Matskási István (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 88. (Budapest 1996)

Szedlay, Gy., Jakucs, E. , Bóka, K. ; Boldizsár, I.: Macro- and micromorphological characteristics of Ganoderma lucidum Karsten strains isolated in Hungary

ANNALES HISTORICO-NATURALES MUSEI NATIONALIS HUNGARICÍ Volume 88. Budapest, 1996 pp. 57-68. Macro- and micromorphological characteristics of Ganoderma lucidum Karsten strains isolated in Hungary GY. SZEDLAY, E. JAKUCS, K. BÓKA, & I. BOLDIZSÁR Department of Plant Anatomy, Eötvös Loránd University H-1088 Budapest, Puskin u. 11-13, Hungary SZEDLAY, GY., JAKUCS, E., BÓKA, K. & BOLDIZSÁR, I. (1996): Macro- and micromorphological characteristics of Ganoderma lucidum Karsten strains isolated in Hungary. - Annls hist.-nat. Mus. natn. hung. 88: 57-68. Abstract - Identification of Ganoderma lucidum, a cosmopolitan species of Ganodermataceae is not clear because of its similarity to other species of the G. lucidum species complex. Macroscopical and microscopical characteristics suitable for determination of the species and for making distinctions between different strains were investigated on 14 isolates originating in Hungary. It have been proved that Hungarian isolates are highly homogeneous but differ considerably from the strains known from literature. With 3 tables and 7 figures. INTRODUCTION Ganoderma lucidum (WILLIAM CURTIS: FRIES) KARSTEN (Ganodermataceae) is a common wood rotting tinder widespread on the northern hemisphere with considerable pharmaceutical interest. It has been used in traditional Far Eastern medicine for centuries. Recently more than a hundred of its lanostanoid compounds and a series of polysaccharides effective as antitumoral, antihepatotoxic, antiinflammatory and cardiotonic agents have been detected (JONG & BIRMINGHAM 1992). Great differences in morphological characteristics (ADASKAVEG & GiLBERTSON 1988) and composition of pharm aceutically active substances (NISHITOBA et al. 1986) have been proved according to geographical distribution and habitat of the different isolates. The taxonomic status of G. lucidum and its distinction from other Ganoderma species is not clear, either. The genus Ganoderma was established by KARSTEN in 1881 by the revision of Boletus lucidus with Ganoderma lucidum as the only species. The main characteristic feature of the Ganodermataceae family is the complex spore wall, which consists of an outermost primary layer, darkly stained interwall pillars surrounded by electron transparent regions and an innermost secondary pigmented layer (MiMS & SEABURY 1989). PATOULLIARD (1889) divided the genus into 48 species. MURRILL (1902) considered geographical distribution, host specificity and macromorphology of the fruit body (e. g. colour, shape) to be mostly suitable for differentiation within the genus. In the last decades STEYAERT (1972, 1980), CORNER (1983) and ADASKAVEG & GILBERTSON (1986, 1988) revised this genus taxonomically. The latter divide the G. lucidum species-complex into two parts: the G. lucidum group living on hardwood and the G tsugae group living on