Agaricales (Basidiomycota) Fungi in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica

Abstract

: Fungi are the most important nutrient cycling organisms in any ecosystem, which is also the case in Antarctica. Among the species, the Agaricales (Basidiomycota), popularly known as mushroom has a reported presence in this continent, but with no monographic account done up to now. In fi eld trips to Antarctica and especially to the South Shetland Archipelago, we collected specimens during a period of 25 years of study of this order and reviewed specimens from other collections to present a systematic account of the order. Th e collecting and studying of samples was done according to the usual methods in Agaricales modern taxonomy and the material was deposited in the HCB herbarium. Th e study of collections permits the recognition of 9 species of Agaricales from the area. Leptoglossum lobatum, L. omnivorum and Simocybe antarctica were collected for the fi rst time in Elephant Island, Antarctica. Species are illustrated and a dichotomous key is proposed for the easy identifi cation.