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

AbstractNigrospora(Xylariales, Apiosporaceae) consists of species of terrestrial plant endophytes and pathogens. Nigrosporahas also been reported in marine environments such as mangroves, sea fans, and macroalgae. However, limited research has been conducted on Nigrosporaassociated with macroalgae. Here, we isolated Nigrosporaspecies from three types of algae (brown, green, and red algae) from Korean islands (Chuja, Jeju, and Ulleung) based on phylogenetic analyses of multigenetic markers: the internal transcribed spacers (ITS), beta-tubulin (BenA), and translation elongation factor 1 (TEF1-α). A total of 17 Nigrosporastrains were isolated from macroalgae and identified as nine distinct species. The majority of Nigrosporaspecies (seven) were found on brown algae, followed by red algae (three), and then green algae (two). To our understanding, this study represents the first account of N. cooperae, N. covidalis, N. guilinensis, N. lacticolonia, N. osmanthi, N. pyriformis, and N. rubioccurring in marine environments. Additionally, this study provides the first report of the occurrence of N. cooperae, N. covidalis, N. guilinensis, N. lacticolonia, and N. osmanthiin South Korea. This study will provide valuable insights for future research exploring the functions of fungi in macroalgal communities.

AbstractThe genus Laccaria(Hydnangiaceae, Agaricales) plays an important role in forest ecosystems as an ectomycorrhizal fungus, contributing to nutrient cycles through symbiosis with many types of trees. Though understanding Laccariadiversity and distribution patterns, as well as its association with host plants, is fundamental to constructing a balanced plant diversity and conducting effective forest management, previous studies have not been effective in accurately investigating, as they relied heavily on specimen collection alone. To investigate the true diversity and distribution pattern of Laccariaspecies and determine their host types, we used four different approaches: specimen-based analysis, open database search (ODS), NGS analysis, and species-specific PCR (SSP). As a result, 14 Laccariaspecies have been confirmed in Korea. Results regarding the species distribution pattern were different between specimen-based analysis and SSP. However, when both were integrated, the exact distribution pattern of each Laccariaspecies was determined. In addition, the SSP revealed that many Laccariaspecies have a wide range of host types. This study shows that using these four different approaches is useful in determining the diversity, distribution, and host of ECM fungi. Furthermore, results obtained for Laccariawill serve as a baseline to help understand the role of ECM fungi in forest management in response to climate change.

AbstractThe genus Pholiota(Strophariaceae, Basidiomycota) is made up of wood-rotting saprotrophic mushrooms characterized by a yellow or brown pileus with scales and/or slimy, and by a brownish smooth spore with a germ pore. However, these features are not enough to distinguish its species, or separate the genus Pholiotafrom other brown-spored wood-rotting genera such as Hypholomaand Stropharia. Although internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence-based identification has improved identification accuracy for species of Pholiota, most Pholiotaspecies in Korea are reported based on morphological features. To evaluate the taxonomy of Pholiotaspecies, we investigated 62 specimens collected from 1999 to 2019 in Korea using ITS sequence analysis and morphological observation. Twelve of the 16 recorded Pholiotaspecies in Korea were identified. While eight species were clearly separated, the ITS analysis did not distinguish three in the Pholiota adiposacomplex. Therefore, further investigation is required to distinguish these three species. ITS sequences deposited in GenBank confirm that P. highlandensisexists in Korea. The presence of the other four Pholiotaspecies could not be confirmed through specimens or sequence information in GenBank. A taxonomic key and the ITS sequence data for Korean Pholiotaspecies are included and can be good baselines for further research on Pholiotataxonomy and diversity.

AbstractSpecies of Laccaria(Hydnangiaceae, Agaricales, and Basidiomycota) are well-known ectomycorrhizal symbionts of a broad range of hosts. Laccariaspecies are characterized by brown, orange, or purple colored basidiocarps, and globose or oblong, echinulate and multinucleate basidiospores. While some Laccariaspecies are easily identified at the species level using only the morphological characteristics, others are hard to distinguish at the species level due to small differences in morphology. Heretofore, ten Laccariaspecies have been reported in Korea. While studying the fungal diversity in the National Parks of Korea, two new Laccariaspecies were discovered. Species identification was done based on molecular analyses (ITS, 28S rDNA, rpb2, and tef1), then were confirmed by their corresponding morphologies. The two newly discovered Laccariaspecies are proposed here as Laccaria macrobasidiaand Laccaria griseolilacina. The unique morphological characters of L. macrobasidiathat distinguish it from its closely related species are orange-brown colored basidiocarp, long basidia and the absence of cheilocystidia. L. griseolilacinais characterized by a light grayish lavender-colored pileus and the absence of cheilocystidia. Two new species are described and illustrated in the present paper.

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