Diversity of gasteroid fungi (Agaricomycetes, Basidiomycota) from the Brazilian Pampa Biome

The Pampa Biome is characterized by natural grassland vegetation and in Brazil it is found exclusively in the southern half of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Southern Region). Twenty-seven species of gasteroid fungi (Basidiomycota) were identified during a survey in this biome from 2010 to 2012. The species are distributed among nine families and fifteen genera, viz. Arachnion, Bovista, Calvatia, Clathrus, Cyathus, Geastrum, Lycoperdon, Lysurus, Morganella, Myrisotoma, Podaxis, Sclerogaster, Sphaerobolus, Tulostoma, and Vascellum. Lycoperdaceae is the better represented family, with six genera e fifteen species. Arachnion setosum and Bovista kreiselii are described as new species. Bovista cunninghamii is recorded for the first time from Brazil.