New records and notes on gasteroid fungi of arid lands in Argentina

Abstract

A survey of gasteroid fungi from arid regions in the La Rioja province (northwestern Argentina) resulted in 20 species of 13 genera. Each species is briefly commented on and descriptions are provided for taxa poorly known or with few records in the world. In addition, photographs of basidiomata and SEM micrographs illustrating basidiospores are provided for most of the taxa. The most noticeable records are Bovista grandipora, new for Argentina, Schizostoma argentinense with few records in the world, and Vascellum intermedium and Disciseda verrucosa, new for South America. In addition, the distribution of the species among the main types of habitat is discussed in relation to spore release and humidity.