Melanogaster (fungus)

For other uses, see Melanogaster (disambiguation).

Melanogaster
Melanogaster tuberiformis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Basidiomycota
Class:	Agaricomycetes
Order:	Boletales
Suborder:	Paxillineae
Family:	Melanogastraceae
Genus:	Melanogaster Corda
Type species
Melanogaster tuberiformis Corda

Melanogaster is a genus of fungus that resemble truffles, and are often mistaken for them. However, they do not have the characteristic aroma and value of truffles, and may even be poisonous. The genus contains 25 species that collectively have a widespread distribution.^[1]

A new polyene pigment, melanocrocin, has been isolated either from fruit bodies or mycelial cultures of the subterranean fungus Melanogaster broomeianus. The structure of the pigment was determined by spectroscopic methods and chemical transformations. Melanocrocin is the N-acyl derivative of L-phenylalanine methyl ester with a polyolefinic carboxylic acid.^[2]

Species

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• Melanogaster ambiguus
• Melanogaster broomeiani
• Melanogaster variegatus
• Melanogaster tuberiformis
• Melanogaster broomeianus
• Melanogaster wilsonii

References

1. ^ Kirk PM, Cannon PF, Minter DW, Stalpers JA. (2008). Dictionary of the Fungi. (10th ed.). Wallingford: CABI. p. 414. ISBN 978-0-85199-826-8. 
2. ^ Aulinger K, Besl H, Spiteller P, Spiteller M, Steglich W. (2001). "Melanocrocin, a polyene pigment from Melanogaster broomeianus (Basidiomycetes)". Z. Naturforsch., C, J. Biosci. 56 (7–8): 495–98. PMID 11531079. 

External links

• Melanogaster at Index Fungorum