Morphological traits of Ganoderma lucidum complex highlighting G. tsugae var. jannieae ; the current generalization

This book is devoted to the Ganoderma lucidum complex (Ganodermataceae, Polyporales) with special attention to the G. tsugae lineage of this complex. The book provides a review of species subdivision concepts in G. lucidum complex with special attention to the conifer - inhabiting species, as with G. tsugae, G. valesiacum, and G. carnosum. All taxonomically valued, essential morphological structures are discussed. SEM researches show that spores in the G. tsugae lineage sharply differ from those in the G. lucidum conglomerate (incl. G. lucidum var. carnosum and G. lucidum var. valesiacum). A species key and descriptions of taxa of the G. lucidum complex, distributed in subtropical and temperate area of the Northern Hemisphere, are given. Special attention was also paid to Chinese material of G. tsugae, which was attributed to an independent variety - G. tsguae. var. janniei, due to its deviating features in basidiocarp construction and basidiospore morphology. Because this material represents a new perspective to biotechnology, a special chapter of this book is devoted to reviewing today's knowledge on bioactive substances of G. lucidum s. str.