title: Molecular Taxonomical Re-classification of the Genus Suillus Micheli ex S. F. Gray in South Korea.
abstract: The fungal genus Suillus Micheli ex S. F. Gray plays important roles in the survival and growth of plant seedlings. Humans have utilized these ectomycorrhizal fungi to enhance the nutrient uptake and defense systems of plants, particularly in the reforestation of coniferous forests. The genus Suillus is easily distinguishable by its distinctive morphological features, although the morphology of the fruiting body does not facilitate reliable interspecies discrimination. On the basis of micro-morphological features and internal transcribed spacer sequence analysis, we found that 51 of 117 Korean Suillus specimens had initially been misidentified. The list of the 12 Suillus species previously recorded in Korea was re-evaluated and revised to only eight distinct species: S. americanus, S. bovinus, S. granulatus, S. grevillei, S. luteus, S. pictus, S. placidus, and S. viscidus. We provide taxonomical descriptions for six of these species from the sample specimens.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-747, Korea.
authors.forename: Young Ju
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Min
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-747, Korea.
authors.forename: Myung Soo
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-747, Korea.
authors.forename: Jonathan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Fong
authors.affiliation: Agricultural Microbiology Division, National Academy of Agricultural Science, Rural Development Administration, Suwon 441-707, Korea.
authors.forename: Soon Ja
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Seok
authors.affiliation: Forest Biodiversity Division, Korea National Arboretum, Pocheon 487-820, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang-Kuk
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-747, Korea.
authors.forename: Young Woon
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Lim
keywords: Ectomycorrhizal fungi; Internal transcribed spacer; S. luteus; Seoul National University Fungal Collection; Suillus