Diversity of Corticiaceae sens. lat. in Patagonia, Southern Argentina

Abstract

Abstract The diversity of Corticiaceae found in the Patagonian Andes forests of southern Argentina was studied. A total of 168 species of Corticiaceae sens. lat. are recorded. The total diversity of corticioid fungi is estimated to be 250–290 species based on the accumulated increase of taxon diversity on different substrates. Most recorded species (56%) are cosmopolitan or widely distributed, 20% endemic, 4% austral, 17% amphitropical, and 3% show other distributions. The genera Dendrothele and Hyphodontia contain a high number of endemic species. Taxa that are particularly interesting due to their morphological peculiarities and/or their possible phylogenetic relationships are discussed. On the basis of 110 species recorded from Tierra del Fuego, we estimated that about half of these species are very rare and highly vulnerable in that island.