Hygrocybe noelokelani var. defibulata Desjardin et Hemmes, var. nov.
A typo differt fibulis nullis, cheilocystidiis 50-80 µm longis, sporis angustioribus (mean w = 4.3 µm, mean of Q means = 1.55) et basidiis 22-30(-35) µm longis. Holotypus: Moloka`i, Kamakou Forest Preserve, Kamoku Flats, 11 Jan. 1994, D. E. Desjardin 6035 (SFSU; Isotypus: BISH).
Macromorphology identical to that of var. noelokelani.
Basidiospores (Fig. 19) 6.0-7.5(-8.0) X (3.5-)3.8-5.0 µm [range of means = 6.5-6.9 X 4.1-4.6 µm, mean of means = 6.7 ± 0.2 X 4.3 ± 0.2 µm, Q = 1.3-1.9, range of Q means = 1.45-1.64, mean of Q means = 1.55 ± 0.06, n = 20-25 spores per 7 specimens], ellipsoid, inequilateral in profile, not constricted, with a prominent hilar appendix, smooth, hyaline, inamyloid, thin-walled, white in deposit. Basidia (Fig. 20) 22-30(-35) X 4.8-6.5 µm, 4-spored, rarely 2-spored, subclavate, unclamped; sterigmata 4-8 µm long. Cheilocystidia (Fig. 21) abundant, 38-80(-100) X 1.5-3 µm, filamentous, often irregular in outline, often branched, obtuse, hyaline, thin-walled, unclamped, forming a sterile trichodermial layer on lamellar edge up to 100 µm thick, seldom subgelatinized. Clamp connections absent in all tissues. Other features identical to those of var. noelokelani.
Habit, habitat and distribution. Solitary to scattered on bare soil, on soil among mosses, or on moss covered stems of hapu`u (Cibotium spp.) in Montane Mesic Forest (Ohi`a Forest) or Montane Wet Forest (Ohi`a/Hapu`u Forest); one population (on Moloka`i) growing at the interface between Montane Wet Forest and alien conifer forest dominated by loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) and Monterey Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa). Jan. to Sept. Hawai`i, Moloka`i.
Specimens Examined. U.S.A. HAWAII: Hawai`i, Saddle Rd. at 18.5 mi kipuka, N 19°40.691', W 155°19.425', 26 Jun. 1992, DEH 016; same location, 10 Sept. 1994, DEH 555; Hawai`i, Saddle Rd. at 19 mi kipuka, N 19°40.550', W 155°20.180', 14 Nov. 1995, DEH 923; Hawai`i, Natural Area Reserve System, Pu`u Maka`ala, N 19°29.072', W 155°16.140', 25 May 1993, DED 5700; same location, 4 Aug. 1993, DED 5874; same location, 21 Jul. 1992, DEH 7.21.92.1; same location, 26 Apr. 1994, DEH 448; same location, 7 Jun. 1994, DEH 461; same location, 26 Sep. 1994, DEH 585; same location, 26 Sep. 1994, DEH 586; same location, 21 Aug. 1996, DED 6546; Hawai`i, Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, Thurston Lava Tube, 28 Jun. 1994, DEH 486. Moloka`i, Kamakou Forest Preserve, Kamoku Flats, N 21°07.101', W 156°55.122', 11 Jan. 1994, DED 6035 (Holotype); same location, 11 Jan. 1994, DEH 384; same location, 9 Jan. 1995, DED 6218 and DEH 713; Moloka`i, Kamakou Forest Preserve, Hanalilolilo Trail, N 21°07.554', W 156°54.882', 9 Jan. 1995, DED 6207; same location, 12 Jan. 1996, DED 6396.Commentary. In the field, H. noelokelani var. noelokelani and var. defibulata are indistinguishable. Variety defibulata differs from var. noelokelani, however, in forming consistently longer cheilocystidia (typically 50-80 µm long vs. 16-45 µm), narrower basidiospores (mean w = 4.3 µm, mean of Q means = 1.55 vs. mean w = 4.9 µm, mean of Q means = 1.43), slightly shorter basidia (22-30(-35) µm long vs. 32-40 µm), and more importantly lacks clamp connections in all tissues. Hygrocybe noelokelani var. defibulata is currently known from several montane native forests on Hawai`i and from the same forest type on Moloka`i. Although both varieties of H. noelokelani are sympatric at the 18.5 mile kipuka on Saddle Road between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea on the island of Hawai`i, it is unknown whether genetic exchange between the populations occurs.
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