First Report of a Neotropical Agaric (Lepiota spiculata, Agaricales, Basidiomycota) Containing Lethal α-Amanitin at Toxicologically Relevant Levels
Claudio Angelini, Alfredo Vizzini, Alfredo Justo, Alberto Bizzi, Paolo Davoli, Ertuğrul Kaya
Abstract
A recent collection of Lepiota spiculata from the Dominican Republic is presented here. Macro- and micromorphological features of L. spiculata are described in detail and its evolutionary (phylogenetic) position within Lepiota sect. Ovisporae, in the subincarnata / brunneoincarnata clade is assessed on the basis of a combined nrLSU+nrITS+rpb2+tef1 analysis. Additionally, high levels of deadly amatoxins were detected and quantified in L. spiculata for the first time by HPLC analysis; in particular, α-amanitin was found at concentrations up to approx. 4 mg/g dry weight, which render L. spiculata a potentially lethal mushroom, if ingested.
Topics & Concepts
AgaricalesBiologyBasidiomycotaBotanyMushroomCladeBasidiocarpAmanitaPhylogenetic treeTaxonomy (biology)BiochemistryGeneFungal Biology and ApplicationsSilymarin and Mushroom PoisoningMycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions