Sporal characters in Gomphales and their significance for phylogenetics

Abstract

Traditionally, sporal characters, such as color, shape and ornamentation, have been important in differentiating the various genera within the Gomphales. In some instances, however, no precise analyses have been made that would allow us to build primary homologies between these and other spore features. For this study, the characteristics of the basidiospores of 14 taxa of Gomphales were examined, using both photonic and electronic microscopy. These examinations clearly demonstrated that spore ornamentation is a very variable character and data, such as the base shape of the spore and the hilar appendix, previously not considered in the taxonomy of this group, can be very informative at this level.