Rhacophyllus and Zerovaemyces - Teleomorphs or anamorphs?

Abstract

Redhead, S. A., Seifert, K. A., Vilgalys, R. and Moncalvo, J.-M.: Rhacophyllus and Zerovaemyces - teleomorphs or anamorphs? - Taxon 49: 789-798. - ISSN 0040-0262. The originally monotypic genus Rhacophyllus was conceived for an agaric-like fungus that bore sheets of miniature sclerotium-like bodies (lysomeres) in place of lamellae. Subsequently it was demonstrated that a 'normal' Coprinus-like teleomorph exists as an alternative state (morph). Following this discovery, most authors have treated Rhacophyllus as an anamorph. Ontogenetic studies indicate that the Rhacophyllus state is a variation on basidiome production. Rhacophyllus apparently was rediscovered and redescribed as a new genus Zerovaemyces, for which a new family, Zerovaemycetaceae, and a new order, Loculomycetes, were also described, all as teleomorphs. Nomenclatural application of these names are analysed, and it is concluded that Rhacophyllus (and Zerovaemyces, Zerovaemycetaceae) are best considered to be nomina anamorphosium. These decisions affect the naming of other taxa newly resolved molecularly. An analogous second case of modified basidiomes involves the anamorph Decapitatus gen. nov., described here for the well-known gemmiferous state of Mycena citricolor, Decapitatus flavidus comb. nov. (= Stilbum flavidum).