Mating systems in Omphalotus (Paxillaceae, Agaricales)

Abstract

Pairings of monokaryon cultures representing Omphalotus illudens (eastern North America), O. nidiformis (southeastern Australia), O. olearius (southern Europe), O. olivascens (North American Pacific coast), and O. subilludens (southern North America) showed widely variable compatibility patterns. Omphalotus olearius x O. subilludens x O. olivascens showed high compatibility, while O. illudens was significantly less compatible with all other taxa. Isolates of Omphalotus nidiformis represented an almost genetically isolated biological species. The role of partial compatibility in nomenclatural ranking is discussed.