Polypores (Aphyllophorales, Basidiomycetes) from southern South America: a mycogeographical view

RAJCHENBERG M.

SYDOWIA

VERLAG FERDINAND BERGER SOHNE GESELLSCHAFT MBH

Lugar: Horn; Año: 1989 vol. 41 p. 277 - 291

0082-0598

The 37 species of Polyporaceae so far recognized in the Nothofagus forests in southern South America may be clustered in 5 different distributional patterns, viz., cosmopolitan, endemic, paleoaustral (gondwanic and subantarctic) bipolar and pantropical. Thirteen taxa, representing 35% of the total produce a brown rot in wood. This is a relatively high value when compared with that found in other floras. The brown wood rotting species are concentrated in the groups with paleoaustral and bipolar distribution, a fact that may be correlated with the primitiveness of these groups. Brown wood rotting fungi in the area show less specificity for gymnosperm substrata than those in north temperate areas. The existence of high morphological conservatism and of .sister' species are discussed. Postia grata (BERK.) RAJCH. is proposed as new combination.