Biological species concepts in eastern North American populations of Lentinellus

As part of a biosystematic study of the Lentinellus ursinus species complex in eastern North America, field and herbarium specimens from North America , Central America, and Europe were examined. Crossing single basidiospore i solates demonstrated tetrapolar (bifactorial) mating systems. Three biologi cal species are recognized as L. ursinus, L. angustifolius, and L. vulpinus . The production of gloeocystidia and/or chlamydospores is considered taxon omically significant for identifying somatic cultures of these species. All three taxa produced laccase, tyrosinase, and peroxidase in culture and are white-rot fungi. This is the first confirmed report of L. angustifolius fr om North America.