Paralepistopsis

Paralepistopsis is a genus of fungi in the family Tricholomataceae.[1]

Paralepistopsis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Fungi
Division:
Basidiomycota
Class:
Agaricomycetes
Order:
Agaricales
Family:
Tricholomataceae
Genus:
Paralepistopsis

Vizzini (2012)
Type species
Paralepistopsis amoenolens
(Malençon) Vizzini (2012)

Taxonomy

The Paralepistopsis genus was created in 2012 by the Italian mycologist Alfredo Vizzini to better classify two rare toxic species formerly located in the Clitocybe genus.[2]

Clitocybe amoenolens found in Morocco and parts of South Europe and C. acromelalga from Asia were noted to have habits more similar to Paralepista flaccida (formerly Lepista flaccida) than to other Clitocybe species. Additionally the pileipellis and microscopic details of these species were distinct from others in the Clitocybe genus and related genera. Genetic sequencing placed these species close to Cleistocybe and Catathelasma genera.[2]

The most important distinction for mushroom hunters however is the presence of toxic acromelic acids in these species which can present dangers when foraging for similar looking edible species in these locations. Acromelic acid A is a potent neurotoxin with a chemical formula of C13H14N2O7 which is associated with causing paralysis and seizures[3]

The type species, Paralepistopsis amoenolens was previously classified as Clitocybe amoenolens and is commonly known as the paralysis funnel due to the harmful effects caused by consuming it.

Etymology

This genus name is in reference to its resemblance to Paralepista species.[2]

Species

As of July 2022, Index Fungorum accepted 2 species of Paralepistopsis.[4]

See also

References
  1. "Index Fungorum - Paralepistopsis Vizzini, Mycotaxon 120: 257 (2012)". www.indexfungorum.org. Retrieved 2022-07-19.
  2. Vizzini, Alfredo; Ercole, Enrico (2012-09-28). "Paralepistopsis gen. nov. and Paralepista (Basidiomycota, Agaricales)". Mycotaxon. 120 (1): 253–267. doi:10.5248/120.253. hdl:2318/124414.
  3. PubChem. "Acromelic acid A". pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 2022-07-19.
  4. "Species Fungorum - Paralepistopsis". www.speciesfungorum.org. Retrieved 2022-07-14.
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