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Crop duration of the cultivated Pleurotus spp. is 45 to 50 days. P. djamor isolate woody-1 was collected as natural selection and was found to be short cropping duration variety with total cropping duration of 30 days but it is less palatable. It produced very thin, loose and non-rhizomorphic mycelia appearing light white color. Whereas, other commercial Pleurotus varieties such as P. florida and P. djamor MDU1 are long crop duration varieties and palatable producing thick, compact and rhizomorphic mycelia with bright white color. Co-segregation of non-rhizomorphic mycelial phenotype and short cropping duration trait of P. djamor woody- 1 in hybrid progenies was evaluated. Hybrid strains viz., H2W12 and H2W14 have thin, loose and non-rhizomorphic mycelium and they produced primordia in 9-10 days after spawning with total cropping duration of 29-32 days. Whereas, hybrid strain namely Pf1W2 has thick, compact and rhizomorphic mycelial phenotype and it produced primordia in 20 days after spawning with the total cropping duration of 47 days. This study indicated that genes governing short cropping duration and non-rhizomorphic mycelial pattern were tightly linked and co-segregated in the progenies. Thus, non-rhizomorphic mycelial phenotype of P. djamor woody1 can be used as a phenotypic marker for selection of hybrid cultivar having short cropping duration with other desired agronomic traits in future breeding strategy.

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.

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.

The genus Sphaerostilbella comprises fungi that colonize basidiomata of wood-inhabiting fungi, including important forest pathogens. Studies of fermentation cultures of an isolate (TFC201724) collected on the foothills of Himalayas, and closely related to S. broomeana isolates from Europe, led to the identification of a new cyclic octapeptide along with two closely related analogues (1–3) and four dioxopiperazines (4–7). The structure of the lead compound, broomeanamide A (1), was assigned mainly by analysis of 2D NMR and HRESIMS data. The structure consisted of one unit each of N-MeVal, Ala, N-MePhe, Pro, Val, and Ile and two N-MeLeu units. The amino acid sequence was determined on the basis of 2D NMR and HRESIMSMS data. NMR and HRMS data revealed that the other two new peptides have the same amino acid composition except that the Ile unit was replaced with Val in one instance (2) and the N-MeVal unit was replaced with Val in the other (3). The absolute configuration of 1 was assigned by analysis of the acid hydrolysate by application of Marfey’s method using both C18 and C3 bonded-phase columns. Broomeanamide A (1) showed antifungal activity against Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans, with MIC values of 8.0 and 64 μg/mL, respectively.

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.