Search

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sanghuangporus vitexicola (Hymenochaetales) is described as a new species based on collections made from Pingtung County, tropical South Taiwan. All studied basidiocarps grew on living trunks of Vitex negundo. This new species is characterized by having perennial, pileate basidiocarps; pore surface yellowish brown, pores 6–8 per mm; context 0.7–1.5 cm thick; setae ventricose to subulate, dark brown, 17–30 × 5–8 μm; basidiospores broadly ellipsoid, brownish, smooth, 4.2–4.8 × 3.2–3.7 μm, with 0.2–0.5 μm thick walls. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference phylogenies inferred from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA indicated that six strains of Sanghuangporus viexicola formed a monophyletic group which is sister to S. zonatus. An identification key to known species of Sanghuangporus is provided.

A novel bolete species, Heimioporus subcostatus, is described from northern and northeastern Thailand. It can be distinguished from the other Heimioporus species by its reddish brown to brownish red basidiomata when young becoming dull red to pale red at maturity, with raised and prominent reticulation on stipe, yellow pores, basidiospores with incomplete reticulation, and occurrence in dipterocarp forest dominated by Dipterocarpus spp. and Shorea spp. In a phylogenetic tree based on a three-gene (atp6, tef1, rpb2) data set, the new species formed a clade sister to H. sinensis within the supported Heimioporus clade in the Xerocomoideae (Boletaceae). Macroscopic and microscopic descriptions, as well as illustrations of the new species are presented.

Fuscoporia caymanensis sp. nov. is described from tropical America. It is characterized by perennial, extensive, resupinate to indistinctly effused-reflexed basidiomata; a very thin to almost absent subiculum; multi-layered tubes with a black line between each layer; a dimitic hyphal system with skeletal hyphae occasionally septate; absence of mycelial setae and cystidioles; abundant hymenial setae, 40–55 × 5–7 μm; urniform basidia, and cylindrical basidiospores 4.5–5 × 2–2.4 µm. It was found growing on fallen rotten angiosperm trunks in tropical America. Phylogenetically, it is related to Fuscoporia viticola and F. palomari, but the latter two species have longer basidiospores (7–9 × 1.5–2 µm in F. viticola and 8–10 × 2.7–3.5 μm in F. palomari), and occur in temperate regions.

Thelephora austrosinensis is described as a new species from southern China. Morphologically, it is closely related to T. ganbajun and T. vialis but is distinguished by its relatively smaller basidiomata with a thinner and more serrate or lobed margin, obviously longitudinally rugulose hymenial surface, and habitat in the broad-leaved forests. Based on the molecular phylogenetic analyses, sequences of the new species form a distinct clade which is close to T. ganbajun and T. vialis. Detailed morphological descriptions, colour photographs of the new species and comparisons with similar taxa are presented.

A new Rhizopogon species associated with Pinus was discovered at local wild mushroom markets and Pinus armandii forests from March to July in Southwest China where it is considered a delicacy. Based on morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses, the collections were described as Rhizopogon songmaodan sp. nov. belonging to the subgenus Versicolores. The new species described here increases the current number of Rhizopogon species known in China to ten. R. songmaodan establishes ectomycorrhizal associations with P. armandii which was confirmed by comparing rDNA ITS sequences from basidiomata and ectomycorrhizal root tips. Mycorrhizal synthesis via spore inoculation between R. songmaodan and two native pine species, Pinus armandii and P. yunnanensis was successfully carried out in a greenhouse study. The ease of R. songmaodan inoculation onto pine species, and the high market demand of its sporocarps, could make R. songmaodan a good candidate for cultivation in Southwest China.

Fulvifomes submerrillii (Hymenochaetaceae, Basidiomycota) is described from China based on both of morphological evidence and molecular data. The new species is characterized by perennial, pileate basidiocarps, encrusted, smooth pileal surface, 6–7 pores per mm with thick dissepiments, a dimitic hyphal system with interwoven skeletal hyphae, absence of setae or setal hyphae, ventricose cystidioles, and broadly ellipsoid, yellowish brown, thick-walled, smooth basidiospores, 4.7–5 × 3.7–4 μm. Phylogenetic analysis inferred from ITS and nLSU sequences indicates that the new species forms a separate well-supported clade, closely related to F. merrillii. However, F. merrillii has larger pores (4–5 per mm), a subdimitic hyphal structure in context, the contextual skeletal hyphae which regularly arranged and become swollen in KOH, and slightly longer (4.5–6 μm long) basidiospores. Moreover, one new combination (F. rigidus) is revived from synonym under Inonotus rigidus.

Phaeoclavulina liliputiana is a new endemic species from Tlaxcala, from the conifer and oak forests at an altitude of 2700 m asl, characterized by a very small basidiome size and, subellipsoid and usually more or less lacrymoid spores of 4.3–6.2 × 2.7–3.5 µm, with rounded warted ornamentation. We proposed this new species based on evidence from morphological and molecular data. We provide macro- and microscopic descriptions including illustrations of the basidiocarp, scanning electron micrographs of the basidiospores and also discuss the taxonomic position of this new species. We undertook a molecular analysis using the atp6 and SSU mitochondrial loci and nuclear ribosomal LSU.

A new wood-inhabiting fungal species, Peniophorella cremea sp. nov. is proposed based on a combination of morphological features and molecular evidence. Peniophorella cremea is characterized by an annual growth habit, resupinate basidiomata with odontioid hymenial surface, a monomitic hyphal system with generative hyphae bearing clamp connections and ellipsoid, hyaline, thin-walled, smooth basidiospores measuring as 7–9.5 × 2.7–3.3 µm. The phylogenetic analyses based on ITS sequences showed that P. cremea forms a monophyletic lineage with high statistical supports (100% BS, 100% BP and 1.00 BPP).

A new poroid wood-inhabiting fungus in the Polyporales, Luteoporia citriniporia sp. nov., is described from Sri Lanka based on morphological and molecular evidence. L. citriniporia is characterized by an annual growth habit; resupinate basidiocarps with lemon yellow pores when fresh becoming buff to clay pink upon drying, a distinct snow white and fimbriate sterile margin, tissues becoming pink in KOH, a monomitic hyphal system, generative hyphae thin- to distinctly thick-walled, usually encrusted with fine yellow crystals, and oblong-ellipsoid to subcylindrical basidiospores measuring 3.4–4.2 × 1.8–2.1 µm. The phylogenetic analysis based on ITS + nLSU rDNA sequences shows that the new species belongs to Luteoporia, forming a monophyletic lineage with strong support (100% BS, 100% BP, 1.00 BPP) and is closely related to L. albomarginata; the lineage groups with Crustodontia chrysocreas, Phlebiporia bubalina and Mycoacia uda. Both morphological and molecular characters confirm the placement of the new species in Luteoporia.

A new polypore, Antrodia yunnanensis, collected from southwestern China, is described and illustrated based on morphological characteristics and molecular evidence. It is characterized by annual, resupinate basidiocarps with greyish blue to dark greyish blue pore surface upon drying, round to angular pores measuring 2–3 per mm, a dimitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae, subicular hyphae bearing fine crystals, and cylindrical, thin-walled, smooth basidiospores measuring 7–9.9 × 2.5–3.1 µm. Molecular phylogeny inferred from ITS and nLSU sequence data showed that samples of A. yunnanensis formed a distinctive lineage in Antrodia sensu lato, and it nested a sister group with A. tropica.

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).

A new species of Hymenochaetaceae, Fuscoporia ambigua sp. nov., is described based on specimens from the USA and China. The phylogeny, based on the ITS+nLSU+RPB2+TEF1 dataset, revealed that it nested within the Fuscoporia clade, and all the American and Chinese specimens of the new species clustered in a lineage with good support. The new species is characterized by its annual, resupinate basidiocarps with pores measuring 5–6 per mm, aseptate skeletal hyphae, presence of mycelial setae and cystidioles, long hymenial setae (45–75 μm) which are occasionally septate, presence of cystidioles, and ellipsoid basidiospores measuring 4.2–5.2 × 2.8–3.3 μm. Fuscoporia ambigua is very similar and closely related to F. ferruginosa, but the latter species has a perennial growth habit, and short and aseptate hymenial setae (30–44 μm).

Amanita lacerosquamosa, a new species of Amanita sect. Validae, is described from southwestern China based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence. The new species is characterized by its medium-sized basidioma, greyish brown, brown to dark brown pileus with brownish grey to greyish brown, verrucose, patchy and sometimes subpyramidal remnants of the universal veil, upper-middle to lower-middle annulus on stipe with snakeskin shaped, floccose, grey to light brown squamules above the annulus, and amyloid, globose, subglobose to broadly ellipsoid basidiospores 6−7.5 × 5−7 μm.