ANNOTATED CHECKLIST OF NEW CALEDONIAN BASIDIOMYCOTA - I - HOLOBASIDIOMYCETES

An annotated check-list of non-phytopathogenic basidiomycetes from the island of New Caledonia and its dependencies (Loyalty Islands and Isl e of Pines) is presented. Scanning publications stressed the necessity to also include the few early records of this group of fungi reported from French Polynesia and Samoa. The content of the list was drawn fr om available publications, while corresponding holotypes and additiona l specimens were checked in herbaria. Altogether more than 300 taxa ha ve been found. For the island of New Caledonia this document is believ ed to be fairly exhaustive, on the basis of published information; unr eported specimens encountered during herbarium searches were not inclu ded in this study. Almost one third of the included taxa proved to hav e protologues based on material collected in New Caledonia. Such a hig h proportion of novel taxa underlines the marked biodiversity of this ecological group of fungi in this tropical island. Extensive collectio n and further taxonomic work is, however, needed for a satisfactory ci rcumscription of the local basidiomycete biota. Interesting discoverie s await especially if we consider the strong endemic character of the vascular flora of New Caledonia. The fungi treated are listed alphabet ically following the original reported names rather than an updated ge neric placement. Taxa are listed with full original references and col lecting information; presence or absence of authentic material is indi cated. Generic transfers are underlined and sometimes a synonymy is re ported. A list of the same but following current names is also provide d. It should allow a rapid check for the presence of a particular fung us in the area. Many of the species listed appear to be undocumented s ince their proposal; further taxonomic work is thus needed to ascertai n their correct placement. Publication of this list represents a landm ark in our knowledge of basidiomycete taxa in New Caledonia and simila r tropical islands in the South Pacific Region. Its appearance should initiate interest in this group of fungi by providing basic informatio n.