New Danish Fungal Specie Discovered

New fungal specie has been discovered during a mushroom hunting excursion to Eskebjerg Vesterlyng in 2009. The team was led by postdoc Jacob Heilman-Clausen from the Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate at the Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen.

Officially named as 'Hebelomagriseopruinatum' (Grey dewy tear leaf) this Danish fungal has been classified as a novel species.

Prior to this the fungus has been spotted in England and Germany but had not been described. The details of this fungus have been published in the Fungal Diveristy.

 "We regularly discover species never previously seen in Denmark, but it is quite extraordinary when a Danish fungus is described as new to the world," says postdoc Jacob Heilman-Clausen.

The fungus leads an intimate life with the sun rose plant in the same way as popular edible fungi like chantarelles, boletuses and truffles, which depend on cohabitation with trees. It is surrounded with toxic species that doesn't make it edible.

"Edible fungi are very popular in Denmark, but only few people realise that fungi serve important functions in nature. They degrade dead material and ensure that nutrients are circulated to the system. And yet we still know very little about how many fungal species exist worldwide. Even in Denmark, there are still many discoveries like this waiting to be made," says Jacob Heilman-Clausen.

The new fungal species was registered by the Danish Fungus Atlas.

According to Jacob Heilman-Clausen, there are good opportunities for describing several new species: "This is the most thorough study of Danish fungi ever. Thanks to the efforts of the volunteers, we will be able to achieve a lot during the short project period. In my opinion, there are many discoveries to be made."