XVI International Botanical Congess

Karstenella (Karstenellaceae) is a monospecific genus of operculate discomycetes. K. vernalis is known only from Finland, we report it from New Mexico (USA). We have extracted DNA and sequenced the SSU rDNA gene from Karstenella from New Mexico at two laboratories. The resulting sequences were identical. A phylogenetic analysis of that sequence and GenBank SSU rDNA sequences from Pezizales and other ascomycetes indicate that Karstenella may be derived from the morel and truffle group of Pezizales. Most members of this group produce large ascomata. Karstenella forms the most reduced ascomata in the group. DAPI staining of the nuclei of herbarium material shows that the ascospores are two- to multi-nucleate.