Spatial distribution and host preferences of Fomes fomentarius and F. inzengae in Europe: A review

Globally, wood-decay fungi are important ecological component of forests and woody plants. However, the traditional morphospecies, such as Fomes fomentarius, often show cryptic diversity. The traditional concept of the morphospecies comprises two delimited species, namely F. fomentarius s.str. and F. inzengae. In this review the spatial distribution and some ecological features of both species in Europe were characterized. In total, 259 records (139 F. inzengae and 120 F. fomentarius s.str., respectively) were analyzed from different localities in 29 countries. The two species are found almost all over Europe and there is no clear geographical segregation of these species, but the species show different host preferences. While F. fomentarius s.str. primarily colonizes Fagus and Betula, F. inzengae has a remarkably broad host range (Abies, Acer, Aesculus, Alnus, Betula, Carpinus, Castanea, Fagus, Fraxinus, Juglans, Olea, Platanus, Populus, Prunus, Quercus, Salix, Sorbus, and Tilia). Acer, Alnus, Betula, Fagus, and Populus are the five host genera common to both fungal species.