Cuphophyllus atlanticus

Cuphophyllus atlanticus is a species of agaric (gilled mushroom) in the family Hygrophoraceae. Until recently (2021), the species was considered to be conspecific with the North American Cuphophyllus canescens, but DNA sequencing has shown that it is distinct.[2] As C. canescens, it has been given the recommended English name of felted waxcap in the United Kingdom.[3] Cuphophyllus atlanticus has a European and North American distribution, occurring in Europe mainly in agriculturally unimproved grassland. Threats to its habitat have resulted in C. canescens (including C. atlanticus) being assessed as globally "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.[1]

Felted waxcap
Cuphophyllus atlanticus
Cuphophyllus atlanticus, Norway
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Agaricales
Family: Hygrophoraceae
Genus: Cuphophyllus
Species:
C. atlanticus
Binomial name
Cuphophyllus atlanticus
J.B. Jordal & E. Larss. (2021)

Taxonomy

The species was first described from Norway in 2021 as a result of molecular research, based on cladistic analysis of DNA sequences. Previously, European specimens had been referred to the similar Cuphophyllus canescens, but the latter species appears to be confined to North America.[2]

Description

Basidiocarps are agaricoid, up to 40mm (1.5 in) tall, the cap broadly convex to flat when expanded, up to 40mm (1.5 in) across. The cap surface is smooth, dry, slightly felted, grey to bluish grey. The lamellae (gills) are thick, decurrent (running down the stipe), pale grey. The stipe (stem) is smooth, white to pale grey, lacking a ring. The spore print is white, the spores (under a microscope) smooth, inamyloid, subglobose, c. 5.5 to 6 by 4.5 to 5 μm.[2]

Similar species

In Europe, the felted waxcap is distinguished from other grey species of Cuphophyllus by its dry, slightly felted cap that is never viscid or greasy.[4] In North America, C. canescens is very similar, but is said to have drab or brownish tints in the cap and (microscopically) smaller, more globose spores measuring 4 to 5 μm across.[2]

Distribution and habitat

In Europe, DNA studies have confirmed the presence of the felted waxcap in Norway,[2] Sweden,[2] and Scotland.[5] This is the same northerly distribution previously noted for "C. canescens" in Europe.[4] In North America, C. atlanticus has been confirmed from the United States (North Carolina) and Canada.[2]

Recent research suggests waxcaps are neither mycorrhizal nor saprotrophic but may be associated with mosses.[6]

Conservation

In Europe, Cuphophyllus atlanticus is typical of waxcap grasslands, a declining habitat due to changing agricultural practices. As a result, the species is of global conservation concern and (as C. canescens sensu lato) is listed as "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.[1]

See also

References
  1. Jordal J. "Cuphophyllus canescens. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species". Retrieved 2022-06-02.
  2. Jordal JB, Larsson E (2021). "Cuphophyllus atlanticus (Hygrophoraceae, Agaricales) — a new sister species to the North American C. canescens". Agarica. 42: 39–48.
  3. Holden L. "English names for fungi 2022". British Mycological Society. Retrieved 2022-06-02.
  4. Boertmann D (2010). The genus Hygrocybe (2nd ed.). Copenhagen: Danish Mycological Society. p. 200. ISBN 978-87-983581-7-6.
  5. Fortey R, Skeates S (2022). "The importance of vouchers: Cuphophyllus atlanticus in Britain". Field Mycology. 23 (1): 5–6.
  6. Seitzman BH, Ouimette A, Mixon RL, Hobbie EA, Hibbett DS (2011). "Conservation of biotrophy in Hygrophoraceae inferred from combined stable isotope and phylogenetic analyses". Mycologia. 103 (2): 280–290. doi:10.3852/10-195. PMID 21139028. S2CID 318326.
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