Taxonomic revision of true morels (Morchella) in Canada and the United States

Authors

Michael Kuo, Eastern Illinois University
Damon R. Dewsbury, University of Toronto
Kerry O'Donnell, USDA-ARS
M. Carol Carter
Stephen A. Rehner, USDA-ARSFollow
John David Moore, Eastern Illinois University
Jean-Marc Moncalvo, University of Toronto
Stephen A. Canfield, Eastern Illinois University
Steven L. Stephenson, University of Arkansas
Andrew S. Methven, Eastern Illinois University
Thomas J. Volk, University of WisconsinFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2012

Citation

Mycologia, 104(5), 2012, pp. 1159–1177. DOI: 10.3852/11-375

Comments

U. S. government work.

Abstract

Recent molecular phylogenetic studies have revealed the existence of at least 50 species of Morchella worldwide and demonstrated a high degree of continental endemism within the genus. Here we describe 19 phylogenetic species of Morchella from North America, 14 of which are new (M. diminutiva, M. virginiana, M. esculentoides, M. prava, M. cryptica, M. frustrata, M. populiphila, M. sextelata, M. septimelata, M. capitata, M. importuna, M. snyderi, M. brunnea and M. septentrionalis). Existing species names (M. rufobrunnea, M. tomentosa, M. punctipes and M. angusticeps) are applied to four phylogenetic species, and formal description of one species (M. sp. ‘‘Mel-8’’) is deferred pending study of additional material. Methods for assessing morphological features in Morchella are delineated, and a key to the known phylogenetic species of Morchella in North America is provided. Type studies of M. crassistipa, M. hotsonii, M. angusticeps and M. punctipes are provided. Morchella crassistipa is designated nomen dubium.