First finding of Mutinus ravenelii (Berk. & M. A. Curtis) E. Fisch. (Phallaceae) in the Republic of Mordovia

Introduction. An unusual fungus for Mordovia Mutinus ravenelii (Berk & M. A. Curtis) E. Fisch, 1888 related to the Basidiomycota mushrooms was found in 2016 during the research of microbiota of the Republic of Mordovia. The fungus is the subject of the interest for mycologists-florists and systematics as a rare adventive species with a significant but intermittent (disjunctive) area. The purpose of the study is to describe the basidia, to locate the findings and to make their morphometry. Materials and Methods. The author used reference books, atlases and databases Index Fungorum and MycoBank for ascertaining the origin of the fungus. Results. This article contains information about the first finding in the Republic of Mordovia the stinkhorn mushroom (Mutinus ravenelii (Berk. & M. A. Curtis) E. Fisch). Then the author describes the form species definition history, its systematic identity, name etymology, fruiting bodies, general spread on the earth, especially its ecology, and the appearance of the American species in Europe. M. ravenelii has been often found in European countries, including Russia in recent years. This is coused by climate warming and globalization processes (cargo of seeds, plants, animals, gardening substrates, traveling) the increase of the greenhouse area and field crops with using the fertile substrates, mulching crops and planting of vegetable crops bark, sawdust, straw. The article indicates macromycetes location, gives their coordinates and finding dates. Discussion and Conclusions. Dimensions of the founded fruiting bodies were typical for the species. M. ravenelii is considered to be an invasive species with unpredictable behavior strategies, so it is should be included into the list of the fungi monitored in Russia.