Tulostoma kotlabae Pouzar, in Pilat , Fl. CSR , B-1, Gasteromycetes: 598, 815. 1958.

Jeppson, Mikael, Altes, Alberto, Moreno, Gabriel, Nilsson, R. Henrik, Yolanda Loarce,, Bustos, Alfredo de & Larsson, Ellen, 2017, Unexpected high species diversity among European stalked puffballs - a contribution to the phylogeny and taxonomy of the genus Tulostoma (Agaricales), MycoKeys 21, pp. 33-88 : 54

Tulostoma kotlabae Pouzar, in Pilat, Fl. CSR, B-1, Gasteromycetes: 598, 815. 1958. Figures 2g, 10

Holotype.

SLOVAKIA: Záhorská nížina: apud viam ferream haud procul loco “Krůžku”, inter Kuty et Sekule, 25 Sept. 1954, F. Kotlaba (PRM 704203!)*

The studied material fits the original description as well as that of Wright (1987), and it is furthermore supported by ITS sequence data from the holotype. The eight closely related, but still unidentified, species ( T. spp. 6-13) recovered in our phylogenetic analysis (Figure 1b) are in need of further investigation before they can be described as distinct and separate species.

Habitat and European distribution.

Tulostoma kotlabae occurs in dry and exposed habitats such as steppe vegetation and sand dunes, preferably on calcareous, sandy soils. It is, to date, only known from Europe, from where it is on record from Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Russia (S part), Slovakia, Spain, and Sweden ( Calonge 1998, Nitare 1988, Jeppson 2006a, 2008, Rimóczi et al. 2011, Rudnicka-Jezierska 1991, Winterhoff 2000, Wright 1987).

Other specimens examined.

CZECH REPUBLIC, Ústí nad Labem: Velké Žernoseky, Kalvárie, 18 Sept. 2014, P. Brůžek 140918 (GB)*. DENMARK, Jylland: Hirtshals, Tversted, Vesterklit, among Syntrichia and Sedum acre on coastal sand dunes, 24 Apr. 2005, S. Jeppson, J. Jeppson, M. Jeppson 7441 (GB)*; Møn: Ulfshale, 2013, T. Læssøe 13035 (C). FRANCE, Nord-France-Pas de Calais: Étaples, Baie de la Canche, 30 Oct. 2012, E. Hultqvist, E. Larsson, M. Jeppson 9585 (GB)*. LITHUANIA, Neringa: Nida, 1 Oct. 1997, M. Westberg (LD). SLOVAKIA, Kúty: prope locum "U krůžku”, terra arenosa, Corynephorus canescens , Bromus tectorum , 8 Jul. 1954, F. Kotlaba (PRM 704202, GenBank KX576543); Plavecký Mikuláš, along road to Mikulášov, sandy road verge in pine forest, 22 Jun. 2006, M. Jeppson 7923 (GB)*. SWEDEN, Bohuslän: Tjärnö, Sydkoster, Kilesand, sandgräshed vid havet, 14 Apr. 2005, A.E. Torkelsen, G. Gulden, A. Karlsson, J. Nilsson, J-Å. Lönnqvist, A. Ryberg, J. Jeppson, M. Jeppson 7187 (GB)*; Gotland: Gammelgarn, S om Skags, sandgräshed, 26 Sept. 2001, J. Jeppson, M. Jeppson 5597 (GB)*; Gotska Sandön, gräshed med Corynephoretum nära stranden, 24 May 2013, T. Knutsson 2013-135 (GB); Öland: Högby, Dödevi, Kesnäsudden N, sandy grassland, 24 May 2007, S. Jeppson, J. Jeppson, M. Jeppson 8451 (GB); Källa, Nyby orde, 25 May 2006, M. Jeppson 7909 (GB); Skåne: Falsterbo, Nabben, klit med Artemisia campestris nær Fyrträdgården, 16 Sept. 1979, D. Boertmann 79074 (LD)*; Skåne: Åhus, Horna bränneri, 14 Nov. 2007, J. Jeppson, M. Jeppson 8964 (GB); Skåne, Lyngsjö, 15 Oct. 2000, S-Å. Hanson, J. Jeppson, M. Jeppson 5426 (GB)*.