Cellulolytic Activity and the Taxonomic Position of Selected Brown-Rot Fungi

Abstract
SUMMARY Fungi which both cause a brown-rot and have cellulolytic activity against pure (nonassociated) cellulose are unusual. Seventeen brown-rot fungi are shown to have this capability; 15 of these are members of the Coniophoraceae (Coniophora, Serpula, and Leucogyrophana). The two other cellulolytic, brown-rot fungi, Paxillus panuoides and Hygrophoropsis aurantiacus, responded differently than typical Paxillus species (P. atrotomentosus and P. involutus) and are misplaced in the Paxillaceae on biochemical and morphological grounds.