First report of Coprinopsis urticicola from Iran

Samples of a small coprinoid fungus were collected from rice straw in Amol, north of Iran. Specimens were transferred to PDA culture media and basidiocarps were appeared after two weeks. Using basidiocarps produced in laboratory, specimens were identified as Coprinopsis urticicola (Berk. & Broome) Redhead, Vilgalys & Moncalvo based on. (Knudsen & Vesterholt 2008, Uljé & Noordeloos 1997, Uljé 2005. The characteristic features of specimens derived from basidiocarps produced in culture media (PDA) were as follows (Fig. 1): Pileus 3–7 × 2–5 mm, ovoid to conical, then expanded, white, veil breaking up in small, hairy-floccose, pure white, then white and ochraceous scales. Lamellae crowded, free, first white, then grey-brown, finally blackish and deliquescent. Stipe up to 50 × 0.5–1 mm, cylindrical, white, flocculose at base, fully covered by spores at upper part. Spores 5.5–9 × 4.5–6 μm, ellipsoid or ovoid, often with slightly conical base and rounded apex, with wide germ pore, pale brown. Basidia 15–35 × 6–10 μm, four spored. Pleurocystidia 50–120 × 10–35 μm, cylindrical, oblong or fusiform. Cheilocystidia 30-80 × 10–18 μm, ellipsoid, cylindrical, utriform, fusiform to conical. Veil of elongate slightly thin-walled diverticulate elements.

Specimen examined. IRAN, Mazandaran Province, Amol, on Rice (Oryza sativa L.), 15 June 2012, S. Naeimi, IRAN 16086 F.

Coprinopsis urticicola is a widespread but rare species and known from Europe (e.g. Britain, Netherlands and Poland) and North America (Uljé 2005). The species can be recognized by habitat shape of velar remnants and morphology of spore and basidiocarp shape of velar remnants and morphology of spore and basidiocarp.

 

 

Fig. 1. Coprinopsis urticicola a. Basidiocarps produced at PDA; b. Velar elements; c. Spores. — Scale bars= 10 μm.