Paralepistopsis amoenolens

Paralepistopsis amoenolens is an agaric fungus in the Tricholomataceae family.[1] It is commonly known as the paralysis funnel.[2]

Paralepistopsis amoenolens
Scientific classification
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P. amoenolens
Binomial name
Paralepistopsis amoenolens
Synonyms

Clitocybe amoenolens Malençon (1975)

Paralepistopsis amoenolens
View the Mycomorphbox template that generates the following list
Gills on hymenium
Cap is depressed
Stipe is bare
Spore print is white
Ecology is saprotrophic
Edibility is poisonous

Taxonomy

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It was first described in 1975 by the French mycologist Georges Jean Louis Malençon from a specimen found in Morocco and classified as Clitocybe amoenolens.[3]

In 2012, following DNA analysis, Vizzini and Ercole assigned this species to the new genus Paralepistopsis, which forms a separate clade from other Clitocybes.[4] This change has been accepted by Index Fungorum and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility and so the correct name is currently Paralepistopsis amoenolens.[5][6]

Toxicity

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It was discovered to be poisonous after several people had consumed specimens all found in the alpine Maurienne valley in the Savoie department over three years. They had mistaken it for the edible common funnel cap (Infundibulicybe sp.) or Paralepista flaccida (formerly Lepista inversa).[7]

The resulting syndrome of fungus-induced erythromelalgia lasted from 8 days to 5 months, although one person exhibited symptoms for three years.[8]

This species contains acromelic acids including Acromelic acid A which is a potent neurotoxin with a chemical formula of C13H14N2O7 and is associated with causing paralysis and seizures[9]

Similar species

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Paralepistopsis acromelalga is a poisonous species known from Japan, commonly called the poison dwarf bamboo mushroom. It had been discovered to be poisonous in 1918.[10]

References

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  1. ^ "Species Fungorum - Paralepistopsis amoenolens (Malençon) Vizzini, Mycotaxon 120: 257 (2012)". www.speciesfungorum.org. Retrieved 2022-07-19.
  2. ^ Evans S, Kibby G. (2004). Pocket Nature: Fungi. Dorling Kindersley ISBN 0-7513-3696-3
  3. ^ "Species Fungorum - Clitocybe amoenolens Malençon, in Malençon & Bertault, Trav. Inst. Sci. Chérifien, Sér. Bot. Biol. Veg. 33: 141 (1975)". www.speciesfungorum.org. Retrieved 2022-07-19.
  4. ^ See Vizzini A; Ercole E (2012). "Paralepistopsis gen. nov. and Paralepista (Basidiomycota, Agaricales)". Mycotaxon. 120: 253–267. doi:10.5248/120.253. hdl:2318/124414.. The authors provide a phylogram which indicates the evidence that Paralepistopsis forms a separate clade.
  5. ^ "Paralepistopsis amoenolens (Malençon) Vizzini, 2012". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. GBIF. Retrieved 2017-02-25.
  6. ^ "Paralepistopsis amoenolens page". Species Fungorum. Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. Retrieved 2017-02-25.
  7. ^ Saviuc PF, Danel VC, Moreau PA, Guez DR, Claustre AM, Carpentier PH, Mallaret MP, Ducluzeau R (2001). "Erythromelalgia and mushroom poisoning". J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 39 (4): 403–07. doi:10.1081/CLT-100105162. PMID 11527236. S2CID 32805160.
  8. ^ Diaz, James H. (February 2005). "Syndromic diagnosis and management of confirmed mushroom poisonings". Critical Care Medicine. 33 (2): 427–36. doi:10.1097/01.CCM.0000153531.69448.49. PMID 15699849. S2CID 24492593.
  9. ^ PubChem. "Acromelic acid A". pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 2022-07-19.
  10. ^ Ichimura, J (1918). "A new poisonous mushroom". Bot Gaz (Tokyo). 65: 10911.