An overview of the phylogeny of the Agaricales is presented based on a multilocus analysis of a six-gene region supermatrix. Bayesian analyses of 5611 nucleotide characters of rpb1, rpb1-intron 2, rpb2 and 18S, 25S, and 5.8S ribosomal RNA genes recovered six major clades, which are recognized informally and labeled the Agaricoid, Tricholomatoid, Marasmioid, Pluteoid, Hygrophoroid and Plicaturopsidoid clades. Each clade is discussed in terms of key morphological and ecological traits. At least 11 origins of the ectomycorrhizal habit appear to have evolved in the Agaricales, with possibly as many as nine origins in the Agaricoid plus Tricholomatoid clade alone. A family-based phylogenetic classification is sketched for the Agaricales, in which 30 families, four unplaced tribes and two informally named clades are recognized.

An overview of the phylogeny of the Agaricales is presented based on a multilocus analysis of a six-gene region supermatrix. Bayesian analyses of 5611 nucleotide characters of rpb1, rpb1-intron 2, rpb2 and 18S, 25S, and 5.8S ribosomal RNA genes recovered six major clades, which are recognized informally and labeled the Agaricoid, Tricholomatoid, Marasmioid, Pluteoid, Hygrophoroid and Plicaturopsidoid clades. Each clade is discussed in terms of key morphological and ecological traits. At least 11 origins of the ectomycorrhizal habit appear to have evolved in the Agaricales, with possibly as many as nine origins in the Agaricoid plus Tricholomatoid clade alone. A family-based phylogenetic classification is sketched for the Agaricales, in which 30 families, four unplaced tribes and two informally named clades are recognized.

Aim The ectomycorrhizal (ECM) mushroom family Inocybaceae is widespread in north temperate regions, but more than 150 species are encountered in the tropics and the Southern Hemisphere. The relative roles of recent and ancient biogeographical processes, relationships with plant hosts, and the timing of divergences that have shaped the current geographic distribution of the family are investigated.Location Africa, Australia, Neotropics, New Zealand, north temperate zone, Palaeotropics, Southeast Asia, South America, south temperate zone.Methods We reconstruct a phylogeny of the Inocybaceae with a geological timeline using a relaxed molecular clock. Divergence dates of lineages are estimated statistically to test vicariance-based hypotheses concerning relatedness of disjunct ECM taxa. A series of internal maximum time constraints is used to evaluate two different calibrations. Ancestral state reconstruction is used to infer ancestral areas and ancestral plant partners of the family.

In view of the possible applications of ectomycorrhizae to forestry, this paper discusses the important functions of ectomycorrhizae, the conditions affecting their formation, and methods for the production and application of inoculum. A rationale for selecting appropriate ectomycorrhizal fungi and considerations in selecting sites where ectomycorrhizal seedlings should be planted are presented. Suggestions are also made on encouraging the use of ectomycorrhizal technology. A cost–benefit analysis of inoculation is done.

Summary• Stratospheric ozone depletion occurs over Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, in the austral spring and summer due to the Antarctic 'ozone hole' and the general erosion of the ozone layer. Thus, we investigated the responses of microbial communities to manipulations of solar UV-B radiation.• Results reported here are for field plots receiving either near-ambient or reduced solar UV-B using plastic filters in a Sphagnum peatland and a Carex fen during the second and third years of UV-B manipulations.• The total number of testate amoebae (Protozoa, Rhizopoda) inhabiting the upper centimeter of Sphagnum magellanicum was greater under near-ambient solar UV-B than under reduced UV-B. No response to UV-B manipulation was apparent for rotifers, nematodes, bacteria, microfungi, and a common microalga ( Euglena mutabilis ) inhabiting the S. magellanicum. On leaves of small Nothofagus antarctica trees, the ratio of upper: lower leaf-surface fungal populations for the genus Aureobasidium and for total fungi indicated lower populations on the upper, relative to the lower, surface under near-ambient solar UV-B.• When responses to modifications of the solar UV-B flux were detected, these involved both direct UV-B inhibition and indirect consequences of UV-B manipulation.