''Thaxterogaster nebulobrunneus'' is a species of
truffle-like fungus in the family
Cortinariaceae.
Found in
New South Wales, Australia, the species was described as new to science in 2010.
Taxonomy
The species was
described by mycologists Melissa Danks,
Teresa Lebel and Karl Vernes in the journal ''Persoonia'' in 2010. The
type
Type may refer to:
Science and technology Computing
* Typing, producing text via a keyboard, typewriter, etc.
* Data type, collection of values used for computations.
* File type
* TYPE (DOS command), a command to display contents of a file.
* Ty ...
collection was made near
Mount Kaputar
Mount Kaputar, a mountain with an elevation of above sea level, is located near Narrabri in northern New South Wales. It is part of the Nandewar Range and has been preserved within the Mount Kaputar National Park. The mountain is a prominent ...
, in
New South Wales (Australia) in July 2007.
Molecular
A molecule is a group of two or more atoms held together by attractive forces known as chemical bonds; depending on context, the term may or may not include ions which satisfy this criterion. In quantum physics, organic chemistry, and bioche ...
analysis of
internal transcribed spacer DNA sequences places ''Cortinarius nebulobrunneus'' in the
section ''Pseudotriumphantes'' of the genus ''
Cortinarius'', along with ''
C. iringa'', ''
C. rapaceus'' var. ''luridus'', and another sequestrate ''Cortinarius'' that has not yet been formally described. The
specific epithet
In taxonomy, binomial nomenclature ("two-term naming system"), also called nomenclature ("two-name naming system") or binary nomenclature, is a formal system of naming species of living things by giving each a name composed of two parts, bot ...
''nebulobrunneus'' derives from the
Latin words ''nebulosus'' (foggy or misty) and ''brunnea'' (brown) and refers to the bloom on the
universal veil and the brown colour of the fruit bodies.
In 2022 the species was transferred from ''Cortinarius'' and reclassified as ''Thaxterogaster nebulobrunneus'' based on genomic data.
Description
The
fruit body of ''Thaxterogaster nebulobrunneus'' is sequestrate, meaning that its
spore
In biology, a spore is a unit of sexual or asexual reproduction that may be adapted for dispersal and for survival, often for extended periods of time, in unfavourable conditions. Spores form part of the life cycles of many plants, algae, f ...
s are not forcibly discharged from the
basidia, and it remains enclosed throughout its development. The shape of the
caps is convex, sometimes with a flattened top, and they measure long by in diameter. The colour of the outer skin of the cap (the
pellis The term pellis refers to the cellular cortical layers of a mushroom. The term was introduced by Dutch mycologist Cornelis Bas
Dr. Cornelis (Kees) Bas (1928 – February 10, 2013) was a Dutch mycologist.
Dr. Bas was born in Rotterdam and grad ...
) is light orange-brown to brown; the surface is finely hairy and sticky. Remnants of the white
universal veil cover some of the cap surface and appear as a powdery coating; it is readily rubbed off with handling. The
flesh is translucent yellow-brown and thick. The internal spore-bearing tissue of the cap (the
hymenophore) is bright cinnamon brown, and has irregular chambers that are 0.3–1 mm in diameter. A whitish and somewhat waxy stipe extends into the cap through its entire length; it measures long by thick, and occasionally has a slightly bulbous base. The white
partial veil is fine and cotton-like, persisting between the margin of the cap and the stipe. Fruit bodies no distinctive taste or odour. The spores are elliptical and measure 9.0–11.9 by 5.5–6.5
μm
The micrometre ( international spelling as used by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures; SI symbol: μm) or micrometer (American spelling), also commonly known as a micron, is a unit of length in the International System of Unit ...
. They are covered with minute warts up to 0.5 μm high. The
basidia (spore-bearing cells) are
hyaline
A hyaline substance is one with a glassy appearance. The word is derived from el, ὑάλινος, translit=hyálinos, lit=transparent, and el, ὕαλος, translit=hýalos, lit=crystal, glass, label=none.
Histopathology
Hyaline cartilage is ...
(translucent), narrowly club-shaped, four-spored, and typically have dimensions of 25–28 by 5–8 μm. There are
clamp connections present in the
hypha
A hypha (; ) is a long, branching, filamentous structure of a fungus, oomycete, or actinobacterium. In most fungi, hyphae are the main mode of vegetative growth, and are collectively called a mycelium.
Structure
A hypha consists of one or ...
e of the cap and the hymenophore.
Habitat and distribution
The fruit bodies of ''Thaxterogaster nebulobrunneus'' grow in the ground under
litterfall in June and July. The fungus is known only from
New South Wales, where it occurs in
subalpine grassy woodland.
Associated plant species include ''
Eucalyptus dalrympleana'', ''
E. pauciflora'' and ''
E. viminalis''.
See also
*
List of ''Cortinarius'' species
References
External links
*
{{Taxonbar, from=Q5173324
nebulobrunneus
Fungi described in 2010
Fungi of Australia
Taxa named by Teresa Lebel