Though "the Thelephorales" were referred to in passing by E.J.H. Corner in 1968,[1] the order was not formally published till 1976 when German mycologistFranz Oberwinkler first described it as encompassing the familiesThelephoraceae and Bankeraceae. As originally conceived, species within the order had diverse basidiocarp (fruit body) forms, but shared several features in common, notably similarities in basidiospore shape (most having spiny to warted, often lobed spores) and similarities in basidiocarp colours, linked to the presence of thelephoric acid derivatives and often accompanied by blue to greenish reactions with alkalis.[2]
Current status
Molecular research, based on cladistic analysis of DNA sequences, has supported the morphological concept of the Thelephorales, indicating that the order forms a distinct grouping within the Agaricomycetes, close to the Polyporales.[3][4][5]
Distribution and habitat
All fungi within the order are ectomycorrhizal, forming mutually beneficial associations with the roots of living trees.[3] Distribution of the Thelephorales is cosmopolitan. According to a 2008 estimate, the order contains 18 genera and over 250 species worldwide.[6]
^Matheny PB, et al. (2007). "Contributions of rpb2 and tef1 to the phylogeny of mushrooms and allies (Basidiomycota, Fungi)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 43 (2): 430–451. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2006.08.024. PMID17081773. S2CID15093127.
^Kirk PM, Cannon PF, Minter DW, Stalpers JA (2008). Dictionary of the Fungi (10th ed.). Wallingford: CABI. pp. 12–13. ISBN978-0-85199-826-8.
^Johannesson H, Ryman S, Lundmark H, Danell E (1999). "Sarcodon imbricatus and S. squamosus — two confused species". Mycological Research. 103 (11): 1447–1452. doi:10.1017/S0953756299008709. "Archived copy"(PDF). Archived from the original(PDF) on 2007-08-04. Retrieved 2010-11-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)