First record of Dendrothele nivosa (Basidiomycota) for the Balkans on a new host, Savin juniper.

Abstract

Dendrothele nivosa is a rare Mediterranean lignicolous species, growing on representatives of the genus Juniperus , hitherto unknown from the Balkans. This wood-decaying fungus was collected on living branches of Savin juniper, a rare and protected plant species, included in the Bulgarian Biological Diversity Act. Dendrothele nivosa is considered to be a white rot saprobe with a restricted range following the distribution of the juniper host. This study is aimed at providing information on the first find of D. nivosa in the Balkans, i.e