Morphological and molecular identification of ectomycorrhizal fungi associated with Persian oak (Quercus brantii Lindl.) tree

Identification of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi in different ecosystems has major significance. In this research, to identity ECM fungi, we used two methods including the morphological method and the molecular method that is more precise. Basidiocarp collection of fungi associated with oak tree (Quercus brantii Lindl.) roots was carried out in the spring season 2016 and was identified by morphological and molecular methods. We also checked macroscopic and microscopic features and measured each structure using BioloMICS Measures software. To verify the morphological identification, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was amplified by PCR using the primer pair ITS1/ITS4, and the sequences were analyzed. According to the morphological observations, the identified species were Amanita crocea, Boletus comptus, Tricholoma giganteum, and Inocybe rimosa. Besides, based on molecular techniques by comparing sequences, we identified five species out of the eight ones as A. crocea and other species as T. giganteum, I. rimosa and B. comptus. Both morphological and molecular methods are necessary for identifying ECM fungi associated with tree roots in the Zagros zone in the west of Iran.

BROECKINELLA HENSONI N. SP., A NEW LARGER BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA FROM THE UPPER MAASTRICHTIAN OF IRAN AND A REVISION OF THE GENUS BROECKINELLA HENSON, 1948

new larger benthic foraminifera is described as Broeckinella hensoni from the upper Maastrichtian Tar-bur Formation of SW Iran (Zagros Zone). In comparison to the type species of the genus, Broeckinella arabica Henson, which also occurs in the Tarbur Formation, the new species has distinctly larger dimensions (e.g., size and thickness of test, chamber height). The first record of a microspheric specimen of B. arabica shows previously unrecorded annular chambers in the final test stage. Therefore, the generic diagnosis is herein emended. In the Tarbur Formation, both B. hensoni n. sp. and B. arabica occur in foraminiferal-algal wackestones. However, B. arabica occurs in a wider range of microfacies, including packstones and grainstones. It is assumed that Broeckinella originated in the Upper Cretaceous with Broeckinella neumannae Gendrot. The upper Albian Broeckinella aragonensis Peybernès is herein transferred to the porcellaneous genus Peneroplis Montfort.

BROECKINELLA HENSONI N. SP., A NEW LARGER BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA FROM THE UPPER MAASTRICHTIAN OF IRAN AND A REVISION OF THE GENUS BROECKINELLA HENSON, 1948

A new larger benthic foraminifera is described as Broeckinella hensoni from the upper Maastrichtian Tarbur Formation of SW Iran (Zagros Zone). In comparison to the type species of the genus, Broeckinella arabica Henson, which also occurs in the Tarbur Formation, the new species has distinctly larger dimensions (e.g., size and thickness of test, chamber height). The first record of a microspheric specimen of B. arabica shows previously unrecorded annular chambers in the final test stage. Therefore, the generic diagnosis is herein emended. In the Tarbur Formation, both B. hensoni n. sp. and B. arabica occur in foraminiferal-algal wackestones. However, B. arabica occurs in a wider range of microfacies, including packstones and grainstones. It is assumed that Broeckinella originated in the Upper Cretaceous with Broeckinella neumannae Gendrot. The upper Albian Broeckinella aragonensis Peybernès is herein transferred to the porcellaneous genus Peneroplis Montfort.