A new representative of star-shaped fungi: Astraeus sirindhorniae sp. nov. from Thailand

PLoS One. 2014 May 7;9(5):e71160. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0071160. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary (PKWS) is a major hotspot of biological diversity in Thailand but its fungal diversity has not been thouroughly explored. A two-year macrofungal study of this remote locality has resulted in the recognition of a new species of a star-shaped gasteroid fungus in the genus Astraeus. This fungus has been identified based on a morphological approach and the molecular study of five loci (LSU nrDNA, 5.8S nrDNA, RPB1, RPB2 and EF1-a). Multigene phylogenetic analysis of this new species places it basal relative to other Astraeus, providing additional evidence for the SE Asian origin of the genus. The fungus is named in honour of Her Majesty Princess Sirindhorn on the occasion the 84th birthday of her father, who have both been supportive of natural heritage studies in Thailand.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Basidiomycota / classification
  • Basidiomycota / cytology
  • Basidiomycota / genetics*
  • DNA, Fungal / genetics
  • DNA, Ribosomal / genetics
  • Phylogeny
  • Thailand

Substances

  • DNA, Fungal
  • DNA, Ribosomal

Grants and funding

This study was funded in part by National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) and the Masumae International Foundation (MIF) to C. Phosri. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.