On Hyphodontia australis (Corticiaceae, Basidiomycota)

Abstract

Hyphodontia australis is recorded and described from the Nothofagus forests of southern Argentina and from New Zealand. The species, previously known from Australia, is an odontioid to hydnoid taxon with orange to chesnut colored hymenial surface that readily turns violet upon the aplication of a drop of KOH solution. Specimens of H. australis from different areas are similar in all features except the spores, that vary from ellipsoid (Australian material including the type), broadly ellipsoid (New Zealand collections), to narrowly ellipsoid or subcylindric (Argentinian specimens). The inclusion of this taxon in Hyphodontia is supported by the presence of imperforate parenthesomes, hyphodontioid hyphay, basidia, leptocystidia, and by cultural features.