Simocybe ramosa
| Simocybe ramosa | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Agaricales |
| Family: | Crepidotaceae |
| Genus: | Simocybe |
| Species: | S. ramosa
|
| Binomial name | |
| Simocybe ramosa Mortier, Haelewaters, Asselman, De Lange, Kuyper & Verbeken (2024)
| |
Simocybe ramosa is a species of saprotrophic mushroom in the family Crepidotaceae. It was described as new to science in 2024 from a single specimen discovered in the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area in Massachusetts, United States.[1] The species is considered rare and is currently known only from its type location.[2]
Description
[edit]The mushroom has a small, brown cap with colors of sienna, russet, and copper-brown, and note that the surface appears slightly fuzzy.[2] The stem is often somewhat off-center, and the fruiting body is relatively small, reaching about 5–6 cm tall. The gills are attached to the stem.
Unique features
[edit]Simocybe ramosa can be distinguished from other species in the genus by:
- its branching microscopic structures (the name ramosa refers to "branched")
- its specific DNA sequence in the ITS region
- small differences in spore characters compared to closely related species such as Simocybe rhabarbarina.[1]
The species appears to be rare, as only one specimen has been documented so far.[1]
Distribution
[edit]This species is known only from Massachusetts, USA. It was first collected on the World's End peninsula in the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area.[1] As of its description, no other populations have been reported elsewhere in the world.
Habitat and ecology
[edit]Simocybe ramosa is a saprotrophic fungus, meaning it grows on and breaks down dead wood. The type specimen was found beneath the bark of a dead oak tree.[1] Because only a single specimen has been found, its complete habitat range and ecological preferences are not yet known.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Mortier, L.; Haelewaters, D.; Asselman, P.; De Lange, R.; Kuyper, T.W.; Verbeken, A. (2024). "Simocybe ramosa, a new species from the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area". Northeastern Naturalist. 31 (1): 108–120. doi:10.1656/045.031.0108.
- ^ a b "A New Species of Fungus Discovered at World's End". U.S. National Park Service. 2024.