidiomata effusa, tenua, ceracea, pallidogrisea, in sicco
albida, farinacea; setulis dispersis irregularis, brevis (c.
75 × 50 μm), usque ad 6 – 8 per mm. Systema
hypharum monomiticum. Hyphae hyalinae, 2 – 2.5 μm
latae, tenuitunicatae, fibulatae. Hyphidia dendroidea,
inflata, 2 – 6 μm lata. Cystidia desunt. Basidia
tremelloidea, four-septata, clavata vel oblonga, c. 15 ×
8 – 9 μm. Basidiosporae cylindraceae, 10.5 – 13.5 × 4 –
4.5 μm, suballantoideae vel allantoideae. Typus: Belize,
Cayo Distr., Mountain Pine Ridge, Five Sisters, 4 Oct.
2002, Roberts B132, holotypus, K(M) 134006.
Basidiomes effused, pale grey drying whitish, thin and
ceraceous without distinct margins, farinaceous when
dry, with irregularly scattered hyphal pegs: short (c. 75 ×
50 μm), narrow, tubular, erect, up to 6 – 8 per mm.
Hyphal system monomitic. Hyphae hyaline, 2 – 2.5 μm
wide, thin-walled, agglutinated in subiculum, with
clamp-connexions. Hyphal pegs composed of irregular,
often swollen, hyaline hyphae, 2 – 6 μm wide, with
finely branched, terminal processes. Hyphidia typically
swollen, 2 – 6 μm wide, with finely branched, terminal
processes disintegrating into mineral matter. Cystidia
absent, though swollen hyphidia may resemble cystidia.
Basidia tremelloid, four-celled, clavate to oblong, c. 15 ×
8 – 9 μm. Basidiospores cylindrical (Q = 2.3 – 3.0), 10.5 –
13.5 × 4 – 4.5 μm, suballantoid to allantoid. Fig. 2.
DISTRIBUTION. Central America: Belize (K).
BELIZE. Cayo Distr., Mountain Pine Ridge, Five Sisters,
Nature Trail (17°2 ′16 ″N, 88°59 ′8 ″W), 350 m, on partly fallen
branch, 4 Oct. 2002, Roberts B132, holotype, K(M) 134006.
HABITAT. On dead attached or partly fallen twigs and
branches.
ETYMOLOGY. ‘Pentadelphai’ = ‘five sisters’, with reference to the collection site; from the classical Greek
‘penta’ (five) + ‘adelphai’ (sisters).
NOTES. Heterochaete pentadelphai is distinguished by its
thin, whitish basidiomes and comparatively small
HETEROBASIDIOMYCETES FROM BELIZE
91
Fig. 2. Heterochaete pentadelphai. Basidiospores; tip of hyphal peg showing irregularly swollen terminal elements disintegrating into
granular mineral matter; cross-section of hymenium showing septate basidia and irregularly swollen hyphidia disintegrating into granules
(Holotype, K[M] 134006).
basidiospores. The hymenium arises more or less
directly from a thin subicular layer in which the
hyphae are agglutinated as in species of the corticioid
genus Phlebiella P. Karst.
Heterochaete minuta Pat., described from Ecuador, is
similarly pale and thin but, based on a re-examination
of the type collection (Pululahua, on twigs, Feb. 1892,
Lagerheim, FH), differs inter alia in having a much
denser covering of longer spines and in having larger
basidiospores, 13 – 19 × 6.5 – 7 μm. The species has
been re-described in Roberts (2006). Heterochaete
albida Pat., also described from Ecuador, is another
pale, ceraceous species but, based on a re-examination of the type collection (San Jorge, on decorticated
wood, July 1892, Lagerheim, FH 1106) differs in having
larger basidiospores (14 – 17 × 5 – 7 μm) and in
having abundant metuloid cystidia in the pegs.
Heterochaete shearii (Burt) Burt (1921: 377).
DISTRIBUTION. Warm temperate regions and tropics.
Central America: Belize (K), Costa Rica (KisimovaHorovitz et al. 1997; K), Guatemala (Lowy 1971),
Mexico (Lowy 1971), Panama (Lowy 1971).
BELIZE. Belize Distr., La Democracia, Tropical Education Center, Nature Trail (17°21 ′27 ″N, 88°32 ′30 ″W),
30 m, on partly fallen twig, 28 Sept. 2002, Roberts B23,
K(M) 107916; Cayo Distr., Caves Branch, Jaguar Creek
Environmental Centre, Nature Trail (17°9 ′43 ″N, 88°
40 ′50 ″W), 80 m, on partly fallen twig, 29 Sept. 2002,
Roberts B42, K(M) 134207.
HABITAT. On dead attached or partly fallen twigs and
branches.
NOTES. Heterochaete shearii is one of the commonest
species of the genus, originally described from the
southern United States and widespread in the tropics
and subtropics. It can be distinguished macroscopically
by its effused, greyish-brown basidiomes, bruising brown,
with abundant but irregular, tubular hyphal pegs, and
microscopically by its brown subicular hyphae, abundant
cystidia-like elements in the hymenium, and consistently
bisterigmate basidia (illustrated in Roberts 2001).
Stypella dubia (Bourdot & Galzin) P. Roberts (1998: 216).
Heterochaetella dubia (Bourdot & Galzin) Bourdot &
Galzin (1928: 51).
DISTRIBUTION. Worldwide. Central America: Belize (K),
Costa Rica (Kisimova-Horovitz et al. 2000, as Heterochaetella dubia), Panama (Lowy 1971, as H. dubia).
BELIZE. Stann Creek Distr., Cockscomb Basin Wildlife
Sanctuary, Curassow Trail (16°46 ′50 ″N, 88°27 ′32 ″W),
on fallen branch, 30 Sept. 2002, Roberts B75, K(M)
123440.
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HABITAT. On fallen trunks, logs, and dead branches.
NOTES. Stypella dubia is a cosmopolitan species, origi-
nally described from France and re-described and
illustrated in Roberts (1998). It is distinguished inter
alia by its fascicles of thick-walled cystidia, which in the
Belize collection are highly agglutinated and visible as
spines under a lens.
Stypella grilletii (Boud.) P. Roberts (1998: 223).
DISTRIBUTION. Worldwide. Central America: Belize (K),
Panama (K).
BELIZE. Cayo Distr., Caves Branch, Jaguar Creek
Environmental Centre, Nature Trail (17°9 ′43 ″N, 88°
40 ′50 ″W), 80 m, on part-fallen twigs, 29 Sept. 2002,
Roberts B36, K(M) 123770; Mountain Pine Ridge, Five
Sisters, Nature Trail (17°2 ′16 ″N, 88°59 ′8 ″W), 350 m,
on rotten, fallen wood, 3 Oct. 2002, Roberts B107, K
(M) 123445; Stann Creek Distr., Cockscomb Basin
Wildlife Sanctuary, Curassow Trail (16°46 ′50 ″N, 88°
27 ′32 ″W), on fallen branch, 30 Sept. 2002, Roberts
B74, K(M) 123441.
HABITAT. On fallen trunks, logs, and dead branches.
NOTES. Stypella grilletii is a common, worldwide species,
originally described from France and re-described
and illustrated in Roberts (1998).
Tremellodendropsis flagelliformis (Berk.) D. A.
Crawford (1954: 621).
Basidiome erect, 15 mm high, with short, irregular
branches arising from a short stipe; tough (coriaceous),
flesh-coloured, brown towards stipe base. Hyphae hyaline, 3 – 4 μm wide, thin- to slightly thick-walled, with
clamp-connexions. Hyphidia none seen. Basidia clavate,
4-sterigmate, 35 – 40 μm long, 11 – 12 μm wide at
apex, with partial septum at apex. Basidiospores oblong
(Q = 1.5 – 1.7), 10 – 10.5 × 5.5 – 6.5 μm. Fig. 3.
DISTRIBUTION. Asia, Australasia, Central & South
America. Central America: Belize (K).
BELIZE. Cayo Distr., Mountain Pine Ridge, Five Sisters,
Nature Trail (17°2 ′16 ″N, 88°59 ′8 ″W), 350 m, on
ground, 4 Oct. 2002, Roberts B128, K(M) 109205.
HABITAT. On ground in woodland and forest.
NOTES. The holotype collection of Tremellodendropsis
flagelliformis (New Zealand, Bay of Islands, undated, ex
herb. M. J. Berkeley, K[M] 8339) has been re-examined
and has basidiospores measuring 9.5 – 11 × 6 – 7 μm,
slightly more ovoid than in the Belize collection but
otherwise similar. Kisimova-Horovitz et al. (2000)
reported a collection from Costa Rica that they
assigned to T. flagelliformis var. ovalispora D. A. Crawford,
though the variety appears indistinguishable from the
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2008
Fig. 3. Tremellodendropsis flagelliformis. Basidiospores; partly
septate basidia; clamped hyphae (K[M] 109205).
type (Petersen 1985). This Costa Rican collection,
however, had small basidiospores measuring just 5 –
6 × 4 – 5 μm and may represent a different taxon.
Platygloeales
Achroomyces cissi (Pat.) Wojewoda (1981: 208).
Platygloea cissi Pat., in Patouillard & de Lagerheim
(1893: 137).
Basidiomes pustular, c. 1 – 2 mm across, soft-gelatinous,
hyaline-whitish when fresh. Hyphae hyaline, in weakly
gelatinised matrix, 3 – 8 μm wide, tending to fragment
easily, walls thin to thickly gelatinised, with clampconnexions. Hyphidia present as fragmented, narrow,
branched elements in hymenium. Basidia auricularioid,
narrowly clavate, four-celled, up to 140 μm long, c.
9 μm wide at apex, tapering to a stalk-like base, c. 3 μm
HETEROBASIDIOMYCETES FROM BELIZE
wide. Basidiospores cylindrical (Q = 2.9 – 4.0), 23.5 –
28 × 6.5 – 8 μm, slightly depressed to allantoid, often
with a short, down-turned projection at apex and thus
appearing biapiculate. Fig. 4.
DISTRIBUTION. South and Central America. Central
America: Belize (K).
93
measuring 30 × 8 μm (Patouillard & de Lagerheim
1893). The accompanying illustration shows typical
basidiospores, slightly curved and biapiculate. Lowy
(1971) re-described the type as having clamped
hyphae, basidia up to 134 μm long, and basidiospores
measuring 26 – 30 × 7.5 – 9.5 μm. The Belize
collection agrees well with both descriptions.
BELIZE. Cayo Distr., Caves Branch, Jaguar Creek
Environmental Centre, Nature Trail (17°9 ′43 ″N, 88°
40 ′50 ″W), 80 m, on partly fallen sticks, 29 Sept. 2002,
Roberts B41, K(M) 123446.
HABITAT. On fallen or partly fallen trunks, logs and
dead branches.
NOTES. Platygloea cissi was originally described from
Ecuador as having gelatinous basidiomes 1 – 2 mm
across, basidia up to 130 μm long, and basidiospores
Sebacinales
Sebacina pileata P. Roberts sp. nov. Basidiomata erecta,
usque ad 80 mm alta, plantae viventes incrustantia,
pileata, pilei usque ad 40 × 50 × 5 mm, molles,
pallidogrisei, in sicco griseobubalini, zonis concentricis, hirsuti; hymenium laeve, decurrens, gelatinosum,
pallide subroseogriseum, in sicco ochraceum vel pallide lateritium. Systema hypharum monomiticum.
Hyphae plerumque hyalinae, tenuitunicatae, 2.5 –
4.5 μm latae, efibulatae. Cystidia desunt. Hyphidia
inconspicua, simplicia. Basidia tremelloidea, bi- vel
quadricellulares, oblonga, 18 – 20 × 11 – 13 μm.
Basidiosporae oblongae, 10 – 13 × 6.5 – 7.5 μm. Typus:
Belize, Cayo Distr., Mountain Pine Ridge, Five Sisters, 2
Oct. 2002, Roberts B98, holotypus, K(M) 133631.
Basidiomes erect, up to 80 mm high, encrusting bases
of tree seedlings and other living plant stems,
developing bracket-like pilei, sometimes overlapping
or in tiers, the individual pilei up to 40 mm wide,
50 mm across, 5 mm deep; pilei soft, rubbery, pale
greyish, drying pale greyish-buff, concentrically zoned
or ridged, finely hirsute and scrupose; hymenial
surface on underside of pilei, smooth as if polished,
decurrent, rubbery-gelatinous, translucently pale
pinkish-grey, drying ochraceous to pale brick; encrusting stipe similarly coloured, but matt, unpolished,
opaque. Hyphal system monomitic. Hyphae hyaline and
thin-walled in hymenium, elsewhere hyaline to pale
ochraceous with thin to slightly thickened walls, 2.5 –
4.5 μm wide, unclamped; at the pileus surface,
agglutinated in cordon-like strands, c. 20 – 60 μm
wide, forming the macroscopically visible hairs. Cystidia absent. Hyphidia simple, inconspicuous. Basidia
tremelloid, two- to four-celled, oblong (Q = 1.5 – 1.7),
18 – 20 × 11 – 13 μm. Sterigmata elongated and
sinuous. Basidiospores oblong (Q = 1.5 – 1.7), 10 – 13 ×
6.5 – 7.5 μm. Larger basidiomes have a foetid smell
reminiscent of rotting cabbage. Fig. 5.
DISTRIBUTION. Central America: Belize (K).
BELIZE. Cayo Distr., Mountain Pine Ridge, Five Sisters,
Fig. 4. Achroomyces cissi. Narrowly clavate, septate, auricularioid
basidium and branched hyphidium; basidiospores; thick-walled
hyphae, showing clamp-connexions (K[M] 123446).
Nature Trail (17°2 ′16 ″N, 88°59 ′8 ″W), 350 m,
encrusting base of living plant stems, 2 Oct. 2002,
Roberts B98, K(M) 133631.
HABITAT. On ground, encrusting bases of saplings and
other living plant stems.
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2008
94
KEW BULLETIN VOL. 63(1)
HABITAT. On ground in woods and forest.
NOTES. Tremellodendron species are currently distin-
guished on field characters, there being little if any
microscopic variation within the genus. The collection K(M) 123505 was whitish when fresh, browning
in places, some 25 mm tall and consisting of a dense,
fasciculate cluster of branches, each rather narrow
(c. 1 mm across), slightly flattened, occasionally
anastomosing, and with the tips slightly spathulate.
Comparison with North American herbarium material at K suggests this is T. candidum, the commonest
Tremellodendron species. The collection K(M) 133801
is similar but larger (c. 55 mm high) and less dense.
Tremellodendron species, like Sebacina species, are
presumed to be ectomycorrhizal. The collection K
(M) 123505 was found in broadleaved gallery forest
and its association is uncertain, though Coccoloba
belizensis was present nearby.
Septobasidiales
Septobasidium jamaicaense Burt (1916: 333).
Fig. 5. Sebacina pileata. Basidiospores; cross-section of hymenium
showing septate basidia and tubular hyphidia; unclamped,
subhymenial hyphae, thin to slightly thick walled (Holotype, K
[M] 133631).
NOTES. Species of Sebacina typically form effused,
encrusting, or semi-erect basidiomes that are rather
similar microscopically, all having unclamped hyphae,
tremelloid basidia and oblong basidiospores. Sebacina
pileata is unique (to date) in producing pileate
basidiomes, the upper surfaces of which macroscopically resemble those of Auricularia mesenterica (Dicks.)
Pers. The Sebacina basidiomes are, however, incrusting, forming around the bases of stems of living
plants. Morphologically similar basidiomes are found
in the genus Thelephora Willd.
Sebacina species are now known to be ectomycorrhizal (Weiss et al. 2004). The collection cited above
was found in broadleaved gallery forest and its
association is uncertain, though the ectomycorrhizal
tree Coccoloba belizensis Standl. was present nearby.
Tremellodendron candidum (Schwein.) Atk. (1902: 106).
DISTRIBUTION. America. Central America: Belize (K),
Costa Rica (BPI), Mexico (Lowy 1971).
BELIZE. Cayo Distr., Mountain Pine Ridge, Five Sisters,
Nature Trail (17°2 ′16 ″N, 88°59 ′8 ″W), 350 m, on
ground, 3 Oct. 2002, Roberts B120, K(M) 123505;
Mountain Pine Ridge, Privassion Camp, Privassion
Creek, on ground, 7 Oct. 2003, J. Cifuentes 2003-739
(BZ-3467), K(M) 133801 & CFMR(PR).
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2008
Basidiomes effused, smooth, paper-like, blackish, the
hymenium forming pale grey to greyish purple
patches on the surface; in section with dark brown,
closely attached subiculum giving rise to abundant,
narrow, dark brown pillars that support the paler
hymenial layer. Hyphae lacking clamp-connexions;
hyaline to pale brown in hymenium, 2 – 2.5 μm wide,
thin to slightly thick-walled; brown to dark brown in
context and subiculum, 3.5 – 4.5 μm wide, thickwalled. Hyphidia present as simple hyphal elements
in hymenium, typically sparsely and finely encrusted.
Basidia auricularioid, two-celled, straight, 45 – 50 ×
7 – 10 μm, lacking a probasidium. Basidiospores
cylindrical (Q = 3.0 – 3.6), 23 – 27 × 7.5 μm, allantoid, aseptate. Fig. 6.
DISTRIBUTION. Caribbean and Central America. Central America: Belize (K).
BELIZE. Belize Distr., La Democracia, Tropical Education Center, Nature Trail (17°21 ′27 ″N, 88°32 ′30 ″W),
30 m, on bark of living tree, 28 Sept 2002, Roberts B18,
K(M) 123939.
HABITAT. Associated with scale insects, on trunks and
branches of living trees.
NOTES. Septobasidium jamaicaense is distinguished inter
alia by its two-celled basidia lacking probasidia and
the rather thick basidiomes with the pale, purplish
grey hymenium forming in patches over a darker
layer of pillars and subiculum. The Belize collection
agrees quite well with the description and illustrations
in the standard monograph by Couch (1938) and with
the original Jamaican material at K determined by
Burt.
HETEROBASIDIOMYCETES FROM BELIZE
95
3.5 – 4.5 μm, thin-walled, sometimes developing one to
three septa when mature. Fig. 7.
DISTRIBUTION. Asia, Caribbean (?), Central America
(?). Central America: Belize (K).
BELIZE. Toledo Distr., San Antonio, ‘on decaying
stump’ (though at least part of the collection appears
to be on thin twigs), 20 Aug. 1966, Hedger 106, K(M)
138957.
HABITAT. Associated with scale insects, on trunks and
branches of living trees.
NOTES. Septobasidium pteruloides is unusual in producing effused basidiomes the surfaces of which are
covered in dense spines on which the hymenium is
formed. The spines may become extensively branched
and reach several centimetres in length. In the Belize
collection cited above, there are some small twigs
covered in a thin subiculum producing discrete tufts
of simple, sterile spines a few millimetres long.
Presumably this represents an immature stage of the
fungus. Mature basidiomes closely resemble clustered
or densely tufted basidiomes of the clavarioid genus
Pterula and, indeed, one old Australian collection at K
proved, on re-examination, to be a Pterula species.
Assigning the Belize collection to a species is moot.
Following the standard monograph by Couch (1938),
four pterulioid Septobasidium species have been described: S. pteruloides (the oldest name), S. rameale
(Berk. & Broome) Petch, S. scopiforme Pat., and S.
clelandii Couch. The last-named species, S. clelandii, is
Fig. 6. Septobasidium jamaicaense. Basidiospores; bisterigmate,
septate, auricularioid basidia; sparsely encrusted hyphidia-like
elements; dark, thick-walled, unclamped hyphae (K[M] 123939).
Septobasidium cf. pteruloides (Mont.) Pat. (Patouillard 1925: 338).
Basidiomes initially effused, forming a thin subicular
layer from which arise discrete clusters of short,
simple spines. These spines develop into highly
branched processes up to 30 mm long that closely
resemble basidiomes of Pterula Fr., but are densely
tufted, anastomosing, and difficult to separate. The
hymenium develops on the surfaces of the branched
spines. Colour (when dried) variously dark purplish
brown to pale buff. Hyphae lacking clamp-connexions;
hyaline to brown in hymenium, 1.5 – 2.5 μm wide,
thin to slightly thick-walled; brown to dark brown in
context and subiculum, 3 – 3.5 μm wide, thick-walled.
Hyphidia present as nodulose to branched, hyphal
elements in hymenium. Basidia auricularioid, three- to
four-celled, 15 – 45 × 5 – 6 μm, lacking a probasidium. Basidiospores cylindrical (Q = 3.1 – 4.0), 14 – 18 ×
Fig. 7. Septobasidium cf. pteruloides. Basidiospores (one threeseptate); branched hyphidia; three- and four-celled, auricularioid
basidia (K[M] 138957).
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2008
96
known only from Australia, is macroscopically distinct,
and appears to be associated with a gall-forming insect
(Couch 1938). Of the remaining three species, Couch
(1938) (following Patouillard 1925) placed S. rameale
in synonymy with S. pteruloides but retained S. scopiforme as distinct, based on the type (and only)
collection’s growth on bamboo and lack of a distinct
subicular layer. The type collections of all three
species are sterile (as are most subsequent collections)
and it is quite possible that they should all be
regarded as synonymous, at least until additional
fertile specimens are collected and compared.
The Belize collection, which is fertile, was originally
determined as Septobasidium scopiforme Pat. (despite
having a subicular layer and not growing on bamboo)
and was so listed by Hedger (1970). It compares well
with older collections at K (variously assigned) from
Sri Lanka (including the type of S. rameale) and the
West Indies (unlocalised), but two further collections
(from Australia and Indonesia) contain subglobose
elements that appear to be aborted probasidia,
suggesting that there are at least two microscopically
distinct species within the complex.
The three known species of Aphelariopsis Jülich also
appear very similar to pterulioid Septobasidium species,
and re-examination of type collections may show that
the two genera are synonymous. Aphelariopsis kupemontis P. Roberts, described by the present author from
Cameroon, is on reconsideration certainly a pteruloid
Septobasidium species. The type collection was growing
on a living sapling, the pterulioid processes arising
from a thin subiculum. The collection is fertile and
has coiled basidia emerging from subglobose probasidia (Roberts 2000). A collection from Congo-Kinshasa
(Orientale Province, Buta, on a living Rubiaceae twig,
undated, J. Lebrun 2577, K[M] 138956) previously
determined as Septobasidium cf. pteruloides has similar
basidia and appears conspecific, though the spines are
simple and shorter. A new combination is therefore
proposed, as follows:
KEW BULLETIN VOL. 63(1)
layer. Hyphae lacking clamp-connexions; hyaline to
brown in hymenium, 2.5 – 3.5 μm wide, thin to
slightly thick-walled; brown to dark brown in context
and subiculum, 4 – 5 μm wide, thick-walled. Hyphidia
present as branched, curving hyphal elements in
hymenium. Basidia auricularioid, four-celled, slightly
recurved or sinuous, 40 – 50 × 7.5 – 9 μm, lacking a
probasidium. Basidiospores cylindrical (Q = 2.8 – 3.3),
20 – 24.5 × 6.5 – 7.5 μm, allantoid, sometimes
appearing biapiculate, aseptate. Fig. 8.
DISTRIBUTION. Central & South America. Central
America: Belize (K).
BELIZE. Cayo Distr., Caves Branch Ian Anderson’s
Adventure Centre, Nature Trail (17°10 ′2 ″N, 88°
41 ′0 ″W), 65 m, on trunk of living palm, 29 Sept.
2002, Roberts B57, K(M) 123821.
Septobasidium kupemontis (P. Roberts) P. Roberts
comb. nov.
Aphelariopsis kupemontis P. Roberts, Persoonia 17: 491
(2000).
Septobasidium septobasidioides (Henn.) Höhn. &
Litsch (Höhnel & Litschauer 1907: 757).
Basidiomes effused, smooth, papery to suede-like,
lightweight, pale grey-violaceous, buff in places, orbicular at first then coalescing to form extensive patches,
the margins ‘winged’ (extending unattached beyond
the substratum); in section with dark brown, closely
attached subiculum giving rise to abundant, narrow,
dark brown pillars that support the paler hymenial
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2008
Fig. 8. Septobasidium septobasidioides. Basidiospores; septate,
four-celled, auricularioid basidia; slightly thick-walled, unclamped
hyphae (K[M] 123821).
HETEROBASIDIOMYCETES FROM BELIZE
HABITAT. Associated with scale insects, on trunks and
branches of living trees.
NOTES. Septobasidium septobasidioides was originally described from Brazil and is distinguished inter alia by it
four-celled basidia that lack probasidia and by the
unusual ‘winged’ margins of the basidiomes. The
Belize collection agrees well with the description and
illustrations in the standard monograph by Couch
(1938).
Tremellales
Tremella compacta Möller (1895: 107).
Basidiome gelatinous, lobate to densely foliaceous
(‘with brain-like folds’), 60 mm across, ‘orange-yellow’
when fresh, brick-coloured when dried, ochre-cream
when rehydrated; remarkably heavy and solid when
dried. Hyphae hyaline, 2.5 – 3.5 μm wide, swollen in
hymenium (up to 7 μm wide), with clamp-connexions.
Haustorial cells not seen. Conidiophores branched, comprising short, clamped segments of swollen hyphae.
Conidia ellipsoid, 2 – 3 × 1.5 – 2.5 μm. Basidia
tremelloid, four-celled, ellipsoid, 10 – 12.5 × 7.5 –
9 μm, unstalked; chains of (presumably aborted)
basidia-like cells, up to 30 × 15 μm, present in parts.
Sterigmata sinuous, indeterminate. Basidiospores ellipsoid
to oblong (Q = 1.3 – 1.4), 7 – 9 × 5.5 – 6 μm. Fig. 9.
DISTRIBUTION. Caribbean, Central & South America.
Central America: Belize (K).
97
BELIZE. Toledo Distr., Crique Sarco, on dead standing
branch, 25 Aug. 1966, Hedger 93, K(M) 56486.
HABITAT. On fallen trunks, logs and dead branches.
NOTES. Tremella compacta was originally described from
Brazil and appears to be widely distributed in tropical
South America and the Caribbean (Lowy 1971). It is
distinguished primarily by its large, lobate or subfoliaceous, orange-yellow basidiomes which become rockhard on drying. Basidia and basidiospores are comparatively small. The species was re-described and
illustrated by Bandoni (1958) and previously listed
from Belize in Hedger (1970).
Tremella dysenterica Möller (1895: 127).
DISTRIBUTION. Africa, Central & South America. Central America: Belize (K).
BELIZE. Orange Walk Distr., La Milpa Field Station,
Lagunita Trail (17°50 ′30 ″N, 89°1 ′0 ″W), 100 m, on log,
10 Oct. 2002, Roberts B229, K(M) 116806; Stann Creek
Distr., Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, Curassow
Trail (16°46 ′50 ″N, 88°27 ′32 ″W), on log with stromatic
pyrenomycete, 30 Sept. 2002, Ortiz (Roberts B72), K
(M) 123459.
HABITAT. On fallen trunks, logs and dead branches.
NOTES. This is a lobate species, originally described
from Brazil, distinguished macroscopically by its
bright yellow, orange, and vermilion colours. It was
re-described and illustrated from Brazil by Roberts &
de Meijer (1997).
Tremella fuciformis Berk. (1856: 277).
DISTRIBUTION. Pantropics. Central America: Belize (K),
Mexico (K).
BELIZE. Stann Creek Distr., Cockscomb Basin Wildlife
Sanctuary, Curassow Trail (16°46 ′50 ″N, 88°27 ′32 ″W),
on log with stromatic pyrenomycete, 30 Sept. 2002,
Roberts B73, K(M) 123458.
HABITAT. On fallen trunks, logs and dead branches.
NOTES. Tremella fuciformis is a common, pantropical
species, originally described from Brazil and redescribed and illustrated from that country by Roberts
& de Meijer (1997). The white, erect, foliaceous
basidiomes appear to be distinctive, making it possible
to recognise the species in the field.
Tremella roseolutescens Bandoni & Carranza, in
Bandoni et al. (1996: 22).
Fig. 9. Tremella compacta. Basidiospores; swollen conidiophores
and small, ellipsoid conidia; chain of aborted, basidia-like cells;
tremelloid basidia; swollen sub-basidial hyphae (K[M] 56486)
Basidiomes gregarious, gelatinous, discoid to shallowly
pulvinate, 0.5 – 3 mm across, becoming irregular,
‘salmon-orange’ when fresh, sordid opalescent whitish
when rehydrated. Hyphae hyaline, 1.5 – 3.5 μm wide,
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2008
98
thin-walled or with slightly gelatinised walls, with
clamp-connexions. Haustorial cells globose to ovoid
giving rise to one or more fine filaments, abundant.
Conidiophores (if correctly interpreted) branched,
comprising short, clamped segments of slightly swollen hyphae. Conidia not seen. Basidia tremelloid, fourcelled, globose to ellipsoid, 18 – 24 × 18 – 20 μm,
unstalked; some (presumably aborted) basidia with
thickly gelatinised walls. Sterigmata not clearly seen.
Basidiospores (few seen) subglobose (Q = 1.0 – 1.2),
11 – 12 × 9.5 – 11 μm. Fig. 10.
DISTRIBUTION. Central America: Belize (K), Costa Rica
(Bandoni et al. 1996).
BELIZE. Cayo Distr., Mountain Pine Ridge, Douglas
D’Silva, British Military Swamp (16°58 ′9 ″N, 88°
59 ′39 ″W), 480 m, on dead attached deciduous
branch, 3 Oct. 2002, Roberts B140, K(M) 123584.
HABITAT. On dead, attached branches.
KEW BULLETIN VOL. 63(1)
NOTES. The Belize collection, with its small but
strikingly coloured, pink-orange basidiomes, agrees
reasonably well with the type description and illustration of Tremella roselutescens from Costa Rica (Bandoni
et al. 1996). The species was described as having rose
pink to salmon, pulvinate basidiomes, mostly 2 –
3 mm across, which lose their colour when dried and
rehydrated. Basidia were described as comparatively
large, globose to ellipsoid, 20 – 27 × 18 – 27 μm, with
basidiospores 11 – 15 × 9 – 11.5 μm.
The Belize collection has ‘conidiophores’ similar to
those described for Tremella roseolutescens, forming a
layer above the basidia and on sterile surfaces, but it is
not clear that these are correctly interpreted. They
could simply be part of normal hymenial growth.
Though some terminal elements break off in mounts,
no conidia could be found. Haustorial cells, not seen
in the type, are common in the Belize collection.
Tremella wrightii Berk. & M. A. Curtis (1868: 341).
DISTRIBUTION. Africa, Caribbean, Central & South America. Central America: Belize (K), Panama (Lowy 1971).
BELIZE. Cayo Distr., Caves Branch, Jaguar Creek
Environmental Centre, Blue Hole Trail (17°9 ′43 ″N,
88°40 ′50 ″W), 80 m, on log with stromatic pyrenomycete remains, 1 Oct. 2002, Ortiz (Roberts B87), K(M)
123457; Orange Walk Distr., La Milpa Field Station,
Lagunita Trail (17°50 ′30 ″N, 89°1 ′0 ″W), 100 m, on
log with stromatic pyrenomycete remains, 10 Oct.
2002, Roberts B228, K(M) 123468.
HABITAT. On fallen trunks, logs and dead branches.
NOTES. Tremella wrightii was re-described from the Cuban
type and additional Brazilian collections by Roberts & de
Meijer (1997). It is a conspicuous, orange-brown, foliaceous species distinguished in the field by the hymenial
fronds terminating in inflated, horn-like processes and
under the microscope by the frequent anastomoses
connecting adjacent sub-basidial hyphae (not seen in
the otherwise rather similar temperate species, T. foliacea
Pers.). Collections were found with the remains of
stromatic pyrenomycetes, but it is not clear whether this
indicates an association or is merely coincidental.
Fig. 10. Tremella roseolutescens. Conidiophore-like element from
the hymenium, comprising short, clamped segments of slightly
swollen hyphae; subglobose basidiospores; basidium; hypha with
haustorial cell (K[M] 123584).
© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2008
Acknowledgements
Fieldwork in Belize was supported by the US National
Science Foundation’s Biotic Surveys and Inventories
Program, grant DEB-0103621 to the Research Foundation of the State University of New York at Cortland,
with collaboration from the Center for Forest Mycology Research, USDA Forest Service. Travel was partly
funded by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Thanks go
to Prof. Tim Baroni, State University of New York,
College at Cortland, and to Beatriz Ortiz-Santana,
Center for Forest Mycology Research and University
HETEROBASIDIOMYCETES FROM BELIZE
of Puerto Rico, for helping organise the visit, and to
the local biologists, cooperators, and field staff in
Belize.
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