Published papers

A subhypogeous sclerodermataceous fungus was collected in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan. Based on morphological observations and phylogenetic analyses using nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences, the present fungus was identified as Scleroderma yunnanense, belonging to Sclerodermataceae (Boletales). Scleroderma yunnanense is new to Japan and characterized by not stellately dehiscent basidiomata when mature, thick (2–7 mm) peridium covered by cream to pale yellowish scales, basidiomata covered with whitish mycelial strands, clamped hyphae, and globose to subglobose basidiospores densely covered with pyramidal warts.

Hydropodia silvae-nipponicae, a new agaric species was described based on the specimens collected from evergreen broad-leaved forests in Japan. The present new species is distinct from H. subalpina, the type species of the genus by morphological characteristics and nuclear rDNA sequences. Hydropodia silvae-nipponicae is characterized by its nodulose cystidium-like terminal elements of pileipellis, cylindrical to clavate pileocystidia with irregular excrescences, and dimorphic pleurocystidia. It is the second species belonging to the genus Hydropodia.

Puccinia caricis-smilacis, a new species of caricicolous rust fungus was described based on morphological characteristics and nuclear rDNA sequences from Japan. The heteroecious life cycle of P. caricis-smilacis was elucidated via field observations, inoculation experiments and molecular analyses. This rust fungus produces uredinial and telial stages on Carex fibrillosa, and spermogonial and aecial stages on Smilax china.

A subhypogeous sclerodermataceous fungus was collected in the Eucalyptus plantation of Ibaraki Prefecture, central Japan. Based on morphological observations and phylogenetic analyses using nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences, the present fungus was identified as Scleroderma capeverdeanum, belonging to Sclerodermataceae (Boletales). Scleroderma capeverdeanum is new to Japan and characterized by small-sized (4–10 mm in diam.), sessile basidiomata, yellowish to yellowish brown exoperidium with brownish, areolate to verrucose scales, and echinulate basidiospores. Japanese specimens of S. capeverdearnum are probably associated with introduced E. globulus, and therefore they are most likely exotic species introduced from Australia.

Here, we present the results of studies of Japanese Hebeloma collections. The four species described by Imai as Hebeloma (H. fimicola, H. helvolescens, H. humosum, and H. tomoeae) are not from the genus Hebeloma, but are members of Agrocybe, Homophron, or Pholiota. Recombinations are made. Hebeloma crustuliniforme f. microspermum, described by Hongo, is a synonym of H. nanum. Three species of Hebeloma are described as new to science, all currently known only from Japan. Two of these species, H. asperosporum and H. cinnamomeum, are members of H. sect. Denudata while the third species H. citrisporum belongs to H. sect. Velutipes. Japanese records of H. cavipes, H. eburneum, H. hygrophilum, H. subtortum, and H. velutipes are validated. In total, fifteen species of Hebeloma are confirmed from Japan; this is compared with previous checklists.

© 2021 Institute of Food Technologists® Wild mushrooms are a vital source of income and nutrition for many poor communities and of value to recreational foragers. Literature relating to the edibility of mushroom species continues to expand, driven by an increasing demand for wild mushrooms, a wider interest in foraging, and the study of traditional foods. Although numerous case reports have been published on edible mushrooms, doubt and confusion persist regarding which species are safe and suitable to consume. Case reports often differ, and the evidence supporting the stated properties of mushrooms can be incomplete or ambiguous. The need for greater clarity on edible species is further underlined by increases in mushroom-related poisonings. We propose a system for categorizing mushroom species and assigning a final edibility status. Using this system, we reviewed 2,786 mushroom species from 99 countries, accessing 9,783 case reports, from over 1,100 sources. We identified 2,189 edible species, of which 2,006 can be consumed safely, and a further 183 species which required some form of pretreatment prior to safe consumption or were associated with allergic reactions by some. We identified 471 species of uncertain edibility because of missing or incomplete evidence of consumption, and 76 unconfirmed species because of unresolved, differing opinions on edibility and toxicity. This is the most comprehensive list of edible mushrooms available to date, demonstrating the huge number of mushrooms species consumed. Our review highlights the need for further information on uncertain and clash species, and the need to present evidence in a clear, unambiguous, and consistent manner.

Ecosystems of sandy coasts play an important role to the intersection between ocean and land, and sandy coasts fulfill valuable, different ecosystem functions. Sandy coasts have several protective elements as buffers of land against storm, salt spray, wave attack and erosion of the hinterland, and they provide a unique habitat for flora and fauna. Mycobiota of basidiomycete fungi in sandy coasts also seems to be unique though it is not comprehensively investigated in the world with a few exceptions in Europe and South America. Recently, rapid decreasing of naturally vegetated sandy coasts arises in the world, and conservation of sandy coasts ecosystems is highly required. Investigations of mycobiota in sandy coasts are important to attempt conservation of their ecosystems and biodiversity. In this review, taxonomy and phylogeny of Geastrales, Phallales and Agaricales fungi such as Geastrum, Phallus, Gastrosporium and Typhula species inhabiting in Japanese sandy coasts were presented, and their diversity and biogeographic implications were discussed.

Hebeloma radicosum, known for its long ‘root’ and membranous ring, has regularly been recorded in Japan and been the subject of many studies revolving around ectomycorrhizal fungi exposed to high levels of nitrogen compounds and tripartite associations between fungi, host trees and mammals, including moles, wood mice and shrews. However, the species recorded in Japan is in fact not H. radicosum but a closely related species, also in Hebeloma section Myxocybe, described here as Hebeloma sagarae. This mushroom is macroscopically very similar to Hebeloma radicosum, also with a long ‘root’ and membranous ring, but distinct molecularly and in its distribution. We also examine other ‘rooting’ Hebeloma species from Japan: H. luchuense and H. radicosoides; both are shown to be members of H. sect. Scabrispora. A fourth ‘rooting’ Hebeloma from Japan is shown to be the same as or a close relative of Hebeloma danicum originally described from Europe.