Terfezia solaris-libera sp. nov., a new mycorrhizal species within The spiny-spored lineages

Abstract

A new Terfezia species-Terfezia solaris-libera sp. nov., associated with Tuberaria guttata (Cistaceae) is described from Alentejo, Portugal. T. solaris-libera sp. nov. distinct morphology has been corroborated by its unique ITS-rDNA sequence. Macro and micro morphologic descriptions and phylogenetic analyses of ITS data for this species are provided and discussed in relation to similar spiny-spored species in this genus and its putative host plant Tuberaria guttata. T. solaris-libera sp. nov. differs from other spiny-spored Terfezia species by its poorly delimited and thicker peridium and distinct spore ornamentation, and from all Terfezia spp. in it’s ITS nrDNA sequence. In comparison, T. fanfani usually reach large ascocarp dimensions, often with prismatic peridium cells, with olive green tinges in mature gleba and different spore ornamentation. T. lusitanica has a lighter yellowish and thinner peridium and a blackish gleba upon maturity, T. extremadurensis has a thinner well delimited peridium and Tuber-like gleba and T. cistophila has a spermatic odour and is exclusively associated with Cistus spp.