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Taxonomic studies including morphological observations and phylogenetic analyses were conducted on Japanese “uragin-take”, an unidentified species from Amazonia, Brazil and their allies. Phylogenetic analyses using ITS, nrLSU and RPB2 regions revealed that “uragin-take”, Neofomitella polyzonata and the unidentified species formed a monophyletic clade separate from the clade including the other four Neofomitella spp. and that “uragin-take” is conspecific with N. polyzonata. Morphological investigations on authentic specimens revealed that Polyporus subradiatus is a prior name for N. polyzonata. We propose Hirticrusta gen. nov. typified by H. subradiata segregated from Neofomitella, and we erected H. amazonica sp. nov. for the unidentified species. Hirticrusta is characterized by annual to biennial and sessile basidiocarps, semicircular to dimidiate pileus, velutinous to tomentose hairs on pileus surface, buff to brown context with a crustose layer indicated by a dark brown line forming a longitudinal section below the superficial hairs, a trimitic hyphal system, crustose layer composed of parallel and densely arranged brown hyphae and cylindrical basidiospores. The new species, H. amazonica is distinguishable from other polypores by downy and long tomentum on the pileus surface (up to 20 mm thick), brown context with a dark brown layer below the tomentum and round pores (5–7/mm).

Two new wood-inhabiting fungal species, Tubulicrinis xantha and T. yunnanensis spp. nov., are described based on morphological and molecular characters. Tubulicrinis xantha is characterized by resupinate, furfuraceous basidiomata with buff to yellowish hymenial surface, amyloid lyocystidia and cylindrical to allantoid, hyaline, thin-walled, smooth basidiospores (5.3–6.3 × 1.2–1.6 μm). Tubulicrinis yunnanensis is characterized by pruinose basidiomata with primrose to olivaceous hymenial surface and encrusted lyocystidia and cylindrical, hyaline, thin-walled, smooth basidiospores (4.2–6.2 × 1.2–2 μm). Sequences of ITS and LSU nrRNA gene regions of the studied samples were generated, and phylogenetic analyses were performed with maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony and bayesian inference methods. The phylogenetic analyses based on molecular data of ITS and ITS + nLSU sequences showed that T. xantha grouped with T. martinicensis, and T. yunnanensis grouped with T. glebulosus.

We induced basidioma formation of a fungus belonging to the Thelephoraceae that was isolated from the orchid Cephalanthera falcata. The mycobiont was isolated from root, cultured on modified Melin-Norkrans medium, and then inoculated onto fine roots of a Quercus serrata (Fagaceae) seedling. After observation of ectomycorrhiza formation, the Q. serrata seedling was grown in a pot. Thirty-six mo after ectomycorrhiza formation, basidioma formation was confirmed at the bottom of the pot. From comparisons in morphological characteristics between the mycobiont and known related Thelephoraceae species, and sequence similarities of internal transcribed spacer region in ribosomal DNA, we identified the mycobiont as Thelephora ellisii sensu lato in Thelephoraceae (Basidiomycota). Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the related sequences came from ectomycorrhizae of trees of the Salicaceae, Pinaceae, and Fagaceae distributed in East Asia, the USA, central Africa, and Europe.

Tricholoma foliicola was taxonomically reevaluated based on analyses of the holotype and newly collected materials. Basidiospores of T. foliicola were irregularly ellipsoid, showing a cyanophilic reaction with or without tubercles. Phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit 28S regions of the fungal nuclear ribosomal RNA gene demonstrated that T. foliicola is a species of Gerhardtia characterized by irregularly shaped basidiospores. Thus, we transferred this species to Gerhardtia foliicola comb. nov. Cultured mycelia of G. foliicola on malt extract agar medium produced cystidia covered with granules and abundant thallic conidia (arthroconidia), with both schizolytic and rhexolytic secession.

Rhizopogon (Boletales) is an ectomycorrhizal fungal genus that exhibits a strong specificity to Pinaceae. This strict association occurs almost exclusively with Pinus and Pseudotsuga, while associations with other genera in Pinaceae are inconclusive. Here, we describe Rhizopogon laricinus sp. nov. associated with Larix cajanderi distributed in northeastern Siberia, where forest fires are frequent. We confirmed the host identity by comparing rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences obtained from basidiomata and ectomycorrhizal root tips collected at the same sites. Morphological characteristics and molecular identification revealed that R. laricinus is a new species associated with Larix unequivocally. The molecular phylogeny based on ITS sequences placed this species sister to the subgenus Roseoli, which is specific to Pinus, and not to the Pseudotsuga-specific subgenus Villosuli. Thus, R. laricinus evolution does not correspond to host phylogeny as Larix and Pseudotsuga form a monophyletic clade. Instead, ecological traits of Rhizopogon for adapting to disturbed habitats may have driven the host shift to Larix under high-frequency fire ecosystems.

The Entoloma clypeatum species complex, known as “Harushimeji” in Japan, associates with Rosaceae and Ulmaceae plant species. In this study, we successfully isolated cultures of this fungal group via basidiospore isolation from tentative four Harushimeji species using modified Norkrans's C (MNC) medium and MNC medium containing n-butyric acid. Colony formations were observed on 22 of 25 basidioma samples; however, most exhibited slow and unsteady growth. The isolated mycelia contained dikaryotic hyphae and were identified through molecular phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer region of fungal ribosomal RNA. Six isolates showing steady growth were deposited in the fungal culture collection of the Fungus/Mushroom Resource and Research Center, Faculty of Agriculture, Tottori University, Japan. This result indicates that basidiospore isolation is a useful method for obtaining Harushimeji strains.

A new wood-inhabiting fungal species, Xylodon kunmingensis, is proposed based on morphological and molecular evidences. The species is characterized by an annual growth habit, resupinate basidiocarps with cream to buff hymenial, odontioid surface, a monomitic hyphal system with generative hyphae bearing clamp connections and oblong-ellipsoid, hyaline, thin-walled, smooth, inamyloid and indextrinoid, acyanophilous basidiospores, 5–5.8 × 2.8–3.5 μm. The phylogenetic analyses based on molecular data of ITS sequences showed that X. kunmingensis belongs to the genus Xylodon and formed a single group with a high support (100% BS, 100% BP, 1.00 BPP) and grouped with the related species X. astrocystidiatus, X. crystalliger and X. paradoxus. Both morphological and molecular evidences confirmed the placement of the new species in Xylodon.

Melanoderma boninense is described and illustrated as a new species from the Bonin Islands, Japan, on the basis of morphological and phylogenetic investigations. This species is characterized by sessile basidiocarps with an ungulate pileus, a black crust on the pileus surface, pores 4–6/mm, a dimitic hyphal system comprising clamped generative hyphae and cyanophilous skeletal binding hyphae with or without a dextrinoid reaction, cylindrical basidiospores measuring 5.5–7.5 × 2–3 μm, and cystidioles on the sides of tubes and near the pore surface. Morphological examination of authentic specimens of other Melanoderma species revealed that the genus is variable in terms of the shape and size of cystidioles. A black crust on the pileus surface composed of palisade and highly agglutinated hyphae is a distinctive diagnostic morphological feature of Melanoderma that differentiates it from allied genera. Melanoderma boninense, which is currently known from a restricted area of the Bonin Islands, is potentially threatened by environmental reduction of the type locality due to the invasive tree Bischofia javanica.

Article, Mycoscience. 60(2): 102-109. (2019)

Species of fleshy yellow Cantharellus are known as chanterelles, which are among the most popular wild edible mycorrhizal mushrooms in the world. However, pure culture isolates of Cantharellus are rare. We report an efficient isolation technique of the Japanese golden chanterelle, Cantharellus anzutake, from its ectomycorrhizal root tips. Field-sampled fresh ectomycorrhizal root tips of C. anzutake on various hosts such as pines, spruce, and oaks were vortexed with 0.005% Tween 80 solution, surface sterilized with 1% calcium hypochlorite solution, rinsed with sterilized distilled water, and placed on modified Norkrans’ C (MNC) agar plate medium. Most ectomycorrhizal root tips of C. anzutake produced yellowish mycelial colonies within a few months. In contrast, tissue isolation from basidiomata provided limited cultures of C. anzutake but much contamination of bacteria and molds, even on media that contained antibiotics. The established C. anzutake cultures had clamp connections on the hyphae and contained intracellular oily droplets. These cultured isolates were identified as C. anzutake by sequence analysis of the rRNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and translation elongation factor EF1-alpha (tef-1) genes.

A small blue stipitate-pileate mushroom with porioid hymenophore was found on dead Calamus sp. (Arecaceae) in Taiwan. Microscopic characteristics indicated a placement within the Mycenaceae. ITS as well as partial LSU ribosomal RNA gene sequences analyses showed a close relationship with Mycena illuminans within the Mycenaceae. A new species with completely blue basidiomata, Mycena indigotica, is proposed based on morphological and molecular evidence.

Inonotus taiwanensis (Hymenochaetales) is described as a new species collected from southern Taiwan, and all specimens grew on the trunk of Trema tomentosa. This new species is characterized by having resupinate, effuse-reflexed to pileate basidiocarps, bright yellow context, long setal hyphae in context and trama, setae in hymenium and trama, and fairly small basidiospores. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference phylogenies inferred from both sequences of 28S and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA indicated that I. taiwanensis forms a distinct clade within Inonotus, and the species is sister to I. tricolor. The comparison of morphological differences among I. taiwanensis and some closely related Inonotus spp. is presented.

Xylodon subflaviporus (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota) is described as a new species collected from tropical and subtropical regions of East Asia. This new species is characterized by resupinate basidiocarps, a poroid hymenophore, pseudodimitic hyphal system, nodose-septate hyphae, four types of cystidia (capitate, acicular to cylindrical, subulate to ventricose, and apically-encrusted), and thin-walled, colorless, smooth and ellipsoid basidiospores. Bayesian, Maximum Likelihood and Maximum Parsimony algorithms were used to construct phylogenies inferred from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA. Morphological and molecular studies, along with intercompatibility tests, confirmed the independent status of this species. Also, based on morphological and molecular evidence, six new combinations of Xylodon are proposed to accommodate species originally classified under Hyphodontia s.l., i.e. X. bubalinus, X. chinensis, X. mollissimus, X. nongravis, X. reticulatus and X. subtropicus. A key to known species of Hyphodontia s.l. with poroid, irpicoid or raduloid hymenophores is provided for the convenience in identification.

The Japanese golden chanterelle commonly identified as Cantharellus cibarius was sampled in a broad range of forest vegetation. A total of 90 fresh and 11 herbarium specimens were examined microscopically, subjected to sequencing analysis of their nuclear ribosomal RNA (rDNA) and tef-1 genes, and their characteristics were compared with those of European C. cibarius. Based on morphological and ecological characteristics, basidioma samples from Japan were divided into four species. While specimens of Cantharellus sp. 4 from Hokkaido Island were included in the European C. cibarius clade phylogenetically, the other three species formed three unique clades. Among these, Cantharellus anzutake sp. nov. is sister to the clade of C. cibarius and was widely sampled from the northern limit of Honshu Island to the southern limit of Kumejima Island in Ryukyu Islands. Although C. anzutake was morphologically similar to C. cibarius, the two species were phylogenetically distinct. Other morphologically similar but genetically distinct chanterelle species from India exhibited macroscopic and microscopic differences compared with C. anzutake.

Xanthagaricus caeruleus, a new species of Agaricaceae from southeast China is described and illustrated. It is characterized by its small basidiomata with a pileus covered by grayish lilac to grayish violet squamules, pallid white lamellae when young becoming pastel blue to ink-blue or blackish blue with age, greenish gray to grayish brown basidiospores, and epithelial pileipellis which is composed of agglutinated globose to subglobose, rarely clavate to ellipsoidal thin-walled cells. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the new species is unique and distinct from other known species within the genus Xanthagaricus. Detailed description, color photos and illustrations of the new species are presented.

Mycorrhizal fungi were isolated and cultured from rhizomes of mycoheterotrophic Cremastra aphylla (Orchidaceae) plants collected in 3 sites across Japan. In total, 5 Cr. aphylla individuals were collected, and 10 fungal isolates were obtained. Sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA from the fungal samples revealed that all isolates belonged to the genus Coprinellus in the family Psathyrellaceae. All isolates from each site were of the same phylotype. In total, 3 ITS phylotypes were detected. One of the isolates produced fruiting bodies and was identified as Co. domesticus on the basis of macro- and microscopic characteristics of the basidiomata and ITS sequence data. In this study, the sharing of saprobic Psathyrellaceae fungus by the mycoheterotrophic and leafy Cremastra species was newly confirmed.

Ossicaulis is a small genus in the family Lyophyllaceae. Two known species, O. lachnopus, and O. lignatilis, are distributed in north temperate regions. The third taxon, O. yunnanensis sp. nov., is described from the alpine belt of subtropics of southwestern China, and this genus is also reported for the first time from China. Morphologically, the new species is characterized by its whitish basidiomata and very small basidiospores. Molecular analyses from the nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) show that the subtropical alpine species is distinct from hitherto known Ossicaulis species and has a close relationship to O. lachnopus.

Coltriciella minuscula sp. nov. is described and illustrated from a specimen collected on Pinus merkusii from Bogor, Indonesia. This species is characterized by the size of its basidiocarp up to 4 mm in diam, with long hair on the stipe and with ornamented spores. Both morphological distinctiveness and phylogenetic separation based upon analyses of nrDNA ITS sequences support the establishment of this new species. Morphological dissimilarities between C. minuscula and closely related species are discussed. Mycoscience, Vol. 59 No. 1 2018. P: 49-53

Cantharellus hainanensis (Cantharellaceae, Cantharellales), a member of Cantharellus subgenus Cantharellus , is described as a new species from Hainan Island, a tropical region of China. It is morphologically characterized by a small-sized basidioma, a yellow pileal surface without an orange tinge, a smooth to faintly veined hymenophore, smaller basidiospores, and its association with the Lithocarpus in tropical China. The phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences from the translation elongation factor 1-α gene ( TEF1 ) also confirms that it forms an independent lineage within the subgenus Cantharellus . A detailed description, color photos of fresh basidiomata and line-drawings of microstructures are presented.

A new poroid wood-inhabiting fungal species, Hyphodermella poroides, is proposed based on morphological and molecular evidences. The species is characterized by resupinate basidiocarps with cream to orange pore surface, a monomitic hyphal system with generative hyphae bearing simple septa, and broadly ellipsoid, hyaline, thin-walled, smooth, IKI−, CB− basidiospores. The phylogenetic analyses based on ITS + nLSU sequences showed that H. poroides formed a single group with a strong support and was closely related to H. corrugata and H. rosae, and then grouped with Pirex concentricus. Both morphological and molecular evidences confirmed the placement of the new species in Hyphodermella.

Hyphodontia mollissima is described from Hainan Province, southern China, as a new species. This species is characterized by resupinate, soft corky basidiocarps, poroid hymenophores, a pseudodimitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae, presence of both bladder-like and apically encrusted cystidia, and broadly ellipsoid, colorless, thin-walled, smooth basidiospores. Morphologically, H. mollissima except for poroid hymenophores, fits the concept of Palifer. A potential member of Palifer, Hyphodontia erikssonii, resembles H. mollissima by similar two kinds of cystidia and also similar shape and size of basidiospores, but distinctly differs from the latter by having non-poroid hymenophores and a monomitic hyphal system.

A new species of Aureoboletus , namely, A. quercus-spinosae is described and illustrated from the subalpine regions of Tibet, China. It is characterized by its small and viscid basidioma, light yellow to brownish red pileus with a slightly wrinkled center, a grayish yellow to olive yellow and slightly bluing hymenophore, yellow white to white context staining pastel red when bruised, and large basidiospores (12–)15–21 × 5–6.5 μm. It is strongly supported as a new species in the genus Aureoboletus using a three-gene superalignment on nuclear large subunit, the largest ( rpb 1) and second largest ( rpb 2) DNA-directed RNA Polymerase II subunits 1 and 2.

Aleurodiscus tenuissimus and A. tropicus, on dead bamboo, are new species from tropical Asia. Both species have effused basidiocarps and simple-septate generative hyphae. Aleurodiscus tenuissimus, from southern China, lacks acanthophyses and possesses echinulate basidiospores, whereas A. tropicus, from southern China and Vietnam, has abundant acanthophyses and smooth basidiospores. Phylogenetic analyses of the nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer region sequences (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 = ITS) support the recognition of the taxa as distinct. The new species are described and illustrated, and a worldwide key to six species of Aleurodiscus on bamboo is provided.

A new poroid wood-inhabiting fungal genus, Geliporus , is proposed based on morphological characters and molecular data. It is typified by G. exilisporus comb. nov. (Basionym: Inonotus exilisporus ), and characterized by resupinate basidiomata darkening in potassium hydroxide, a monomitic hyphal system with simple-septate and hyaline to yellowish generative hyphae, and hyaline, thin-walled, and cylindrical to oblong-ellipsoid basidiospores. Results of phylogenetic analyses inferred from the 5.8S and nLSU rDNA sequences indicate that G. exilisporus belongs to the Phanerochaetaceae in Polyporales and is closely related to the genus of Hyphodermella .

Marasmius campestris (Marasmiaceae, Agaricales), a member of sect. Globulares, is described as a new species from Hainan Island, a tropical region of China. It is morphologically characterized by an umbilicate, deeply sulcate and striped, purple-tinged pileus, a stipe covered with tiny scales, large basidiospores, well-developed cheilocystidia with irregular shape, a pileipellis consisting of Globulares-type cells, and growth in grassland. The phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences from nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) also confirm that it forms an independent lineage within Marasmius. Consequently, a description, color photos of fresh basidiomata and line-drawings of microstructures are presented.

Clavulina livida sp. nov. is described from southwestern China based on morphological and molecular evidence. This fungus is mainly characterized by light mineral gray to glaucous gray and simple or palmately branched basidiomata, basidia with two cornute sterigmata, presence of post-partal septa, slightly large globose to subglobose spores, abundant clamp connections, and absence of cystidia. Molecular phylogenic analysis of Clavulina livida and related species was carried out based on the sequences of internal transcribed spacer region of the nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (ITS). The combination of morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis confirmed that Clavulina livida as a new species in Clavulina . Morphological description, phylogenetic analysis and a key for Clavulina species from China are provided.

Podoserpula is described from Australia and mainly collected from the southern hemisphere. It is characterized by the brightly colored multi-storied basidiocarps, non-amyloid and thick-walled ellipsoid to subglobose basidiospores, distributed in subtropical to tropical regions. In this study, P. ailaoshanensis is described and illustrated as a new species based on morphological and molecular evidence. This species is characterized by its multi-storied basidiocarps, zonate and fuzzy pileus, light ivory to yellow orange pileal surface, hollow main axis, and globose to subglobose, thick-walled basidiospores (4.1–5 × 3.9–4.8 μm). Phylogenetically, on the basis of combined dataset of internal transcribed spacer (ITS), nuclear large subunit rDNA (nLSU), translation elongation factor 1-α gene (EF1-α) and small subunit nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nSSU), P. ailaoshanensis is strongly supported as a new species of Podoserpula .

Geastrum minutisporum is characterized by a basidioma up to 25 mm wide, exoperidiumsaccate to planar, non-hygroscopic; a globose to subglobose, sessile and greyish brownendoperidium; a silky fibrillose peristoma, lighter or darker than the endoperidium andwith globose, slightly asperulate basidiospores, 2e2.5e3 mm in diam, with a short apiculusup to 0.5 mm long. Specimens were collected at the Reserva Hı´drica Provincial Pampa deAchala located in the upper portion of Sierras Grandes from Cordoba, central Argentina.Morphology and phylogenetic analysis based on sequences of the ribosomal DNA internaltranscribed spacer region support Geastrum minutisporum as a new species. Fil: Hernández Caffot, María Luciana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina Fil: Amarilla, Leonardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina Fil: Crespo, Esteban María. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia; Argentina Fil: Dominguez, Laura Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina

Polyporus thailandensis is described and illustrated as a new species from Thailand based on morphological and phylogenetic investigations. This species is characterized by centrally stipitate basidiocarps with umber to sienna glabrous pileus having minute cilia along the margin, round to angular pores, a dimitic hyphal system with often inflating generative hyphae, and cylindrical to ellipsoid basidiospores measuring 7–10.5 × 3–4.5 μm. Phylogenetic analyses based on the combined large subunit (LSU) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions showed that P. thailandensis and P. tricholoma are closely related, but they differ in color of the pore surface and size of the basidiospores.

Taxonomic and phylogenetic studies on the Antrodia heteromorpha complex in China were carried out. Antrodia subserpens sp. nov. is described and illustrated. Both the morphology and phylogenetic analysis support this new species. Morphologically, it is characterized by annual, resupinate to effused-reflexed basidiocarps, a dimitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae, clavate cystidioles, and ellipsoid to oblong ellipsoid basidiospores; moreover, it causes a brown rot. Molecular data suggested a close relationship between A. subserpens and A. serpens, but the former has slightly smaller pores and shorter basidiospores. Morphologically, A. subserpens is similar to A. tanakae, but separates by its smaller pores and wider basidiospores. An identification key to species of the A. heteromorpha complex is provided.

The ectomycorrhizal (EM) synthesis between Turbinellus floccosus with Abies religiosa was accomplished under controlled conditions by using seedlings planted in a sterilized peat moss-vermiculite substrate and cultured mycelium. Yellow to brownish EM root tips were observed 3 mo after inoculation. We identified the mycobiont of the synthesized EM through sequence similarity of the nuclear large subunit ribosomal RNA gene (LSU) between three experimental sources: basidiomata, synthesized EM root tips and inoculated cultured mycelium. The morphological and anatomical characteristics of the synthesized EM root tips were presented and described.

An undescribed species of Laccaria was discovered in the Santuario del Bosque de Niebla of Xalapa, Mexico, in a montane cloud forest preserved under the protection of the Instituto de Ecologia A.C. in Veracruz State. This new species is distinct based on basidiome morphology and supported by phylogenetic analyses of sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and nuclear large subunit (nLSU) of the ribosomal RNA gene. Thirteen different collections obtained during 2012–2014, provided documentation of the broad morphological variation and confirmed the diagnostic color changes of this species. It is phylogenetically associated with Metasection Amethystina but lacks violet pigments in the mycelium and stipe base that are characteristic for species placed in that Metasection. Its relationship to other taxa in Laccaria is not obvious at this time. Descriptions, color images of the basidiomata, scanning electron photomicrographs of basidiospores and comparisons with similar taxa are presented.

We have redefined Typhula variabilis, T. laschii, T. intermedia, and T. japonica on the basis of morphological and molecular evidence. Typhula variabilis, T. laschii, and T. intermedia, hitherto regarded as synonymous, were compared by critical observations of sclerotial rind cells. Rind cells of T. variabilis were thick and plateaued in the center, whereas of T. laschii had a ridge in the center. An isolate from winter wheat that we had previously identified as T. variabilis was reidentified as T. intermedia because it failed to mate with T. variabilis, even though rind cells of T. intermedia were digitate and occasionally had double-line contours, as in the case of T. variabilis. Sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer regions, including 5.8S, supported these differences, indicating that T. variabilis, T. laschii, and T. intermedia are separate species. Typhula japonica was characterized by two-spored basidia and basidiospores that often remained agglutinated with each other and germinated on basidiocarps. Its single basidiospores normally developed into dikaryotic mycelia and rarely into monokaryotic mycelia. (C) 2015 The Mycological Society of Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Aureoboletus marroninus sp. nov. is described, illustrated and compared with phenetically similar and phylogenetically related species. Morphologically, it is characterized by its small basidioma with a pileus of 13–22 mm broad, reddish brown to brownish violet or violet brown, glutinous and wrinkled pileus fringed with gelatinized veil remnants at the margin, and basidiospores of (8–)8.5–10 × 4–4.5(–5) μm in size. Phylogenetic analysis of the new species and related taxa based on large subunit of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (LSU) sequences is provided. Morphological and molecular data show that the new species should be placed in genus Aureoboletus, and it is clearly different from any known taxon.

Fourteen Chinese Biological Species (CBS) of Armillaria were previously identified in a collection of Chinese isolates. CBS C, F, G, H, J, L, N and O remained unnamed, while the remaining isolates included A. borealis, A. cepistipes, A. gallica, A. mellea, A. sinapina and A. tabescens. CBS F was suggested to represent A. singula based on basidiocarp morphology. In this study, phylogenetic relationships between Chinese Armillaria isolates and those from other parts of the world were determined based on DNA sequence data. Results of this study suggest that CBS F might not represent A. singula, and that A. monadelpha (a name applied to the North American form of A. tabescens by some authors) and A. tabescens should be treated as a single species. Four main phylogenetic lineages, referred to as the A. ostoyae, A. gallica, A. tabescens and A. mellea clusters, were identified on the phylogenetic trees. The unnamed biological species grouped within the “A. gallica cluster” and were phylogenetically closely related. The results of this study contribute to our current understanding of the systematics of Armillaria from South East Asia where these fungi are relatively poorly known.

A new species of the genus Hydnum, H. minum, with whitish basidiomata, is described and illustrated from Japan based on morphological and phylogenetic analyses. This species is characterized by small basidiomata (1–2.5 cm in height), spinose hymenophores with small, conical to aciculate spines (0.5–1.7 mm in length, 150–250 μm in diameter), subclavate to suburniform basidia with 5–8 sterigmata, and subglobose to broadly ovoid basidiospores measuring 4.5–5.5 × 3–4.5 μm. In addition, H. albidum, H. albomagnum, newly recorded in Japan, and H. repandum var. album are analyzed using molecular tools. The four taxa were confirmed as each individual taxon by the molecular phylogenetic analysis using complete nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer regions.

Tricholoma matsutake is one of the most highly valued ectomycorrhizal mushrooms, primarily associated with conifers. Here, we examined the association of T. matsutake with hemlock and fir species native to the subalpine forests of Japan. Basidiomata of T. matsutake were harvested from the forests of Honshu Island, Japan, along with two soil samples directly beneath the basidiomata; ectomycorrhizal root tips were also collected, and used for fungal isolation and molecular analyses. Mycorrhizal fungi were isolated from the roots of Abies veitchii (Veitch's fir) and Tsuga diversifolia (northern Japanese hemlock). These fungi were identified as T. matsutake based upon their production of whitish mycelial colonies on nutrient agar media, and confirmed using molecular analyses; the ectomycorrhizal association between T. matsutake and A. veitchii was also confirmed by mycorrhizal synthesis in vitro. This work represents the first description of T. matsutake ectomycorrhizations with Abies and Tsuga species, as well as a detailed morphological description of these associations.

Phellinopsis asetosa sp. nov. is described from Yunnan Province, southwestern China. Phellinopsis asetosa resembles Fulvifomes inermis in the field. The two species have a similar hyphal structure in both context and trama, besides lack of hymenial setae. However, Fulvifomes inermis produces smaller and darker basidiospores than P. asetosa. In the internal transcription spacer (ITS) phylogeny, P. asetosa was recovered within the Phellinopsis clade. Phellinopsis asetosa is distinguished from other species of Phellinopsis mainly by its lack of hymenial setae. The concept of Phellinopsis is thus emended to reflect this feature, the seasonal habit and duplex context of Phellinopsis junipericola and the resupinate basidiocarps of P. asetosa and P. resupinata. A key to six accepted species of Phellinopsis is provided.

Two new species of Coltriciella , C. globosa and C. pseudodependens , are described from southern China on the basis of morphological and molecular characters. Phylogenetic analysis based on the large subunit of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene region show that the two new species nest within the clade including Coltriciella and Coltricia genera, but the relationship between these two genera is unresolved yet. The ornamented basidiospores of the two new species revealed that they morphologically belonged to Coltriciella . Coltriciella globosa is characterized by erect and centrally stipitate basidiocarps, angular pores measuring 2–4 per mm, fusoid cystidioles and globose, verrucose, yellowish basidiospores. Coltriciella pseudodependens is very similar to C. dependens, but differs in having larger pores and distinctly larger basidiospores. An identification key to the accepted species of Coltriciella currently is provided.

A new basidiolichen species, Lepidostroma asianum (Agaricomycetes, Lepidostromatales, Lepidostromataceae), is described based on basidiomata collected from red clay in southwestern Japan. This is the first report of a species in the genus Lepidostroma from Asia. The species is characterized by producing pale orange to reddish-orange, cylindrical to slightly fusiform basidiomata that taper toward the apex and by cylindrical to suballantoid basidiospores measuring 7.0–10.0 × 3.5–5.0 μm. In addition, it is associated with a green alga and forms a film-like thallus. Lepidostroma asianum differs from all previously-described species in its unique combination of these characteristics. Phylogenetic analyses of partial nuclear large subunit and small subunit rRNA gene sequences also differentiated it from other species. The cultural features of a Lepidostroma species are also provided for the first time.

We describe three new species of Fulvifomes from Thailand, all of which grow on Xylocarpus granatum, a major mangrove tree species in southeastern Asia. Fulvifomes xylocarpicola sp. nov. is characterized by the perennial and sessile basidiocarps, woody context without a distinct crust, pores 4–6/mm, a dimitic hyphal system both in the context and trama, broadly ellipsoid basidiospores measuring 4–5.5 × 3.5–4.5 μm, and occurrence on the stem of X. granatum. Fulvifomes siamensis sp. nov. is characterized by the perennial and sessile basidiocarps, woody context without a crust, pores 7–8/mm, a monomitic hyphal system in the context, subglobose basidiospores measuring 4.5–6 × 4–5 μm, and occurrence on the root or butt of X. granatum. Fulvifomes halophilus sp. nov. is characterized by perennial, sessile basidiocarps, leathery to corky context with a crust near the pileus surface, pores 5–8/mm, a subdimitic hyphal system in the context, subglobose basidiospores measuring 4–5.5 × 3.5–5 μm, and occurrence on the root or butt of X. granatum. Fulvifomes mangrovicus comb. nov. is proposed for Fomes mangrovicus. A key to the worldwide species of Fulvifomes is provided.

Boletus edulis is a well-known ectomycorrhizal mushroom. Although cultivation has been widely attempted, no artificial fruiting has been achieved owing to difficulties associated with mycorrhizal synthesis and acclimatization in fields. We collected fifteen B. edulis basidiomata samples from locations in Japan and identified them microscopically and by phylogenetic analysis of their nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. Pure culture isolates of B. edulis were established efficiently on malt extract agar medium, and one isolate, EN-63, was inoculated to axenic Pinus densiflora seedlings in vitro. Brownish ectomycorrhizal tips were observed on the pine lateral roots within four months of inoculation. Ten pine seedlings that formed ectomycorrhizae were acclimatized under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. At four months after transplant, mycorrhizal colonization by B. edulis was observed on newly grown root tips under laboratory conditions, but no B. edulis ectomycorrhiza survived under greenhouse conditions. These results suggest that B. edulis ectomycorrhizae synthesized in vitro with P. densiflora requires additional steps for acclimatization to greenhouse conditions.

A new Perenniporia species, P. cinereofusca, is described based on morphological and molecular characters. It is characterized by an annual growth habit, resupinate basidiocarps with gray to pale brown pore surface, tissues becoming black in 5% potassium hydroxide (KOH), a dimitic hyphal system with weakly dextrinoid skeletal hyphae and hyaline to pale yellowish, distinctly thick-walled and indextrinoid basidiospores (6.5–7.7 × 5.3–6.3 μm), and presence of dendrohyphidia and large rhomboid crystals. Both morphological and molecular evidence confirmed the placement of the new species in Perenniporia sensu stricto and showed its relationships with similar species in the genus.

Fibrodontia alba sp. nov. is described from central Taiwan. Its major diagnostic features are white, minutely and densely aculeate hymenial surface, colorless generative hyphae, colorless, in mass pale colored, narrow, moderately encrusted skeletal-like hyphae in aculeal trama and ellipsoid basidiospores. Bayesian inference of the phylogeny based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and partial 28S nuclear ribosomal RNA gene sequences showed that phylogenetic distance between F. alba and F. gossypina is near equal to the distance between morphologically well-delimited species, F. gossypina and F. brevidens. Morphology description, basidiomata photographs, micromorphology drawings and scanning electron microscopic images of crystalline deposits on skeletal-like hyphae, are provided for the new species. A key to the all known species of Fibrodontia is provided.

Boletus orientialbus is described as a new species from Fujian Province, a subtropical region of China. It is morphologically characterized by its white basidioma with a white and unchanging context, white pores becoming yellow with age, a reticulate stipe, and ellipsoid to elongate basidiospores. A detailed description, color photos of fresh basidiomata, and a line-drawing of microscopic features are presented. (C) 2013 The Mycological Society of Japan. Published by Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.

During a biodiversity survey of Amazonian jelly fungi, we collected a unique dacrymycetous fungus. This fungus is characterized by stipitate, branched and multi-headed basidiocarps with fascicled marginal hyphae on the sterile parts of the basidiocarps and narrow cylindrical to navicular basidiospores. No dacrymycetous species with these morphological characteristics has been reported. Based on phylogenetic analysis of 28S rDNA sequences, the new specimens belong into the Dacrymycetaceae lineage. As an appropriate genus cannot be inferred from the phylogeny, we describe this fungus as a new species, Calocera arborea, based on its morphological characters.

Three new Perenniporia specie s , P. lacerata , P. luteola and P. tianmuensis , are described based on morphological and molecular characters. Perenniporia lacerata is characterized by an annual habit, resupinate and papery basidiocarps with lacerate pores, a dimitic hyphal system with weakly dextrinoid skeletal hyphae, truncate and dextrinoid basidiospores. Perenniporia luteola is distinguished by a perennial habit, resupinate basidiocarps with buff-yellow pore surface, a dimitic hyphal system with dextrinoid skeletal hyphae, non-truncate and dextrinoid basidiospores. Perenniporia tianmuensis differs in its annual habit, pileate basidiocarps, a dimitic hyphal system with strongly dextrinoid skeletal hyphae, non-truncate and dextrinoid basidiospores. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS and LSU-rDNA regions revealed five clades for 29 species of Perenniporia used in this study. Both morphological and molecular evidence confirmed the placement of three new species in Perenniporia and showed its relationships with similar species in the genus.

Sistotrema, typified by S. confluens, is characterized mainly by its urniform basidia mostly with 6–8 sterigmata as well as by a monomitic hyphal system, oil rich hyphae and smooth basidiospores. The species of this genus have various hymenophore configurations and basidiospore shapes. During a field trip in 2011, two specimens with urniform basidia were collected from Changbaishan Nature Reserve, northeastern China. After careful morphological and molecular studies, they are described and illustrated here as a new species, S. subconfluens. The new species shares a terrestrial habit, stipitate basidiocarps and poroid hymenophores with S. confluens, besides urniform basidia. These characters make the two species different from all other species of Sistotrema with resupinate basidiocarps on wood. Sistotrema subconfluens differs from the type by having larger basidiocarps, shorter basidiospores and consistent poroid hymenophores. In phylogeny inferred from nuclear large subunit rDNA, the two species were sister taxa but clearly separated. The difference of internal transcribed spacer sequences between the two species was 3.6%.

Lenzitopsis (Thelephorales, Basidiomycota), typified by Lenzitopsis oxycedri , was monotypic before we described the second species of this genus, Lenzitopsis daii in this study. L. daii resembles L. oxycedri in producing lenzitoid hymenophore as well as brown hyphae and echinulate spores, but it differs from the type species by its annual basidiocarps, amyloid spores and growth exclusively on Juniperus chinensis (Cupressaceae). In the phylogenetic perspective inferred with nuclear large subunit ribosomal DNA sequences, the two species were separated from each other and formed a strongly supported clade in the Thelephorales. The two Lenzitopsis species showed a more than 5% difference in internal transcribed spacer sequences. Lenzitopsis species are wood-decaying fungi, and this is the second genus of the order where mycorrhizal life style is unknown, besides of Amaurodon .

A new polypore, Perenniporia tibetica, collected in Xizang (Tibet), southwestern China, is described and illustrated on the basis of morphological and molecular characters. Perenniporia tibetica is characterized by an annual growth habit, resupinate basidiocarps with a cream-buff to pinkish-buff pore surface and white to cream-colored rhizomorphs, a dimitic hyphal system with slightly dextrinoid and distinctly cyanophilous skeletal hyphae, and basidiospores that are ellipsoid, truncate or not, strongly dextrinoid, and cyanophilous, 6.7–8.7 × 5.3–6.8 μm. Its preliminary phylogenetic relationships are inferred based on sequence data from the ribosomal ITS and LSU regions, both suggesting that P. tibetica forms a distinct lineage in the genus Perenniporia.