Tuber Hudongense: A Critical Asian Truffle to Seek in Europe

Species belong to the genus Tuber (Pezizales, Ascomycota) are ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi that produce hypogeous fruiting establishing a symbiotic interaction with plant roots, mainly oaks and hazelnuts. Truffles are known as the gastronomically prized species, with a high market value, due to the expensive delicacies. Although these fungi are distributed worldwide, it has never been discovered in DPR Korea. In this study, we described about the first discovery of <i>Tuber huidongense</i> in DPR Korea. Based on the discovery of specimens of <i>Tuber huidongense</i> in DPR Korea which represents the first harvest of a true truffle in the country, a phylogenetic investigation was carried out to clarify the existence or otherwise of a complex of species around this truffle, hypothesized by various authors. A genetic analysis of all the ITS sequences available in public database was performed and it appeared very probable that two other species of Tuber (<i>T. furfuraceum</i> and <i>T. lannaense</i>) described in Far East Asia are later synonyms with <i>T. huidongense</i>. Therefore, their synonymization is proposed and the taxonomy of <i>T. huidongense</i> is clarified. From a geographical point of view, the species so far seems concentrated in South and East Asia. Its possible presence in Europe (Czech Republic) is considered doubtful to be confirmed.