Taxonomy and phylogeny of jelly fungi (Basidiomycota) found in the Atlantic Forest of South and Southeast Brazil.

• Grant number: 24/03033-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: July 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Nelson Menolli Junior
• Grantee: Ágata Carvalho Morais
• Host Institution: Instituto de Pesquisas Ambientais (IPA). Secretaria de Meio Ambiente, Infraestrutura e Logística (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 18/15677-0 - Mushrooms in the Atlantic Forest: diversity and potential of edible species, AP.BTA.JP

Abstract

Jelly fungi are an artificial group whose characteristic is the formation of basidiomata with a gelatinous or cartilaginous consistency. The classification of these fungi has undergone drastic changes throughout history and has accompanied technological developments in taxonomy, such as the emergence of molecular biology. Currently, within the Basidiomycota phylum, jelly fungi are classified into four orders: Auriculariales, Dacrymycetales, Sebacinales and Tremellales. In Brazil, these fungi are still little known and most of the descriptions of the species that occur here lack molecular studies. This study aims to identify the species of jelly fungi (Basidiomycota) that occur in the Atlantic Forest of southern and southeastern Brazil. To this end, collections will be made in parks and conservation units, and collections deposited in Brazilian herbaria may be requested. Subsequently, molecular phylogenetic studies and morphological analysis will be carried out to identify the species and determine the phylogenetic position of the sampled taxa.