Downfall of an empire: Unmasking the hidden diversity and distribution of the species complex.

is one of the most salient mushroom genera due to its cultural, economic, and medical importance. Recently, many new species have been described worldwide, increasing the genus richness. However, several clades have cryptic diversity, and many species complexes have not yet been resolved.

From field sampling to pneumatic bioreactor mycelia production of the ectomycorrhizal mushroom Laccaria trichodermophora.

In order to increase survival rates of greenhouse seedlings destined for restoration and conservation programs, successful mycorrhization of the seedlings is necessary. To reforest forest ecosystems, host trees must be inoculated with ectomycorrhizal fungi and, in order to guarantee a sufficient supply of ectomycorrhizal inoculum, it is necessary to develop technologies for the mass production of ectomycorrhizal fungi mycelia. We selected the ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccaria trichodermophora, due to its ecological traits and feasible mycelia production in asymbiotic conditions.