Diversity and Host Relationships of the Mycoparasite (Hypocreales, Ascomycota) in Temperate Central Chile.

We present the first major survey of regional diversity, distribution and host-association of . Whereas the rather scarce worldwide records of this mycoparasitic fungus suggested no specific distribution pattern of most species before, we provide new evidence of endemic and specific host-parasite guilds of in Southern South America, including the description of a new species. The corresponding inventory was performed in temperate central Chile. The regional landscape, a mosaic of exotic timber plantations and remnants of native forests, facilitates a unique combination of endemic and adventitious Boletales hosts. During a two-year survey, 35 strains were isolated and cultured from infected basidiomata of allochthonous , , spp. and spp., as well as from the native , , and . Taxonomic diagnosis included morphology of conidia and conidiophores, sequences of ITS, RPB2 and EF1 molecular markers and characteristics of in vitro cultures. Phylogenetic reconstructions were performed using Bayesian methods. Four species could be identified and characterized, viz.: , , and the newly described species . The most frequent species on introduced Boletales was , followed by and . sp. nov. was found exclusively on native boletacean hosts, separated from its closest relative by micromorphological and molecular attributes. Species descriptions and identification keys are provided. Ecological and biogeographical aspects of endemic and allochthonous symbiotic units consisting of mycoparasite, ectomycorrhizal fungal host and respective mycorrhizal tree are discussed.