A phylogenetic overview of the Hydnaceae (Cantharellales, Basidiomycota) with new taxa from China

Four New Species and One New Record of Thelephora from China

Species of the genus Thelephora (Thelephorales, Thelephoraceae) are ectomycorrhizal symbionts of coniferous and broad-leaved plants, and some of them are well-known edible mushrooms, making it an exceptionally important group ecologically and economically. However, the diversity of the species from China has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we conducted a phylogenetic analysis based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian analyses, along with morphological observations of this genus. Four new species from China are proposed, viz., T. dactyliophora, T. lacunosa, T. petaloides, and T. pinnatifida. In addition, T. sikkimensis originally described from India is reported for the first time from China. Thelephora dactyliophora, T. pinnatifida, and T. sikkimensis are distributed in subtropical forests and mainly associated with plants of the families Fagaceae and Pinaceae. Thelephora lacunosa and T. petaloides are distributed in tropical to subtropical forests. Thelephora lacunosa is mainly associated with plants of the families Fagaceae and Pinaceae, while T. petaloides is mainly associated with plants of the family Fagaceae. Line drawings of microstructures, color pictures of fresh basidiomes, and detailed descriptions of these five species are provided.

A Contribution to the Phylogeny and Taxonomy of Hydnum (Cantharellales, Basidiomycota) from China

Hydnum is a well-characterized genus in the family Hydnaceae of Cantharellales and is characterized by spinose hymenophores. In this study, an ITS phylogenetic overview and a multilocus (ITS-nrLSU-tef1) phylogenetic tree of Hydnum were carried out. On the basis of morphological characteristics and phylogenetic results, seven species from China were confirmed, described, illustrated, and compared with similar species, including three new species, i.e., H. longipes, H. microcarpum, and H. sinorepandum, and four known species, i.e., H. cremeoalbum, H. melitosarxm, H. orientalbidum, and H. pinicola were recorded for the first time in China. A key to the species of Hydnum in China was provided.

Unveiling the Diversity of Hydnum in the Republic of Korea with One New Species, Hydnum paucispinum

Hydnum is a genus of ectomycorrhizal fungi belonging to the Hydnaceae family. It is widely distributed across different regions of the world, including North America, Europe, and Asia; however, some of them showed disjunct distributions. In recent years, with the integration of molecular techniques, the taxonomy and classification of Hydnum have undergone several revisions and advancements. However, these changes have not yet been applied in the Republic of Korea. In this study, we conducted an integrated analysis combining the morphological and molecular analyses of 30 specimens collected over a period of approximately 10 years in the Republic of Korea. For molecular analysis, the sequence data of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, the large subunit of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nrLSU), and a portion of translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF1) were employed as molecular markers. Through this study, we identified eight species that had previously not been reported to occur in the Republic of Korea, including one new species, Hydnum paucispinum. A taxonomic key and detailed descriptions of the eight Hydnum species are provided in this study.

Hydnum atlanticum, a new species from Eastern North America

A new species of Hydnum subgenus Rufescentia is described based on collections made in Canada (New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador) and the USA (New York). The new species is found in conifer dominated forests (e.g. Abies, Picea) and occurs in bryophyte-covered (Sphagnum, Bazzania) soil. It differs from the ecologically similar H. quebecense in the duller brown colors of the basidiomes, the smaller basidiospores and the basidia predominantly with three or four sterigmata. Phylogenetic analysis of the ITS region place H. subconnatum and H. oregonense as the closest relatives of H. atlanticum, but these taxa differ in the larger basidiospores, number of sterigmata per basidium, caespitose growth and/or geographic distribution. Citation: Justo A, Hood AW, Swenie RA, Matheny PB (2023). Hydnum atlanticum, a new species from Eastern North America. Fungal Systematics and Evolution 11: 63-70. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2023.11.05.

Molecular phylogeny and morphology reveal a new wood-rotting fungal species, Sistotrema yunnanense sp. nov. from the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau

Wood-rotting fungi are important components of woody plant ecosystems and play an active role in the decomposition and turnover of nutrients from wood, and are among the major groups of Basidiomycota. In this study, a new species of wood-rotting fungus, Sistotrema yunnanense, was proposed based on morphological characteristics and molecular evidence. It is characterized by resupinate basidiomata, a monomitic hyphal system having generative hyphae with clamp connections, suburniform to urniform basidia, and short-cylindrical to oblong ellipsoid basidiospores (4.5-6.5 × 3-4 µm). Phylogenetic analyses performed using the large subunit nuc rDNA indicated that S. yunnanense was nested within the genus Sistotrema s.l. of the family Hydnaceae, within the order Cantharellales.

Updated taxonomy of Chinese Cantharellus subgenera Afrocantharellus and Magni (Hydnaceae, Cantharellales): Three new taxa and amended descriptions of one previous species

Cantharellus, one of the main genera of Hydnaceae (Cantharellales), is both ecologically and economically important. Although many studies have focused on this genus in China, the taxonomy should be further updated. In the present study, Cantharellus subgenera Afrocantharellus and Magni were investigated based on morphology and molecular phylogenetic analyses with new collections from China. Five phylogenetic species were recognized among the studied collections, three of which were described as new: C. bellus, C. cineraceus, and C. laevigatus; one was previously described taxon: C. hygrophoroides; and the remaining species was not defined due to the paucity of the materials. Among the four described species, both C. bellus and C. laevigatus are members of subgen. Magni, whereas C. cineraceus and C. hygrophoroides belong to subgen. Afrocantharellus.

Molecular phylogeny and morphology reveal four new species of Thelephora (Thelephorales, Basidiomycota) from subtropical China, closely related to T. ganbajun

The genus of Thelephora is a group of cosmopolitan ectomycorrhizal fungi with basidiocarps of morphological diversity that has an extremely scarce species reported from the forest ecosystem in China. In this study, phylogenetic analyses of Thelephora species from subtropical China were carried out based on multiple loci including the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, the large subunit of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nLSU), and the small subunit of mitochondrial rRNA gene (mtSSU). Maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses were used to construct the phylogenetic tree. The phylogenetic positions of four new species, Th. aquila, Th. glaucoflora, Th. nebula, and Th. pseudoganbajun, were revealed based on morphological and molecular evidence. Molecular analyses demonstrated that the four new species were closely related to Th. ganbajun and formed a clade with robust support in the phylogenetic tree. Regarding morphology, they share some common morphological characteristics, including flabelliform to imbricate pilei, generative hyphae more or less covered by crystals, and subglobose to irregularly lobed basidiospores (5–8 × 4–7 μm) with tuberculate ornamentation. These new species are described and illustrated and are compared to similar morphological or phylogenetically related species. A key to the new and allied species from China is provided.

Phylogenetic Analyses and Morphological Studies Reveal Four New Species of Phellodon (Bankeraceae, Thelephorales) from China

Phellodon is a genus of ectomycorrhizal fungi with important ecological roles and exploitable biological activities. In this study, four new species of Phellodon, P. caesius, P. henanensis, P. concentricus and P. subgriseofuscus, are described from China based on morphological characters and molecular evidence. The phylogenetic analyses of Phellodon were carried out based on the ITS + nLSU gene regions and the combined sequence dataset of ITS + nLSU + nSSU + RPB1 + RPB2 gene regions. Phellodon caesius is characterized by its dark bluish-grey, dark grey to black grey pileus, ash grey to dark bluish-grey spines, and the presence of both simple septa and clamp connections on generative hyphae of stipe. Phellodon concentricus is characterized by its zonate pileal surface, dark grey context in pileus, and spongy basidiomata. Phellodon henanensis is characterized by its ash grey, light vinaceous grey to light brown pileal surface, thin context in pileus, and the presence of both simple septa and clamp connections on generative hyphae of spines. Phellodon subgriseofuscus is characterized by its fuscous to black pileal surface, white to light brown spines, and vinaceous grey context. Illustrated descriptions and the ecological habits of the novel species are provided.

Morphology and molecular phylogeny reveal five new species of Hydnellum (Bankeraceae, Thelephorales) from China

The genus Hydnellum is a kind of ectomycorrhizal fungi that can play a role in the material cycle by connecting the plant roots to the soil, and some species of Hydnellum are medicinal fungi with vital research value. The species diversity of Hydnellum is unclear in China. In this study, five new species of Hydnellum are described from China based on morphological characters and phylogenetic analyses inferred from two datasets of ITS + LSU and ITS + LSU + SSU + RPB2 sequences. H. chocolatum is characterized by its chocolate basidiomata with the fibrillose, spongy to tomentose pileal surface, and subglobose to globose basidiospores measuring (4.5-)5-6 × 4-5(-5.8) μm. H. concentricum is characterized by its zonate pileal surface, thin context, short stipe, presence of both simple septa and clamp connections in generative hyphae of spines, and subglobose to ellipsoidal basidiospores measuring (3.5-)4-5(-5.2) × (3.2-)3.5-5 μm. H. crassipileatum is characterized by its thick pileus with the reddish brown to grayish brown pileal surface, and subglobose to ellipsoidal basidiospores measuring 4-6(-6.5) × 4-5.5 μm. H. melanocarpum is characterized by its vinaceous brown to black pileus with spongy pileal surface, presence of both simple septa and clamp connections in generative hyphae of spines, and subglobose basidiospores measuring 4.5-5.5(-6) × (3.5-)3.8-5.1 μm. H. radiatum is characterized by its radially aligned stripes on pileal surface, grayish brown context, short stipe, and subglobose to ellipsoidal basidiospores measuring (3.5-)4-5 × 3-4.5(-5) μm. Full descriptions, illustrations, and phylogenetic trees to show the placement of the new species are provided.

Five new species of Inosperma from China: Morphological characteristics, phylogenetic analyses, and toxin detection

Many species of Inosperma cause neurotoxic poisoning in humans after consumption around the world. However, the toxic species of Inosperma and its toxin content remain unclear. In the present study, we proposed five new Inosperma species from China, namely, I. longisporum, I. nivalellum, I. sphaerobulbosum, I. squamulosobrunneum, and I. squamulosohinnuleum. Morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses based on three genes (ITS, nrLSU, rpb2) revealed that these taxa are independent species. A key to 17 species of Inosperma in China is provided. In addition, targeted screening for the most notorious mushroom neurotoxins, muscarine, psilocybin, ibotenic acid, and muscimol, in these five new species was performed by using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Our results show that the neurotoxin contents in these five species varied: I. sphaerobulbosum contains none of the tested neurotoxins; I. nivalellum is muscarine positive; I. longisporum and I. squamulosohinnuleum contain both ibotenic acid and muscimol, and I. squamulosobrunneum only contains muscimol; psilocybin was not detected in these five new species.

Multiple evidences reveal new species and a new record of smelly Gymnopus (Agaricales, Omphalotaceae) from China

Gymnopus sect. Impudicae is a poorly studied group around the world. However, it is well known for its pungent smell-a total of five species from China belonging to sect. Impudicae were recorded, and included four species new to science-G. epiphyllus, G. cystidiosus, G. subdensilamellatus, and G. subpolyphyllus-which were delimited and proposed based on morphological and molecular evidences, and one new record from Henan, Jiangxi, and Gansu Province, China-G. densilamellatus. Detailed descriptions and illustrations were presented as well as comparisons to similar species. Phylogenetic analysis inferred from the ITS and nLSU dataset supported the Gymnopus as a monophyletic genus which was defined by Oliveira et al., and the novel species grouped as separate lineages within it. A Key to the reported species of Gymnopus sect. Impudicae is also provided.

Two new species of Craterellus (Cantharellales, Hydnaceae) with veined hymenophore from north-eastern China

In this contribution to the genus Craterellus in northern China, two new species are introduced: Craterellusconnatus and C.striatus. These species and C.atrobrunneolus, initially described in south-western China, are highly similar and closely related. The species delimitation is molecularly supported by multigene phylogenetic analysis of the nr LSU and tef-1α region. Craterellusconnatus is characterised by its medium-sized basidiomata, greyish-brown and smooth pileus with an off-white margin, the hymenophore with a strongly anastomosing vein, turning khaki upon drying, connate stipe, broad ellipsoid to ellipsoid basidiospores (6.1-7.8 × 4.8-5.9 μm), slender basidia with (2)4-6 sterigmata and the absence of clamp connection. Craterellusstriatus is characterised by its small-sized basidiomata, fibrillose, greyish-brown to yellowish-brown, fully perforated pileus with a brown fringe, the hymenophore with a forking vein, the stipe inflated at the base, broad ellipsoid to ellipsoid basidiospores (6.8-8.0 × 5.1-6.0 μm), 2-6 spored basidia, encrusted hyphae and the absence of clamp connection. Detailed macroscopic and microscopic descriptions, accompanied by illustrations and a taxonomic discussion, are presented. A key to the Chinese Craterellus species is also provided.

A Contribution to Knowledge of Craterellus (Hydnaceae, Cantharellales) in China: Three New Taxa and Amended Descriptions of Two Previous Species

Species of Craterellus (Hydnaceae, Cantharellales) in China are investigated on the basis of morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences from nuc 28S rDNA D1-D2 domains (28S) and nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region. Five species are recognized in China, of which three of them are described as new, viz. C. fulviceps, C. minor, and C. parvopullus, while two of them are previously described taxa, viz. C. aureus, and C. lutescens. A key to the known Chinese taxa of the genus is also provided.

Morphological and Phylogenetic Evidences Reveal Four New Species of Cantharellus Subgenus Cantharellus (Hydnaceae, Cantharellales) From China

Species of Cantharellus subgenus Cantharellus are interesting and important for their mycorrhizal properties, medicinal values, and edibility. In China, there are many undescribed species of the subgenus. In this study, four new species of subg. Cantharellus, viz. Cantharellus albopileatus, Cantharellus chuiweifanii, Cantharellus pinetorus, and Cantharellus ravus from Hainan and Hunan Provinces, respectively, were described based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence as a contribution to the knowledge of the species diversity in China. Detailed descriptions, color photographs of fresh basidiomata, and line drawings of microstructures of these four new species are presented as well as comparisons with related species.

Diversity of Cantharellus (Cantharellales, Basidiomycota) in China with Description of Some New Species and New Records

Cantharellus is a well-known genus of edible mushrooms, belonging to the family Hydnaceae in the class Agaricomycetes. In this study, a phylogenetic overview of Cantharellus subg. Cinnabarinus and C. subg. Parvocantharellus in China is carried out with the description of four new species. Species description are based on morphological characters of basidiomata and phylogenetic analyses of multi-locus dataset of 28S + tef1 + rpb2. Among the new species, two species, C. chrysanthus and C. sinocinnabarinus, belong to C. subg. Cinnabarinus and two new species, C. convexus and C. neopersicinus, belong to C. subg. Parvocantharellus. Species delimitation characters of the new taxa are compared with closely related species. In addition, three new records of Cantharellus are reported for China: C. albovenosus and C. citrinus of subg. Cinnabarinus and C. koreanus of subg. Parvocantharellus. A key to the species of subg. Cinnabarinus in China was provided.