Mycokeys最新文献

Hydnum (Hydnaceae, Cantharellales), one of the edible ectomycorrhizal fungi, is characterized by a spine-bearing hymenophore. It is widely distributed in temperate regions and forms stable symbiotic relationships with Fagaceae and Pinaceae. During a survey of macrofungi in the Dabie Mountains region of China, ten specimens of Hydnum were collected. Based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis using three genetic markers (ITS + nrLSU + tef1-α), three new species (H. luteoalbum, H. albodentum, and H. albotomentosum) were identified and described, and two species newly recorded from the Dabie Mountains (H. berkeleyanum and H. pallidomarginatum) were reported. H. luteoalbum is distinguished by a white pileus covered with white tomentum, dagger-shaped or sword-like spines, and broadly ellipsoid basidiospores. H. albodentum is characterized by a pale brown pileus and subelliptical basidiospores (8.0-8.5 × 6.0-7.0 μm; av. Q = 1.17). H. albotomentosum features smaller basidiocarps, extremely short spines (0.5-2 mm), and globose to subglobose basidiospores. This study enriches the known taxonomic diversity of Hydnum and provides a dichotomous key to the species of Hydnum in China to facilitate species identification.

Dali University, located in western Yunnan Province, southwest China, is a picturesque institution surrounded by diverse vegetation types and has rich macrofungal resources. However, the macrofungal diversity within the university campus has remained unexplored. Between 2020 and 2024, a comprehensive investigation was conducted to document the macrofungal species present on campus. The study identified a total of 83 macrofungal species across 11 orders and 35 families, based on morphology and molecular sequence data of 485 collections; among them, three are described as new species: Clavaria lidaensis, C. minirubella and Marasmius lidaensis. Clavaria lidaensis is characterized by the incrustations' fragile basidiomata, solitary, rarely scattered to gregarious, caespitose-connate at the base; fertile part subcylindric to fusiform, soft yellow to dark moderate orange, apex rounded, concolorous with fertile part, becoming dark orange with age; sterile part narrow, concolorous, without tomentum or mycelial patch at the base. Clavaria minirubella is characterized by the fragile and simple basidiomata, tubular with obtuse apex; subcylindric to fusiform, dark red fertile part. Marasmius lidaensis is characterized by the medium-sized basidiomata, dark orange to slightly desaturated yellow pileus, stipe hollow, and abundant floccose on the surface and mycelium grown at the base. To resolve the taxonomic classification and explore the phylogenetic relatedness of the focal species, a combined dataset of ITS and nrLSU sequences was utilized for maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic inference. These findings not only enrich the understanding of macrofungal diversity in the region but also highlight the potential for further discoveries and conservation efforts.

The genus Phaeoclavulina is characterized by coralloid basidiomata with complex branching patterns and diverse pigmentation. Here, two new species, Phaeoclavulina fruticosa sp. nov. and P. qinghaiensis sp. nov., were discovered in high-elevation coniferous forests (ca. 2870 m) on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, China. Phaeoclavulina fruticosa is characterized by compact, densely branched, caespitose basidiomata that turn blue when injured and by dacryoid to ellipsoid basidiospores with patched to subconical to verrucose ornamentations. Phaeoclavulina qinghaiensis is characterized by yellow to orange-yellow basidiomata that do not change color when bruised, and by broadly ellipsoid to oblong, densely verrucose basidiospores. Phylogenetic analyses based on concatenated ITS + LSU rDNA sequences place the two new species as distinct, well-supported lineages within Phaeoclavulina. This study further expands the diversity of Phaeoclavulina on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau.

Lignicolous freshwater fungi play an important role in nutrient cycling and the maintenance of biodiversity within freshwater ecosystems. Recent intensive studies, particularly in Asia, have greatly advanced understanding of their taxonomy, diversity, and ecology. Yunnan and Guizhou provinces in southwestern China represent one of the most active regions for freshwater fungal research due to their complex topography, diverse freshwater bodies, and rich biodiversity. As part of a comprehensive investigation of lignicolous freshwater fungi in southwestern China, specimens were collected from rivers and plateau lakes. Multi-gene phylogenetic analyses based on a combined LSU, ITS, SSU, rpb2, and tef1-α dataset revealed that four monotypic genera, Aquimonospora, Multiseptisporium, Paradiplococcium, and Platytrachelon, form a distinct clade within Diaporthomycetidae families incertae sedis and are closely related to Melanascomaceae, Neodictyosporiaceae, Papulosaceae, and Pseudostanjehughesiaceae. Accordingly, a new family, Platytrachelaceae, is proposed to accommodate these genera. In addition, the genus Multiseptisporium is established to accommodate the type species M. aquaticum sp. nov., which produces sporidesmium-like conidia. This study highlights the phylogenetic diversity and morphological complexity of sporidesmium-like taxa and underscores the importance of integrating morphological and phylogenetic evidence to resolve their taxonomic relationships. The findings enrich the known diversity of lignicolous freshwater fungi in Yunnan and Guizhou and provide new insights into their taxonomy and ecological adaptation within freshwater ecosystems.

Two new lichenized species, Chicitaea yueliangshanensis and Coniocarpon chishuiense are described through the combination of morphological characteristics, chemical profiling and phylogenetic analyses, along with a new geographical record of Synarthonia inconspicua, collected from Guizhou, China. Chicitaea yueliangshanensis is characterized by prominent lecanorine apothecia with a black, epruinose, ± flat disc and lacking isidia and soredia. This species contains perlatolic acid, 2'-O-methylperlatolic acid and an unidentified lichen substance. It forms a well-supported singleton based on both ML and Bayesian analyses in the phylogenetic tree. Another new species, Coniocarpon chishuiense is distinguished by irregularly rounded to elliptical ascomata with epruinose disc and the presence of psoromic acid along with an unknown compound. Detailed morphological descriptions, illustrations and a compiled species checklist summarizing diagnostic features are provided.

Climate change and biodiversity loss are among the most pressing issues of our time. Lichens have been shown to be sensitive to climate change, but responses are species-specific and contradictory trends have been reported. This review addresses lichen biology in relation to climate change and we overview the responses of lichens (e.g. biotic interactions, species distribution shifts and lichen acclimatisation, adaptation and extinction) to climate (e.g. temperature, precipitation, CO₂-levels, snow). Research shows mainly adverse or alarming effects of climate change on lichens, but there is not yet a generalisable understanding of the topic. We argue that contradictory trends emerge partly because relatively few studies have been conducted and they encompass a variety of locations, taxa, and methods, which makes them difficult to compare. Moreover, many aspects of lichens are still insufficiently understood, including species diversity, distributions, functional traits and biotic interactions with other organisms. We highlight that future studies would benefit from: 1) Developing a set of model species and also embarking full community studies; 2) Better species data, including monitoring programmes and trait data; 3) Improved conservation planning and Red List evaluations and 4) Acknowledging that lichens are small ecosystems and climate change may affect the partners in ways we do not understand yet.

Cainiaceae (Xylariales, Sordariomycetes) includes fungi primarily associated with hosts of the Poaceae and Arecaceae families. Recent studies have advanced the taxonomy of this family, highlighting its ecological and morphological diversity. Investigations focusing on microfungi associated with bamboo and other grass hosts in biodiversity-rich regions, such as Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces in China, have notably increased, driven by a growing recognition of their ecological and taxonomic importance. Fungal sampling was conducted on bamboo and related Poaceae hosts across various locations in Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces. Morphological characteristics were observed and recorded. Multilocus phylogenetic analyses, using the ITS and LSU regions, were conducted to determine phylogenetic relationships and confirm taxonomic placements. We introduce two new species and document one previously known species of Arecophila, and also describe two new species in Amphibambusa and Longiappendispora. Detailed morphological descriptions, illustrations and phylogenetic trees clearly delineate these taxa, highlighting their distinct affiliations with existing species. This study enriches the current understanding of fungal biodiversity within Cainiaceae, emphasizing their host associations and ecological specificity. Our findings underline the importance of continued fungal exploration in grassland ecosystems and contribute data towards stabilising the taxonomy of the Cainiaceae.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.124.166449.].

Neohelicomyces species comprise a group of helicosporous hyphomycetes, with over 90% of the currently accepted taxa reported from China, occurring in both freshwater and terrestrial habitats. Although the genus has been increasingly documented in recent years, its presence in crop-related ecosystems remains poorly understood, as most species have been reported from unknown hosts. In this study, a survey of fungi associated with Coffea arabica in Yunnan Province, China, was conducted, and fruiting bodies of helicosporous hyphomycetes were found on dead branches of coffee plants. Based on the morphological characteristics of conidiophores, conidiogenous cells, and conidia, in combination with multigene phylogenetic analyses (ITS, LSU, rpb2, and tef1-α), two novel species of Neohelicomyces (N. coffeae and N. puerensis) were identified. Morphologically, N. coffeae differs from closely related species N. edgeworthiae by having shorter conidiophores, longer conidiogenous cells, and smaller, multi-septate conidia (vs. aseptate in N. edgeworthiae), while N. puerensis differs from its close relative N. dehongensis by having narrower and distinctly multi-septate conidia, more tightly coiled conidial filaments, and unbranched conidiophores. These results expand the known diversity of Neohelicomyces and contribute to a better understanding of fungal assemblages associated with coffee plants in subtropical China. In addition, detailed descriptions, illustrations, and phylogenetic trees are provided.

Here, we report the discovery of four new agaricoid fungi in the Gliophorus irrigatus complex of the family Hygrophoraceae. Gliophorus alboviscidus sp. nov. from the UK is morphologically identical to the European G. irrigatus (which we neotypify), except that its basidiome is white or pale Buff-coloured vs. brownish-grey. Two new species from eastern North America, Gliophorus fumosus sp. nov. (provisional name Gliophorus sp. 'irrigatus-IN01') and Gliophorus parafumosus sp. nov. (previously labelled G. irrigatus) resemble G. irrigatus s.s. in grey colour and morphology, but their distributions are restricted to North America. Phylogenetic reconstruction revealed that the two North American groups form distinct clades, with > 10% ITS sequence divergence from European G. irrigatus s.s. and from each other. Though G. alboviscidus sp. nov. is currently known only from two locations in the UK, searches for related sequences from eDNA (environmental DNA) sequence repositories (UNITE/GlobalFungi) suggested that this species is more widely distributed in Eurasia. G. fumosus and G. parafumosus sequences from eastern North America were divergent from both European G. irrigatus and G. alboviscidus; both were more closely related to another species with a strong odour and white/Buff basidiomes from north-western North America, Hygrophorus subaromaticus, for which we sequenced the holotype and recombine in the genus Gliophorus. We also describe a new species from north-western North America, G. calunus sp. nov. (provisional name Gliophorus sp. 'irrigatus-CA01'), based on vouchered specimens photographed and sequenced by a paraprofessional group, CA FUNDIS. We highlight the importance of citizen-scientist groups and paraprofessionals in documenting macrofungal species and their distributions via databases, such as iNaturalist, Mushroom Observer and MycoMap. Further, we discuss reasons that eDNA distributions are often larger than known distributions of basidiomes, including G. alboviscidus and G. fumosus.