Nomenclature of infrageneric taxa in the Genus Lactarius (Basidiomycota, Russulaceae)

The nomenclature of infrageneric taxa in large genera of Agaricales is ofte n neglected, as it is complicated by a large number of names whose validity , legitimacy and typification are often problematic. Furthermore, the liter ature is very dispersed and the Index of Fungi only catalogues them since 1 986 (period 1980-). A synthesis of the Code's rules and the conventions ado pted for such research is presented by the first author, followed by an inv entory of these taxa published in the genus Lactarius Pers. and its synonym s. The new combination Lactarius sect. Deliciosi comb, nov. [syn.: Lactariu s sect. Dapetes illegit.] is proposed.