NEW RECORDS OF ECTOMYCORRHIZAL FUNGI IN MALTA ASSOCIATED WITH Quercus ilex

Studies of ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECM) diversity in the Maltese Islands are sporadic and rather limited. The aim of the present work was to investigate and confirm the presence of ECM in the Maltese Islands including any new records. Foraging was conducted during the rainy seasons between 2015 and 2019. Sporocarps, collected from georeferenced locations, have been identified through macro- and micro-morphological features. They have also been, dried and preserved in glycerol at -18 degrees C for long term storage as well as in sterile distilled water at 4 degrees C. In total, ten ECM records were confirmed, including 2 new records for the Maltese Islands, namely Russula ochrospora (Nicolaj ex Quadr. & W. Rossi) Quadr. and Hebeloma quercetorum Quadr.