The distribution of the dematiaceous microfungus Scleroconidioma sphagnicola in coniferous litter in Europe and Canada was assessed using a culture-dependent approach. Needles of various coniferous species were sampled between May and November of 2008. Twenty needles from each sample were cultivated on 2° malt agar after surface sterilisation with 30 % hydrogen peroxide. The formed mycelia were identified based on their morphology. The identifications were further confirmed by analyses of ITS rDNA. S. sphagnicola was recorded at 8 of the 53 sites. The highest abundance of S. sphagnicola was recorded in mountain areas of the Czech Republic. Further records of S. sphagnicola were acquired from the literature and the GenBank database. S. sphagnicola does not seem to be a ubiquitous coloniser of coniferous litter. However, this study showed that this fungus is found in various regions and the data obtained may serve to make an evaluation of the potential spread of S. sphagnicola.
Koukol O. (2009): Geographical distribution of Scleroconidioma sphagnicola in coniferous forests in Europe and Canada. – Czech Mycology 61(1): 117–124.
