Improving phylogenetic inference of mushrooms with RPB1 and RPB2 nucleotide sequences (Inocybe; Agaricales)

Laetiporus (Laetiporaceae, Basidiomycota) in tropical Africa is represented by a single Afromontane lineage and four species, including Laetiporus discolor, Laetiporus oboensis, sp. nov., Laetiporus tenuiculus, sp. nov., and Laetiporus sp. 1

The tropical African Laetiporus species are revised, based on morphological, ecological, distribution, and phylogenetic data. Laetiporus discolor, originally described from insular Mauritius, is accepted for the species spanning over the African eastern mountain ranges. Laetiporus oboensis and Laetiporus tenuiculus are described as new from the African equatorial insular São Tomé, based on phylogenetic, morphological, and distribution data. Laetiporus oboensis is characterized by compound basidiomes, with densely imbricated pilei in pale orange tint, a lobed margin, 3-4 pores/mm, and basidiospores averaging 4.8 × 3.7 μm. Laetiporus tenuiculus has mostly solitary, small, thin basidiomes, with pale flesh to pale orange pileus, an incised margin, 4-5 pores/mm, and basidiospores averaging 5.4 × 4.2 µm. A fourth species, known from two isolates from Ethiopian highlands, but for which voucher specimens were not available for description, is uncertain. These four species form an African endemic lineage, whose distribution is Afromountainous.

Multi-gene analysis of the Russula crown clade (Russulales, Basidiomycota) revealed six new species and Alboflavinae subsect. nov. from Fagaceae forests in China

Introduction

The crown clade is one of two major groups in the Russula subg. Russula.

Methods/material

An analysis of Chinese samples was performed based on the morphology, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences, and multi-gene phylogenies of 28S nrLSU, 16S mtSSU, rpb1, rpb2, and tef1-α.

Results

The results supported the independence of six new species: Russula alboflava (sect. Amethystinae), R. chrysantha (subsect. Chamaeleontinae), R. liyui (subsect. Laricinae), R. lutescens (subsect. Olivaceinae), R. paraxerampelina, and R. prunicolor (subsect. Xerampelinae) from Fagaceae forest habitats. Subsect. Alboflavinae was newly proposed in sect. Amethystinae. Members of the new subsection include R. alboflava, R. burlinghamiae, and possibly R. ballouii.

Discussion

Our analyses also supported the claim that two species of R. fulvograminea (subsect. Laricinae) and R. subrubens (subsect. Xerampelinae) have a Eurasian distribution. The habitat and primary hosts of the main phylogenetic clades within related subsections were summarized and discussed.

The diversity and taxonomy of Tomentella (Thelephoraceae, Thelephorales) with descriptions of four new species from Southwestern China

Taxonomy plays a central role in understanding the diversity of life, translating the products of biological exploration and discovery specimens and observations into systems of names that settle a "classification home" to taxa. Up to this point, studies on the taxonomy and phylogeny of the basidiomycetous genus Tomentella stemmed mainly from the temperate to boreal zones of the North Hemisphere, but were scarce in tropical Asia. In this study, four new species, viz. Tomentellaolivaceobasidiosa, T.velutina, T.wumenshanensis and T.yunnanensis from China, are described and illustrated based on the morphological characteristics and molecular phylogenetic analyses, in which the sequences of ITS+nLSU+mtSSU+RPB2 genes were used for the phylogenetic analyses using Maximum Likelihood, Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian Inference methods. All the new species can be well recognised by their macroscopical and anatomical characteristics. The four new species, closely related taxa in the phylogenetic tree and morphologically similar species are discussed.

Five New Species of Wood-Decaying Brown-Rot Fungi within Postiaceae (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) from Xinjiang, Northwest China

Brown-rot fungi are an important group of wood-decaying fungi, but there has been limited research on the species diversity of brown-rot fungi in Xinjiang, China. During an investigation of brown-rot fungi in Xinjiang, from July 2018 to July 2023, five new species belonging to the family Postiaceae were discovered based on morphological and molecular evidence. Amaropostia altaiensis is characterized by a conchate pileus, circular pores (5-8 per mm), and growing on Populus. Amaropostia tianshanensis is characterized by a flabelliform-to-conchate pileus, angular pores (5-6 per mm), and growing on Picfea. Cyanosporus latisporus is characterized by a hirsute and dark greyish blue pileal surface with fresh, larger pores (3-6 per mm) and broad basidiospores (4.3-5.9 × 1.4-2 µm). Cyanosporus tianshanensis is characterized by a smooth and white-to-cream pileal surface with fresh, smaller pores (6-9 per mm). Osteina altaiensis is characterized by a light mouse-grey-to-honey-yellow pileal surface, smaller pores (4-6 per mm), and slightly wide basidiospores (5-6 × 1.7-2.2 µm). Each of these five new species form independent lineages in phylogenetic analyses based on the seven gene loci (ITS + nLSU + nSSU + mtSSU + TEF1 + RPB1 + RPB2). This research enriches the diversity of brown-rot fungi species, while also demonstrating the substantial discovery potential and research value of brown-rot fungi in Xinjiang.

A new and threatened species of Bondarzewia from the Brazilian cloud forests

A new and threatened polypore species, Bondarzewia loguerciae, is described from the cloud forests of southern Brazil. It is characterized by single-pileate basidiomata that grow on dead branches and along living stems of standing trunks and present a context with dark lines and resinous tubes. When growing in axenic culture, this species also develops chlamydospores. We provide an illustrated morphological description and molecular analysis. Our specimens from Brazil form a monophyletic group among other species of the Southern Hemisphere. The conservation status of B. loguerciae is assessed and published as "Critically Endangered" based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature  (IUCN) criteria. Additionally, a key to the species is provided.

Three new species of Cyanosporus (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) from China

Cyanosporus is a cosmopolitan genus characterized by effused-reflexed to pileate basidiomata with a bluish tint and allantoid to cylindrical basidiospores which are negative to weakly positive in Melzer's reagent and Cotton Blue, causing a brown rot. Three new species of Cyanosporus, namely, C.linzhiensis, C.miscanthi and C.tabuliformis are described and illustrated. Phylogenies on Cyanosporus are reconstructed with seven loci DNA sequences including ITS, nLSU, nSSU, mtSSU, RPB1, RPB2 and TEF1 based on phylogenetic analyses combined with morphological examination. The description for the new species is given. The main morphological characteristics of all 38 accepted species in Cyanosporus are summarized.

Taxonomic Re-Evaluation of the Genus Fuscoporia in the Republic of Korea Including Three Unrecorded Species

The genus Fuscoporia (Hymenochaetaceae, Basidiomycota) comprises poroid white-rot fungi characterized by dark brown hymenial setae, a dimitic hyphal system, and encrusted generative hyphae. Despite the ecological and commercial significance of Fuscoporia species, their identification has been challenging owing to their morphological overlap with other genera of Hymenochaetaceae and to the limited resolution of nuclear ribosomal DNA markers. With the advances in molecular research, Fuscoporia has been revised to include species from Inonotus sensu lato and Phellinus sensu lato, and 71 new species have been reported over the past decade. In Korea, a comprehensive taxonomic study elucidating the true diversity of Fuscoporia is yet to be conducted. Among the 11 Fuscoporia species reported in Korea, two were identified solely based on morphological characteristics, and four were identified based on nuclear ribosomal DNA regions, which have limited resolution for species identification in Fuscoporia. To investigate the current status of Fuscoporia species native to Korea, we conducted a phylogenetic study using four genetic markers (ITS + nrLSU + RPB2 + TEF1), along with morphological characteristics, and re-analyzed the GenBank records deposited from Korea. Ten Fuscoporia species were identified, including three previously unrecorded species. A detailed description of the unrecorded species and a list of proposed Korean names for all Fuscoporia species in Korea are provided. This study will guide further taxonomic and applied research of Fuscoporia by providing a species identification key and a verified multigenetic database, in addition to confirming the sequences in public database.

Three new species of Laccaria (Agaricales, Basidiomycota) from Southwest China (Yunnan) based on morphological and multi-gene sequence data

Introduction

The genus Laccaria has been reported from temperate and tropical areas and is an important constituent in forest ecosystems. However, the species diversity of Laccaria in Southwest China (Yunnan) has been underestimated.

Methods

In this paper, descriptions based on morphological and multi-gene sequence data from internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, large subunit ribosomal RNA gene (nrLSU), translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF1α) and the polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2) of three new Laccaria species from Southwest China (Yunnan) are reported.

Results

Two of these were characterized by orange pileus and globose to subglobose basidiospores: L. cinnabarina and L. spinulosa. While L. cinnabarina has orange red colored basidiocarps with conspicuously pellucid-striate pattern, and a fibrillose stipe with longitudinally striations, L. spinulosa has a brownish orange to brown fruiting body with light white pruinae and 2-spored basidia. Laccaria longistriata is characterized by brown to flesh-colored basidioma, prominently striate to sulcate pileus and globose to subglobose basidiospores.

Discussion

The three new species were described, illustrated and compared with closely related species in morphology and phylogeny.

Three new Melanogaster species (Boletales, Paxillaceae) from southwestern China based on morphological and molecular evidence

Three newly discovered Melanogaster species, namely M.cyaneus, M.diqingensis, and M.truncatisporus, are introduced and illustrated based on both morphological and molecular data from Sichuan and Yunnan provinces in China. A multigene phylogenetic analysis (nrITS, nrLSU, and rpb2) was performed mainly to verify the placement of the new species in Melanogaster. A second, nrITS-only phylogenetic analysis comprising more Melanogaster species for which only ITS sequences were available, was used to infer the relationship between the new species and as many known Melanogaster species as possible. Specimens of M.cyaneus, M.diqingensis, and M.truncatisporus formed three independent clades in a phylogenetic tree inferred from the ITS data set. The robust support from ITS for these clades and genetic similarity with other species being lower than 93.2% suggest that these three species are indeed distinct from the other Melanogaster species in the phylogeny. Morphologically, M.cyaneus is characterized by its blue or bluish gleba, light brown to yellowish brown peridium, and subglobose to globose basidiospores, 6.2-15 × 4.6-9.0 μm. Melanogasterdiqingensis is distinguished from other Melanogaster species by its pale yellow to brown-yellow peridium and obovate to subglobose basidiospores, 3.0-5.1 × 2.0-4.0 μm. Melanogastertruncatisporus is diagnosed by its subglobose to globose or irregularly elongate-pyriform basidiomata, pale yellow to deeply orange-yellow peridium, and subglobose to globose or pyriform, truncate basidiospores. Additionally, infrageneric classification based on the number of peridium layers, the average thickness of the peridium, and the average length and width of basidiospores was tested with M.cyaneus, M.diqingensis, and M.truncatisporus. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant (OPLS-DA) analysis placed the three new species within the Melanogaster, Rivulares, and Variegati sections, respectively. However, the morphologically circumscribed sections were not monophyletic in the phylogenetic tree. Therefore, the current infrageneric classification should be abandoned.

Alternaria alternata Pathogen from Cuscuta japonica Could Serve as a Potential Bioherbicide

Dodder (Cuscuta spp.) is a dangerous parasitic plant that causes serious damage to crop production and is challenging to eliminate. Herbicide application is a common strategy to control dodder in the field, but it is costly, ineffective, and further results in hazardous outcomes. Therefore, our study aims to identify the potential pathogens in naturally occurring dodder infections which may provide efficient biocontrol options. In this regard, the pathogens were isolated from the infected plants, their pathogenicity was validated through inoculation, and the optimal culture conditions for their growth were identified by determining the pathogenicity difference. The pathogenicity range was determined in vitro using the leaves of common horticultural plants and crops. Furthermore, a small range of horticultural plants parasitized by Cuscuta reflexa in the field were inoculated with the pathogen to determine their biosafety and biocontrol potential, and the pathogens were identified by morphological and molecular characterization. We found 7 strains that were isolated after pathogen enrichment culture. Among them, Cbp6 and Cbp7 showed the highest pathogenicity against C. reflexa. After testing the inoculation of more than 50 species of plants, only 9 species showed varying degrees of lesions on leaves, which proved the high biosafety for common plants. Field spraying of these pathogens showed a good control effect on C. reflexa after 21 days; the disease severityreached 66.0%, while its host plant did not display obvious symptoms. In conclusion, the pathogens Cbp6 and Cbp7 were identified as Alternaria alternata, and the results of this study provide a theoretical basis for the biological control of dodder.

Four new species of Russulasubsect.Cyanoxanthinae from China (Russulales, Russulaceae)

Four new species of Russulasubsect.Cyanoxanthinae, viz. Russulaatrochermesina Y.L. Chen & J.F. Liang, R.lavandula Y.L. Chen, B. Chen & J.F. Liang, R.lilaceofusca Y.L. Chen & J.F. Liang and R.perviridis Y.L. Chen, B. Chen & J.F. Liang, from China are proposed, based on morphological and molecular evidence. Russulaatrochermesina can be distinguished by its violet pileus with tuberculate-striate margin, distant lamellae that stain greyish-yellow when bruised, basidiospores ornamented by isolated warts, wide hymenial cystidia on lamellae edges, cystidia content negative reaction in sulphovanillin and branched subterminal cells in pileipellis. Russulalavandula has a purplish-white to violet red pileus with a yellow centre, frequently present lamellulae and furcations, stipe often with pale yellow near the base, isolated basidiospores ornamentation and unbranched cuticular hyphal terminations, while R.lilaceofusca is characterised by its lilac brown to dark brown pileus, crowded lamellae with lamellulae and furcations, stipe often turning reddish-yellow when bruised, subreticulate basidiospores ornamentation and clavate hymenial cystidia often with capitate appendage whose contents that change to reddish-black in sulphovanillin. Russulaperviridis is characterised by its large basidiomata, smooth pileus surface, frequently present lamellulae and furcations, stipe with yellow-brown tinge, globose to broadly ellipsoid basidiospores with subreticulate ornamentation, long hymenial cystidia that turn greyish-black in sulphovanillin and symbiotic with Quercussemecarpifolia. Phylogenetic analyses, based on multi-gene ITS+LSU+mtSSU+rpb2, indicate that R.atrochermesina, R.lavandula, R.lilaceofusca and R.perviridis are closely related to R.pallidirosea and R.purpureorosea, R.banwatchanensis, R.lakhanpalii and R.nigrovirens, respectively.

Phylogenetic Assessment of Understudied Families in Hymenochaetales (Basidiomycota, Fungi)-Reporting Uncovered Species and Reflecting the Recent Taxonomic Updates in the Republic of Korea

Hymenochaetales Oberw. is an order classified in Basidiomycota of Fungi, and species in this order display notable diversity. They exhibit various fruiting body shapes, including clavarioid, effused-reflexed, and resupinate basidiomes. Few mycorrhizal species have been reported in Hymenochaetales, but wood-decaying species dominate the order. Hymenochaetaceae Imazeki & Toki and Schizoporaceae Jülich are the most species-rich families within Hymenochaetales, and most species in the Republic of Korea belong to these two families. As such, current taxonomic classification and nomenclature are not reflected upon species in the remaining Hymenochaetales families. For this study, a multifaceted morphological and multigenetic marker-based phylogenetic investigation was conducted to, firstly, comprehensively identify understudied Hymenochaetales specimens in Korea and, secondly, reflect the updates on the species classification. Five genetic markers were assessed for the phylogenetic analysis: nuclear small subunit ribosomal DNA (nSSU), internal transcribed spacer (ITS), nuclear large subunit ribosomal DNA (nLSU), RNA polymerase II subunit 2 gene (RPB2), and translation elongation factor 1 gene (TEF1). The results from phylogenetic analysis supported 18 species classified under eight families (excluding Hymenochaetaceae and Schizoporaceae) in Korea. Species formerly placed in Rickenellaceae and Trichaptum sensu lato have been systematically revised based on recent taxonomic reconstructions. In addition, our findings revealed one new species, Rickenella umbelliformis, and identified five formerly nationally unreported species classified under five understudied families. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of Hymenochaetales diversity and highlight the need for continued research.

A Taxonomic and Phylogenetic Contribution on Inosperma Section Inosperma (Agaricales, Inocybaceae) in Europe: Calamistratum and Geraniodorum Groups

The aim of this study is to carry out a taxonomic revision of the groups Calamistratum and Geraniodorum of the genus Inosperma sect. Inosperma in Europe. For this purpose, a multigenic phylogenetic analysis was carried out using the ITS, LSU, RPB1 and RPB2 markers, covering a total of 111 sequences, including those generated from the existing type-material collections. This analysis led to the recognition of nine clades or terminal groups for the European continent, correlating with nine morphological species. Three of them, I. calamistratum, I. neohirsutum sp. nov. and I. turietoense sp. nov., are distributed in humid and temperate forests, whereas I. geminum sp. nov., I. geraniodorum, I. gracilentum sp. nov., I. praetermissum comb. nov., I. subhirsutum and I. veliferum seem to be restricted to the colder altimontane, boreal and alpine climates. It is concluded that the study of morphological and ecological characteristics allows the recognition of species without the need for an often-subjective interpretation of organoleptic characteristics. Inocybe hirsuta is considered a synonym of Inosperma calamistratum, Inosperma praetermissum as a different species from I. calamistratum, and Inocybe geraniodora var. gracilenta f. salicis-herbaceae as a synonym of I. praetermissum. Four new species and one new combination are proposed. A key for the recognition of the European species is provided. Illustrations and photographs of macro- and micromorphological characters and SEM spores of all species are presented.

Leaf litter from Cynanchum auriculatum Royle ex Wight leads to root rot outbreaks by Fusarium solani, hindering continuous cropping

Cynanchum auriculatum Royle ex Wight (CA) is experiencing challenges with continuous cropping obstacle (CCO) due to soil-borne fungal pathogens. The leaf litter from CA is regularly incorporated into the soil after root harvesting, but the impact of this practice on pathogen outbreaks remains uncertain. In this study, a fungal strain D1, identified as Fusarium solani, was isolated and confirmed as a potential factor in CCO. Both leave extract (LE) and root extract (RE) were found to inhibit seed germination and the activities of plant defense-related enzymes. The combinations of extracts and D1 exacerbated these negative effects. Beyond promoting the proliferation of D1 in soil, the extracts also enhanced the hypha weight, spore number, and spore germination rate of D1. Compared to RE, LE exhibited a greater degree of promotion in the activities of pathogenesis-related enzymes in D1. Additionally, caffeic acid and ferulic acid were identified as potential active compounds. LE, particularly in combination with D1, induced a shift in the composition of fungal communities rather than bacterial communities. These findings indicate that the water extract of leaf litter stimulated the growth and proliferation of fungal strain D1, thereby augmenting its pathogenicity toward CA and ultimately contributing to the CCO process.

Morphological and phylogenetic analyses reveal five new species of Porotheleaceae (Agaricales, Basidiomycota) from China

The first occurrence of Marasmiellomycena and Pulverulina in the Chinese mycobiota are reported, M.tomentosa and P.flavoalba, two new species and M.albodescendens, a new combination, revealed by phylogenetic analyses and morphological study. These newly-recorded genera, Marasmiellomycena, which can be distinguished by their agaricoid basidiomata, dark-coloured stipe, sarcodimitic tramal structure, stipitipellis with yellow to yellowish-brown pigments and yellow-pigmented thick-walled caulocystidia and Pulverulina, which differs from other genera of Porotheleaceae by its pruinose stipe, decurrent lamellae, inamyloid basidiospores and absence of hymenial cystidia. We also formally describe three other new species of Porotheleaceae collected from Chinese temperate to subtropical zones of Fujian and Zhejiang Provinces: Clitocybulafuscostriata, Gerronemabrunneosquamulosum and Leucoinocybesubglobispora. Furthermore, we include the results of a phylogenetic analysis of Porotheleaceae, based on a multi-locus (ITS, nrLSU and rpb2) dataset. According to this analysis, Chrysomycena, Clitocybula, Delicatula, Hydropodia, Hydropus, Leucoinocybe, Marasmiellomycena, Megacollybia, Pulverulina, Trogia and Vizzinia are monophyletic. However, Gerronema is identified as polyphyletic and, additionally, Porotheleum does not form a monophyletic group either because Porotheleumparvulum and Porotheleumalbidum are "unassigned" in phylogenetic analysis. The results of our phylogenetic analyses, coupled with morphological observations, confirm recognition of these new taxa. Morphological descriptions, photographs, line drawings and comparisons with closely-related taxa are presented for the new species. A key to the 22 species belonging to nine genera of Porotheleaceae in China is also provided.

Concordance of multigene genealogy along with morphological evidence unveils five novel species and two new records of boletoid mushrooms (fungi) from India

Agaricales, Russulales and Boletales are dominant orders among the wild mushrooms in Basidiomycota. Boletaceae, one of the major functional elements in terrestrial ecosystem and mostly represented by ectomycorrhizal symbionts of trees in Indian Himalaya and adjoining hills, are extraordinarily diverse and represented by numerous genera and species which are unexplored or poorly known. Therefore, their hidden diversity is yet to be revealed. Extensive macrofungal exploration by the authors to different parts of Himalaya and surroundings, followed by through morphological studies and multigene molecular phylogeny lead to the discovery of five new species of wild mushrooms: Leccinellum bothii sp. nov., Phylloporus himalayanus sp. nov., Phylloporus smithii sp. nov., Porphyrellus uttarakhandae sp. nov., and Retiboletus pseudoater sp. nov. Present communication deals with morphological details coupled with illustrations and phylogenetic inferences. Besides, Leccinellum sinoaurantiacum and Xerocomus rugosellus are also reported for the first time from this country.

Four new species of Cystolepiota (Agaricaceae, Agaricales) from northeastern China

Cystolepiota is a tiny lepiotaceous fungi. During our 3 years fieldwork, we found four new species of Cystolepiota from northeastern China. A phylogenetic study of a combined dataset of ITS+nrLSU+rpb2+tef1-α revealed that Cystolepiota changbaishanensis and Cystolepiota hetieri are sister clades; Cystolepiota hongshiensis belongs to Cystolepiota seminuda complex; Cystolepiota luteosquamulosa formed a clade not closely related with any other; Cystolepiota nivalis and Cystolepiota sp. (HMJAU68235) formed a sister clade. All new species are provided with descriptions, photos of the basidiomata, and colored illustrations of the microstructures. A key for the identification of Cystolepiota species from China is also presented.

Multi-gene phylogeny and morphological characters reveal seven new species of Micropsalliota (Agaricales, Agaricaceae) from southern China, with an updated key for the species distributed in China

Species of Micropsalliota generally grow in the tropics and are characterised by small, slender basidiomes, brown basidiospores, and cheilocystidia that vary in shape with capitate or subcapitate apex, and pigmented pileipellis. Based on morphological characters and molecular evidence, here we describe seven new species from southern China, viz. Micropsalliota ferruginea, M. fimbriata, M. gigaspora, M. longicystis, M. nana, M. squarrosa, and M. umbonata. Micropsalliota appendiculata, a species recently described from Vietnam, was first recorded in China. The Maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses based on multi-locus sequence datasets (the nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer region ITS1-5.8S-ITS2, nrITS; the D1-D2 domains of nuc 28S rDNA, LSU; partial sequences of the most variable region of the second-largest subunit of RNA polymerase II, rpb2, and a portion of the translation-elongation factor 1-α, tef1) shows that the genus is separated into 11 major clades and subclades. To aid in diagnosis, a key to 32 species of Micropsalliota in China is provided.

Amanita satotamagotake sp. nov., a cryptic species formerly included in Amanita caesareoides

We evaluated the inclusion of a cryptic species in a Japanese Amanita caesareoides population. We sampled A. caesareoides specimens under various vegetation and climate conditions, and then conducted phylogenetic analyses on sequences from seven loci. The A. caesareoides specimens showed two distinct groups, except when the ITS phylogeny was considered. These two phylogroups showed different distributions: subalpine-cool temperate and temperate-subtropical areas. Although these two phylogroups overlapped in terms of basidiospore size, the latter tended to exhibit smaller basidiospores. In addition, only the former showed mycelial growth on nutrient agar. Based on these phylo-morpho-ecophysiological characteristics, we separated the specimens labeled with the name A. caesareoides into two species. As the lectotype of A. caesareoides showed similarity to the former by DNA analysis, the latter was described as a new species, namely A. satotamagotake. Based on the geographic patterns of the two species, A. satotamagotake may have invaded the natural habit of A. caesareoides because of global warming.

Rostrupomyces, a new genus to accommodate Xerocomussisongkhramensis, and a new Hemileccinum species (Xerocomoideae, Boletaceae) from Thailand

A new genus, Rostrupomyces is established to accommodate Xerocomussisongkhramensis based on multiple protein-coding genes (atp6, cox3, tef1, and rpb2) analyses of a wide taxon sampling of Boletaceae. In our phylogeny, the new genus was sister to Rubinosporus in subfamily Xerocomoideae, phylogenetically distant from Xerocomus, which was highly supported as sister to Phylloporus in the same subfamily Xerocomoideae. Rostrupomyces is different from other genera in Boletaceae by the following combination of characters: rugulose to subrugulose pileus surface, white pores when young becoming pale yellow in age, subscabrous stipe surface scattered with granulose squamules, white basal mycelium, unchanging color in any parts, yellowish brown spore print, and broadly ellipsoid to ellipsoid, smooth basidiospores. In addition, Hemileccinuminferius, also from subfamily Xerocomoideae, is newly described. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of the new genus and new species are presented.

Three new species in Russula subsection Xerampelinae supported by genealogical and phenotypic coherence

Xerampelinae is a subsection composed of species of ectomycorrhizal fungi belonging to the hyperdiverse and cosmopolitan genus Russula (Russulales). Species of Xerampelinae are recognized by their fishy or shrimp odor, browning context, and a green reaction to iron sulfate. However, species delimitation has traditionally relied on morphology and analysis of limited molecular data. Prior taxonomic work in Xerampelinae has led to the description of as many as 59 taxa in Europe and 19 in North America. Here we provide the first multilocus phylogeny of European and North American members based on two nrDNA loci and two protein-coding genes. The resulting phylogeny supports the recognition of 17 species-rank Xerampelinae clades; however, higher species richness (~23) is suggested by a more inclusive nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacer region ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS barcode) analysis. Phylogenetic and morphological analyses support three new species with restricted geographic distributions: R. lapponica, R. neopascua, and R. olympiana. We confirm that the European species R. subrubens is present in North America and the North American species R. serissima (previously known as R. favrei) is present in Europe. Most other Xerampelinae appear restricted to either North America or Eurasia, which indicates a high degree of regional endemism; this includes R. xerampelina, a name widely applied to North American taxa, but a species restricted to Eurasia.

Trichoderma afroharzianum TRI07 metabolites inhibit Alternaria alternata growth and induce tomato defense-related enzymes

Identifying a viable substitute for the limited array of current antifungal agents stands as a crucial objective in modern agriculture. Consequently, extensive worldwide research has been undertaken to unveil eco-friendly and effective agents capable of controlling pathogens resistant to the presently employed fungicides. This study explores the efficacy of Trichoderma isolates in combating tomato leaf spot disease, primarily caused by Alternaria alternata. The identified pathogen, A. alternata Alt3, was isolated and confirmed through the ITS region (OQ888806). Six Trichoderma isolates were assessed for their ability to inhibit Alt3 hyphal growth using dual culture, ethyl acetate extract, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) techniques. The most promising biocontrol isolate was identified as T. afroharzianum isolate TRI07 based on three markers: ITS region (OQ820171), translation elongation factor alpha 1 gene (OR125580), and RNA polymerase II subunit gene (OR125581). The ethyl acetate extract of TRI07 isolate was subjected to GC-MS analysis, revealing spathulenol, triacetin, and aspartame as the main compounds, with percentages of 28.90, 14.03, and 12.97%, respectively. Analysis of TRI07-VOCs by solid-phase microextraction technique indicated that the most abundant compounds included ethanol, hydroperoxide, 1-methylhexyl, and 1-octen-3-one. When TRI07 interacted with Alt3, 34 compounds were identified, with major components including 1-octen-3-one, ethanol, and hexanedioic acid, bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester. In greenhouse experiment, the treatment of TRI07 48 h before inoculation with A. alternata (A3 treatment) resulted in a reduction in disease severity (16.66%) and incidence (44.44%). Furthermore, A3 treatment led to improved tomato growth performance parameters and increased chlorophyll content. After 21 days post-inoculation, A3 treatment was associated with increased production of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, POD, SOD, and PPO), while infected tomato plants exhibited elevated levels of oxidative stress markers MDA and H2O2. HPLC analysis of tomato leaf extracts from A3 treatment revealed higher levels of phenolic acids such as gallic, chlorogenic, caffeic, syringic, and coumaric acids, as well as flavonoid compounds including catechin, rutin, and vanillin. The novelty lies in bridging the gap between strain-specific attributes and practical application, enhancing the understanding of TRI07's potential for integrated pest management. This study concludes that TRI07 isolate presents potential natural compounds with biological activity, effectively controlling tomato leaf spot disease and promoting tomato plant growth. The findings have practical implications for agriculture, suggesting a sustainable biocontrol strategy that can enhance crop resilience and contribute to integrated pest management practices.

Phylogenetic and Taxonomic Analyses Reveal Three New Wood-Inhabiting Fungi (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) in China

Three new wood-inhabiting fungal species, Cerioporus yunnanensis, Perenniporiopsis sinensis, and Sarcoporia yunnanensis, are proposed based on a combination of the morphological features and molecular evidence. Cerioporus yunnanensis is characterized by the pileate basidiomata having a fawn brown to black pileal surface, a dimitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae, and the presence of the fusoid cystidioles and cylindrical basidiospores (9-12.5 × 3.5-5 µm). Perenniporiopsis sinensis is distinct from the osseous pileus with verrucose, an orange-yellow to dark reddish-brown pileal surface with a cream margin, a trimitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae, and the presence of the fusiform cystidioles and ellipsoid basidiospores (9-11 × 5.5-6.5 µm). Sarcoporia yunnanensis is typical of the pileate basidiomata with a salmon to reddish-brown pileal surface, a monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae, and the presence of the ellipsoid basidiospores (4-5.5 × 2.5-4 µm). Sequences of ITS + nLSU + mt-SSU + TEF1 + RPB1 + RPB2 genes were used for the phylogenetic analyses using maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian inference methods. The multiple genes with six loci analysis showed that the three new species nested within the order Polyporales, in which C. yunnanensis and P. sinensis nested into the family Polyporaceae, and S. yunnanensis grouped into the family Sarcoporiaceae.

Rare but widespread: A systematic revision of the truffle-forming genera Destuntzia and Kjeldsenia and the formation of a new genus, Hosakaea

Here we present the results of taxonomic and systematic study of the rare truffle-forming genera Destuntzia and Kjeldsenia. Truffle-forming fungi are difficult to study due to their reduced morphological features and their cryptic, hypogeous fruiting habits. The rare occurrence of Destuntzia and Kjeldsenia further compounds these difficulties due to the lack of adequate material for study. Recent forays in North Carolina and Tennessee recovered new specimens of another rarely collected fungus, Octaviania purpurea. Morphological and phylogenetic analysis revealed that Octaviania purpurea is a member of the genus Destuntzia, and this led us to reevaluate the taxonomic status and systematic relationships of other Destuntzia species. We performed a multilocus phylogenetic analysis of Destuntzia specimens deposited in public fungaria, including all available type material, and environmental sequences from animal scat and soil. Our analyses indicate that Destuntzia is a member of the family Claustulaceae within the order Phallales and is a close relative of Kjeldsenia. Results of our phylogenetic analysis infer that three species originally described in the genus Destuntzia are members of the genus Kjeldsenia. We propose three new combinations in Kjeldsenia to accommodate these species as well as a new combination in Destuntzia to accommodate Octaviania purpurea. We also describe a new genus in Claustulaceae, Hosakaea, to accommodate a closely affiliated species, Octaviania violascens. Finally, we transfer the genus Destunzia into the family Claustulaceae and emend the description of the family. The newly proposed combinations in Destuntzia and Kjeldsenia significantly expand the known geographic ranges of both genera. The data from metabarcode analysis of scat and soil also reveal several additional undescribed species that expand these ranges well beyond those suggested by basidiomata collections. Systematic placement of Destuntzia in the saprotrophic order Phallales suggests that this genus is not ectomycorrhizal, and the ecological implications of this systematic revision are discussed.

PacBio high-throughput multi-locus sequencing reveals high genetic diversity in mushroom-forming fungi

Multi-locus sequence data are widely used in fungal systematic and taxonomic studies to delimit species and infer evolutionary relationships. We developed and assessed the efficacy of a multi-locus pooled sequencing method using PacBio long-read high-throughput sequencing. Samples included fresh and dried voucher specimens, cultures and archival DNA extracts of Agaricomycetes with an emphasis on the order Cantharellales. Of the 283 specimens sequenced, 93.6% successfully amplified at one or more loci with a mean of 3.3 loci amplified. Our method recovered multiple sequence variants representing alleles of rDNA loci and single copy protein-coding genes rpb1, rpb2 and tef1. Within-sample genetic variation differed by locus and taxonomic group, with the greatest genetic divergence observed among sequence variants of rpb2 and tef1 from corticioid Cantharellales. Our method is a cost-effective approach for generating accurate multi-locus sequence data coupled with recovery of alleles from polymorphic samples and multi-organism specimens. These results have important implications for understanding intra-individual genomic variation among genetic loci commonly used in species delimitation of fungi.

Two new species of Inocybe from Mediterranean Cistaceae heathlands

This study explored a heathland region in Portugal, and through morphology, biogeography, and multilocus phylogeny, two new species of Inocybaceae are described. The first species, Inocybe iberilepora, belongs to "I. flocculosa group," whereas the second species, Inocybe phaeosquamosa, belongs to a relatively isolated and understudied clade, distantly related to I. furfurea and allies. Both species are tied to a west Mediterranean distribution and ecology, associating with the local Cistaceae ecosystems. By characterizing these new species, our research contributes to the understanding of European Funga and enriches the knowledge of the genus Inocybe on a global scale.

Umbellaceae fam. nov. (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota) for Umbellus sinensis gen. et sp. nov. and Three New Combinations

Hymenochaetales, belonging to Agaricomycetes, Basidiomycota, comprises most polypores and corticioid fungi and, also, a few agarics. The latest taxonomic framework accepts 14 families in this order. When further exploring species diversity of Hymenochaetales, two corticioid specimens collected from China producing cystidia with large umbrella-shaped crystalline heads attracted our attention. This kind of cystidia was reported only in three unsequenced species, viz. Tubulicrinis corneri, T. hamatus and T. umbraculus, which were accepted in Tubulicrinaceae, Hymenochaetales. The current multilocus-based phylogeny supports that the two Chinese specimens formed an independent lineage from Tubulicrinaceae as well as the additional 13 families and all sampled genera in Hymenochaetales. Therefore, a monotypic family, Umbellaceae, is newly described with the new genus Umbellus as the type genus to represent this lineage. The two Chinese specimens are newly described as U. sinensis, which differs from T. corneri, T. hamatus, and T. umbraculus in a combination of a smooth to grandinioid hymenophoral surface, not flattened, broadly ellipsoid basidiospores with a tiny apiculus, and growth on angiosperm wood. Due to the presence of the unique cystidia, the three species of Tubulicrinis, even though they lack available molecular sequences, are transferred to Umbellus as U. corneri, U. hamatus, and U. umbraculus. Hereafter, all known species with large umbrella-shaped crystalline-headed cystidia are in a single genus. In summary, the current study provides a supplement to the latest taxonomic framework of Hymenochaetales and will help to further explore species diversity and the evolution of this fungal order.

Morphology and Molecular Phylogeny Reveal Five New Species of Laccaria (Hydnangiaceae, Agaricales) from Southern China

The genus Laccaria is a type of cosmopolitan and ecologically important fungal group. Members can form ectomycorrhizal associations with numerous trees, and some species are common edible fungi in local markets. Although some new species from China are recently published, the species diversity of Laccaria is still unclear in China. In this study, some samples of Laccaria were collected from southern China, and morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses based on the multilocus dataset of ITS-LSU-tef1-rpb2 confirmed five new species. Laccaria miniata, L. nanlingensis and L. neovinaceoavellanea were collected from subtropical broad-leaved forests, and L. rufobrunnea and L. umbilicata were collected from subtropical mixed forests of southwest China. Full descriptions, illustrations, comparisons with similar species and phylogenetic analysis are provided.

Phylogenetic analysis, morphological studies, element profiling, and muscarine detection reveal a new toxic Inosperma (Inocybaceae, Agaricales) species from tropical China

Tropical Asian collections of Inosperma are usually poisonous mushrooms that have caused many poisoning incidents. However, the species diversity and the toxic mechanisms of these Inosperma species are still unclear. In this study, we describe the discovery of Inosperma wuzhishanense sp. nov. from Wuzhishan City, Hainan Province, tropical China. The new species was identified based on morphological and multi-locus (ITS, nrLSU, and RPB2) phylogenetic analyses. The new species is characterized by its reddish-brown pileus, fibrillose stipes with finely protruding fibrils, rather crowded lamellae, smooth and ellipsoid basidiospores, and mostly clavate, thin-walled cheilocystidia. The new species is phylogenetically nested in the Old World tropical clade 2 and is sister to the tropical Indian taxa I. akirnum. Detailed descriptions, color photos of the new species, and comparisons with its closely related species are provided. Additionally, the muscarine content of the new species was analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). The muscarine contents ranged from 4,359.79 ± 83.87 mg/kg to 7,114.03 ± 76.55 mg/kg, 2,748.37 ± 106.85 mg/kg to 4,491.35 ± 467.21 mg/kg, and 2,301.36 ± 83.52 mg/kg to 2,775.90 ± 205.624 mg/kg in the stipe, pileus, and lamellae, respectively. The elemental composition and concentration were determined using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). A total of 24 elements were detected. Among the heavy metals detected, arsenic showed the highest level of toxicity with a concentration of 36.76 ± 0.43 mg/kg.

Four new species of Russula from the Xizang Autonomous Region and other provinces of China

Russula is the largest genus in the Russulales and is widespread throughout the world. Almost all Russula species are known to be ectomycorrhizal with high ecological and edible values, and some are lethal poisonous. In this study, four new species belonging to the subgenus Russula crown clade are identified based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence from the Xizang Autonomous Region and other provinces of China. Morphologically, Russula paragraveolens (sect. Polychromae, subsect. Xerampelinae) is mainly characterised by a cherry red to blood red pileus centre, a reddish orange pileus margin; R. pseudograveolens (sect. Polychromae, subsect. Xerampelinae) is characterised by a violet brown to brownish red pileus centre, a pale red to pastel red pileus margin and short basidia; R. shigatseensis (sect. Flavisiccantes, subsect. Lepidinae) is characterised by a brownish orange to madder red pileus centre, pinkish red pileus margin, and having lateral branches or branches of hyphal terminations in pileipellis; R. yadongensis (sect. Tenellae, subsect. Laricinae) is characterised by a dark purplish red pileus centre with brownish purple tints and having isolated to clustered spines of spore ornamentations. Their distinct taxonomic status is confirmed by the positions of the four new species in both the ITS and 4-locus (nucLSU, mtSSU, rpb2, tef1) phylogenetic trees.

A phylogeny for North American Mallocybe (Inocybaceae) and taxonomic revision of eastern North American taxa

A multigene phylogenetic assessment of North American species of Mallocybe is presented based on analyses of rpb1, rpb2, ITS, and 28S rDNA nucleotide data. This framework enables a systematic revision of the genus for 16 eastern North American species and captures taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity in a global context. A grade of two unusual and poorly known North American species stems from the most recent common ancestor of the genus that gives rise to three core subgroups named here as clades Unicolores, Nothosperma, and Mallocybe. The grade of taxa includes the poorly known Lepista praevillosa from Florida and a new species from the southern Appalachians, M. montana, both of which appear to be narrow-range endemics. Clade Nothosperma is characterized by Australian and New Zealand species, whereas clade Unicolores is composed of six species from eastern North America and East Asia. Clade Mallocybe is dominated by numerous north temperate taxa and constitutes the sister group to clade Nothosperma. These major clades are distinguished by a combination of phylogeny, morphology, geographic distribution, and ecology. In addition, four North American species are described as new: M. leucothrix, M. luteobasis, M. montana, and M. tomentella. Several names originating in North America, long ignored or misunderstood in the literature, are revitalized and established by type comparisons and modern reference material collected from or near type localities. In addition, 11 species were subjected to mass spectrometry muscarine assays, none of which contained detectable amounts of muscarine except for two: M. sabulosa and M. praevillosa. This confirms a diffuse phylogenetic distribution of muscarine within the genus. Taxonomic descriptions are presented for 16 species, several synonymies proposed, and four new combinations made. A key to species of eastern North American Mallocybe is presented, along with illustrations of important diagnostic features. Citation: Matheny PB, Kudzma LV, Graddy MG, Mardini SM, Noffsinger CR, Swenie RA, Walker NC, Campagna SR, Halling R, Lebeuf R, Kuo M, Lewis DP, Smith ME, Tabassum M, Trudell SA, Vauras J (2023). A phylogeny for North American Mallocybe (Inocybaceae) and taxonomic revision of eastern North American taxa. Fungal Systematics and Evolution 12: 153-201. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2023.12.09.

Molecular Systematics and Taxonomic Analyses of Three New Wood-Inhabiting Fungi of Hyphoderma (Hyphodermataceae, Basidiomycota)

In this present study, three new wood-inhabiting fungal taxa, Hyphoderma niveomarginatum, H. sordidum and H. weishanense, are proposed. Hyphoderma niveomarginatum is characterized by the ceraceous basidiomata having a smooth, cracking hymenial surface and the presence of the moniliform cystidia and ellipsoid basidiospores (7-9 × 3.5-5 µm). Hyphoderma sordidum is characterized by its resupinate basidiomata with a smooth hymenial surface with the fimbriate margin, the presence of the tubular cystidia and ellipsoid basidiospores (3-4.5 × 2-3 µm). Hyphoderma weishanense differs in its membranous basidiomata with a slightly buff to buff hymenial surface and the presence of broadly ellipsoid basidiospores (4.5-8.5 × 4-7 µm). Sequences of ITS+nLSU+mt-SSU+RPB1+RPB2 genes were used for the phylogenetic analyses using three methods. The ITS+nLSU+mt-SSU+RPB1+RPB2 analysis of the genus Hyphoderma indicated that the 3 new species of Hyphoderma were nested into genus Hyphoderma, in which H. niveomarginatum formed a single group and then grouped with H. membranaceum and H. sinense; H. sordidum was a sister to H. nudicephalum; and H. weishanense closely grouped with H. crystallinum.

A new species of Inosperma, and first record of I. afromelliolens (Inocybaceae, Fungi) from West Africa

Here, we present the newly identified Inosperma macrocarpa and the first record of I. afromelliolens from West Africa. Inosperma macrocarpa is nested in an Old World Tropical clade, based on a molecular phylogeny inferred from the sequences of ITS, LSU, RPB2, and TEF1. Complete descriptions and illustrations, including photographs and line drawings, of the new species are presented. Morphological and molecular analyses based on collections from Benin confirmed the presence of I. afromelliolens in West Africa. Toxicity analysis showed that neither species contained muscarine, which further supports the hypothesis that the ability to produce muscarine is a derived trait of Inosperma.

New species of Mallocybe (Agaricales, Inocybaceae) from Pakistan, based on morphological and molecular evidence

Within the family Inocybaceae, many species of Mallocybe have been reported, but there are only a few reports of this genus from Pakistan. In this study, six collections of Mallocybe were studied by morphological and phylogenetic methods. Phylogenetic analyses, based on sequence data from two different loci (ITS and LSU) using Maximum Likelihood and Maximum Parsimony methods, have been performed to infer species relationships within Mallocybe. Results indicated that these six collections encompass two new species of Mallocybe i.e. M.pakistanica and M.pinicola, from Pakistan. Their detailed morphological descriptions and illustrations are also provided. In addition, comparison with morphologically closely-related taxa is also discussed. Previously, only two species of this genus have been recorded from Pakistan and, with this addition, the total number of reported taxa of Mallocybe has been raised to four from Pakistan. A key to the described taxa of Mallocybe from Pakistan is also provided.

A contribution to the knowledge of the genus Infundibulicybe (Tricholomatineae, Agaricales) in China: Two new species and five redescribed taxa

In China, species of the genus Infundibulicybe are often confused with other taxa and misdetermined. Here we describe two newly discovered species, I. bispora and I. ellipsospora, and redescribe five known taxa of this genus present in China. These identifications are supported by both morphological and DNA-based phylogenetic evidence. Additionally, a key to all known species of Infundibulicybe is provided.

Comparative Analysis of Anticancer and Antibacterial Activities among Seven Trametes Species

Species in the genus Trametes (Basidiomycota, Polyporales) have been used in natural medicine for a long time. Many studies reported that mycelia or fruiting bodies of Trametes spp. exhibited effects of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities. However, comparative analysis in this genus is scarce due to limitation of morphological identification and the sample number. In this study, the 19 strains of seven Trametes species were chosen to generate a five-gene-based phylogeny with the 31 global references. In addition, 39 culture extracts were prepared for 13 strains to test for anticancer and antibacterial activities. Strong anticancer activities were found in several extracts from T. hirsuta and T. suaveolens. Anticancer activities of T. suaveolens, T. cf. junipericola and T. trogii were first described here. The antibacterial ability of T. versicolor and T. hirsuta extracts has been confirmed. The antibacterial activities of T. suaveolens have been reported at the first time in this study. These results suggest an efficient application of the genus Trametes as the drug resources especially for anticancer agents.

Four Novel Species and Two New Records of Boletes from India

Repeated macrofungal explorations, followed by thorough examination of species through morphology and molecular phylogeny, have made it clear that European and American names of wild mushrooms were inadvertently misapplied quite often to Asian lookalikes by mycologists/taxonomists in the past. Therefore, in order to reveal this mushroom treasure, in recent years, taxonomical research on wild mushrooms has been intensified in Asian countries, including India, by undertaking a combined approach of morpho-taxonomy and multigene molecular phylogeny. Boletoid mushrooms (Boletaceae) are no exception. While working on boletoid mushrooms of the Indian Himalayas, authors recently came across six interesting species of boletoid mushrooms. In the present communication, four novel species, namely Leccinellum binderi, Cyanoboletus paurianus, Xerocomus uttarakhandae, and Xerocomellus himalayanus, are established based on morphology and molecular phylogenetic estimations. Moreover, Cyanoboletus macroporus and Xerocomus fraternus are also reported here for the first time in India.

Global phylogeographical distribution of Gloeoporus dichrous

Phylogeographic analyses are efficient in ecological and evolutionary studies to discover the origin of a lineage, its dispersal routes, and the divergence of ancestral traits. Studies on widespread wood-decay fungi have revealed the phylogenetic division of several polypores based on geographical distribution. In this study, specimens of Gloeoporus dichrous, a cosmopolitan polypore species, were collected globally and analyzed for their geographic distribution. Multi-marker Bayesian molecular clock and haplotype analyses revealed a clear division of G. dichrous populations by continent. The species diverged from its neighboring clades 10.3 (16.0-5.6) million years ago, with Asian and North American populations at the center of divergence. Possible dispersal mechanisms and pathways are predicted and discussed based on the evaluated transfer routes. The biogeography of G. dichrous analyzed in this study represents a fraction of the polypore evolution and may advance the understanding of the overall evolution of wood-decay fungi.

Validation of Fuscoporia (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota) ITS sequences and five new species based on multi-marker phylogenetic and morphological analyses

Although there is a continuous increase in available molecular data, not all sequence identities in public databases are always properly verified and managed. Here, the sequences available in GenBank for Fuscoporia (Hymenochaetales) were validated. Many morphological characters of Fuscoporia overlap among the species, emphasizing the role of molecular identification for accuracy. The identities of 658 Fuscoporia GenBank internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences were assessed using ITS phylogeny, revealing 109 (16.6%) misidentified and 196 (29.8%) unspecified sequences. They were validated and re-identified based on the research articles they were published in and, if unpublished, based on sequences from the type, type locality-derived sequences, or otherwise reliable sequences. To enhance the resolution of species delimitation, a phylogenetic assessment of a multi-marker dataset (ITS + nrLSU + rpb2 + tef1) was conducted. The multi-marker phylogeny resolved five of the twelve species complexes found in the ITS phylogeny and uncovered five new Fuscoporia species: F. dolichoseta, F. gilvoides, F. koreana, F. reticulata, and F. semicephala. The validated ITS sequences in this study may prevent further accumulation of misidentified sequences in public databases and contribute to a more accurate taxonomic evaluation of Fuscoporia species.

Xenasmatellales ord. nov. and Xenasmatellaceae fam. nov. for Xenasmatella (Agaricomycetes, Basidiomycota)

In the era of molecular phylogeny as dominant evidence in fungal taxonomy, the taxonomic framework of fungi adopted from morphological characteristics has been largely updated. Compared with other fungal groups, macrofungi underwent fewer updates at the order and higher level. In this study, the taxonomic placement of a poorly known macro-basidiomycetous genus Xenasmatella is studied. Phylogenetic and molecular clock analyses inferred from a seven-locus dataset support that the genus represents an order rank lineage. Accordingly, a monotypic order Xenasmatellales and a monotypic family Xenasmatellaceae are newly introduced for Xenasmatella within Agaricomycetes. The species diversity and relationships of Xenasmatella are further clarified with the aid of the phylogenetic analysis inferred from a four-locus dataset. In association with morphological characteristics, a new species Xenasmatella hjortstamii is described. Moreover, the distribution of Xenasmatella ailaoshanensis, X. gossypina, and X. wuliangshanensis previously known only from type localities in Yunnan Province, China are expanded. In addition, two unnamed single-specimen lineages of Xenasmatella from Victoria State, Australia and Sichuan, China are revealed, likely representing two potential new species of this genus. In summary, the current study updates the taxonomic framework of Agaricomycetes and provides a crucial supplement for comprehensively understanding the evolutionary history of this fungal class.

Taxonomy of Hyphodermella: a case study to show that simple phylogenies cannot always accurately place species in appropriate genera

The genus is a special and crucial taxonomic rank compared with others above the species level, because a species has to be placed in a certain genus instead of any other higher ranks. With more and more new species being described, the placements of their generic position are sometimes incorrect due to the simple phylogenies resulting from inappropriate sampling. Here, we focus on the taxonomy of a small wood-inhabiting fungal genus Hyphodermella. With the most comprehensive sampling to date, the phylogenetic position of Hyphodermella within Phanerochaetaceae is rearranged by employing the same ITS and nLSU regions as in previous studies and also the ITS, nLSU, rpb1, rpb2 and tef1α regions. Three species are excluded from Hyphodermella: H. poroides is placed in a newly introduced monotypic genus Pseudohyphodermella, while H. aurantiaca and H. zixishanensis are transferred to Roseograndinia. Hyphodermella suiae is described as a new species from South China and Vietnam. Keys to eight species in Hyphodermella and five in Roseograndinia are provided. Beyond solving the taxonomic issue of Hyphodermella itself, the current study also aims to suggest that all fungal taxonomists especially beginners should keep in mind to sample as many comprehensive taxa as possible in phylogenetic analyses.

Taxonomy and Phylogeny of Cystolepiota (Agaricaceae, Agaricales): New Species, New Combinations and Notes on the C. seminuda Complex

Species of Cystolepiota are known as diminutive lepiotaceous fungi with a worldwide distribution. Previous studies revealed that Cystolepiota is not monophyletic and preliminary DNA sequence data from recent collections suggested that several new species exist. Based on multi-locus DNA sequence data (the nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer region ITS1-5.8S-ITS2, ITS; the D1-D2 domains of nuc 28S rDNA, LSU; the most variable region of the second-largest subunit of RNA polymerase II, rpb2 and a portion of the translation-elongation factor 1-α. tef1), C. sect. Pulverolepiota forms a distinct clade separating from Cystolepiota. Therefore, the genus Pulverolepiota was resurrected and two combinations, P. oliveirae and P. petasiformis were proposed. With the integration of morphological characteristics, multi-locus phylogeny, and information on geography and habitat, two new species, viz. C. pseudoseminuda and C. pyramidosquamulosa, are described and C. seminuda was revealed to be a species complex containing at least three species, viz. C. seminuda, C. pseudoseminuda, and Melanophyllum eryei. In addition, C. seminuda was re-circumscribed and neo-typified based on recent collections.

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.

A contribution to Porogramme (Polyporaceae, Agaricomycetes) and related genera

The polypores with shallow pores from tropical Asia and America are studied. Our molecular phylogeny based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), the large subunit nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nLSU), the translation elongation factor 1-α gene (TEF1), and the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB1) demonstrates six clades are formed among Porogramme and related genera. Two new genera, Cyanoporus and Pseudogrammothele, are established, and the six clades represent Porogramme, Cyanoporus, Grammothele, Epithele, Theleporus, and Pseudogrammothele, respectively. The molecular clock analyses estimate the divergence times of the six clades based on a dataset (ITS + LSU + TEF1 + RPB1 + RPB2), and we recognize the mean stem ages of the six genera are earlier than 50 Mya. Three new species in Porogramme were morphologically and phylogenetically confirmed, and they are described as P. austroasiana, P. cylindrica, and P. yunnanensis. Phylogenetic analysis shows that type species of Tinctoporellus and Porogramme are nested in the same clade, and Tinctoporellus is treated as a synonym of Porogramme. Based on our phylogeny, twelve new combinations are proposed, and the differences between the new species and similar or related species are discussed.

Four New Species of Russula Subsection Sardoninae from China

Four new species of Russula subsection Sardoninae from northern and southwestern China under coniferous and deciduous trees are proposed as R. begonia, R. photinia, R. rhodochroa, and R. rufa. Illustrations and descriptions of R. gracillima, R. leucomarginata, R. roseola, and the above four new species are provided based on evidence of morphological characters and phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), as well as the multi-locus of mtSSU, nLSU, rpb1, rpb2 and tef1-α. The relationships between these new species and allied taxa are discussed.

Morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses revealed four new species of Agaricales from China

Four new species of Agaricales from China viz. Hohenbuehelia tomentosa, Rhodophana qinghaiensis, Rhodophana aershanensis, and Spodocybe tomentosum are described based on their unique morphological features and molecular evidence. Hohenbuehelia tomentosa is mainly characterized by its dark brown pileus with finely dense pure white tomentum, dirty white, decurrent lamellae, eccentric stipe, smooth spores, and fusiform metuloid cystidia. The characteristics of Rhodophana qinghaiensis are glabrous, smooth, reddish-brown pileus, gray-orange lamellae, and initially light orange becoming reddish brown stipe. The unique morphological characteristics of Rhodophana aershanensis are reddish brown pileus with age, brown-orange toward the margin, light orange lamellae and stipe dark brown at first, and reddish-brown with age. Spodocybe tomentosum is characterized by subclitocyboid and small basidiomes, finely dense pure white tomentum on the pileus surface, and broadly ellipsoid to ellipsoid and smaller basidiospores. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Hohenbuehelia tomentosa, Rhodophana qinghaiensis, Rhodophana aershanensis, and Spodocybe tomentosum formed an independent lineage. Full descriptions, illustrations, and phylogenetic trees of the four new species are provided in this study.

Climacocystaceae fam. nov. and Gloeoporellaceae fam. nov., two new families of Polyporales (Basidiomycota)

Polyporales is a diverse group of Agaricomycetes including more than 2,500 species belonging to 255 genera and 18 families. Recently, many studies focused on the classification of Polyporales, but the familial placements of some taxa remain uncertain. In this study, two new families, Climacocystaceae and Gloeoporellaceae of Polyporales, are proposed based on morphological characters and molecular data. Phylogenetic analyses of the two new families are inferred from the DNA sequences of the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS), the large subunit of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nLSU), the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II gene (RPB1), the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II gene (RPB2), and the translation elongation factor 1-α gene (TEF1). Furthermore, the divergence time of Polyporales was estimated as an additional taxonomic criterion based on the conserved regions of five DNA fragments (5.8S, nLSU, RPB1, RPB2, and TEF1). Bayesian evolutionary analysis revealed that the ancestor of Polyporales splits with a mean stem age of 136.53 Mya with a 95% highest posterior density (HPD) of 118.08-158.06 Mya. The mean stem ages of the families within Polyporales originated between 66.02 and 119.22 Mya, of which Climacocystaceae occurred in a mean stem age of 77.49 Mya with a 95% HPD of 61.45-93.16 Mya, and Gloeoporellaceae occurred in a mean stem age of 88.06 Mya with a 95% HPD of 67.15-107.76 Mya.

Boletaceae in China: Taxonomy and phylogeny reveal a new genus, two new species, and a new record

Boletaceae, the largest family in Boletales, has been attracted by mycologists in the world due to its diverse morphology and complex history of evolution. Although considerable work has been done in the past decades, novel taxa are continually described. The current study aimed to introduce three new taxa and one new record of Boletaceae from China. The morphological descriptions, color photographs, phylogenetic trees to show the positions of the taxa, and comparisons with allied taxa are provided. The new genus Hemilanmaoa is unique in the Pulveroboletus group, and Hemilanmaoa retistipitatus was introduced as the type species. It can be distinguished by its bluing basidioma when injured, a decurrent hymenophore, a stipe covered with distinct reticulations, and a fertile stipitipellis. Porphyrellus pseudocyaneotinctus is characterized by its pileipellis consisting of broadly concatenated cells and thin-walled caulocystidia in Porphyrellus. In Phylloporus, Phylloporus biyangensis can be distinguished by its hymenophores that change to blue when injured and yellow basal mycelium. Lanmaoa angustispora, as a new record, is first reported in Northern China. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS), 28S rDNA (28S), translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1-α), RNA polymerase II subunit 1 (rpb1), and RNA polymerase II subunit 2 (rpb2) were employed to execute phylogenetic analyses.

Molecular phylogeny and taxonomy of the remarkable genus Leptoporus (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) with description of a new species from Southwest China

Leptoporus is a rare and remarkable genus, mainly occurring in coniferous forests in the Northern Hemisphere. Recent phylogenetic studies showed that Leptoporus belongs to Irpicaceae in the phlebioid clade. It is worth noting that most species in the phlebioid clade can cause white-rot decay, except for the Leptoporus species, which can cause a brown-rot decay. In this study, we performed phylogenetic and taxonomic studies of Leptoporus and related genera. Molecular phylogenetic analyses were conducted based on sequences from multiple loci including the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, the large subunit of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nLSU), the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II gene (RPB1), the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II gene (RPB2), and the translation elongation factor 1-α gene (TEF1). Combined with morphological characteristics, a new species, Leptoporus submollis sp. nov., is discovered and illustrated from Southwest China.