Hydnoid fungi of the family Bankeraceae - their assemblages and vegetation ecology in Central Europe, Czech Republic

The diversity of stipitate hydnoid fungi of the genera Bankera, Hydnellum, Phellodon and Sarcodon was studied at 92 microlocalities in the Czech Republic in 2010-2014. Their vegetation was documented by means of phytosociological relevés. In total, 26 hydnoid species were found. Individual microlocalities hosted 1-6 hydnoid species. Frequent co-occurrence of certain species pairs or groups was revealed. Multivariate analyses were used to test community patterns between hydnoids and vegetation, divided into layers and plant functional groups. We confirmed the hypothesis that vegetation layers and functional groups have different effects on the individual hydnoid species. The occurrence of hydnoids is conditional especially on the dominant tree species. The main vegetation gradient of hydnoid sites is represented by the proportion of deciduous versus coniferous trees. Smaller trees in shrub and herb layers do not play a significant role except for spruce. Some hydnoids occur at sites with a species-rich herb layer, whereas others occur at sites with ericoid heaths and lichens, wet sites covered with hygrophilous mosses, or bare soils only covered by litter. Possible factors favouring hydnoids and causing their accumulation at small sites are outlined, e.g. facilitation, phylogenetic conservatism and alteration of tree dominants during succession. Habitat conditions creating “hydnoid site quality” are summarized including the character of the Czech hydnoid-richest sites.