Phylogenomic insights into the taxonomy, ecology, and mating systems of the lorchel family Discinaceae (Pezizales, Ascomycota).

Lorchels, also known as false morels (Gyromitra sensu lato), are iconic due to their brain-shaped mushrooms and production of gyromitrin, a deadly mycotoxin. Molecular phylogenetic studies have hitherto failed to resolve deep-branching relationships in the lorchel family, Discinaceae, hampering our ability to settle longstanding taxonomic debates and to reconstruct the evolution of toxin production. We generated 75 draft genomes from cultures and ascomata (some collected as early as 1960), conducted phylogenomic analyses using 1542 single-copy orthologs to infer the early evolutionary history of lorchels, and identified genomic signatures of trophic mode and mating-type loci to better understand lorchel ecology and reproductive biology.

Pyrophilous fungi detected after wildfires in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park expand known species ranges and biodiversity estimates.

Following a late fall wildfire in 2016 in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, pyrophilous fungi in burn zones were documented over a 2-y period with respect to burn severity and phenology. Nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 = ITS) barcodes were obtained to confirm morphological evaluations.

The oldest fossil mushroom.

A new fossil mushroom is described and illustrated from the Lower Cretaceous Crato Formation of northeast Brazil. Gondwanagaricites magnificus gen. et sp.

A molecular phylogenetic assessment of the genus Gyromitra in North America.

Gyromitra is a widespread genus of macroscopic apothecial ascomycetes whose taxa may be mycorrhizal, saprophytic or parasitic. Nuclear ribosomal 28S large subunit sequence data from 35 specimens from North America, along with sequences available in GenBank, were used in maximum-parsimony, maximum-likelihood and Bayesian analyses to reconstruct a phylogeny of Gyromitra in North America. Gyromitra sensu lato forms a monophyletic group within the Discinaceae composed of five distinct subgenera and 11 well supported clades that include Discina, Hydnotrya and Pseudorhizina.

Taxonomic revision of true morels (Morchella) in Canada and the United States.

Recent molecular phylogenetic studies have revealed the existence of at least 50 species of Morchella worldwide and demonstrated a high degree of continental endemism within the genus. Here we describe 19 phylogenetic species of Morchella from North America, 14 of which are new (M. diminutiva, M.