Taxonomic Investigation and Addition of Marasmiellus agrianum N. Jabeen and M. Lodhi sp. nov. (Agaricales, Omphalotaceae) from Hazara Division Mansehra, Pakistan.

Marasmiellus agrianum N. Jabeen and M. Lodhi was added as a new science species in the genus Marasmiellus (Omphalotaceae), collected from the lawn and grassy soil of Hazara University, Mansehra. The comparative studies revealed that Marasmiellus agrianum N. Jabeen and M. Lodhi was grown on lawn soil and is a flattened convex whereas Marasmiellus scandens being pathogenic was found mostly on the trunk of trees and is a semicircle convex-shaped basidiocarp. The species were studied for morphological characteristics. For molecular characterization, DNA extraction was performed from the samples using a kit, and PCR amplification was done using ITS4 and ITS1F primers designed from the conserved regions as described in the previous studies. The amplified PCR products were sequenced from Macrogen Korea, via worldwide scientific Pakistan. Phylogenetic analysis of the obtained sequences was done based on the maximum similarity method using Mega 6.0. The spore was smaller as compared to Marasmiellus scandens (6.2-8.7 µm). The newly described species i.e., Marasmiellus agrianum N. Jabeen and M. Lodhi differs from other species based on the molecular study as well with few morphological characteristics; size, color, shape, and texture of pileus, and stipe, and the molecular characterization reveals that the species was placed at a new place in the phylogenetic tree, compared with the NCBI Blast sequences. The species were preserved by sun and oven drying methods. The area of District Mansehra is enriched with natural vegetation and can be explored for new species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]