Hubris and advancing a field

A new species discovered?

A group of mycologists recently reported "discovering" what they believe to be a new species - "discovering" in quotes because of hubris. A better word to use would be "described" a new species since this has yet to have happened in special terms. They are calling this species P. ochraceocentrata.

This species was found in Southern Africa across Zimbabwe and S. Africa. It is believed to be closely related to P. cubensis, which would mean that it would be closely related to P. natalensis.

Now, this is where things could be interesting for those who have already cultivated those species, or so they think. There are a few mycologists who have cultivated what is being called “True natalensis”. This mushroom is quite different than the one that most of us are aware of, and if it is truly different, what did you grow?

The commonly named natalensis, or natalensis (affiliated), is now believed to likely be ochraceocentrata. See why the hubris comment? It is quite possible that is what we have been calling the natalensis we have mostly been growing all along. 

So if you start to see names changing in genetic banks from genetic vendors, this is why. And at the end of the day, this is all taxonomy and is merely a label. Who cares what you call something in name so long as you know something in form.

See the full article about the describing here.