Elaphomyces (‘deer truffles’) is one of the most important ectomycorrhizal fungal genera in temperate and subarctic forest ecosystems, but also one of the least documented in public databases. The current systematics are mainly based on macromorphology, and is not significantly different from that proposed by Vittadini (1831). Within the 49 species recognised worldwide, 23 were originally described from Europe and 17 of these were described before the 20th century. Moreover, very recent phylogenetic treatments of the genus are mainly based on a few extra-European species and most common European species are still poorly documented. Based on an extensive taxonomic sampling mainly made in the biogeographically rich Cantabrian area (Spain), complemented with collections from France, Greece, Italy, Norway, Portugal and Sweden, all currently recognized species in Europe have been sequenced at the ITS and 28S of the rDNA. Combined phylogenetic analyses yielded molecular support to sections Elaphomyces and Ceratogaster (here emended), while a third, basal lineage encompasses the sections Malacodermei and Ascoscleroderma as well as the tropical genus Pseudotulostoma. Species limits are discussed and some taxa formerly proposed as genuine species based on morphology and biogeography are re-evaluated as varieties or forms. Spore size and ornamentation, features of the peridial surface, structure of the peridium, and the presence of mycelium patches attached to the peridial surface emerge as the most significant systematic characters. Four new species: E. barrioi, E. quercicola, E. roseolus and E. violaceoniger, one new variety: E. papillatus var. sulphureopallidus, and two new forms: E. granulatus forma pallidosporus and E. anthracinus forma talosporus are introduced, as well as four new combinations in the genus: E. muricatus var. reticulatus, E. muricatus var. variegatus, E. papillatus var. striatosporus and E. morettii var. cantabricus. Lectotypes and epitypes are designated for most recognised species. For systematic purposes, new infrageneric taxa are introduced: E. sect. Ascoscleroderma stat. nov., E. subsect. Sclerodermei stat. nov., E. subsect. Maculati subsect. nov., E. subsect. Muricati subsect. nov., and E. subsect. Papillati subsect. nov. Lastly, E. laevigatus, E. sapidus, E. sulphureopallidus and E. trappei are excluded from the genus and referred to Rhizopogon roseolus, Astraeus sapidus comb. nov., Astraeus hygrometricus and Terfezia trappei comb. nov. (syn.: Terfezia cistophila), respectively.

One of the nutritional benefits of mushrooms is the presence of bioactive secondary metabolites which have been reported to exert various beneficial effects in vivo. Therefore, we selected thirteen frequently consumed species of Polish mushrooms and determined the concentration of polyphenols, flavonoids, β-carotene, and lycopene in aqueous and methanolic extracts of dried fruiting bodies as well as their reducing power and ability to scavenge ABTS cation radical. We found that the concentration of antioxidants is different in different species and in various parts of the fruiting body of mushrooms. We observed a strong correlation (r > 0.9) between the concentration of total phenolics and reducing power/scavenging effects in both aqueous and methanolic extracts, while this correlation was moderate for flavonoids. Beta-carotene did not contribute discernibly to the antioxidative properties of the extracts, while lycopene had a significant contribution to the scavenging activity of methanolic mushroom extracts.

This paper presents the second part of the results of the first short-term inventory of fungi species occurring in the Biebrza National Park and is focused on a survey of macrofungi. The total number of macrofungi found during the survey in late August 2012 was 289 taxa: 17 ascomycetes and 272 basidiomycetes, inhabiting diverse ecological niches. The identified fungi belonged to ectomycorrhizal symbionts and saprobionts decomposing wood, plant litter and animal remnants. The identity of 25 mycorrhizal fungi species has been confirmed using molecular techniques. Five species are newly reported for Poland (<em>Amanita olivaceogrisea, Lepiota lepida, Stropharia alcis, Xerocomus fennicus, X. cisalpinus</em>) and 225 taxa (79 %) were not known in the Biebrza National Park. Fifty species are endangered in Poland, of which nine species are protected by law. Data on species richness and the taxonomic diversity of the identified fungi are briefly commented in terms of their significance for nature conservation and future research.

Polish mycosociological studies contribute remarkably to the European mycocoenology. They are widely cited in recent mycoecological research syntheses aiming at the elucidation of the role of fungi in the structure and functioning of plant communities. Thus, there is an urgent need of reviewing our mycosociological works published since the 50's of the last century. Professor Andrzej Nespiak, who examined cap fungi in the Białowieża National Park, was the first to carry out mycocoenological research in Poland. His work was the turning point for the development of field mycological studies and inspired subsequent generations of our mycologists.Mycosociological studies were also stimulated by numerous, frequently outstanding phytosociological examinations of vast areas of the country, particularly of the protected ones.The list of 623 mycosociological publications, spanning over 50 years which coincide with the most extensive development of mycosociological studies in Poland, offers material that reflects current trends, approaches, advantages and limitations in research on the participation of fungi in phytocoenoses as well as on fungi forming their own communities.Apart from classical mycosociological studies, focusing mostly on basidiomycetes, a few publications describing mycocoenotic role of microscopic fungi are also compiled, including symbiotic, saprotrophic and parasitizing fungi, aquatic and soil species.A survey of mycosociological studies carried out in plant communities follows the MATUSZKIE-WICZ'S (2001) system of plant syntaxonomy. It offers information which plant communities were investigated and how thoroughly, and which phytocoenoses were not examined mycologically. The project was undertaken to address interests of mycologists and phytosociologists. It is dedicated to the memory of Professor Andrzej Nespiak, the founder of the Polish school of mycosociology.Key words: macrofungi; microfungi; mycocoenoses; phytocoenoses; fungal communities; Poland. 1. INTRODUCTIONThe present project was undertaken to address interests of mycologists and phytosociologists. The list of publications, spanning over 50 years which coincide with the most extensive development of mycocoenological studies in Poland, offers material that helps identify current trends, approaches, ramifications and limitations in research on fungal communities and their participation in phytocoenoses. The bibliography will hopefully provide important information on the biodiversity and contribute to a better understanding of syntaxonomy of phytocoenoses.The bibliography of mycocoenological publications in Poland was inspired by the ecomycological and mycocoenological studies reviewed by BRESINSKY, KREISEL and PRIMAS (1995), and, earlier, by TÜXEN (1964TÜXEN ( , 1966 and WINTERHOFF (1984WINTERHOFF ( , 1992. As these Central European bibliographies demonstrate, a great deal of mycocoenological research had been conducted in Poland. During his research visit to Łódź as part of the co-operation between Regensburg University and Łódź Universi...

<em>Tuber aestivum</em> Vittad., <em>T. mesentericum</em> Vittad. and <em>T. bellonae</em> Quél. have been distinguished in recent collections of hypogeous fungi in Poland. Up till now only <em>T. mesentericum</em> has herbarial documentation. <em>T. aestivum</em> was confirmed to occur in Poland. Seven localities are documented with exsiccates, but it is considered as a complex species. Some specimens have features of <em>T. uncinatum</em> Chat. not distinctively separated from these of <em>T. aestivum</em> Vittad., therefore are treated as its form. The studies based on rich material support the concept of <em>Tuber bellonae</em> as a separate species close to <em>T. mesentericum</em>.

we also present the information concerning all known localities of the species in Poland and its distribution map. Data on the ecology, distribution and status of O. asterosperma in europe, and some structural aspects of basidiocarps and spores, are also summarized.

In this pan of the paper, chorology of the Tuberales in Poland with regard to their areals in Europe is discussed. 11 is a continuation of the previous pa per by Ławrynowicz, published in the Acta Mycol. vol. 25(1).

Distribution of hypogeous <i>Ascomycetes</i> in Poland with regard to their areals in Europe is discussed in the paper. The results are illustrated on 63 maps. The paper is the second part of a monographic study of the <i>Elaphomycetales</i> and <i>Tuberales</i> worked out by the author in the Polish Flora - <i>Mycota</i> (vol. 18, 1988).