Typification of the four most investigated and valuable truffles: Tuber aestivum Vittad., T. borchii Vittad., T. magnatum Picco and T. melanosporum Vittad.

Th e true truffl es, Tuber aestivum Vittad., T. borchii Vittad., T. magnatum Picco and T. melanosporumVittad., are among the most studied fungal species; they also have a high economic value due to theirspecial aromatic and nutritional properties that make them a much sought delicacy. Despite this, theiridentifi cation has been based on morphological and then molecular characters in the absence of referencetype specimens. Although long of scientifi c, commercial and regulatory use, these four scientifi cnames are at risk due to a lack of nomenclatural priority. To provide the scientifi c community withreference voucher samples and to initiate nomenclatural proposals for the recognition of their statusas conserved names, three collections from sites mentioned by their authors (Picco and Vittadini)are proposed as epitypes for Tuber aestivum, T. borchii and T. melanosporum, and one as a neotypefor T. magnatum. Th e type of each name is described morphologically and molecularly characterizedwith the sequences of three markers: ITS, ?-tubulin, elongation factor 1?. Th e taxonomy andnomenclature of each species are discussed. Th e conservation of the names Tuber aestivum againstthe previous homonymous Tuber aestivum (Wulfen) Spreng. and the competing name Tuber blotiiEudes-Desl., T. magnatum against Tuber griseum Borch ex Pers., and T. melanosporum against Tubernigrum Bull. will be proposed. Th e name Tuber borchii has no previous synonyms and therefore it islegitimate and does not require conservation.