A comprehensive phylogeny of Panus (Panaceae, Polyporales) and revisited Brazilian diversity

The genus Panus and many of its species have a wide geographic distribution, and in-depth up-to-date taxonomic review is needed that includes critical review of type materials within a phylogenetic frame. In order to recover the phylogenetic relationships within Panus species and their morphological boundaries and to critically analyze the diversity recorded for Brazil, we carried out fieldwork in poorly explored areas in the country and morphological and literature revisions of fungarium specimens, including several type materials. We present a comprehensive phylogeny of Panus and discuss several taxonomic and nomenclatural implications in order to achieve stability for species of the genus. Four new species are proposed, P. capelariae, P. pachysporus, P. speciosus, and P. stiptonotatus. Panus campinensis and P. thailandicus (an endophytic species) are proposed as new combinations in the genus, based on a morphological revision and phylogenetic evidence of their types, respectively. Additionally, Endopandanicola is synonymized within Panus, and P. parvus is synonymized within P. strigellus. The occurrence of P. conchatus, P. convivalis, P. fulvus, P. similis, and P. tephroleucus in Brazil is rejected due to morphological and phylogenetic evidences. For P. conchatus and P. similis, we present bases for the recognition of its sensu stricto status. We also discuss nomenclatural issues surrounding the Lentinus velutinus complex that include the basionym elucidation, its sensu stricto delimitation, and an epitypification based on a new sequenced specimen from the type locality. Our comprehensive assessment of Panus in Brazil has led to the confirmation of ten species supported by morphological and/or molecular data, which are critically discussed, and an identification key is presented.