Molecular systematics of Craterellus: cladistic analysis of nuclear LSU rDNA sequence data

Considerable taxonomic confusion exists regarding many species of Cantharel lus. Several taxa have been classified in either Cantharellus or Craterellu s depending on which morphological characters were emphasised. Recent phylo genetic studies based on sequence analyses suggest that some species now cl assified in Cantharellus should be in Craterellus. We extracted DNA from dr ied herbarium specimens and amplified, sequenced and cladistically analysed approximately 650 bp of the 5' end of the nuclear large subunit ribosomal DNA gene. Our data confirm earlier results and provide molecular evidence f or the classification of additional Cantharellus species (Ca. ignicolor and Ca. lutescens) within Craterellus. Furthermore, the data enable us to pred ict that all Leptocantharellus-like species currently classified within Can tharellus are more accurately classified within Craterellus. The species co mplexes of Cr. tubaeformis and Cr. cornucopioides were also investigated. T hese analyses did not support the monophyly of Ca. tubaeformis but the hypo thesis that colour varieties of Cu. cornucopioides represent separate speci es was rejected.