This is the twelfth contribution to the Fungal Diversity Notes series on fungal taxonomy, based on materials collected from many countries which were examined and described using the methods of morphology, anatomy, and strain culture, combined with DNA sequence analyses. 110 taxa are described and illustrated, including five new genera, 92 new species, eight new combinations and other taxonomic contributions (one new sequenced species, one new host and three new records) which are accommodated in 40 families and 1 incertae sedis in Dothideomycetes. The new genera are Amyloceraceomyces, Catenuliconidia, Hansenopezia, Ionopezia and Magnopulchromyces. The new species are Amyloceraceomyces angustisporus, Amylocorticium ellipsosporum, Arthrinium sorghi, Catenuliconidia uniseptata, Clavulina sphaeropedunculata, Colletotrichum parthenocissicola, Coniothyrium triseptatum, Cortinarius indorusseus, C. paurigarhwalensis, C. sinensis, C. subsanguineus, C. xiaojinensis, Diaporthe pimpinellae, Dictyosporella guizhouensis, Diplodia torilicola, Fuscoporia marquesiana, F. semiarida, Hansenopezia decora, Helicoarctatus thailandicus, Hirsutella hongheensis, Humidicutis brunneovinacea, Lentaria gossypina, L. variabilis, Lycoperdon lahorense, L. pseudocurtisii, Magnopulchromyces scorpiophorus, Moelleriella gracilispora, Neodevriesia manglicola, Neodidymelliopsis salvia, N. urticae, Neoroussoella magnoliae, Neottiella gigaspora, Ophiosphaerella chiangraiensis, Phaeotremella yunnanensis, Podosphaera yulii, Rigidoporus juniperinus, Rhodofomitopsis pseudofeei, Russula benghalensis, Scleroramularia vermispora, Scytinopogon minisporus, Sporormurispora paulsenii, Thaxteriellopsis obliqus, Tomentella asiae-orientalis, T. atrobadia, T. atrocastanea, T. aureomarginata, T. brevis, T. brunneoflava, T. brunneogrisea, T. capitatocystidiata, T. changbaiensis, T. citrinocystidiata, T. coffeae, T. conclusa, T. cystidiata, T. dimidiata, T. duplexa, T. efibulata, T. efibulis, T. farinosa, T. flavidobadia, T. fuscocrustosa, T. fuscofarinosa, T. fuscogranulosa, T. fuscopelliculosa, T. globospora, T. gloeocystidiata, T. griseocastanea, T. griseofusca, T. griseomarginata, T. inconspicua, T. incrustata, T. interrupta, T. liaoningensis, T. longiaculeifera, T. longiechinuli, T. megaspora, T. olivacea, T. olivaceobrunnea, T. pallidobrunnea, T. pallidomarginata, T. parvispora, T. pertenuis, T. qingyuanensis, T. segregata, T. separata, T. stipitata, T. storea, Trichoderma ceratophylletum, Tyromyces minutulus, Umbelopsis heterosporus and Xylolentia reniformis. The new combinations are Antrodiella descendena, Chloridium macrocladum, Hansenopezia retrocurvata, Rhodofomitopsis monomitica, Rh. oleracea, Fuscoporia licnoides, F. scruposa and Ionopezia gerardii. A new sequenced species (Graphis supracola), one new host (Aplosporella prunicola) and three new geographical records (Golovinomyces monardae, Paradictyoarthrinium diffractum and Prosthemium betulinum), are reported.

How the multiple facets of soil fungal diversity vary worldwide remains virtually unknown, hindering the management of this essential species-rich group. By sequencing high-resolution DNA markers in over 4000 topsoil samples from natural and human-altered ecosystems across all continents, we illustrate the distributions and drivers of different levels of taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity of fungi and their ecological groups. We show the impact of precipitation and temperature interactions on local fungal species richness (alpha diversity) across different climates. Our findings reveal how temperature drives fungal compositional turnover (beta diversity) and phylogenetic diversity, linking them with regional species richness (gamma diversity). We integrate fungi into the principles of global biodiversity distribution and present detailed maps for biodiversity conservation and modeling of global ecological processes.

Cultural significance is a keystone in quantitative ethnobiology, which offers the possibility to make inferences about traditional nomenclature systems, use, appropriation and valuing of natural resources. In the present work, using as model the traditional mycological knowledge of Zapotecs from Oaxaca, Mexico, we analyze the cultural significance of wild edible resources. In 2003 we applied 95 questionnaires to a random sample of informants. With this data we integrated the Edible Mushroom Cultural Significance Index. This index included eight variables: frequency of mention, perceived abundance, use frequency, taste, multifunctional food use, knowledge transmission, health and economy. Data were analyzed in an inductive perspective using ordination and grouping techniques to reveal the behavior of species in a cultural multivariate dimension. In each variable the species had different conducts. Cantharellus cibarius s.l. was the species with most frequency of mention. Pleurotus sp. had the highest perceived abundance. C. cibarius s.l. was the most frequently consumed species. Gomphus clavatus was the most palatable species and also ranked highest in the multifunctional food index. Cortinarius secc. Malacii sp. had the highest traditional importance. Only Tricholoma magnivelare was identified as a health enhancer. It also had the most economic importance. According to the compound index, C. cibarius s.l., the Amanita caesarea complex, Ramaria spp. and Neolentinus lepideus were the mushrooms with highest cultural significance. Multivariate analysis showed that interviewees identify three main groups of mushrooms: species with high traditional values, frequent consumption and known by the majority; species that are less known, infrequently consumed and without salient characteristics; and species with low traditional values, with high economic value and health enhancers. The compound index divided the cultural significance into several cultural domains and showed the causes that underlie this phenomenon. This approach can be used in cross-cultural studies because it brings a list with the relative position of species among a cultural significance gradient. This list is suitable for comparisons and also it is flexible because cultural variables can be included or removed to adjust it to the nature of the different cultures or resources under study.

Background: More than twelve temperate-inhabitant Mexican ethnic groups are considered to be mycophilic and to have extensive traditional mycological knowledge. In contrast, inhabitants of tropical lands have been studied only superficially and their mycological knowledge is less well known. In this paper, we report the results of an ethnomycological research in markets of a wide area of the Mexican tropics. Our aims were to describe the dynamics related to the traditional selling process of wild mushrooms and to determine the tendencies of informants toward mushrooms (mycophily vs. mycophoby). Methods: We visited 25 markets of 12 different settlements in the states of Oaxaca, Tabasco and Veracruz and collected information by participant observation as well as by 291 non-structured and semi-structured interviews. Results: Mushroom selling was observed in four towns in Oaxaca and in two in Tabasco. Women represented 81.82% of sellers, while indigenous people (Chinantecos, Chontales, Ch'oles and Zoques) comprised 68.18%. Mushroom commercialization took place in secondary mobile markets and only in peasant stands. Mushroom collectors gather the resource in places with secondary vegetation, farmed areas and cattle fields. Because of land tenure restrictions mushroom sellers did not normally collect mushrooms themselves. In Oaxaca, we observed economic dynamics not based on capitalism, such as exchange, reciprocity and barter. Conclusion: The sale of some wild edible mushrooms, the large amounts of commercialization of Schizophyllum commune, the complicated intermediary process, as well as the insertion of mushrooms into different informal economic practices are all evidence of an existent mycophily in a sector of the population of this region of the Mexican tropics. Among our informants, urban mestizo people were mycophobic, rural mestizo people were non-mycophilic and indigenous people were true mycophilic.

Gender is one of the main variables that influence the distribution of local knowledge. We carried out a literature review concerning local mycological knowledge, paying special attention to data concerning women’s knowledge and comparative gender data. We found that unique features of local mycological knowledge allow people to successfully manage mushrooms. Women are involved in every stage of mushroom utilization from collection to processing and marketing. Local mycological knowledge includes the use mushrooms as food, medicine, and recreational objects as well as an aid to seasonal household economies. In many regions of the world, women are often the main mushroom collectors and possess a vast knowledge about mushroom taxonomy, biology, and ecology. Local experts play a vital role in the transmission of local mycological knowledge. Women participate in the diffusion of this knowledge as well as in its enrichment through innovation. Female mushroom collectors appreciate their mycological knowledge and pursue strategies and organization to reproduce it in their communities. Women mushroom gatherers are conscious of their knowledge, value its contribution in their subsistence systems, and proudly incorporate it in their cultural identity.