When scientists describe a new species, they should define a single organism that was collected and preserved, known as the type specimen. Without this reference point, there can be decades, or even centuries, of confusion about identity and how the species is related to others.
In 1891, Saccardo described a new fungus (Fomes weberianus) based on a Samoan specimen collected by Weber, but he failed to define the type. In 1914, Bresadola mentioned a type for it, but without details of a single specimen. In 1972, two mycologists attempted to clarify the taxonomy, but arrived at different conclusions: Steyaert associated it with Ganoderma, while Ryvarden linked it to Phylloporia.
Our researchers revisited the original specimens and historical literature. We discovered three key specimens labelled as Fomes weberianus. Two are in the Berlin Museum (B 700007410 and B 700021870), one of which (B 700007410) Steyaert used for his concept of Ganoderma weberianum). The third (S F15098), is in the Bresadola Herbarium, but was from the same collection as B 700021870. These were the specimens studied by Ryvarden, and their features agree with the original description of Fomes weberianus, meaning Fomes weberianus is a species of Phylloporia as established by Ryvarden, not Ganoderma as interpreted by Steyaert.
We have therefore designated B 700021870 as the new lectotype (designated when an original type was not defined), with S F15098 as a duplicate.