Some Unrecorded Higher Fungi of the Seoraksan and Odaesan National Parks

Abstract

Higher Fungi were collected twice a month from May to September 2004 during field survey trips to Seoraksan and Odaesan National Parks. All the collected specimens were investigated for the morphological characters of carpophores and other features, and deposited in the herbarium of the Entomopathogenic Fungal Culture Collection (EFCC), Kangwon National University, Chuncheon. Among the identified specimens, three genera Rhodotus, Hotermannia and Sebacina and four species Rhodotus palmatus, Gomphus clavatus, Holtermannia corniformis and Sebacina incrustans were confirmed as new to Korea and reported here with descriptions.

Full text

Mycobiology 34(2): 56-60 (2006)
Copyright © 2006 by The Korean Society of Mycology
56
Some Unrecorded Higher Fungi of the Seoraksan and Odaesan National Parks
Sang-Kuk Han1, Young-Jun Park2, Sung-Keun Choi1, Je-O Lee1, Jong-Ho Choi3 and Jae-Mo Sung1*
1Department of Applied Biology, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-Do, Korea
2National Park Head Office, National Parks Authority, Seoul, Korea
3Seoraksan National Park Office, National Parks Authority, Sokcho, Gangwon-Do, Korea
(Received March 21, 2006)
Higher Fungi were collected twice a month from May to September 2004 during field survey trips to Seoraksan and Odaesan
National Parks. All the collected specimens were investigated for the morphological characters of carpophores and other
features, and deposited in the herbarium of the Entomopathogenic Fungal Culture Collection (EFCC), Kangwon National
University, Chuncheon. Among the identified specimens, three genera Rhodotus, Hotermannia and Sebacina and four species
Rhodotus palmatus, Gomphus clavatus, Holtermannia corniformis and Sebacina incrustans were confirmed as new to Korea
and reported here with descriptions.
KEYWORDS: Seoraksan and Odaesan National Parks, Unrecorded taxa
The Seoraksan and Odaesan National Parks are located at
Gangwon-do. As these two national parks lie on the
boundary between Youngseo and Youngdong areas, they
are affected by both continental and oceanic climates.
Average temperature and precipitation per year in Seorak-
san are 13.2oC and 1,342 mm, respectively. Average tem-
perature and precipitation per year in Odaesan are 14.1oC
and 1,402 mm, respectively.
The Seoraksan and Odaesan National Parks have good
quality forests and suitable environments for fungal growth.
Despite floral diversity in these parks, research on fungal
flora has not been studied to date. Therefore, in order to get
informations on fungal flora, investigation on national park
natural resources has been promoted by the National Park
Authority. Regular field trips were made to these park areas
and fresh fungal specimens were collected from selected
areas of the national parks for 24 days from May to Octo-
ber in 2004. A total of 8628 fungal specimens were col-
lected and all specimens were taxonomically identified up
to species level through observation of morphological and
microscopic characters. Among them, four species and
three genera were identified as unrecorded taxa in Korea.
Materials and Methods
To observe the macroscopic and microscopic features of
basidiomes, measurements of the fruitbodies, characters of
the pileus, lamellae, stipe and etc. were investigated based
on the method described by Largent et al. (1977). Micro-
scopic characters were sketched using a drawing tube and
more than 30 measurements were taken for description of
average dimensions of each character. The color terms
described previously by Kornerup and Wanscher (1978)
and Munsell notation were used. All specimens examined
are preserved in the herbarium of EFCC (Entomopatho-
genic Fungal Culture Collection).
Taxonomy
Various identification key systems were used for general
taxonomy and descriptions of identified taxa. The system
of Dennis (1981) was followed for the ascomycetous
fungi, the classification of McNabb (1973) was employed
for the auriculariaceous and dacrymycete fungi, the key of
Dring (1973) was used for the gasteromycetous fungi, the
system of Singer (1986) was applied for the Agaricales,
and Donkian concept (Donk, 1964) was adopted for the
Aphyllophorales. Illustrations of Breitenbach and Kränz-
lin (1984~2000), Imazeki and Hongo (1987~1988) were
referred for taxonomic characterization of general fungi.
To follow modern systematics, latest scientific names
were considered as much as possible. Recent classification
keys were referred for identification of Korean higher fungi.
However, few morphological characters of Korean higher
fungi were found to be different from those of other coun-
tries, Therefore, these typical morphological characters were
taken into consideration in identification of the species.
In this investigation, a total of 8628 fungal specimens
were collected and all specimens were identified up to
species level. They were classified into 6 classes, 14
orders, 46 families 115 genera and 221 species. Among
them, three genera Rhodotus, Hotermannia and Sebacina,
were identified as unrecorded taxa and four species
Rhodotus palmatus, Gomphus clavatus, Holtermannia
corniformis and Sebacina incrustans, were confirmed as
new to Korea and reported here with their descriptions.
*Corresponding author <E-mail: cordyceps@nate.com>

Some Unrecorded Higher Fungi of the Seoraksan and Odaesan National Parks 57
Rhodotus Maire, Bull. Soc. mycol. Fr. 40:308 (1926)
Salgubeoseot Genus
Type species : Rhodotus palmatus (Bull. ex Fr.) Maire
Rhodotus palmatus is the only species and can be rec-
ognized by its convex to broadly convex pileus which is
somewhat gelatinous in consistency and is rivulose-reticu-
late, by creamy pink spores and lignicolous habit.
1. Rhodotus palmatus (Bull. ex Fr.) Maire Bull. Soc.
mycol. Fr. 40:308 (1926) Salgubeoseot (Figs. 1, 5)
Macroscopic features
Pileus 25~52 mm broad, hemispherical to convex when
young, broadly convex to plane when old, sometimes with
a broad umbo in the center. Pileus surface, gelatinous,
pale red to pinkish white (7-8A2-3), wrinkly or bumpy
towards center, striate up to 1/5 of the distance to the cen-
ter. Pileus thickness 5~9 mm. Surface gelatinous layer
0.5~0.8 mm. Context pale red to pinkish white (7-8A2-3),
somewhat fleshly-fibrous. Odor and taste mild. Lamellae
emarginate, close, width 4~5 mm thickness 0.5~1 mm.
Lamellae edge fimbriate. Stipe 20~35 × 6~8 mm, cylin-
dric, somewhat equal, straight, flexuous, or leathery, sur-
face dry, finely hispid, longitudinal striate, reddish grey
(7-8B2). Stipe attachment central to excentric. Innerveil
and universal veil absent.
Microscopic features
Basidiospores 6.3~4.3 ×6.2~7.7
µ
m, globose to subglo-
bose, aculeate, hyaline, imamyloid; spore print pinkish
white. Basidia (28.4)30.6~36.8 × 57~6.6(7.0)
µ
m, with 4-
spored and basal clamp. Hymenophoral trama loosely
interwoven. Pleurocystidia and cheilocystidia absent.
Pileipellis consisting of hymeniform layer.
Habit & Habitat : Solitary to gregarious or imbricate on
hardwoods.
Distribution : Korea, Japan, North America, Europe.
Materials examined : EFCC04-02001, Mt. Odae, Gang-
won-Do, 2 Jul. 2004, EFCC04-04001, Mt. Odae, Gang-
won-Do, Aug. 2005.
Remarks : This species resembles to Pleurotus salmoneo-
stramineus in shape and color at young stage. However,
the lamellar attachment of R. palmatus is not decurrent
like P. salmoneostramineus but emarginate. On maturity,
pileus of R. palmatus turns hemisperical to convex while
that of P. salmoneostramineus remains plane. The carpo-
phores of this species form several compartments on the
pilus surface in dry condition.
2. Gomphus clavatus (Pers. :Fr.) Gray Nat. Arr. Brit. Pl.
(London) 1:638 (1821) Jajunapalbeoseot (Figs. 2, 6)
Macroscopic features
Carphophore 40~145 × 15~70 mm, when young cylindric-
Fig. 1. Microscopic and macroscopic structures of Rhodotus
palmatus. a. Basidiospores (× 1000), b. basidia (× 1000),
c. Pileipellis (× 400), scale bar = 9.1
µ
m (× 1000),
22.5
µ
m (× 400).
Fig. 2. Microscopic and macroscopic structures of Gomphus
clavatus. a. basidiospores (× 1000), b. basidia (× 1000),
scale bar = 9.1
µ
m (× 1000).

58 Han et al.
conic, clavate, truncate and flat above, grayish violet to
dark violet (17E-F4-5), when old depressed above,
infundibuliform, or sometimes somewhat elongated and
ear-shaped on a side, ocher- to gray-brown with a violet
tint. Outer surface with the hymenophore longitudinally
venose, smooth to undulating-wrinkled, margin sharp.
Broad and thick ridges which are forked and united by
anastomoses. Context white to pale lilac, soft and fragile.
Odor and taste mild.
Microscopic features
Basidiospores 12.5~14.5 × 5.3~6.0
µ
m, ellipsoid, verru-
cose, spore print grayish yellow to ocher. Basidia 60.8~
71.0 × 10.7~12.8
µ
m, cylindro-clavate, 2.4-spored with basal
clamp. Cystidia absent.
Habit & Habitat : Solitary to gregarious or imbricate on
the ground in conifer forest.
Distribution : Korea, Japan, North America, Europe, and
worldwide.
Materials examined : EFCC04-04002, Mt. Odae, Gang-
won-Do, 20 Aug. 2004
Remarks : The violet color of this species is much strong
than that of Gomphus floccosus and G. fujisanensis. The
carpophore of this species has club shapes like Clavaria-
delphus species at young stage, but turns funnel or trum-
pet shape at mature stage.
Holtermannia Sacc. & Traverso, in Saccardo, Syll. fung.
(Abellini) 19:871 (1910) Sanhobeoseot Genus
Type species : Holtermannia pinguis (Holterm.) Sacc. &
Traverso
3. Holtermannia corniformis Kobayasi Sci. Rep. Tokyo
Bunrika Daig., Sect. B 3:78 (1937) Bbulsanhoheoseot
(Figs. 3, 7)
Macroscopic features
Carphophore 10~15 × 2~3 mm, fruiting body consisting of
cylindrical to subulate spines with blunt to pointed, sim-
ple, forked, ends, negatively geotropic, surface smooth,
lubricous, white, cream to light brown (7D4), darker
toward the base. Context soft, fragile, somewhat gelati-
nous, translucent. Odor and taste mild.
Microscopic features
Basidiospores 9.0~10.3 × (5.8)6.8~8.1
µ
m, globose to sub-
globose, hyaline. Hypobasidia spherical to oval, 14.0~
48.0(61.0) × 13.9~17.0
µ
m, longitudinally septate, with
epibasidia, sometimes very long. Cystidia absent. Hyphae
hyaline, 2.0~3.0
µ
m across, septa with clamps.
Habitat : gregarious or imbricate on hardwoods.
Distribution : Korea, Japan, North America, and Europe.
Materials examined : EFCC04-04003, Mt. Odae, Gang-
won-Do, 20 Aug. 2004, EFCC04-03030, Mt. Seorak,
Gangwon-Do, 21 Jul. 2004.
Remarks : The flesh of this species is fragile as Clavaria
or Ramaria species. The shape of H. corniformis resem-
bles to that of Calocera cornea. However, this species is
translucent to white in color and agglutinate in basal
attachment differing from C. cornea.
Fig. 3. Microscopic and macroscopic structures of Holtermannia
corniformis. a. basidiospores (× 1000), b. hyphae (× 1000)
c. basidia (× 1000), scale bar = 9.1
µ
m (× 1000).
Fig. 4. Microscopic and macroscopic structures of Sebacina
incrustans. a. Basidiospores (× 1000), b. basidia (× 1000),
c. hyphae (× 1000), scale bar =9.1
µ
m (× 1000).

Some Unrecorded Higher Fungi of the Seoraksan and Odaesan National Parks 59
Sebacina Tul. & C. Tul., J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 13:36 (1871)
Gonyakbeoseot Genus
Type species : Sebacina incrustans (Pers.) Tul. & C. Tul.
Sebacina species cover plant debris and soil. Consis-
tency of their texture is waxlike or gelatinous.
4. Sebacina incrustans (Pers.) Tul. & C. Tul. Annls Sci.
Nat., Bot., sér. 5 15:225 (1871) Nabjakgonyakbeoseot
(Figs. 4, 8)
Macroscopic features
Carphophore fully resupinate, attached tightly to the sub-
strate, forming patches up to 1~2 mm thick, several centi-
meters in extent. surface smooth to undulating-tuberculate.
Surface and context color semitransparency to cream to
white humidly, turning white dry. Consistency gelatinoid.
Microscopic features
Basidiospore 10.8~11.7 × 7.0~7.6
µ
m, elliptical, finely
verrucos, hyaline. Hypobasidia pyriform to oblong, 22.3~
34.0 × 14.4~17.0
µ
m, longitudinally septate, with 4 epiba-
sidia. Hyphal system monomitic, hyaline, 2.2~3.0
µ
m
across, septa without clamps.
Habit & Habitat : agglutinated on annual plants
Distribution : Korea, Japan, Asia, North America, and
Europe.
Materials examined : EFCC04-02010, Mt. Sorak, Gang-
won-Do, 20 Jun. 2004 EFCC04-03013, Mt. Odae, Gang-
won-Do, 2 Jul. 2004 EFCC04-04015, Mt. Odae, Gangwon-
Do, 20 Aug. 2004
Remarks : In field, the flesh of Sebacina incrustans is
gelatine (or wax) like resupinate fungi including family
Corticiaceae. But this species differs from other resupi-
nate fungi as it does not form pore on the surface of car-
pophore on mature, and form longitudinally basidial septa
Fig. 5. Carpophore of Rhodotus palmatus.
Fig. 6. Carpophores of Gomphus clavatus.Fig. 8. Carpophores of Sebacina incrustans.
Fig. 7. Carpophores of Holtermannia corniformis.

60 Han et al.
which can be observed under microscope.
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the National Park Authority
and a grant from strategic National R&D Program
through Genetic Resources and Information Network Cen-
ter funded by the Korean Science and Engineering Foun-
dation.
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