The Pleurotus eryngii species-complex in Israel: Distribution and morphological description of a new taxon

Thirteen wild populations of the Pleurotus eryngii species-complex (Pleurotaceae, higher Basidiomycetes) were collected in various geographical regions during an extensive survey on the occurrence of this complex in Israel. We sampled populations from the Golan Heights in northern Israel extending to the south steppic area of Lahav, in the northern Negev. We defined the exact geographical distribution of this complex in Israel. Previous studies described P. eryngii var. ferulae in close association only with Ferula communis. In our present study we found one population of P. eryngii growing in close association with Ferula tingitana in the Sataf area (Judean Mountains, Israel). The taxonomic study of this peculiar collection belonging to P. eryngii species-complex and the collection from Sataf is described as a new variety P. eryngii var. tingitanus. A comparative morphological analysis and mating experiments were conducted and microscopic features are described. The mycelium growth rate of isolates that were associated with Ferula communis were higher after 7 and 12 days of incubation than of isolates that were associated with Ferula tingitana. The new variety, P. eryngii var. tingitanus is closely related to P. eryngii var. ferulae, but it differs from the latter in spore size, mycelial characteristics, habitus of basidomata, or associated host plant and ecology.