Sistotrema is a genus with ectomycorrhizal species - confirmation of what sequence studies already suggested

The ectomycorrhizal status of Sistotrema sp. is shown by morphological–anatomical and molecular identification, confirming earlier reports about Sistotrema DNA in ectomycorrhizae (ECM). For molecular identification of the ECM nuclear rDNA ITS sequences obtained from mycorrhizal root tips and fruitbodies of Sistotrema sp. were compared. Blast searches using the Sistotrema sp. sequences as query were performed in GenBank and UNITE for comparison with previously published Sistotrema sequences. The morphological–anatomical characterization of the ECM used well-established protocols for the examination of all mantle parts and rhizomorphs in different sections and views including detailed illustrations. The ECM are irregularly monopodial–pyramidal, whitish ochre to yellow ochre, and woolly. Older ones become more greyish and silvery at some patches. Diagnostic anatomical characteristics are irregularly inflated emanating and rhizomorph hyphae, ampullately inflated clamps, and the occurrence of yellow drops within the hyphae. The plectenchymatous mantle shows ring-like arranged hyphae, and a slightly gelatinous matrix. The ECM of Sistotrema sp. are compared to those of other species that form distinctly ampullate hyphae in rhizomorphs, too. The anatomically most similar ECM to those of this Sistotrema specimen are those of Hydnum repandum.