Disentangling a Complex of Violet, Endangered Species of Clavaria Subsumed Under the Misapplied Name Clavaria zollingeri Lév. (Clavariaceae, Fungi)

TL;DR

This study clarifies the taxonomy of a violet-colored fungus previously mislabeled as Clavaria zollingeri, identifying three distinct species based on morphology and DNA.

Contribution

The paper resolves taxonomic confusion by describing a new species and reclassifying existing ones using morphological and molecular data.

Findings

Three distinct violet Clavaria species were identified based on spore shape, basidial size, and geographic distribution.

Clavaria zollingeri was found to belong to the genus Clavulinopsis, not Clavaria, based on clamp connections in the type specimen.

A new species, Clavaria violaceopulchra, was described from Europe and North America.

Abstract

The name Clavaria zollingeri Lév. is currently applied to striking violet species producing branched basidiomata and lacking clamp connections, two typical characteristics of the genus Clavaria Pers. Interestingly, as currently interpreted, C. zollingeri has been globally assessed as Vulnerable by the IUCN and is red-listed in several European countries. However, the type material of C. zollingeri, examined here, possesses clamp connections and should be referred to the genus Clavulinopsis Van Overeem. Thus, the name C. zollingeri is being misapplied. Based on the taxonomic revision of the specimens, along with morphological and molecular studies of the nrDNA ITS-LSU regions, three species differing in spore characters, basidial size and distribution are recognized. After our nomenclatural revision we conclude that one of the species should be named Clavaria amethystina (Holmsk.) Bull., characterized by ellipsoid spores and distribution in the Northern Hemisphere; the second C. lilacina Jungh., with subglobose spores and present in Eastern Asia and Oceania; whereas the third, also with subglobose spores and distributed in Europe and North America, is newly described as C. violaceopulchra. Clavaria orientalis is proposed to be a later synonym of C. lilacina. Nine type specimens were examined, the name C. amethystina is typified and the combination of C. zollingeri in Clavulinopsis is proposed.

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