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Stem rot by Ganoderma is a disease of major concern for coconut farmers. Many species (G. applanatum, G. boninense, G. lucidum, G. zonatum) have been implicated as the causal agents of the disease. Despite its importance, systematics of the rot-associated Ganoderma remains uncertain and unresolved. Morphologically heterogeneous basidiomata of the putative pathogen(s) from infected palms in multiple disease sites were collected during an outbreak in the coastal state of India, Kerala. Morphological and molecular investigations revealed that these specimens were distinct from all the Ganoderma species so far identified and reported from coconut. Although with a close morphological resemblance to many Ganoderma species collected from palms, they exhibited unique genetics and geographic distribution patterns. We present a taxonomic reassessment of the species collected from infected coconut palms in India and also propose two new species, Ganoderma keralense and G. pseudoapplanatum. A taxonomic key to Ganoderma species on palms is given.

Species of the corticioid genus Cylindrobasidium are saprophytes or parasites in forest ecosystems. This study presents three new species of Cylindrobasidium from East Asia, according to study of morphological characteristics, and phylogenetic analyses based on sequence data inferred from nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS) region and nuc 28S rDNA (28S). Cylindrobasidium bifidum has smooth hymenophore, subicular cystidia with bifurcate apex, fusiform hymenial cystidia, and pyriform basidiospores. Cylindrobasidium macrosporum is characterized by having smooth to tuberculate hymenophore, presence of guttulate, subicular cystidia with bifurcate apex, presence of guttulate, cylindrical hymenial cystidia with narrow apices, and large, guttulate, fusiform basidiospores. Cylindrobasidium sublaeve has effused to effused-reflexed basidiomata with smooth hymenophore, subfusiform or cylindrical hymenial cystidia, and pyriform basidiospores. A key to species of Cylindrobasidium is provided.

A new species of Gymnopus sect. Androsacei, namely, G. pallipes is described and illustrated based on morphological and molecular phylogenetic evidence. It is characterized by marasmioid basidiomata, a dark brown to reddish brown pileus becoming dull white to yellowish grey with age, whitish to pale yellow stipe and presence of rhizomorphs. Phylogenetic analyses support it as a new species within Gymnopus sect. Androsacei. The detailed morphological description, colour photos of basidiomata, and line drawings of microcharacters are presented and delimitation characters from similar species are discussed. A key to the known species of Gymnopus s. str. from China is also provided.

Buchwaldoboletus xylophilus and Phlebopus portentosus (Boletales) are two non-ectomycorrhizal boletes, which are widely reported in tropical Asia. However, there is little information available about the taxonomy of these two boletes. Here, B. xylophilus and P. portentosus are redescribed based on morphology and molecular phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences from nuclear 28S rDNA (28S), nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer region ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS), translation elongation factor 1-α gene (TEF1) and the RNA polymerase II second largest subunit gene (RPB2). Detailed descriptions, color photos of fresh basidiomata, and line-drawings of microscopic features of the two taxa are presented.

Agaricus xanthodermus and other species of the yellow-staining section Xanthodermatei are responsible for mushroom-related poisoning cases that require treatment. However, longstanding anecdotal evidence indicates that this species appears to exhibit considerable variation in toxicity, resulting in gastrointestinal irritation of varying severity in most cases. We quantified the amount of phenol, hydroquinone, and catechol in mushrooms using a novel protocol for gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and investigated their levels in different basidiomatal structures, different developmental stages, and on different nutritional substrates. Phenol concentration was greater in the pileus than the stipe, in mature compared with immature basidiomata, and in basidiomata occurring in woody mulch versus lawns. Variation in toxicity is suggested to be due in part to variation in phenol concentration, developmental stage and tissue type consumed, and substrate. Variation in human sensitivity to simple phenols may also play a role but was not formally investigated in this study.

Amanita muscaria is the most emblematic mushroom in the popular representation. It is an ectomycorrhizal fungus endemic to the cold ecosystems of the northern hemisphere. The basidiocarp contains isoxazoles compounds that have specific actions on the central nervous system, including hallucinations. For this reason, it is considered an important entheogenic mushroom in different cultures whose remnants are still visible in some modern-day European traditions. In Siberian civilizations, it has been consumed for religious and recreational purposes for millennia, as it was the only inebriant in this region.

Higher basidiomycetes are recognized as functional foods due to their bioactive compound content, which exerts various beneficial effects on human health, and which have been used as sources for the development of natural medicines and nutraceuticals for centuries. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the biological potential of basidiocarp and mycelial biomass produced by submerged cultivation of a new regionally isolated oyster mushroom. The strain was identified with a high percentage of confidence (99.30%) as Pleurotus ostreatus and was deposited in the GenBank under accession number MW 996755. The β-glucan content in the basidiocarp and the obtained mycelial biomass was 31.66% and 12.04%, respectively. Three mycelial biomass and basidiocarp extracts were prepared, and the highest total polyphenol content (5.68 ± 0.15 mg GAE/g DW and 3.20 ± 0.04 mg GAE/g DW) was found in the water extract for both the fruiting body and the mycelium biomass. The in vitro antioxidant activity of the extracts was investigated, and it was determined that the water extracts exhibited the most potent radical scavenging activity. The potential ability of this new fungal isolate to affect the contractile activity (CA) of dissected smooth muscle preparations (SMP) was examined for the first time. It was found that oyster mushrooms likely exhibit indirect contractile effects on the gastric smooth muscle (SM) cells.

A new corticioid species, Skvortzovia yunnanensis sp. nov., is described based on morphological and molecular characters. Skvortzovia yunnanensis is characterised by annual, resupinate, very thin basidiomata with a smooth, white to pale cream hymenial surface and a monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae and allantoid, colourless, thin-walled, smooth basidiospores (5 – 6.5 × 1 – 1.5 μm) and larger halocystidia. Sequences of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nLSU) 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 S. yunnanensis formed a single well-supported lineage (100% maximum likelihood bootstrap (BS), 100% parsimony bootstrap portion (BP) and 1.00 Bayesian posterior probability (BPP)), and then grouped with S. furfurella (Bres.) Bononi & Hjortstam and S. meridionalis (Burds. & Nakasone) G.Gruhn & Hallenb.

The genus Claudopus (Entolomataceae) is characterised by its crepidotoid or pleurotoid basidiomata, a highly reduced and lateral or almost absent stipe, flesh-brown, salmon or pinkish-brown spore-p...

The life cycle of Ustilago maydis involves alternation of a haploid saprophytic yeast-like stage and a dikaryotic hyphal virulent form. Under in vitro conditions, basidiocarps are formed. Analysis of the transcriptional network of basidiocarp formation revealed the possible involvement of a Tec transcription factor (Tec1, UMAG_02835) in the process. In some Ascomycota, Tec factors are involved in mycelial formation, pathogenesis, and interaction with other regulatory elements, but their role in Basidiomycota species is almost unknown. Accordingly, we proceeded to determine the role of this gene in U. maydis by its mutation. Tec1 was found to be a crucial factor for normal mating, basidiocarp development, and virulence, all of the functions related to the dikaryotic stage dependent of the b genes, whereas dimorphism and resistance to different stress conditions occurring in the haploid stage were not affected in tec1 mutants. The observation that mutants showed a low residual wild-type phenotype suggests the presence of a secondary mechanism that partially compensates the loss of Tec1.

In this study, the potential of focus-variation microscopic imaging was evaluated in a study of morphological patterns of the potential medicinal fungus Hericium coralloides (Basidiomycota). We created three-dimensional reconstructions and visualizations using the imaging technique on a fresh H. coralloides basidioma. The aim was to approximate the spore dispersal efficiency of this basidiomata type regarding the investment of tissue biomass and its reproductive output (production of basidiospores). Results were correlated with published data gained from magnetic resonance imaging and micro-computed tomography. It is demonstrated that focus-variation microscopic imaging results in a more distinct picture of the morphology of the edible and potentially medicinal H. coralloides basidiomata. However, a direct measurement of spore production was not possible. Spore production could only be estimated in combination with a mathematical model because the surface was not directly measurable due to the cellular heterogeneity. However, focus-variation microscopic imaging allows a better and faster estimation of spore production compared with the published methods. Furthermore, it was found that a scanning resolution of 5× is sufficient for determining the fungal surface precisely because at a higher resolution artifacts occur, resulting in adulteration of the image.

Karakterisasi Amilase dan Selulase Miselial Serta Analisis Fisikokimia Basidioma Jamur Lingzhi (Ganoderma lucidum) Lingzi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) synthesizes enzymes which have anti-hyperglycemic and anti-diabetic activities. This preliminary study aims to characterize the amylase and cellulase activities of mycelial culture, and to analyze the physicochemical compounds in the basidioma of G. lucidum InaCC F11 and G. lucidum InaCC F106. The enzymes were characterized spectrophotometrically using DNS method, and the basidioma was subjected to proximate and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, as well as microstructural observation using scanning electron microscope. Results showed both strains demonstrated amylase activity, but not cellulase activity. The optimum activity of amylase in G. lucidum InaCC F11 mycelial cultures was achieved on the 3rd incubation day, at pH 5.5, 35 ºC temperature, and 1.5% substrate concentration, whereas that of G. lucidum InaCC F106 on the 7th incubation day, at pH 5, 40 ºC temperature, and 1.75% substrate concentration. Dried basidioma of G. lucidum InaCC F11 contained 93.72% carbohydrates, 3.06% protein, 0.85% fat, 0.768% crude fiber, 0.54% ash, and 1.83% moisture. In addition, HPLC detected the presence of phenols (0.036%), steroids (0.014 mg 100 mL-1), and active triterpenoid compounds. Jamur lingzi (Ganoderma lucidum) mensintesis enzim yang memiliki aktivitas anti-hiperglikemik dan anti-diabetes. Studi pendahuluan ini bertujuan mengkarakterisasi aktivitas amilase dan selulase kultur miselium, serta menganalisis senyawa fisikokimia pada basidioma G. lucidum InaCC F11 dan G. lucidum InaCC F106. Enzim dikarakterisasi secara spektrofotometri menggunakan metode DNS. Basidioma dianalisis secara proksimat, menggunakan kromatografi cair kinerja tinggi (KCKT), serta diamati mikrostrukturnya menggunakan mikroskop elektron. Hasil menunjukkan kedua strain tersebut memiliki aktivitas amilase, dan tidak ada aktivitas selulase. Aktivitas amilase optimum pada kultur miselium G. lucidum InaCC F11 dicapai pada inkubasi hari ke-3, pH 5,5, suhu 35 ºC, dan konsentrasi substrat 1,5%, sedangkan pada kultur miselium G. lucidum InaCC F106 dicapai pada inkubasi hari ke-7, pH 5, suhu 40 ºC, dan konsentrasi substrat 1,75%. Basidioma kering G. lucidum InaCC F11 mengandung karbohidrat 93,72%, protein 3,06%, lemak 0,85%, serat kasar 0,768%, abu 0,54%, dan kadar air 1,83%. Selain itu, KCKT mendeteksi adanya fenol (0,036%), steroid (0,014 mg 100 mL-1), dan senyawa triterpenoid aktif.

El cultivo de cacao en el Perú se va incrementando por la ampliación de áreas productivas y mejora de los rendimientos, sin embargo, la presencia de las tres principales enfermedades (mazorca parda, escoba de bruja y moniliasis) afectan significativamente los rendimientos en cacaotales con bajo nivel de mantenimiento, teniendo como objetivo determinar los medios de cultivo que permitan mayores crecimientos radiales de Moniliophthora perniciosa, por lo que se hace necesario contar con estrategias viables de manejo y control. Las pruebas in vitro de control químico y biológico requieren que los aislados presentan crecimientos miceliales apropiados, por lo que se planteó la comparación de 14 medios de cultivo sólidos no convencionales con 6 repeticiones. Los tratamientos fueron maltacervezneg, frejolcaraota, achiote, cascmazorca, arroz, maizamarillo, frugos, mbamilaceo, papa, melazacacao, vegetales, masabourd, escobaverde y gelatina, sobre los cuales se sembró basidiocarpos de M. perniciosa proveniente de Cacaopampa-Santa Ana, pegados en el centro de la tapa de las placas petri de 90 mm y se incubaron por 12 días a 25°C de temperatura. Los medios de cultivo que permitieron mayores crecimientos radiales de M. perniciosa fueron medio malta proveniente de cerveza negra, frejol caraota, achiote y cáscara de cacao con 90.00, 87.08, 82.58 y 66.75 mm respectivamente y el medio papa (PDA) presentó un desempeño 50% menor que el medio Maltacerveneg en el crecimiento radial de cultivo monospórico de M. perniciosa.

A new species Tremella zhejiangensis is described from southeastern China based on phenotypic and molecular evidence. The species is characterized by soft gelatinous, yellowish brown to brownish orange, cerebriform basidioma when fresh, thin-walled, globose to subglobose or broadly ellipsoid basidia with a basal clamp connection, globose to subglobose basidiospores measuring 15.0–19.0 × 14.0–17.5 µm with obvious apiculus, and growth on rotten wood of Liquidambar formosana. The phylogeny of Tremella s.s. is constructed using methods of Maximum Parsimony, Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference analyses based on the combined internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS) and the large subunit (nLSU) dataset. The results indicate that T. zhejiangensis forms a lineage independent of other species of Tremella s.s. An illustrated description of the new species is provided and related species are discussed.

Phylloporia moricola is described as a new species based on collections from Sichuan Province, China. All studied basidiocarps grow on trunks of Morus sp. This new species is supported by morphological features and phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences inferred from a dataset of nuc 28S rDNA. P. moricola is characterized by having effused-reflexed to pileate basidiocarps, pores 7–9 per mm, duplex context with a black line when young, dimitic hyphal system, and brownish, slightly thick-walled basidiospores generally measuring 3.4–4 × 2.7–3.2 μm. Phylloporia moricola is phylogenetically most closely related to Phylloporia mori, that also occurs on Morus sp., but that species differs from P. moricola in having hymenial setae and larger basidiospores (4–4.8 × 3.1–3.8 μm).

A novel species, Leucoagaricus fragilis, is described from the vicinity of the Cholistan desert, Punjab, Pakistan. The taxon is characterized by white, fragile basidiomata with a light brown, umbonate disk, a radially fibrillose pileus surface rarely splitting radially, pinkish brown lamellae at maturity, a white, bent stipe that stains yellowish upon handling, an inferior annulus, sub-globose to ellipsoid basidiospores, broadly clavate to abundantly sphaeropedunculate cheilocystidia, and cylindrical pileipellis hyphae intermixed with broader clavate elements with rounded ends. Morpho-anatomical and molecular phylogenetic analyses of nrITS and nrLSU datasets confirmed a new taxon in L. sect. Piloselli. A key to the known species of Leucoagaricus in Pakistan is also provided.

A new gelatinous species, Calocera tibetica, is described from southwest China based on morphological and molecular evidence. It is characterized by stipitate, tough, gelatinous, dichotomously branched, dendroid or staghorn-like basidioma with blunt tips, subclavate to clavate basidia measuring 45.0–53.0 × 4.8–6.0 µm, and hyaline, oblong-ellipsoid to navicular, 3–4-septate mature basidiospores measuring 9.0–14.0 × 5.0–6.3 μm. In the phylogeny, the new species is closely related to C. viscosa and C. cornea based on the nITS + nLSU dataset, but C. viscosa has basidioma with sharp tips, pale yellow, 1-septate mature basidiospores; C. cornea has cylindrical, subulate, slightly branched basidioma, and sub-hyaline cylindrical to slightly curved-cylindrical, 1-septate mature basidiospores measuring 7–10 × 3–4.5 μm. The new species is unique by its 3–4-septate mature basidiospores among species of Calocera.

Gloeocantharellus andasibensis sp. nov. is recognized by orange-red basidiomata with a convex to plane, innately fibrillose and viscid pileus, ellipsoid to amygdaliform, small, verrucose basidiospores, and a distinct nrITS sequence. This is the first record of the genus from Madagascar. To improve the understanding of the nomenclature of the genus, the type specimen of G. okapaensis and specimens of G. lateritius and G. corneri accessioned in the fungarium of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew were also sequenced.

Two new wood-rotting fungi in the family Hymenochaetaceae, Fulvifomes dracaenicolasp. nov. and Hymenochaete dracaenicolasp. nov., are described and illustrated from tropical China based on morphological characteristics and molecular data. It is worth to mention that both of them grow on Dracaena cambodiana which is a kind of angiosperm tree distributed in tropical regions. F. dracaenicola is characterised by perennial, pileate, triquetrous basidioma with yellowish brown fresh pores which becoming honey yellow with silk sheening upon drying, a dimitic hyphal system in trama and monomitic in context, and subglobose basidiospores measuring 4.8–5 × 4–4.1 μm. H. dracaenicola is characterised by annual, resupinate basidioma with a clay buff hymenophore, a dimitic hyphal system, absence of tomentum and cortex, presence of subulate setae, absence of cystidia, presence of cystidioles and simple hyphidia, and oblong ellipsoid basidiospores measuring 5.2–5.8 × 2.5–2.8 µm. The phylogenetic analyses based on ITS + nLSU rDNA sequences confirm the placement of two new species respectively in Fulvifomes and Hymenochaete. Phylogenetically closely related species to the two new species are discussed.

Four new species of Bjerkandera, viz. B. ecuadorensis, B. fulgida, B. minispora, and B. resupinataspp. nov., are described from tropical America and Asia. B. ecuadorensis is characterised by dark grey to black pore surface, a monomitic hyphal system, hyaline to yellowish-brown generative hyphae, and ellipsoid basidiospores measuring 3.9–4.5 × 2.7–3 μm. B. fulgida is distinguished from the other species in the genus by clay buff to pale brown and shiny pore surface. B. minispora is characterised by white tomentose pore mouth and small basidiospores measuring 3.1–4.2 × 2–2.8 μm. B. resupinata is characterised by resupinate basidiomata, pinkish buff to pale brownish pore surface, and ellipsoid to broadly ellipsoid basidiospores measuring 4.5–6 × 3.2–4.1 µm. All these new species grow on angiosperm trunks or rotten wood, and cause a white rot. The closely related taxa to four new species are discussed. An identification key to the ten accepted species of Bjerkandera is provided, and a phylogeny comprising all known Bjerkandera species is provided.

One Tomentella and two Pseudotomentella species are described from alpine areas of Sweden and Norway. Tomentella viridibasidia sp. nov. is genetically closely related to T. bryophila, but is morphologically most similar to T. olivascens and T. stuposa. Pseudotomentella badjelanndana sp. nov. and P. sorjusensis sp. nov. belong to the P. tristis group. At least P. sorjusensis must currently be regarded as morphologically cryptic with P. rotundispora. Basidiomata of the new species have only been encountered in the Scandes Mountains, but root-tip and soil sequences indicate that all three are geographically widespread. An updated key to the Pseutomentella tristis group is provided.

Two new wood-inhabiting fungi, Mycorrhaphium subadustum sp. nov. and Trullella conifericola sp. nov., are proposed and described from Asia based on ITS, nrLSU and tef1 molecular phylogeny and morphological characteristics. Mycorrhaphium subadustum is characterized by a stipitate basidiocarp, velutinate pileal surface concentrically zoned, hydnoid hymenophore, a dimitic hyphal system in spine trama and monomitic in context, absence of gloeocystidia, presence of cystidioles and the non-amyloid, cylindrical to ellipsoid basidiospores. Trullella conifericola is characterized by a laterally stipitate basidiocarp with flabelliform to semicircular pileus, hirtellous pileal surface with appressed coarse hair and concentrically zoned and sulcate, tiny pores (10–12 per mm), a dimitic hyphal system, absence of any type of cystidia, short clavate basidia and thin-walled, smooth, cylindrical to allantoid basidiospores. Phylogenetic analyses based on a three-marker dataset were performed using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods. The two new species formed isolated lineages with full support in Steccherinaceae . The distinguishing characters of the two new species as well as allied species are discussed, and a key to species of Mycorrhaphium is provided.

Two new species, Leucoagaricus tropicus and Leucoagaricus brunneodiscus, are described from West Bengal, Eastern India, based on morphological details and phylogenetic analyses. Leucoagaricus tropicus is characterized by its white, medium-sized pileus with a brown to dark brown umbo, a white stipe that directly changes to brownish-red or brown on bruising or with KOH, ellipsoid basidiospores with inconspicuous germ pore, dimorphic cheilocystidia, narrowly clavate to narrowly fusiform cystidioid elements on the annulus and small cystidioid elements of the pileus covering. Leucoagaricus brunneodiscus is distinguished by the presence of colourless to orange-white drops on the stipe, brownish-orange to brown annulus with dark brown edge, ellipsoid basidiospores without a germ pore and small, clavate cheilocystidia. Detailed descriptions, field photographs of the collected basidiomata, comparisons with morphologically similar and phylogenetically related species and a phylogram generated from the combined dataset of nrITS and LSU sequences are provided. An artificial key to all Leucoagaricus taxa reported in India is also provided.

Laccaria fagacicola and L. pallidorosea, two new species collected from subtropical broad-leaved forests, were described in this study with both molecular and morphological evidence. Laccaria fagacicola is characterized by its brownish orange basidioma and globose to subglobose, echinulate basidiospores with spines 1–2 μm long and 1–1.5 μm wide at base. Laccaria pallidorosea has a small and pinkish basidioma, and globose to subglobose, echinate basidiospores with spines 1.5–2 μm long and 2 μm wide at base. Phylogenetic analyses based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region indicated that L. fagacicola is sister to L. rubroalba and L. aurantia, while L. pallidorosea is related to L. versiforma and L. salmonicolor. These two new species are described, illustrated, and compared with closely related and morphologically similar species.

Morphological and phylogenetic analyses were performed on recently collected Marasmius specimens including specimens previously determined as Marasmius jalapensis in northern Argentina and Paraguay. A description of a new species for northern Argentina and Colombia and a new morphological delimitation of M. jalapensis with a more restricted distribution range are proposed. Marasmius tricystidiatus sp. nov. is characterised by its yellowish and slightly sulcate pileus, medium-sized basidiomata, setae in all tissues and cheilocystidia of three types, viz., Siccus-type broom cells, cheilosetae, and transitional elements; M. jalapensis, the closest species, is similar in pileus coloration and presence of setoid cystidia in all tissues, but mainly differs in having only cheilosetae and broader basidiospores on average. Both species are closely related and belong to sect. Globulares subsect. Leonini, but the relationships within the latter still must be resolved.

A new Cortinarius species in subgenus Telamonia section Flexipedes, Cortinarius jiaoheensis, is described based on morphological characteristics and molecular data. It is characterized by small basidiomata, with the surface of the pileus completely covered by woolly squamules, and ellipsoid to obovoid ellipsoid basidiospores. This species produces basidiomata in the autumn and is currently known only from northeast China.

The selection of fast-growing and high-yield-producing strains is required to satisfy the market demand on fungal food supplements. To that aim, three strains deposited in our collection as G. lucidum and G. oregonense were screened for polysaccharide production and biomass yield. Ganoderma strains deposited as G. lucidum were identified as G. sessile and G. lingzhi by nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS) and translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF1-α) phylogenies. The identity of G. oregonense was confirmed by molecular phylogeny and biogeography. Additionally, mycelial antagonism confirmed species differentiation, and strains were further distinguished by morphology and protein profiles. Biomass and polysaccharide yields of G. sessile were clearly different from those of G. lingzhi and G. oregonense in both liquid culture and solid-state fermentation. The maximum polysaccharide yield (4.52 ± 0.83 g L-1) for G. sessile was obtained from submerged cultures at day 9. G. sessile also achieved the highest linear growth in lignocellulosic solid substrates. Consequently, basidiomata were successfully obtained by solid-state fermentation in polypropylene bags, whereas G. lingzhi and G. oregonense mushrooms were not produced in artificial solid substrates. G. sessile, a species frequently collected in America, showed to be a promising polysaccharide producer for the manufacture of dietary supplements.

A new wood-rotting fungal species, Punctularia bambusicola, is proposed based on a combination of morphological features and molecular data. The species is characterized by resupinate, lilac to purple basidiomata, pink to rose tuberculate hymenial surface, monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae, yellowish to brown dendrohyphidia and ellipsoid basidiospores measuring 6.5–8.5 × 3.5–5 µm. Phylogenetic analyses of combining ITS and LSU nrRNA gene regions demonstrated that P. bambusicola forms a single lineage sister to P. atropurpurascens with strong statistical supports (100% BS, 100% BT, 1.00 BPP).

Three new wood-inhabiting fungal species, Xenasmatella rhizomorpha, X. tenuis and X. xinpingensis spp. nov., are proposed based on a combination of morphological characteristics and molecular BLAST analyses. Xenasmatella rhizomorpha is characterized by annual, resupinate, gossypine basidiomata with rhizomorphs, a monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae and ellipsoid, thin-walled, warted basidiospores measuring 3.1–4.9 × 2.3–3.3 µm. Xenasmatella tenuis is characterized by annual, resupinate, very thin basidiomata with ceraceous to membranous, white to lilac hymenial surface, a monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae and ellipsoid, thin-walled, warted basidiospores. Xenasmatella xinpingensis is characterized by annual, resupinate basidiomata, a monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae and subglobose to globose, thin-walled, warted basidiospores (3.5–4.9 × 3–4.2 µm).

A new species of Fomitiporia, F. tasmanica, is described from Tasmania (Australia) based on morphological examination and phylogenetic analysis of the nuc rDNA region encompassing the internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2, along with the 5.8S rDNA and nuc 28S rDNA D1-D2 domains. The new species is characterized by perennial, resupinate basidiocarps, very small pores (10–12 per mm), a dimitic hyphal system, presence of hymenial setae and cystidioles, and subglobose basidiospores measuring 5.5–6.6 × 5–6 µm.

Sequestrate fungi have enclosed hypogeous, subhypogeous, or epigeous basidiomes and have lost the ability to actively discharge their spores. They can be distinguished as gasteroid (basidiome fully enclosed with a loculated hymenophore) or secotioid (basidiome with some agaricoid or pileate-stipitate features, but the lamellae are misshapen and unexposed or mostly unexposed at maturity). There are only four reports of sequestrate taxa within the ectomycorrhizal family Inocybaceae, three from Australia and one from western North America. Recent field work in Nothofagaceae forests in the Chilean coastal range revealed novel sequestrate forms of Inocybe. We examined specimens using a combination of morphological and molecular data from nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer region ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS) and portions of nuc 28S rDNA (28S) and the gene encoding the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (rpb2). Here, we describe four new sequestrate Inocybe species, I. ranunculiformis, I. anfractuosa, I. illariae, and I. nahuelbutensis. Results of our phylogenetic analysis resolved the four new species as distinct species-level clades with strong support, suggesting that these fungi have convergently evolved sequestrate forms independently. The species described here were all placed along with members of the "smooth-spored temperate austral clade," which includes almost exclusively Australasian and South American species of Inocybe.

Excessive use of chemical fungicides continues to drive research towards biological alternatives, as natural products are enjoying increasing interest in many areas and have the potential to control biological agents that cause various diseases in agricultural crops. On the other hand, the biodiversity of Basidiomycetes fungi is well recognized as an untapped source of potential bioactive of natural origin, with original chemical and biological characteristics, having prospective activities of medical and biological interest. These macro-fungi are among the main biological agents used to fight against phy-topathogenic fungi. The present study was carried out to evaluate the anti-fungal activity of ethyle acetate extracts of 16 edible and no edible basidiomycetes. These mushrooms are: Lactarius zonarioides, Amanita proxima, A.virosa, Agaricus bisporus, Suillus mediterraneensis, Coprinus atramentari-us, Pleurotus pulmonarius, P. eryngi, P. dryinus, P. ostreatus, Lepiota sp., Cortinarius orellanus, Boletus sp., Xerocomus sp., Armillaria mellea, and Trametes quercina. Their phytosanitary potential was tested against three phytopathogenic fungi: Aspergillus niger; Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. albedinis and Verticillium dahliae Kleb. The chemical extraction by the apparatus Soxhlet was used to obtain ethyl acetate extracts from different basidiocarps, and the disc diffusion method was done in order to achieve antifungal activity. The results showed that; among the studied extracts; those of A. proxima, A. virosa, Xerocomus sp. and Trametes quercina have a potential antifungal activity compared with standard Fluconazol. These results clearly indicated that basidiomycete extracts are a reservoir of bioactive components of antimicrobial fungal metabolites, which could be used for the devel-opment of new agents against phytopathogenic fungi.

Cantharellus macrocarpus, a member of Cantharellus subgenus Cantharellus, is described as a new species from Hainan Province, China. It is characterized by large basidioma with a bright yellow-orange pileus and a well-developed, rugulose hymenophore, cream to pale yellowish stipe, noticeably thickened hyphal walls in the pileipellis, presence of clamp connections in all parts of the basidiomata, and a distribution in tropical Asia. A phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences from part of the 28S gene and the translation elongation factor 1-a gene (TEF1) confirmed that it forms an independent lineage within subgenus Cantharellus. A detailed description, color photos of fresh basidiomata and line drawings of micromorphological features are presented.

Gerhardtia yunnanensis is described as a new species from southwestern China. The species is characterized by its medium to large basidiomata with a yellow-brown to reddish brown pileus with a translucent-striate pale margin, weakly curved stipe, basidia with both cyanophilic and siderophilic reactions, basidiospore walls having a cyanophilic reaction, basidiospores with minute granular or verruculose ornamentation under SEM, narrowly clavate to irregular or curved clavate cheilocystidia and pleurocystidia, and absence of clamp connections. A comparison of all taxa of the genus was performed based on morphological and ITS and LSU molecular data. Furthermore, we provide a key to the known species of Gerhardtia worldwide.

A new poroid wood-inhabiting fungus in the family Steccherinaceae, Steccherinum fragile sp. nov., is described and illustrated from China based on morphological and molecular evidence. The species was collected in Yunnan Province, growing on the ground and undersides of rotten angiosperm wood. S. fragile is characterized by an annual growth habit, resupinate basidiocarps with salmon to peach pores when fresh becoming cinnamon buff to pinkish buff upon drying, a thin margin with distinct rhizomorphs, a monomitic hyphal system, generative hyphae thin- to distinctly thick-walled with simple septa, neither amyloid nor cyanophilous. The phylogenetic analysis based on ITS + nLSU rDNA sequences shows that the new species belongs to Steccherinum, forming a monophyletic lineage with strong support (100% BS, 100% BP, 1.00 BPP). In addition, a new combination, S. subcollabens, is also proposed based on examination of its type material and phylogenetic analysis. Phylogenetically, Steccherinum fragile is closely related to S. amapaense and groups with S. subcollabens, S. formosanum and S. collabens. Both morphological and molecular characters confirm the placement of the new species and combination in Steccherinum.

A new species, Pseudolagarobasidium baiyunshanense, is described and illustrated based on morphological characters and molecular evidences. It is characterized by subcretaceous, odontioid to raduloid, white, grayish violet when fresh, cream, olivaceous buff when dry basidioma (at first deep olive in KOH then fading), short aculei (up to 1.8 mm long), monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae, ellipsoid to broadly ellipsoid basidiospores (4–6.1 × 2.9–3.9 µm). Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS+nLSU rRNA gene regions supported P. baiyunshanense as a distinctive species belonging to Pseudolagarobasidium.

White root rot (WRR) disease caused by Rigidoporus microporus is a major disease affecting tropical rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) and some agricultural crops throughout the world. In Malaysia, rubber industry is an important revenue as natural rubber for export and domestic consumption. The objectives of this study were to determine WRR disease prevalence and characterise R. microporus isolates collected from different regions in Malaysia using cultural and molecular characteristics. During July 2017 to May 2018, diseased samples showing WRR symptoms such as presence of basidiocarps and rhizomorphs in five states of Malaysia including Kedah (Baling), Kelantan (FELCRA Machang and Smallholder in Machang), Perak (Ipoh) and Selangor (Sungai Buloh and UPM Serdang), Sarawak (Bintulu) were obtained. In the field observation, all sampling areas were infected by the root rot disease. Findings revealed that field disease incidence was in the range of 5–40% based on random sampling. The collected R. microporus isolates were pure white and displayed fluffy mycelial growth when cultured on malt extract agar (MEA) medium. For molecular identification, BLASTn analysis showed 98–100% identical to existing reference sequences in the GenBank database. All 27 isolates of R. microporus were characterised based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and Beta-tubulin (β-tubulin) gene sequences data. Phylogenetic tree analyses of R. microporus isolates formed two major clades, i.e. Asian and African clades. There was also no clear geographical origin structuring observed within the Asian clade. However, phylogenetic analysis of Beta-tubulin (β-tubulin) gene region revealed distinct geographical origin amongst 27 local isolates. The outcomes of this study provide useful information to improve the existing disease control strategy, hence improving the rubber production in Malaysia.

We studied species of Leucoagaricus and Leucocoprinus collected in the Dominican Republic over the past 10 years using morphological and molecular methods and carefully compared our collections with previously described neotropical taxa. Twelve new species, eight in Leucoagaricus (La. bulbiger, La. caeruleovertens, La. margaritifer, La. pegleri, La. roseovertens, La. silvestris, La. stillatus, La. turgipes) and four in Leucocoprinus (Lc. antillarum, Lc. fuligineopunctatus, Lc. microlepis, Lc. scissus) are described. Additional records of previously described taxa are also discussed, including the first molecularly annotated occurrences of Lepiota guatopoensis, Lepiota mucrocystis, and La. rubroconfusus in their putative natural habitats and of Lc. cretaceus in the neotropics. Lepiota guatopoensis and Lepiota mucrocystis are transferred here to Leucoagaricus based on their phylogenetic placement and morphological characteristics. Color photographs of fresh basidiocarps and line drawings of microscopic characters are provided for all species.

Russula fanjing is proposed here as a new species based on morphological and molecular evidence. The new species is described and illustrated with photographs and line drawings and compared to related species. Morphologically, R. fanjing (subgenus Russula, section Russula, subsection Russula) is characterized by a medium-sized basidioma, with a vivid red to pastel red areolate pileus, white lamellae occasionally forked near the stipe with lamellulae, a smooth white stipe, basidiospores ornamented with strongly amyloid warts and ridges interconnected by fine lines in an incomplete or complete reticulum, and a pileipellis a typical trichoderm with suprapellis cells composed of short-celled, claw-like branched, lotus-root-like inflated hyphae and dispersed clavate, septate pileocystidia. The phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region provided further evidence that the described species belongs to subsection Russula and represents a new taxon.

Two wood-inhabiting fungal species, Trechispora daweishanensis and T. xantha spp. nov. are proposed based on morphological features and molecular evidence. Trechispora daweishanensis is characterized by basidiomata with an annual growth habit, a tuberculate hymenophore, a monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae and ellipsoid, hyaline, thin-walled, smooth basidiospores measuring 3.8–5 × 2.7–3.5 µm. Trechispora xantha is characterized by resupinate, cracked basidiomata with a buff-coloured hymenial surface, a monomitic hyphal system and ellipsoid, hyaline, thin-walled, smooth basidiospores measuring 4.3–5.7 × 3.2–4 µm. Sequences of ITS and nLSU gene regions of the studied samples were generated. The phylogenetic analysis based on molecular data of ITS+nLSU sequences supported the novelty of these two species. Furthermore, we provide a key to the known species of Trechispora in China.

Amanita fense is described and illustrated as a new species from China based on morphological and molecular evidence. This fungus is mainly distributed in the eastern, northeastern and southwestern regions of China, such as Anhui, Liaoning, and Yunnan. It is characterized by medium-sized basidiomata, a buff to cacao brown pileus with long-striate pileus margin, pinkish lamellae, and ellipsoid to elongate inamyloid spores. This is the fifth taxon with pink lamellae within Amanita section Caesareae. We provide a comparison with similar species and a key to those taxa that have pink to pinkish gills in this section.

Twenty four species of Bird's nest fungi belonging to four genera, namely Crucibulum, Cyathus, Nidula and Sphaerobolus have been reported from India with most of the reports were from Northeastern states in the Eastern Himalaya region that is well recognized for its rich biodiversity. Among these genera, Cyathus is the largest genus with 61 species documented so far in the world including 17 species from India. So far, only Cyathus poeppigii has been reported from the Eastern Himalayan state of Arunachal Pradesh. In the present paper, another newly recorded species Cyathus striatus, is reported with its detail taxonomic characteristics. It produces comparatively smaller basidiocarps than the earlier reported collection from Darjeeling (West Bengal). Further, the basidiospores are thin walled but comparatively larger in size. The paper also lists all Bird's nest fungi from India with detailed information.

Based on morphological characteristics and molecular evidence, two new species of Panellus, P. bambusicola and P. yunnanensis, are described and illustrated from Yunnan Province, southwestern China. Both species are characterized by white and gelatinous basidiocarps, poroid hymenophore which is concolorous with the pileal surface, a monomitic hyphal system with slightly thick-walled tramal hyphae. P. bambusicola has oblong ellipsoid to ellipsoid basidiospores measuring 6–7.2 × 3–3.8 μm, whereas P. yunnanensis has ellipsoid to broadly ellipsoid basidiospores measuring 6.5–8.5 × 3.8–4.5 μm. In addition, samples of P. bambusicola and P. yunnanensis formed two distinct phylogenetic lineages based on the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS) and nuclear large subunit ribosomal RNA gene regions (nLSU) sequences.

Lignosus rhinocerus is one of the most valuable medicinal fungi used throughout South East Asia, and South China. The polypore is characterized by a stipitate basidiomata with orbicular pileus, and an underground sclerotium, a trimitic hyphal system bearing generative hyphae with clamp connections, and globose to subglobose basidiospores. Basidiomata, including the sclerotia of L. rhinocerus are used to treat various ailments. L. rhinocerus is rarely encountered in the wild and has a very restricted geographic distribution. Because of its rarity and importance, domestication and commercial cultivation of the fungus has been attempted. During study of the polyporoid fungi in forests of Kerala State, India, some interesting specimens were collected. Detailed taxonomic study of the collected specimens identified them as L. rhinocerus, with a distribution record new to India. Taxonomic account of the species is presented.

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of different substrates and spawn doses on the yield of Pleurotus cornucopiae. In the experiment different spawn doses (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 %) and five agro-forestry waste viz., wheat straw, paddy straw, sugarcane bagasses, maize straw and saw dust were evaluated for the cultivation of P. cornucopiae. The trial was conducted using completely randomized plot design with three replications. Days to spawn run, average number of basidioma and yield as well as biological efficiency of mushroom were observed. The result of this study indicates that maximum yield (517.33 g/2kg substrate) with a biological efficiency of 86.22 per cent was recorded in wheat straw substrate spawned at the rate of 5 per cent spawn. It was found that minimum (14.00 days) time to spawn run and maximum (7.33) number of basidioma was harvested from wheat straw spawned at the rate of 5 per cent.

Based on morphological characteristics and molecular phylogenetic analysis using nuc rDNA ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 and 28S rDNA sequences, two new species of Physisporinus, Physisporinus castanopsidis sp. nov. and Physisporinus roseus sp. nov. are described from Yunnan Province, Southwest China. Physisporinus castanopsidis is characterised by resupinate, snow white and waxy basidiocarps which become pale brown when bruised, abundant hymenial cystidia and cystidia-like hyphae at dissepiment edge, generative hyphae with swollen tips, distinctly ovoid basidiospores measuring 4.8–5.6 × 3.6–4.2 μm and growing on rotten wood or roots of Castanopsis. Physisporinus roseus is characterised by perennial, resupinate and thick basidiomata with rose fresh pores which becoming vinaceous grey up on drying, a distinct context layer present among tube layers, abundant clavate, smooth cystidia and subglobose basidiospores measuring 3.5–4.1 × 3.1–3.8 μm.

Phlebopus roseus is described as new based on collections from southwest China. Phylogenetic analyses of nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacer region ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS) and portions of nuclear 28S rDNA (28S), translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1), and the largest and second largest subunits of RNA polymerase II (rpb1, rpb2) support P. roseus as a novel species in the genus Phlebopus (Boletinellaceae, Boletales). The new species resembles P. portentosus but differs from it in that mature basidiomata have a bright rose-red-colored stipe and a radiate tubular hymenophore with nested pores. Despite extensive searching, P. roseus has only been found at four sites within a 24-hectare orchard dominated by Eriobotrya japonica, which is agriculturally important given its fruit production (loquats). Therefore, this species appears to be endemic and geographically restricted. The ecology of this bolete is also unique. In line with the trophic behavior of other species in the Boletinellaceae, our observations indicate that P. roseus forms a symbiotic association with the scale insect Coccus hesperidum, identified through sequence analysis of its mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) region, to form fungus-insect galls that develop on roots of E. japonica trees. Phlebopus roseus is an edible mushroom species and is collected from the type location by farmers and sold commercially in limited quantities at local markets alongside P. portentosus and other fungi.

Guepinia alba sp. nov. and G. shanxiense sp. nov. are described and illustrated from Northern China in this paper. Morphologically, G. alba is distinguished from other Guepinia species by whitish basidiomata and 4-spored basidia while G. shanxiense is diagnosed by reddish orange basidiomata and ellipsoid to oblong ellipsoid basidiospores. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on ITS and nrLSU sequences support the establishment of the two new species.

A Mycena species new to science was obtained from moist chamber cultures of trunk bark of a living American elm tree (Ulmus americana) located in the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, Tarrant County, Texas. This discovery was part of an ongoing study of corticolous myxomycetes on larger American elm trees occurring in Fort Worth nature parks. More than 15 American elm trees were sampled for trunk bark but only a single tree yielded Mycena basidiomes. Collections of bark began in the summer of 2017 and continued until the beginning of 2020. Bark samples from the north, south and west side of the tree yielded fruit bodies of the mushroom in moist chamber culture. No fruit bodies were observed in nature nor were early formation stages on the underside of the bark. Crystals previously described in another study were present on the bark surfaces, edges, and undersides. Habit and morphological development were photographed using light microscopy applying multifocal imaging and computer stacking to increase depth of field. Basidiome development was observed and photographed from the earliest primordial beginning stage, the button stage, intermediate stage and the final emerging stalk elongation and mature cap formation stage. Mature mushroom development took from 9 to 21 days after wetting the bark in moist chamber cultures. Scanning electron microscopy was used to illustrate development of the button stage, emerging stalk and pileus stage, and the fully mature pileus, lamellae, and pseudocollarium. Morphological features and DNA sequence data confirmed that this Mycena species was undescribed and distinct from other Mycena taxa. Morphological features suggest placement of the novel taxon in Mycena sect. Viscipelles, distinct from other members based on morphological characters and phylogenetic analysis.