Taxonomy of Ganoderma from southern South America: subgenus Ganoderma

The macro- and micromorphology of 45 specimens and 19 holotypes of the subg enus Ganoderma (= G. lucidum complex) were examined, together with isoenzym ic data. The objective was to evaluate relationships by analysing numerical ly morphological and isoenzymic data to discern the number of species occur ring in southern South America, and their delimitation. A total of 73 isozy mic bands and 26 morphological characters were considered. Spore ornamentat ion was studied under SEM. Nine taxa appear to be represented in the region (G. lucidum var. lucidum, G, multiplicatum, G. sessiliforme, G. praelongum , G. subincrustatum, G. platense, G. zonatum, G. sessile and G. tuberculosu m) and the presence of another eight is doubtful (G. argillaceum, G. bibadi ostraum, G. chaffangeonii, G. lucidum var, capense, G. lucidum var. dorsale , G. subamboinenese var, laevisporum, G. resinaceum and G, tropicum?). Thre e major cutis types were defined and illustrated. Although congruence betwe en dendrograms derived from both data sets was low, some similar groupings were formed. Species descriptions and a key for identification are provided .