VOLVARIELLA VOLVACEA (PLUTEACEAE, AGARICALES), PRESENCE OF A MUSHROOM WITH BIOTECHNOLOGICAL POTENTIAL IN ARGENTINA

Background and aims: Volvariella volvacea is a tropical to subtropical species, known from Southeastern Asia, Europe and America with isolated records from Africa, and Oceania, but there is no previous record of this species from Argentina. The aim of this work is to extend its distribution range to Argentina. M&M: Specimens were collected in Corrientes Province and were deposited in the mycological collection of the CTES herbarium. For their identification and description, they were analyzed macro and microscopically following the traditional methodology. Results: This species is characterized by its large pileus (50-100 mm), with dark brown surface and abundant fissures that reveal the grayish context among them, its humicolous habit and its 6-11 mu m long spores. Conclusions: V. volvacea is a species commonly associated with anthropic environments. Its presence in South America can be considered as introduced, considering that it was found on sugarcane bagasse and on compost inside greenhouses. This species is described and illustrated for the first time for Argentina.