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Mycologia, 90(4), 1998, pp. 680-696.
© 1998 by The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY 10458-5126
Alboleptonia from the Greater Antilles
Timothy J. Baroni
1
Department of Biological Sciences, state University of
New York—College at Cortland, Cortland, New York
13045
D. Jean Lodge
Center for Fores Mycology Research, USDA-Forest
Service, Forest Products Laboratory, P. O. Box 1377,
Liquillo, Puerto Rico 00773
Abstract: Four new species of Alboleptonia are de-
scribed from Puerto Rico and new distribution re-
cords for Alboleptonia are noted for Puerto Rico and
St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Information from ex-
amination of the type collections of Alboleptonia ari-
poana, A. cyathiformis, and A. hyalodepas is discussed.
Clarification of conflicting reports in the literature
concerning the application of A. hyalodepas is pre-
sented and a lectotype is designated. Two new com-
binations are also made for Entoloma minutoalbum
and E. talisporum. A key to the taxa of Alboleptonia
occurring in and around the Caribbean region is also
provided.
Key Words: Agaricales, Basidiomycetes, Caribbe-
an, Entoloma, Entolomataceae, identification key,
Puerto Rico, St. John Virgin Islands, taxonomy
INTRODUCTION
Stevenson (1975) published a list of Agaricales found
in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, which includ-
ed 75 species in 33 genera. There are no species of
Entolomataceae listed in this publication, nor in oth-
er earlier reports (Seaver and Chardón, 1926; Steven-
son, 1918). Apparently members of this family,
though rather abundant in Puerto Rico, for whatever
reasons were not collected. Additionally, there have
been no recent publications on members of Ento-
lomataceae from Puerto Rico or St. John, USVI.
Several authors have described entolomataceous
fungi from other islands and the main continents in
and around the greater Caribbean area, and this in-
formation is well covered in Pegler (1983, 1987a, b).
Murrill (1911) published 11 new species of Entolom-
Accepted for publication February 10, 1998
1 Email: BaroniTJ@SNYCORVA.Cortland.edu
ataceae from Jamaica, Cuba and Mexico. Dennis
(1953) described 10 new taxa from Trinidad and 18
new taxa from Venezuela while preparing his mycof-
loristic treatment of Venezuela and adjacent coun-
tries (Dennis, 1970) in which 44 taxa of Entoloma-
taceae were listed. Pegler (1983) described 13 new
species and a total of 48 members of the Entoloma-
taceae from the Lesser Antilles, while producing a
mycofloristic treatment for this and other families of
the Agaricales for those islands.
Although our investigations on the diversity of ba-
sidiomycetes of the Greater Antilles are still prelimi-
nary, several undescribed species of Entolomataceae
have been noted from Puerto Rico. Some of these
new taxa are described and compared to the known
species of Alboleptonia Largent & Benedict, especially
those reported from the Caribbean region. It was
necessary to examine type collections of various Al-
boleptonia species during our investigations, and the
information obtained from those type studies is also
presented in order to clarify species concepts. A key
to the Caribbean species of Alboleptonia is provided.
Due to the complexity of opinions concerning tax-
onomy of the Entololomataceae, a brief discussion of
genera placed in the family is warranted. The Ento-
lomataceae includes Clitopilus (Fr.) Kummer, Rho-
docybe Maire, Rhodocybella Baroni & Peterson, Rho-
dogaster Horak, Richoniella Costantin & Dufour, and
depending upon the author consulted either one
very large genus Entoloma (Fr.) Kummer with well
over 1500 species and consisting of several subgenera
(Romagnesi, 1941, 1978; Romagnesi and Gilles, 1979;
Noordeloos, 1981; Singer, 1986), or the subgenera
are recognized as distinct genera, e.g., Alboleptonia,
Claudopus (W. G. Smith) Gillett, Inocephalus (Noor-
deloos) P. D. Orton, Leptonia (Fr.) Kummer, Nolanea
(Fr.) Kummer, etc. (Largent, 1974, 1994; Largent and
Baroni, 1988; Pegler and Young, 1978; Orton, 1991a,
b). In some cases Entoloma is accepted without infra-
generic classification (Hesler, 1967; Horak, 1976,
1978, 1980). We prefer to recognize the smaller gen-
era and are of the opinion that most, if not all, will
turn out to be monophyletic groups. For lists of these
genera and keys to aid in their identification, refer
to Largent and Baroni (1988) or Largent (1994).
These smaller genera can be clearly defined with the
use of macroscopic and microscopic characters.
680
BARONI AND LODGE: ALBOLEPTONIA 681
Therefore Alboleptonia is a distinctive genus that typ-
ically can be identified in the field with the aid of a
hand lens. Several subsidiary microscopic and chem-
ical characters further support the recognition of Al-
boleptonia (Largent and Benedict, 1970; Largent,
1994). For a synopsis of the diagnostic features of
Alboleptonia, refer to the introductory comments in
the key at the end of this paper.
METHODS
Techniques utilized for preserving fresh specimens
and for examining microscopic structures were those
of Baroni (1981). Baroni and Horak (1994), and
Lodge and Pegler (1990). However special consid-
eration was given to measurements of the basidio-
spores due to the varied and complex shapes en-
countered. Measurements of cuboid or quadrate
spores were made using the flat sides of the 4-sided
spores, from the apex to the base and from the ad-
axial to the abaxial facet while the spore was in lateral
(profile) view (e.g., FIG. 8, upper left basidiospore)
(Horak, 1976). In all other cases, when measuring
the length of noncuboid/quadrate spores, the lon-
gest axis from the base to the apex of the spore, ex-
cluding the hilar appendix or apiculus, was measured
as the length when the spores were in profile view
only (Noordeloos, 1992). The width was measured as
the widest point perpendicular to the axis of the
length. All measurements were made in 10% NH4OH
unless otherwise noted. In the description of the ba-
sidiospores, n/2 = 30 indicates that a total of 30
spores were measured from 2 different collections;
Lm = mean length; Wm = mean width; E = length/
width of individual spores and is given as a range; Q
= the mean of all E values in a sample; Qm = the
mean of Q values where more than one collection is
included in measurements. Basidiospores were mea-
sured with an Olympus BHS light microscope under
a 100× Hoffman interference lens using a semi-au-
tomated image analysis system (a GTCO digitizer pad
and Metrics5 software written by Dr. David Malloch).
Descriptive statistical analysis of the measurements
was obtained using EXCEL 5.0. All scanning electron
micrographs were made on an ISI Supra IIIA scan-
ning electron microscope following the procedures
for specimen preparation in Baroni (1981). All line
drawings of microscopic structures were made with
the aid of a drawing tube.
Color names are mainly from Smithe’s (1975) par-
tial reproduction of Ridgway (1912) colors and are
described by capitalized names with the precise color
hue designated in parentheses, e.g., Buff (0.9 Y7.77/
5.5). The color hue designations are Munsell nota-
tions (Hamley, 1949). In some cases, where a Smithe
color name was not available, Ridgway (1912) names
were used with the appropriate Munsell notations as
listed in Hamley (1949) and are noted as follows, Ivo-
ry Yellow (Hamley 1Y-7Y 8-10/2-5). In a very few
cases capitalized names are from Ridgway (1912) and
are indicated as such in parentheses, e.g., Shell Pink
(Ridgway). Also, a limited number of color notations
are from Kornerup and Wanscher (1978) and then
the color name is placed in quotation marks with the
hue designation of that system following in parenthe-
ses, e.g., “Sunburn” (6D5). Coordinates of collecting
sites were obtained with a hand held GPS device. All
sites were referenced to map datum WGS84.
DESCRIPTION OF SPECIES
Alboleptonia subrosea Baroni & Lodge, sp. nov.
FIGS. 1-3
Pileus 10-18 mm latus, roseolus deinde pallido-vinaceus,
primum convexus margine decurvato deinde plano-convex-
us margine ascendenti, fibrillosus, fibrillis radiatim adpres-
sis. Lamellae cremeae deinde subrosescens, sinuatae vel
subdecurrentes, confertae. Stipes pileo concolor, 20-35 mm
longus, 1-3 mm latus, aequilatus, adpresso-fibrillosus. Basi-
diosporae 7-11 × 7-10 µm, cubicae. Basidia 4-sterigmatibus
praedita. Cystidia nulla. Pileipellis hyphis decumbentibus,
cylindraceis, 3-12 µm latis, haud incrustatis, hyalinis prae-
dita. Fibulae abundantes. Terricola, in sylva tropica Puerto
Rico in folia putrescentia lecta. HOLOTYPUS D. J. Lodge
& L. Prieto PR 88 (K).
Pileus Pale Pinkish Buff (8.8 YR 7.55/4.3) to Shell
Pink (Ridgway), becoming Light Russet Vinaceous
(1.0 YR 6.16/4.9) over the disc, 10-18 mm broad,
broadly convex at first with decurved margin, becom-
ing plane to uplifted, occasionally with low umbo,
matted fibrillose to felted over disc, radially fibrillose
to margin, hygrophanous. Lamellae Cream Color (3.4
Y 8.40/4.2), becoming pale Pinkish Buff (0.4 Y 7.5/
4.3), sinuate or short decurrent, close to crowded (1-
3/mm), some forked and also intervenose, up to 2
mm broad, edges concolorotis. Stipe Beige (4.6 YR
6.84/3.2), Pale Pinkish Buff (8.8 YR 7.55/4.3), a pale
shade of Light Russet Vinaceous (1.0 YR 6.16/4.9),
becoming Light Drab (0.9 Y 5.83/2.5) or Cinnamon
Drab (5.2 YR 5.9/3.7), 20-35 mm long, 1-3 mm
broad, equal or tapered toward base, twisted ap-
pressed-fibrillose overall, white mycelioid at base and
with white rhizoidal strands at base, lightly stuffed to
hollow. Odor and Taste not noted. Basidiospores in de-
posit pale fleshy brown, 7-11 × 7-10 µm, (n/l = 20,
Lm = 9 ± 1.18, Wm = 8 ± 0.57, E = 1.0-1.41, Q =
1.11), cuboid. Basidia 44-51 × 10-12 µm, 4-sterig-
mate, clavate. Hymenial cystidia absent. Lamella trama
composed of parallel, cylindric, hyaline hyphae, 4-8
µm diam, also with scattered yellowish refractive, re-
682 MYCOLOGIA
Habit, habitat, distribution. Scattered in leaf litter
of subtropical rainforest. Oct. Puerto Rico.
Material examined. PUERTO RICO. Luquillo Mts., Carib-
bean National Forest, El Verde Research Area, north side
of Zucca Plot 3, 360 m. elev., N18° 19' 24" W65° 49' 3
"
, 30
October 1985, PR 88 D. J. Lodge & L. Prieto (K, HOLO-
TYPE), and at entrance from main trail to Zucca Plot 3, 30
October 1985. PR 89 D. J. Lodge & L. Prielo (K).
Etymology. subrosea = pale rose color of the pileus.
The cuboid spore form is unusual for species of
Alboleptonia since only a few taxa besides A. subtrosea,
which belong in Alboleptonia, exhibit this type of
spore, e.g., Alboleptonia largentii, Alboleptonia talispo-
ra (Corner & Horak) Baroni & Lodge, comb. nov.
[ = Entoloma talisporum Corner & Horak, Sydowia 28:
176. 1976) and Alboleptonia minutoalba (Horak) Bar-
oni & Lodge, comb. nov. [ = Entoloma minutoalbum
Horak, Sydowia 28:182. 1976]. Of these three taxa,
only A. minutoalba is similar to A. subrosea because
of its small, convex, silky-fibrillose pileus surface,
which is white at first but develops pinkish hues with
age. However, A. minutoalba differs from A. subrosea
most notably by its smaller spores which are only 6-
8 µm, and by the encrusted hyphae of the pileipellis
(vide Horak, 1976; but see Horak, 1980). A. minu-
toalba is presently known from New Zealand and Ti-
erra de1 Fuego, Argentina (Horak, 1976, 1980). For
a discussion of A. talispora see under A. largentii.
Alboleptonia largentii Baroni & Lodge, sp. nov.
FIGS. 4, 7-11
Pileus 6-12 mm latus, albus vel subroseus, convexus, pri-
mum discum depressum ostendens deinde planus, valde
umbilicatus, striatus, sericeo-fibrillosus, fibrillis radiatim ad-
pressis. Lamellae subroseae, adnatae, subdistantes. Stipes al-
bus vel cremeus basi, 15-18 mm longus, 1-2 mm latus, ae-
quiliatus, sericeo-fibrillosus, fibrillis adpressis. Basidiosporae
8-11.4 × 7.6-10.5 µm, cubicae. Basidia 4-sterigmatibus
praedita. Cystidia nulla. Pileipellis hyphis decumbentibus,
cylindraceis, 8-14 µm latis, haud incrustatis, hyalinis, cel-
lulas terminales subclavatas erectas dispersas, 22-70 × 10-
24 µm. Fibulae nullae. In solo sylvae tropicae Puerto Rico
lecta. HOLOTYPUS D. J. Lodge PR 310 (K).
FIGS. 1, 2. Macroscopic and microscopic features of Al-
boleptonia subrosea. 1. Basidia (PR 89). 2. Basidiospores
(HOLOTYPE, PR 88). Scale bar = 10 µm.
Pileus white, pinkish when water soaked, 6-20 mm
broad, broadly convex with a depressed disc, becom-
ing plane with a sharply depressed, umbilicate disc,
striate over the margin (to 3 mm) or slightly sulcate-
striate, dry, radially appressed fibrillose-silky overall
pository hyphae. Pileus context radially arranged. Pi-
leipellis a repent layer of compact to loosely entan-
gled, cylindric, hyaline hyphae, 3-12 µm diam, not
encrusted. Clamp connections present in pileipellis, la-
mella trama and hymenium.
or with small appressed fibrillose-scales over the mar-
gin. Context very thin. Lamellae pale pinkish or pink-
ish, adnate or adnate with a decurrent tooth, subdis-
tant (L = 17-20, 1= 1-2 irregularly), edge even, con-
colorous. Stipe white overall or with a blush of creamy
yellow, 8-20 mm long, 1-2 mm broad, equal, strict
BARONI AND LODGE: ALBOLEPTONIA 683
FIGS. 3-6. Scanning electron micrographs of basidiospores of Alboleptonia species. 3. A. subrosea (holotype, PR 88). 4. A.
largentii (TJB 7963b). 5. A. flavifolia (TJB 7948). 6. A. sulcata (HOLOTYPE, PR 476). Scale bars = 5 µm. Lower scale bar
for 5 and 6.
684 MYCOLOGIA
or slightly curved, silky appressed fibrillose at first,
glabrescent with age. Odor none. Taste nutty, sweet.
Basidiospores 8-11.4 × 7.6-10.5 µm (n/2 = 39, Lm =
10.7 ± 0.74, Wm = 8.7 ± 0.78, E = 1-1.31, Qm =
1.12), mostly ± cuboid or at least 4-sided, a very few
5-sided. Basidia 36-40 × 12-18 µm mostly 4-sterig-
mate, some 2-sterigmate, broadly clavate. Hymenial
cystidia absent. Lamella trama composed of parallel,
cylindric, hyaline hyphae, 4-8 µm diam. Pileus context
radially arranged, cylindric to slight inflated, hyaline
hyphae, 5-10 µm diam, less than 100 µm long. Pilei-
pellis a compact, hyaline layer of repent, cylindric hy-
phae, 8-14 µm diam, producing scattered ascendant,
cylindric to subclavate end cells, 22-70 × 10-24 µm,
all thin-walled and not encrusted. Stipitipellis with
erect clavate or occasionally cylindric caulocystidia,
32-42 × 10-22 µm. Clamp connections absent.
Habit, habitat, distribution. Solitary or scattered, on
clay soil, often on banks along trails. Jun. through
Sep. Puerto Rico.
Material examined. PUERTO RICO: Luquillo Mts., Carib-
bean National Forest, El Verde Research Area, 380 m elev.,
N18° 19' 24" W65° 49' 3
"
, 7 September 1984, PR 310 (pre-
viously as PR 474) D. J. Lodge (HOLOTYPE, K); same lo-
cation and mycelium, 30 August 1984, PR 317 (previously
as PR 475), D. J. Lodge (K); El Verde Research Area, same
general area as previous two collections, 28 June 1996,
79636 T. J. Baroni (CORT); Luquillo Mts., Caribbean Na-
tional Forest, Sabana Station area, Bisley Watershed, 230 m
elev., N18° 18' 53" W65° 44' 48", 6 Jun. 1997, 8485 T. J.
Baroni (collected by Peter Roberts) (NY; UPRRP).
Etymology. This species is named in honor of Pro-
fessor David L. Largent, the individual who originally
recognized and described the genus Alboleptonia.
Alboleptonia largentii is one of two species of Albo-
leptonia found in Puerto Rico which has cuboid ba-
sidiospores and these taxa can be separated using the
key provided. However, A. talisporum, known only
from Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, is
also somewhat similar to A. largentii in macromor-
phology. These two species are clearly different since
A. talisporum has a pileus which turns yellowish in-
stead of pinkish with age, and its cuboid spores are
only 6-8 µm (Horak, 1976, 1980).
While examining small pieces of hymenium under
the scanning electron microscope, it became obvious
that collection 7963b T. J. Baroni of A. largentii had
a high preponderance of 5-sterigmate basidia (FIG.
11). Ten random fields of view were examined and
the number of sterigmata on 51 different basidia
were recorded. Of the basidia examined 17.5% were
5-sterigmate. As one might expect, the largest num-
ber of basidia were 4-sterigmate, i.e., 45%, but there
were also numerous 3-sterigmate basidia (25.5%),
with fewer numbers of 2-sterigmate basidia (8%) and
6-sterigmate basidia (4%) recorded. The presence of
five and six sterigmate basidia is atypical for members
of the Agaricales (Singer, 1986), and this may well be
the first report of such an occurrence. Certainly this
is the first recorded incidence of 5 and 6 sterigmate
basidia in the Entolomataceae. If these extra spores
are viable and secondarily homothallic, then the pro-
duction of 5- and 6-sterigmate basidia may afford
some advantage to these agarics when competing for
substrates in tropical ecosystems.
Alboleptonia flavifolia Baroni & Lodge, sp. nov.
FIGS. 5, 12-14
Pileus 9-24 mm latus, albus deinde pallido-cinnamomes-
cens, convexus disco subdepresso primum margine incur-
vato deinde ascendenti, radiatim fibrillosus, puberulus vel
in disco subtomentosus. Lamellae cremeae deinde salmo-
nescens, adnatae vel subdecurrentes, confertae. Stipes pileo
concolor, 12-24 mm longus, 1.5-2 mm latus, aequilatus, ser-
iceo-fibrillosus. Basidiosporae 12-16 × 7.2-8.8 µm, heter-
odiametricae, 6-7-angulatae. Basidia 4-sterigmatibus prae-
dita. Cheilocystidia 20-65 × 11-25 µm, clavate-inflata vel
globipedunculata vel ventricoso-rostrata hyalina. Pleurocys-
tidia nulla. Pileipellis hyphis repentibus, cylindraceis, 3-18
µm latis, haud incrustatis praedita. Fibullae nullae. Terri-
cola, in sylva tropica Puerto Rico in folia putrescentia lecta.
HOLOTYPUS D. J. Lodge PR 302 (K).
Pileus ivory white, dark cream or Pale Horn Color
(2.5 Y 8.08/3.5), becoming pale cinnamon in age, 9-
24 mm broad, convex with shallow depression over
disc, margin inrolled at first, becoming broadly con-
vex and then uplifted, translucent-striate at first and
also slightly or obviously sulcate-striate from disc to
margin with age, dry, radially fibrillose, pubescent or
subtomentose over disc. Context very thin. Lamellae
Cream Color (3.4 Y 8.40/4.2), becoming Buff (0.9 Y
7.77/5.5), Pale Pinkish Buff (8.8 YR 7.55/4.3) to
Salmon (5.0 YR 6.90/6.0), adnate, slightly emargin-
ate or arcuate with slight decurrent tooth, close to
crowded (2-3/mm), with 2-3 tiers lamellulae, some
forked, broad (1-2 mm). Stipe more of less concol-
orous with pileus, 12-30 mm long, 1.5-2.5 mm
broad, equal or slightly expanded at base or apex,
dry, fibrillose-silky overall, white mycelioid at base.
Odor fungoid or somewhat mealy. Taste similar to
odor. Basidiospores 10.5-16 × 7.2-9.7 µm, (n/3 = 70,
Lm = 12.3 ± 1.34, Wm = 8.4 ± 0.51, E = 1.16-2, Qm
= 1.46; HOLOTYPE n = 29, Lm = 13.4 ± 1.31, Wm
= 8.5 ± 0.65, E = 1.16-2, Q = 1.58), heterodiame-
tric, 6-7 + rounded angles in profile view. Basidia 4-
sterigmate, clavate. Cheilocystidia 20-65 × 11-25 µm,
versiform but often clavate-inflated, sphaeropedun-
culate or broadly ventricose-rostrate, thin-walled, hy-
aline. Pleurocystidia absent. Lamella trama composed
BARONI AND LODGE: ALBOLEPTONIA 685
FIGS. 7-10. Macroscopic and microscopic features of Alboleptonia largentii (HOLOTYPE, PR 310). 7. Caulocystidia. 8.
Basidiospores. 9. Basidioma. 10. Pileipellis. Scale bars = 10 µm, except scale bar in 9 = 5 mm.
686 MYCOLOGIA
FIG. 11. Hymenium of Alboleptonia largentii (TJB 7963b)
showing 3-, 4-, 5-sterigmate basidia and a basidium with 6
spores attached. Scale bar = 10 µm.
of parallel, inflated hyphae, subhymenium pseudo-
parenchymatous. Pileus context radially arranged with
short cylindric or short inflated cells, 3-18 µm diam.
Pileipellis an hyaline, compact, repent layer of cylin-
dric to slightly inflated hyphae, 3-18 µm diam, not
encrusted. Clamp connections absent.
Habit, habitat, distribution. Solitary or scattered on
leaf litter of mixed tropical hardwoods (Inga, Ormo-
sia, etc.) or on soil. Jun.-Jul., Oct. Puerto Rico.
Material examined. PUERTO RICO: Sierra de Cayey, Lake
Carite, 620 m. elev., N18° 0' 35" W65° 4' 35
"
, 16 Oct. 1988,
PR 302 (previously as PR 477) D. J. Lodge (HOLOTYPE,
K); Maricao Municipio, Maricao Recreation Area, 810 m.
elev., N18° 19' 13" W65° 59' 34
"
, 25 Jun. 1996, 7948 T. J.
Baroni (CORT); Luquillo Mts., Caribbean National Forest,
El Verde Research Area, ridge above bridge over the Rio
Sonadora, 370 m. elev., N18° 19' 24" W65° 49' 3
"
, 4 Jul.
1993, PR 1213 D. J. Lodge (NY); Luquillo Mts., Caribbean
National Forest, off of Rt. 191, Angelito Trail, N18° 19' 23"
W65° 44' 50
"
, 5 Jun. 1997, 8480 T. J. Baroni (UPRRP).
Etymology. flavifolia = referring to the cream yel-
low lamellae.
Alboleptonia flavifolia is characterized by its cream
to buff colored lamellae, the convex pileus with a
shallow depression on the disc, the cream then cin-
namon colors developing on the pileus with age, the
elongate heterodiametric-elliptic basidiospores with
6-7 or more rounded angles, the abundant, fre-
quently inflated cheilocystidia, and the lack of clamp
connections. Alboleptonia flavifolia was originally
thought to be a collection of A. aripoana (Dennis)
Pegler because of the unusual elongate spores. How-
ever, A. aripoana is a lignicolous species (Dennis
1953, 1970) which does not develop cinnamon colors
on the pileus, the lamellae are neither cream nor
buff colored at first, the cheilocystidia are long-cylin-
dric, the spores are smaller ( = 10.4 × 7.7 µm ac-
cording to measurements taken from the type) and
clamp connections at-e present and numerous (Hor-
ak, 1978; Pegler, 1983; also see the type study below).
Alboleptonia sulcata, which might be confused with
A. flavifolia, is most easily distinguished from A. flav-
ifolia because of its smaller and differently shaped
basidiospores, i.e., = 10.5 × 7.7 µm with mostly 5-
6 angles in profile view for A. sulcanta. The mean
spore dimensions for A. flavifolia are = 12.3 × 8.4
µm and the spores are mostly 6-7 angled in profile
view. The difference in spore lengths between these
two species is statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05). Refer
to the key for other distinguishing features.
Another species which might be confused with A.
flavifolia, A. cyathiformis (Dennis) Pegler, does have
prominent, inflated cheilocystidia. However A. cy-
athiformis differs by several features and can be readi-
ly identified with the key provided.
Other Alboleptonia species with obvious cheilocys-
tidia are A. ochracea Largent & Benedict and A. ru-
bellotincta Largent & Watling [ = Entoloma queletii
(Boud.) Noordeloos, sensu Noordeloos. 1992]. Both
A. ochracea and A. rubellotincta are easily distin-
guished and separated from A. flavifolia, and the
other Caribbean species. Alboleptollia orhracea, pres-
ently known only from under conifers in the Pacific
Northwest, develops ochraceous colors on the pileus
with age or from handling, the lamellae are white,
the spores are distinctly 5-6 angled in profile view,
and clamp connections are also present on the hy-
phae of the basidiomata (Largent and Benedict,
1970; Largent, 1994). Alboleptonia rubellotincta, an-
other temperate species described from Scotland,
turns dark reddish brown over the entire basidioma
when handled. Alboleptonia rubellotincta also has a
lacerate-scaly pileus surface, white lamellae which
stain dark reddish brown when bruised, and spores
which are 5-6 angled in profile view (Largent and
Watling, 1986).
Alboleptonia sulcata Baroni & Lodge, sp. nov.
FIGS. 6, 15-16
Pileus 7-16 mm latus, cremeus, planus disco depresso,
sericeo-fibrillosus, fibrillis adpressis, margine pellucido-stria-
to et sulcato praeditus. Lamellae cremeae, adnatae, distan-
tes vel subdistantes. Stipes pileo concolor, 11-20 mm lon-
687
FIGS. 12-14. Macroscopic and microscopic features of Alboleptonia flavifolia (HOLOTYPE, PR 302). 12. Basidiospores.
13. Basidiomata. 14. Cheilocystidia. Scale bars: 13 = 10 mm; 12, 14 = 10 µm.
688 MYCOLOGIA
FIGS. 15, 16. Microscopic features of Alboleptonia sulcata (HOLOTYPE, PR 476). 15. Cheilocystidia. 16. Basidiospores.
Scale bar = 10 µm.
gus, 0.5-2 mm latus, aequilatus vel ad apicem expansus, ap-
icem versus pruinato-pubescens. Basidiosporae 10.5-13 ×
8-9.7 µm, 5-6 angulatae. Basidia 4-sterigmatibus praedita.
Cheilocystidia 19-46 × 9-18 µm, clavate-inflata, hyalina.
Pleurocystidia nulla. Pileipellis hyphis repentibus, cylindra-
ceis, 4-10 µm latis, haud incrustatis praedita. Fibulae nul-
lae. Inter muscos in solo Puerto Rico lecta. HOLOTYPUS
D. J. Lodge PR 476 (K).
Pileus Cream Color (3.4 Y 8.4/4.2) or “Yellowish
White” (4A2), in some cases becoming pale grayish
pink or with “Orange White” to “Pale Orange” hues
(5A2-3) with age, 7-16 mm broad, convex or broadly
convex with shallowly depressed disc, becoming
plane with shallowly depressed disc, margin decur-
ved, typically sulcate-striate to the disc or infrequently
subsulcate-striate at margin, some also translucent-
striate, occasionally irregularly lacerate, dry, ap-
pressed sericeous fibrillose overall, some becoming
glabrescent with age. Context very thin. Lamellae
Cream Color (3.4 Y 8.4/4.2), pale creamy pinkish
buff, eventually with some salmon hues i.e. “Orange
White” to “Pale Orange” (5A2-3), adnate, broadly
adnate or adnate with short decurrent tooth, subdis-
tant or distant (L = 15, 1 = 1 or 2), broad, edge
concolor, fimbriate. Stipe pale creamy white or
“Cream” (4A3) to “Light Yellow” (4A4) and mostly
concolorous with the pileus, usually translucent, 11-
20 mm long, 0.5-2 mm broad, equal or expanded
toward apex, terete, often curved or flexuous, dry,
fine white pruinate-pubescent over apex, glabrous
elsewhere, sparse white mycelioid at base. Odor none.
Taste not recorded. Basidiospores 8.7-13 × 6.8-9.7
µm, (n/4 = 50, Lm = 10.5 ± 1.2, Wm = 7.7 ± 0.66,
E = 1.22-1.62, Qm = 1.36; HOLOTYPE n = 15, Lm
= 12.01 ± 0.7, Wm = 8.38 ± 0.53, E = 1.31-1.62, Q
= 1.44), mostly 5, some 6-angled in profile view,
mostly 4-angled in polar view. Basidia 26-28 × 9-11
µm, mostly 4-sterigmate, but 1-, 2- and 3-sterigmate
basidia also present, clavate. Cheilocystidia mostly cla-
vate or inflated clavate, abundant, hyaline, 19-46 ×
9-18 µm. Pleurocystidia absent. Pileipellis a compact
repent layer of hyaline or pale straw yellow, cylindric,
non-encrusted hyphae, 4-10 µm diam, terminal cells
cylindric or narrowly clavate. Clamp connections ab-
sent.
Habit, habitat, distribution. Solitary or scattered in
moss on a clay soil bank, on bare clay soil, or on
BARONI AND LODGE: ALBOLEPTONIA 689
decaying leaf litter. Jun., Aug. and Nov. Puerto Rico
and St. John, United States Virgin Islands.
Material examined. PUERTO RICO: Luquillo Mts., Carib-
bean National Forest, El Verde Research Area, near lower
entrance to Zucca plot 3, 360 m elev., N18° 19' 26" W65°
49
' 3
"
, 6 Aug. 1988, PR 476 D. J. Lodge (HOLOTYPE, K);
Caribbean National Forest, El Yunque, Caimitillo Trail, 640
m. elev., N18° 18' 9" W65° 47' 11
"
, 29 Jun. 1996, 7972 T. J.
Baroni (NY): ST. JOHN, USVI: Bordeaux Mountain, on the
east side of the Bordeaux Mountain road several hundred
yards south of the sign for the Spice Hill Community, ap-
prox. 300 m. elev., 15 Nov. 1996, 8311 T.J. Baroni (CORT):
Cinnamon Bay, on the Cinnamon Bay Trail south-east of
the North Shore Road, approx. 70 m. elev., 16 Nov. 1996,
8323 T. J. Baroni (NY).
Etymology. sulcata = referring to the sulcate-striate
pileus margin.
Alboleptonia sulcata is characterized by the sulcate-
striate and slightly depressed pileus, clavate or broad-
ly clavate cheilocystidia, pentagonal basidiospores,
and hyphae which lack clamp connections. It can be
difficult to separate A. sulcata from A. flavifolia based
solely on macromorphology since A. sulcata may
have cream colored lamellae at first, and A. flavifolia
may have a sulcate pileus margin in some basidiom-
ata. See the discussion of A. flavifolia and the key to
species for details about the differences between
these two taxa.
Alboleptonia cyathiformis has basidiospores and
cheilocystidia which have similar shapes as those
found for A. sulcata, however the basidiospores in A.
cyathiformis are smaller (7.9-11.6 × 6.6-8.6 µm, from
the type), the lamellae of A. cyathiformis are not
cream color, and the pileus is typically cyathiform
and not sulcate nor translucent-striate. Alboleptonia
cyathiformis also has clamp connections on its hy-
phae, a feature which is consistently absent in A. sul-
cata.
Alboleptonia stylophora (Berk. & Br.) Pegler, Kew Bull.
32:199. 1977. FIGS. 17-21, 25, 26
≡ Agaricus Stylophorus Berk. & Br., J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 11:
537, 1871.
≡ Entoloma stylophorum (Berk. & Br.) Sacc., Syll. Fung.
5:687. 1887.
≡ Rhodophyllus stylophorus (Berk. & Br.) Romagn.,
Prodr. Fl. Mycol. Madag. 2:132. 1941
≡ Leptonia stylophora (Berk. & Br.) Dennis, Kew Bull.
Add. Ser. 3:78. 1970.
Pileus basically white, but with Buff (0.7 Y5.98/
7.4), Beige (4.6 YR 6.84/3.2), Cream Color (3.4 Y
8.40/4.2), “Yellowish White” (3A2), or Ivory Yellow
(Hamley 1Y-7Y 8-10/2-5) hues at first, becoming
Pale Pinkish Buff (8.8 YR 7.55/4.3) or Pinkish (8-
9A2) over the margin with age, some with a slight
orange tint, 3-23 mm broad, convex with a cuspidate
umbo, umbo often up to 2 mm long and occasionally
bent nearly horizontal, or occasionally conico-cam-
panulate and broadly mammillate-umbonate at first,
becoming piano-papillate, moist or dry, felted on the
umbo, radially appressed or scurfy silky-fibriilose to
margin, margin even or slightly sulcate-striate, un-
dulate and/or lacerate on some, hygrophanous. Con-
text very thin and fragile, milk white. Lamella white
at first, becoming “Flesh” (6B3). Flesh Color (0.8 YR
6.95/5.9) or “Pale Red” (7A3) or Salmon Color (5.0
YR 6.90/6.0), adnate, emarginate, slightly sinuate or
adnate with short decurrent tooth, subdistant (2-3/
mm) with 2 tiers of lamellulae, occasionally forked,
broad (up to 3 mm), edges concolorous, smooth.
Stipe concolorous with pileus, but most often Ivory
(Hamley 1-9 Y 8-10/2-4.5) with white mycelioid
base, 3-45 mm long, 0.5-2 mm broad, central, equal,
terete or slightly expanded toward base, dry, trans-
lucent when fresh, but mostly opaque, silky-appressed
fibrillose, glabrescent with age. Odor and Taste not
distinctive. Basidiospores in deposit fleshy brown
(“Greyish Orange” to “Reddish Blonde” 5B-C4);
(8.8-) 9.3-13.8 (-15.4) × (6.6-) 7.7-9.7 (-10.5) µm,
(n/8 = 101, Lm = 11.2 ± 1.5, Wm = 8.7 ± 1, E =
1.05-1.5, Qm = 1.29; HOLOTYPE n = 16, 10.8-14
× 8-10.7 µm, Lm = 12.1 ± 0.89, Wm = 9 ± 0.65, E
= 1.18-1.43, Q = 1.35), mostly 5, some 6 angled in
profile view and often complex, somewhat nodulose-
angular, mostly pentangonal in face view, mostly 4 or
5 angled in polar view. Basidia 22-38 × 9-12 µm,
mostly 4-sterigmate with some 2- or less frequently 1-
sterigmate, clavate to broadly clavate or subclavate.
Cheilocystidia cylindric, subcapitate, subclavate to nar-
rowly clavate, some septate, abundant, thin-walled
and hyaline, frequently collapsed after specimens are
dried and difficult to demonstrate, 24-46 × 5-10
µm. Pleurocystidia absent. Lamella trama composed of
parallel, cylindric to slight inflated, short hyphae, 30-
90 µm long, 5.5-18.5 µm diam. Pileus context radially
arranged, cylindric or inflated hyphae, 9-18 µm
diam, with scattered or abundant branched, yellowish
refractive hyphae, 3-8 µm diam. Pileipellis a hyaline
to pale yellow, repent, compact layer of cylindric,
nonencrusted, radially arranged hyphae, 4-9 µm
diam. Clamp connections absent.
Habit, habitat, distribution. Scattered to gregarious
on soil in mixed forests. May, Jun. and Aug. through
Dec. Puerto Rico, Trinidad, Martinique (Pegler,
1983) and Costa Rica (Ovrebo, 1994).
Material examined. COSTA RICA: Heredia Province, La
Selva Biological Station and Reserve, near the “Iguana”
dormitory, 10 May 1991, CO 2994 C. L. Ovrebo (CSU).
690 MYCOLOGIA
FIGS. 17-24. Microscopic features of Alboleptonia species. 17-20. A. stylophora (PR 464). 17. Pileipellis. 18. Cheilocystidia.
19. Basidia. 20. Basidiospores. 21. A. stylophora (HOLOTYPE) Basidiospores. 22, 23. A. aripoana (HOLOTYPE). 22. Chei-
locystidia. 23. Basidiospores. 24. A. cyathiformis (HOLOTYPE) Basidiospores. Scale bars = 10 µm. Vertical scale bar for 17,
18; horizontal scale bar for all others.
BARONI AND LODGE: ALBOLEPTONIA 691
FIGS. 25-28. Scanning electron micrographs of basidiospores of Alboleponia species. 25, 26. A. stylophora (PR 25). 27. A.
aripoana (HOLOTYPE). 28. A. cyathiformis (HOLOTYPE). Scale bars: 25, 27, 28 = 5 µm; 26 = 1 µm.
PUERTO RICO: Carite Commonwealth Forest near Gua-
vate, soil and litter of rarely used jeep trail, 620 m. elev.,
N18° 0' 35" W65° 4' 35
"
, 1 Sep. 1985. PR 25 D. J. Lodge (K);
Luquillo Mts., Caribbean National Forest, El Verde Re-
search Area, trail to Rio Sonadora, 370 m. elev., N18° 19'
24
" W65° 49' 3
"
, 12 Oct. 1988, PR 458 D. J. Lodge (K); same
general location, beneath Dacryodes excelsa Vahl., Sloanea
berteriana Choise and Manilkara bidentata (A. DC.) Chev.,
370 m. elev., 14 Aug. 1984, PR 464 D. J. Lodge (K); same
general location, at entrance to the trail to Rio Sonadora,
692 MYCOLOGIA
350 m, N18° 19' 25" W65° 49' 19
"
, 31 May 1992, PR 1420
(previously as PR 829) D. J Lodge (collected by R. H. Pe-
tersen) (CORT); same general location, inside field station
by driveway, 350 m elev., N18° 19' 25" W65° 49' 13", 18 Oct.
1988, PR 938 D. J. Lodge (NY); same general location, on
a ridge above the Rio Sonadora near small grate in front of
bridge, 370 m elev., N18° 19' 24" W65° 49' 3", 7 Sept. 1984,
PR 939 D. J. Lodge (K); same general location, on the ridge
above the bridge over the Rio Sonodora, 370 m elev., PR
941 D. J. Lodge (NY); same general area, on soil of bank
near field station, 350 m elev., N18° 19' 25" W65° 49' 13",
19 Jun. 1996, 7891 T. J. Baroni (CORT); Luquillo Mts.,
Caribbean National Forest, Sabana Station area, trail be-
tween Bisley Watersheds 3 and 5, 230 m elev., 18 May 1994,
PR 2295 D. J. Lodge (NY); same general area, on soil, 230
m elev., N18° 18' 53" W65° 44' 48
"
, 6 Jun. 1997, 8488 T. J.
Baroni (collected by Mayda Serrano) (CORT); Luquillo
Mts., Caribbean National Forest, off of Rt. 191, Angelito
Trail, N18° 19' 23" W65° 44' 50
"
, 5 Jun. 1997, 8483 T. J.
Baroni (CORT); Luqillo Mts., Caribbean National Forest, in
forest near Sabana Station, on soil, 9 Jun. 1997, 8519 T. J.
Baroni (collected by Peter Roberts) (CORT). TRINIDAD:
Arima Mountains, Simla Research Station, trail behind the
station, 29 Dec. 1983, 4462 T. J. Baroni (NY). SRI LANKA:
Peradeniya, “on the ground”, Sep. 1968, no. 748 (K, HO-
LOTYPE).
This small white species is readily identified by the
sharply papillate-conic umbo, the tendency to devel-
op cream or yellowish hues on the pileus and stipe,
the rather large complex spores, the lack of clamp
connections, and by the presence of cylindric to nar-
rowly clavate cheilocystidia. Pegler (1977, 1986) re-
ports that the type collection and collections from
Martinique and Trinidad (Pegler, 1983) have clamp
connections and lack cheilocystidia. However, Horak
(1980) states that collections of A. stylophora he has
studied from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands
and Singapore lack clamp connections and have
cheilocystidia, characters which we’ find in our ma-
terial from Puerto Rico and from Trinidad. Unfor-
tunately, Dennis (1970) and Romagnesi (1941) did
not discuss these characters when reporting on A.
stylophora in Trinidad and Madagascar, respectively.
However, a recent publication by Horak and Desjar-
din (1993) points out that their Hawaiian Island col-
lection is characterized by the presence of cylindric
to subclavate cheilocystidia and the lack of clamp
connections on the hyphae, agreeing with our obser-
vations for this species.
A study of the type collection provided little fur-
ther information. Small samples of tissue could not
be revived, even with soaking and intermittent gentle
heating over a 24 h. period. Thus it was not possible
to determine if cheilocystidia were present or absent,
nor if clamp connections were present of absent in
the type specimens. The distinctively shaped spores
were present and are illustrated here (FIG. 21).
The discrepancy among investigators in noting the
presence or absence of clamp connections is odd, but
cheilocystidia, especially thin-walled leptocystidia
such as those found on A. stylophora, often collapse
and may be difficult to demonstrate on older or ill
prepared materials. The cheilorystidia for some of
our A. stylophora collections were difficult to revive.
but these structures were present and demonstrable
if enough time was allocated to soaking and heating
tissues. A. stylophora clearly has a pantropical distri-
bution (Horak, 1980; Horak and Desjardin, 1993;
Ovrebo, 1994; Pegler, 1977, 1983, 1986; Romagnesi,
1941).
TYPE STUDIES
Alboleptonia aripoana (Dennis) Pegler. 1983. Kew
Bull. Add. Series 9:364. FIGS. 22, 23, 27
≡ Entoloma aripoanum Dennis. 1953. Bull. Soc. Mycol.
Fr. 69:196.
The type consists of one small dried basidioma
which has been cut in half. The pileus measures 9
mm broad, while the stipe is 3 × 15 mm and covered
with a dense matted fibrillose or punctate-fibrillose
covering. The lamellae are broad and possess a sor-
did yellow or golden fimbriate edge. Only a small
fragment of one lamella was examined under the
compound light microscope, with the following re-
sults.
Basidiospores 9.5-11.8 × 6.9-8.4 µm (n = 22, Lm
≡ 10.4 ± 0.64, Wm = 7.7 ± 0.38, E = 1.23-1.54, Q
≡ 1.35), heterodiametric, (5-) 6-7 angled in profile
view, 7-8 angled in polar view. Basidia 32-40 × 11-
16 µm, 4-sterigmate, clavate, many with slightly thick-
ened walls. Cheilocystidia 46-110 × 12-18 µm, mostly
clavate, some cylindric or some with tapered apices.
Clamp connections abundant and obvious on hyme-
nial elements
Material examined. TRINIDAD: Aripo Valley, L’Orange,
13 Oct. 1949, Dennis 172 (K, HOLOTYPE).
The spores of A. aripoana are clearly heterodiame-
tric and multiangled in profile view. We find the typ-
ical spore to be 6-7 angled in the type and not 8-10
facetted as described by Pegler (1983). In addition,
A. aripoana is characterized further by its convex pi-
leus, solid stipe, habitat “sur les troncs” (Dennis,
1953), abundant clamp connections, and by the cla-
vate cheilocystidia. The collections of Fiard and Peg-
ler (Pegler, 1983) from Martinique and Dominica,
which were found on litter or dead leaves, may well
represent a different taxon. Pegler (1983) illustrated,
693
for A. aripoana, a specimen with a shallowly de-
pressed pileus, a hollow stipe, and spores with 8-10
angles in profile view, characters which are incongru-
ous with the type collection.
BARONI AND LODGE: ALBOLEPTONIA
Alboleptonia aripoana has not been found in the
Greater Antilles so far. As can be seen in the key pro-
vided below, A. aripoana is most similar morpholog-
ically to A. sericella (Fr.) Largent & Benedict and oth-
er taxa of temperate North America.
Alboleptonia cyathifomis (Dennis) Pegler 1983. Kew
Bull. Add. Series 9:363 FIGS. 24, 28
≡ Entoloma cyathiforme Dennis. 1953 Bull. Soc. Mycol.
Fr. 69:196
The type consists of an incomplete half of a basi-
dioma with many lamellae intact. and there are also
several tiny fragments of lamellae, pileus and stipe
loose in the packet. Only a very small piece of one
lamella was excised from the basidioma and exam-
ined. The edge of the lamella looked to be sterile
from collapsed hyaline cheilocystidia, however sever-
al attempts at reviving these cells were unsuccessful.
Dennis (1953) described and illustrated vesciculous
and cylindric cheilocystidia for this species.
Basidiospores 7.9-11.6 × 6.6–8.6 µm (n = 30, Lm
= 9.6 ± 0.95, Wm = 7.6 ± 0.54, E = 1.08–1.40, Q =
1.27), heterodiametric, 5–6 angled in all views. Clamp
connections present in lamella trama.
Material examined. TRINIDAD: Arema Forest, 1 Dec.
1949, Dennis 416 (K, HOLOTYPE).
Alboleponia cyathiformis has not been found in the
Greater Antilles as yet.
Alboleptonia hyalodepas (Berk. & Br.) Pegler 1983.
Kew Bull. Add. Series 9:363. FIG. 29
≡ Agaricus hyarodepas Berk. & Br., J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 11:
540. 1871.
≡ Eccilia hyalodepas (Berk. & Br.) Sacc., Syll. Fung. 5:733.
1887.
≡ Entoloma hyalodepas (Berk. & Br.) Horak, Sydowia 28:
177, 1976.
≡ Rhodophyllus hyalodepas (Berk. & Br.) Romagn. & Gil-
les, Beih. Nova Hedwigia 59:194. 1979.
A justification for choosing a lectotype for A. hy-
alodepas follows. A review of the literature on A. hy-
alodepas revealed two differing concepts of this tax-
on. Horak (1976, 1980) stated that Agaricus hyalode-
pas has cuboid basidiospores and this concept has
been followed by Romagnesi and Gilles (1979).
While Pegler (1977, 1983, 1986) insisted that the ba-
sidiospores are heterodiametric-ovate and pentago-
nal. Both investigators had studied and cited what
FIG. 29. Photograph of dried specimens of a part of the
HOLOTYPE of Agaricus hyalodepas affixed to a card and
bequeathed to KEW by M. J. Berkeley. Note that the card
contains two different collections, a No. 897 and a No. 871.
The lower specimens, labeled No. 871, were the only ones
cited in the protologue and therefore are representative of
the holotype. Each individual specimen was labeled with a
number by us after photographing the collection. See de-
tails in text for clarification. The words “cuboid spores” and
“pentagonal spores = Type” penciled directly on the card
are assumed to be annotations by someone other than
Berkeley, since all other information is written in black ink
from what appears to have been a quill pen.
was purported to be the type collection, nbr. 871
from Ceylon (Sri Lanka) as listed by Berkeley and
Broome (1871). We therefore borrowed the type ma-
terial from the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew (K)
hoping to resolve this discrepancy.
The “type” currently consists of three individual
packets containing several specimens each. One
packet is labelled “Herb. Berkeley, A. (Eccilia) hyalo-
depas B. & Br., Peradeniya, Dec. 1868, no. 871” and
this packet contains a card with two tiers of thinly
sliced specimens glued to the card (FIG. 29). The up-
per tier of specimens is labelled “897. Agaricus hy-
alodepas” and the lower tier is labelled “No. 871. A.
(Eccilia) hyalodepas, Peradeniya, Dec. 1868” as
pointed out by Horak (1976). These specimens were
694 MYCOLOGIA
obviously studied by Berkeley and served as the basis
for the description of A. hyalodepas (Berkeley and
Broome, 1871). Unfortunately the tier of specimens
bearing the “No. 871,” which is a portion of the type
and clearly designated as such in the protologue, is
a mixed collection with three specimens possessing
cuboid basidiospores (numbers 5, 7 & 8 of FIG. 29)
and one with pentagonal basidiospores (number 6 of
FIG. 29). In addition, although Horak (1976) indi-
cated that the specimens of collection No. 897 had
pentagonal basidiospores, these specimens also are
composed of a mixture of two different species. The
sliced basidiomata given numbers 1 and 4 (FIG. 29)
possess cuboid basidiospores, while the ones num-
bered 2 and 3 (FIG. 29) have pentagonal basidio-
spores. The second packet in the type collection, la-
belled “Herb. Broome, Agaricus (Eccilia) hyalode-
pas, Ceylon, 871”, another portion of the type, also
contains a card with several specimens glued to it.
These thinly sliced basidiomata consist of a mixture
of specimens with pentagonal spores (4 of the 7) and
with cuboid spores (3 of the 7). The third packet,
labelled “Herb. Berkeley, A, hyalodepas, 871 Dupl.,”
also a portion of the type collection, consists of three
specimens with cuboid basidiospores mixed in with
three specimens having pentagonal basidiospores.
These specimens are not glued to cards.
The morphological species concept of Agaricus hy-
alodepas was clearly derived from two different ele-
ments by Berkeley and Broome (1871). The mixing
of these two different species in the “holotype” col-
lection make it necessary to select as a lectotype one
of these elements, in order to accurately apply the
name A. hyalodepas (ICBN, Art. 9.9). Horak (1976)
in recognizing that at least a portion of the “type”
consisted of two different collections and two differ-
ent species chose No. 871 over No. 897 as, dictated
by the citation of No. 871 in the protologue (Berke-
ley and Broome, 1871). Unfortunately, he had ex-
amined only a sliced specimen with cuboid spores in
No. 871 and only a sliced specimen with pentagonal
spored specimens in No. 897, thus arguing that A.
hyalodepas has cuboid spores. While Pegler (1977,
1983, 1986) had examined the specimens of No. 871
with pentagonal basidiospores and was insistent that
A. hyalodepas was a species characterized by pentag-
onal spores. Horak and Pegler were obviously un-
aware of the fact that both No. 871 and No. 897 con-
sist of mixed elements and neither investigator has
formally proposed lectotypification.
Hence the name A, hyalodepas still requires such
action. Horak’s concept of this taxon is based solely
on the mixed type collection, whereas Pegler (1983)
has been able to locate and examine additional col-
lections of the pentagonal spored entity from the
Lesser Antilles. Therefore, since there are about an
equal number of specimens with pentagonal and cu-
boid basidiospores represented in the type collection,
and since the concept of Pegler (1977, 1983, 1986)
seems to closely reflect that of the protologue, we
formally propose the selection of the specimens in
the type collection with pentagonal basidiospores to
serve as the nomenclatoral type for Agaricus hyalo-
depas. Future investigations on collections of Albolep-
tonia producing cuboid spores in and around Sri
Lanka are now necessary to resolve the taxonomy of
the other, perhaps unnamed element. The cuboid
spored collections with inflated, septate cheilocystidia
from Africa (Romagnesi and Gilles, 1979) clearly rep-
resent an undescribed species of Albolptonia which
is not similar to the cuboid spored taxon from Sri
Lanka (see also Horak, 1980).
Very little information other than spore size and
shape could be obtained from the type materials.
Our measurements of the pentagonal spores are very
similar to those published by Pegler (1983): 11.7-
14.5 × 9-11.8 µm (n=43, Lm = 13 ± 0.5, Wm = 10.5
± 0.5, E = 1.13-1.39, Q = 1.23)
Material examined. SRI LANKA: Peradeniya, Dec. 1868,
No. 871 (LECTOTYPE, K—pentagonal spored elements,
see discussion).
KEY TO ALBOLEPTONIA OF THE CARIBBEAN ISLANDS AND
THE ADJACENT MAINLAND AREAS
Basidiomata small to medium sized. Pileus is entirely white,
pale cinereous, pale cream or pale ochraceous, pileus sur-
face appressed fibrillose, silky fibrillose or appressed squa-
mulose. Lamellae white or pale cream at first, becoming
fleshy-pink from maturation of basidiospores. Stipe concol-
orous with pileus, pruinose, squamulose or merely fibrillose-
appressed over apex, glabrescent elsewhere. Basidiospores
variable in shape, cuboid, pentagonal or heterodiametric
elongate and up to 6-7 angled in profile view. Pileipellis a
cutis over the margin making transitions to an irregularly
entangled trichodermium with narrowly clavate or cylindric
terminal cells near and over the disc, pileipellis often not
well differentiated from the context. Basidiomata of Albo-
leptonia produce unique Ehrlich positive reactions and have
low urea concentrations when compared to the other spe-
cies groups of Entoloma sensu lato.
1. Odor of garlic or onions when fresh . . . . . . . A. earlei
(Murr.) Largent & Benedict. (known only from Cuba
and Costa Rica)
1. Odor may or may not he present, but not alliaceous
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2. Pileus conical or campanulate but with a distinct
papillate umbo, cheilocystidia cylindric, spores
heterodiametric (5-6 angled in profile view) and
also complex nodulose . . . . . . . . . . . . A. stylophora
2. Pileus and spores not as above . . . . . . . 3
3. Spores cuboid or at least mostly 4 sided in profile
view, cheilocystidia absent . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
BARONI AND LODGE: ALBOLEPTONIA 695
3.
5.
5
7.
7.
Spores heterodiametric elongate, with 5 or more an-
gles in profile view, cheilocystidia present or absent
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
4. Pileus and stipe pale rose color, clamp connec-
tions present, spores = 9 × 8 µm . . . A. subrosea
4. Pileus and stipe white, clamp connections absent,
spores = 10 × 9 µm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A. largentii
Cheilocystidia absent, clamp connections absent,
spores = 13 × 10.5 µm . . . . . . . . . . . . . A. hyalodepas
(if spores = 8 × 6 µm and clamps present only at
base of hymenial elements see A. earlei)
Cheilocystidia present, clamp connections present or
absent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6
6. Clamp connections present . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7
6. Clamp connections absent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Pileus depressed to cyathiform, stipe solid, cheilocys-
tidia inflated clavate or cylindric (Dennis, 1953),
spores 5–6 angled in profile view ( = 9.6 × 7.6 µm,
from the type) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A. cyathiformis
Pileus only slightly depressed on disc if at all, stipe
solid or hollow, cheilocystidia narrowly clavate, cylin-
dric or variously shaped but not inflated clavate (how-
ever see A. sericella var. lutescens f. roseoalbocitrina (At-
kinson) Largent & Benedict in Largent and Benedict,
1970) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
8. Growing on logs, stipe solid, cheilocystidia clavate
or narrowly clavate, spores 6-7 angled in profile
view ( = 10.4 × 7.7 µm, from the type) . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A. aripoana
8. Growing on the ground from soil or leaf litter,
stipe typically hollow with age, pileus typically con-
vex or campanulate, however the disc may be very
shallowly depressed on some, cheilocystidia versi-
form but typically not inflated [A. adnatifolia
(Murr.) Largent & Benedict, A. ochracea and sev-
eral varieties and forms of A. sericella from North
and South America, none of which are known
from the Caribbean as yet, refer to Largent and
Benedict (1970) and Dennis (1961, 1970)]
9. Spores heterodiametric elongate, mostly 6-7 angled
(
= 12.3 × 8.4 µm), cheilocystidia inflated and glo-
bose to sphaeropedunculate or some clavate . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A. flavifolia
9. Spores heterodiametric elongate, mostly 5-6 angled (
= 10.5 × 7.7 µm), cheilocystidia clavate . . . . . A. sulcata
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We thank Dr. Ronald H. Petersen, Mr. Peter Roberts, and
Ms. Mayda Serrano for providing collections, and Drs. Roy
E. Halling (NY) and David N. Pegler (K) for arranging the
loan of specimens. Ms. Patricia M. Eckel kindly corrected
the latin descriptions. Dr. Scott Redhead and two anony-
mous reviewers provided valuable comments and sugges-
tions which greatly improved this contribution. Ms. Laurie
Kilbury, while a student at SUNY-Cortland, either produced
or aided in the production of the SEM images of basidio-
spores. A significant portion of this work was funded by a
National Science Foundation, Biotic Survey and Inventories
Grant (DEB-9525902).
LITERATURE CITED
696 MYCOLOGIA