Xylodon kunmingensis sp. nov. (Hymenochaetales,Basidiomycota) from southern China

A new wood-inhabiting fungal species, Xylodon kunmingensis, is proposed based on morphological and molecular evidences. The species is characterized by an annual growth habit, resupinate basidiocarps with cream to buff hymenial, odontioid surface, a monomitic hyphal system with generative hyphae bearing clamp connections and oblong-ellipsoid, hyaline, thin-walled, smooth, inamyloid and indextrinoid, acyanophilous basidiospores, 5–5.8 × 2.8–3.5 μm. The phylogenetic analyses based on molecular data of ITS sequences showed that X. kunmingensis belongs to the genus Xylodon and formed a single group with a high support (100% BS, 100% BP, 1.00 BPP) and grouped with the related species X. astrocystidiatus, X. crystalliger and X. paradoxus. Both morphological and molecular evidences confirmed the placement of the new species in Xylodon.     

中国南方两个革菌新种：中国丝皮革菌和棉絮丝皮革菌（丝皮革菌科,多孔菌目）

依据形态学和分子系统学研究结果,描述了产自中国云南省的丝皮革菌属2个新种,即中国丝皮革菌Hyphoderma sinense和棉絮丝皮革菌H. floccosum。中国丝皮革菌以光滑子实层体表面、被结晶和念珠状的囊状体及圆柱形至腊肠状的担孢子（8-11.5×3-5μm）为主要识别特征。棉絮丝皮革菌具有棉絮状至粉状子实层体表面、管状和分隔状囊状体及椭圆形至腊肠状担孢子。对新种的ITS和nLSU片段进行了测序和分析,采用最大似然法、最大简约法和贝叶斯推断法对研究样本的ITS+nLSU nrRNA基因序列进行系统发育分析,结果显示两个新种隶属于丝皮革菌属,其中,中国丝皮革菌与变形丝皮革菌聚在一起;棉絮丝皮革菌与松生丝皮革菌、丝皮革菌和拟丝皮革菌聚为一类。本研究提供了两新种的详细描述、线条图、生态照片及与相似种的区别,同时编写了我国丝皮革菌属23个种的检索表。     

Two new Fomitopsis species from southern China based on morphological and molecular characters

Fomitopsis cana sp. nov. and F. subtropica sp. nov. are described from southern China based on morphological and molecular characters. Both species have annual, effused-reflexed basidiomata with several small imbricate pilei protruding from a large resupinate part. F. cana is characterized by its mouse-grey to dark grey basidiomata, pores 5–8 per mm, and small cylindrical to oblong-ellipsoid basidiospores (5–6.2?×?2.1–3 μm). F. subtropica is characterized by its white, cream, straw-yellow to more or less flesh-pink basidiomata which was easily separable from the substrate, smaller pores (6–9 per mm) and smaller basidiospores (3.2–4?×?1.8–2.1 μm), and presence of yellowish oil-like substances in trama. Phylogenetic analysis based on combined ITS and nLSU sequences suggest that the two new species belong in the Fomitopsis sensu stricto group within the Antrodia clade.     

Taxonomy and multi-gene phylogeny of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Haploporus</Emphasis> (Polyporales,Basidiomycota)

Taxonomic and phylogenetic studies of Haploporus were carried out. Three species in Haploporus, H. cylindrosporus, H. septatus and H. subpapyraceus, are described as new based on morphological differences and molecular phylogenetic analyses inferred from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), the large subunit nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nLSU), the small subunit mitochondrial rRNA gene (mtSSU), the second subunit of RNA polymerase II (rpb2) and the translation elongation factor 1-α gene (TEF1) sequences. Haploporus cylindrosporus is characterized by big irregular crystals occasionally present in the subiculum, an abundant oily substance among hyphae and typically cylindrical basidiospores 10–11.5?×?4.5–5 μm; H. septatus differs from other species in the genus by its leathery to corky basidiomata when dry, small round pores (5–6 per mm), simple septate skeletal hyphae at the edge of the dissepiments, and oblong to ellipsoid basidiospores 8.5–11?×?5–6 μm; H. subpapyraceus is separated by white to cream basidiomata, numerous apically simple septate cystidioles and ellipsoid basidiospores 9–12?×?5.5–8 μm. An identification key to accepted species of Haploporus is provided.     

Phellinus castanopsidis sp. nov. (Hymenochaetaceae) from southern China, with preliminary phylogeny based on rDNA sequences

Phellinus castanopsidis sp. nov. is described and illustrated from southern China. This species is characterized by resupinate, annual basidiomata, a dimitic hyphal system, hooked hymenial setae, and ovoid to broadly ellipsoid basidiospores that are colorless, thick-walled, weakly dextrinoid, and moderately cyanophilous. Most of these morphological features are shared by Fomitiporia ellipsoidea, P. gabonensis, and P. caribaeo-quercicolus, although in the two latter species, the basidiospores are not dextrinoid. In a phylogenetic perspective, parsimony inferences based on LSU and ITS DNA sequence data show that these four species are closely related, forming a monophyletic clade. Furthermore, this clade is more closely related to the Phellinus ignarius clade (Phellinus s.s.) than to the Fomitiporia clade. Hence, F. ellipsoidea is transferred to Phellinus, and a new combination P. ellipsoideus is proposed also.     

Multi-locus phylogeny and morphology reveal five new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fomitiporia</Emphasis> (Hymenochaetaceae) from China

Five newly identified species of Fomitiporia (F. alpina, F. gaoligongensis, F. hainaniana, F. subrobusta and F. subtropica) and their morphological and molecular characterisation are described in this paper. Fomitiporia alpina sp. nov. is distinguished by its pileate basidiomata, parallel tramal hyphae and large basidiospores (6.5–8 × 6–8 μm), and by its gymnosperm wood-living habitat. Fomitiporia gaoligongensis sp. nov. is distinct from other species due to its semicircular pileus and subglobose to globose basidiospores (6.5–7.6 × 6–7.4 μm). Fomitiporia hainaniana sp. nov. is marked by its resupinate basidiomata, the presence of setae and small globose basidiospores (4–5 × 3.8–4.4 μm). Fomitiporia subrobusta sp. nov. is characterised by its triquetrous basidiomata, small pores (6–9 per mm) with entire and thick dissepiments, and subglobose to obovoid basidiospores (6.2–6.8 × 5.2–6 μm). Fomitiporia subtropica sp. nov. can be differentiated by its resupinate basidiomata, smaller pores (6–10 per mm) and smaller basidiospores (5.2–6 × 4.4–5 μm). Phylogenetic analysis, based on multi-gene comparison of the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS), nuclear large subunit ribosomal RNA gene regions (nLSU), the translation elongation factor 1-α gene (tef1α) and the second subunit of RNA polymerase II (rpb2), confirmed affinity with the Fomitiporia species and showed association with similar fungi in the genus.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Purpureocorticium microsporum</Emphasis> (Basidiomycota) gen. et sp. nov. from East Asia

A corticioid fungal species found in mountainous Taiwan, and Yunnan Province of China, is described as a new genus and new species: Purpureocorticium microsporum (Agaricomycetes, Basidiomycota). Morphological study and phylogenetic analyses based on sequence data respectively derived from the large subunit nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (LSU nrDNA) alone and the combined dataset of LSU nrDNA and translation elongation factor 1-α gene (tef1-α) indicated that Purpureocorticium does not belong to any clade of the Agaricomycetes. Purpureocorticium and P. microsporum are characterized by having a resupinate basidiocarp with smooth hymenial surface which turns purple in KOH, and becomes purplish after storage, microscopically having compact texture of subiculum, nodose-septate thin-walled generative hyphae, absence of cystidia, basidia subclavate with a median constriction, or utriform, bearing ovate-ellipsoid small-sized basidiospores, which are smooth and thin-walled, inamyloid, and nondextrinoid. The new combination Rhizochaete rubescens is proposed, based on morphological and phylogenetic evidences.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Leifiporia rhizomorpha</Emphasis> gen. et sp. nov. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">L. eucalypti</Emphasis> comb. nov. in Polyporaceae (Basidiomycota)

A new poroid wood-inhabiting fungal genus, Leifiporia, is proposed, based on morphological and molecular evidence, which is typified by L. rhizomorpha sp. nov. The genus is characterized by an annual growth habit, resupinate basidiocarps with white to cream pore surface, a dimitic hyphal system with generative hyphae bearing clamp connections and branching mostly at right angles, skeletal hyphae present in the subiculum only and distinctly thinner than generative hyphae, IKI–, CB–, and ellipsoid, hyaline, thin-walled, smooth, IKI–, CB– basidiospores. Sequences of ITS and LSU nrRNA gene regions of the studied samples were generated, and phylogenetic analyses were performed with maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference methods. The phylogenetic analysis based on molecular data of ITS + nLSU sequences showed that Leifiporia belonged to the core polyporoid clade and was closely related to Diplomitoporus overholtsii and Lopharia cinerascens, and then grouped with Pycnoporus and Trametes. Further investigation was obtained for more representative taxa in the Polyporaceae based on nLSU sequences, in which the results demonstrated that the genus Leifiporia formed a monophyletic lineage with a strong support (100 % BS, 100 % BP, 1.00 BPP). Both morphological and molecular evidence confirmed the placement of the new genus in the core polyporoid clade. In addition, a new combination, Leifiporia eucalypti, is proposed based on examination of its type material and phylogeny.     

Ossicaulis yunnanensis sp. nov. (Lyophyllaceae,Agaricales) from southwestern China

Ossicaulis is a small genus in the family Lyophyllaceae. Two known species, O. lachnopus, and O. lignatilis, are distributed in north temperate regions. The third taxon, O. yunnanensis sp. nov., is described from the alpine belt of subtropics of southwestern China, and this genus is also reported for the first time from China. Morphologically, the new species is characterized by its whitish basidiomata and very small basidiospores. Molecular analyses from the nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) show that the subtropical alpine species is distinct from hitherto known Ossicaulis species and has a close relationship to O. lachnopus.     

Athelia termitophila sp. nov. is the teleomorph of the termite ball fungus Fibularhizoctonia sp.

A new species of Athelia, A. termitophila, from Japan is described and illustrated on the basis of morphological and phylogenetic analyses. Basidiomes of this species are characterized by having hyphae sometimes with clamp connections at the septa, basidia without clamp connections at the basal septa, and ellipsoid to ovoid basidiospores measuring 4.5–6 × 3–4.5 μm. In culture, mycelia produce pale brown, orange-brown to brown, globose sclerotia measuring 0.24–0.41 mm diam. The sclerotia are distinctly different in shape and size from those of other Athelia species, and are occasionally found inside the woody substrate beneath basidiomes. They are identical in shape and size to those of Fibularhizoctonia sp., also known as termite balls. Phylogenetic analysis using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence data revealed that A. termitophila is the teleomorph of Fibularhizoctonia sp.     

Asterostroma species (Basidiomycota) from mangrove forests in Japan

A new homobasidiomycete, Asterostroma macrosporum, was found in mangrove forests of Iriomote Island, Japan. This species is morphologically characterized by having resupinate basidiomata, a monomitic (asterodimitic) hyphal system, simple septate generative hyphae, dextrinoid asterosetae, four sterigmate basidia and globose, tuberculate and amyloid basidiospores measuring 8.5–11 × 7.5–9 μm. It is similar to A. muscicola, but basidiospores in the latter are smaller (7–8 × 5.5–7 μm). Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region revealed that A. macrosporum is distinctly separated from A. muscicola. In Japan, A. muscicola is widely distributed in warm-temperate to subtropical regions, growing on a variety of broadleaved trees including mangroves, while A. macrosporum has been found only on mangroves.     

Fomitiporia baccharidis comb. nov., a little known species from high elevation Andean forests and its affinities within the neotropical Fomitiporia lineages

In the frame of a revision of the Fomitiporia species with pileate basidiomata in the New World, several collections originating from Andean, high elevation forests of Argentina were found to represent a terminal clade in multilocus phylogenetic inferences (including nuclear ribosomal partial LSU and ITS-5.8S, partial tef1-α and RPB2 genes). These collections also represent a singular morphotype within Fomitiporia, characterized by mostly pileate basidiomata, with a soft corky consistency, roughly sulcate pilei, a “duplex” context with a thin black line, and dextrinoid basidiospores, averaging 5.9?×?5.3 μm. It also has a well-marked autecology, occurring on shrubby trees in high elevation forests along the Andean range. A search in the literature for a name pointed toward Phellinus baccharidis, despite the fact that this species was repeatedly described with non-dextrinoid basidiospores. Examination of the type of P. baccharidis confirmed the main morphological features as previously described, but for the reaction of basidiospores in Melzer’s reagent, which was found to be strongly positive (dextrinoid), and an overall similarity with our own specimens; hence, the new combination Fomitiporia baccharidis is proposed. The species is redescribed and illustrated. It is so far known from Argentina and Ecuador. Its phylogenetic relationships with the South American Fomitiporia are briefly discussed.     

Perenniporia cinereofusca sp. nov. (Polyporales,Basidiomycota) evidenced by morphological characters and phylogenetic analysis

A new Perenniporia species, P. cinereofusca, is described based on morphological and molecular characters. It is characterized by an annual growth habit, resupinate basidiocarps with gray to pale brown pore surface, tissues becoming black in 5% potassium hydroxide (KOH), a dimitic hyphal system with weakly dextrinoid skeletal hyphae and hyaline to pale yellowish, distinctly thick-walled and indextrinoid basidiospores (6.5–7.7 × 5.3–6.3 μm), and presence of dendrohyphidia and large rhomboid crystals. Both morphological and molecular evidence confirmed the placement of the new species in Perenniporia sensu stricto and showed its relationships with similar species in the genus.     

Molecular phylogeny and morphology reveal a new species of Amyloporia (Basidiomycota) from China

Amyloporia pinea sp. nov. is described and illustrated on the basis of collections from southern China. Morphology and phylogenetic analysis of rDNA ITS sequences support this new species. Morphologically, it is characterized by resupinate, annual basidiocarps, cream to yellowish buff pore surface when fresh, which becomes yellowish brown to clay-buff upon drying, a dimitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae and inamyloid skeletal hyphae, fusoid cystidioles, and cylindrical basidiospores; moreover, it causes a brown rot. Molecular phylogeny inferred from ITS sequence data suggested a close relationship between A. pinea and Amyloporia crassa sensu lato. Antrodia subxantha has amyloid skeletal hyphae, and grouped within the Amyloporia clade, hence, it is transferred to Amyloporia, and a new combination Amyloporia subxantha is proposed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ceriporiopsis kunmingensis</Emphasis> sp. nov. (Polyporales,Basidiomycota) evidenced by morphological characters and phylogenetic analysis

A new poroid wood-inhabiting fungal species, Ceriporiopsis kunmingensis sp. nov., is proposed based on morphological and molecular characters. The species is characterized by resupinate basidiocarps with pale cinnamon-buff to ochreous color when dry; generative hyphae unbranched and subparallel along the tubes; presence of hyphal ends; allantoid basidiospores, 4.5–5 × 1.5–2 μm. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (LSU) regions of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene sequences of the studied samples were generated, and phylogenetic analyses were performed with maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian inference methods. The phylogenetic analysis based on molecular data of ITS?+?nLSU sequences showed that C. kunmingensis belonged to the phlebioid clade, formed a monophyletic lineage with a strong support (100% BS, 100% BP, 1.00 BPP), and was closely related to Phlebia aurea, and then grouped with P. livida and P. subserialis. Both morphological and molecular characters confirmed the placement of the new species in Ceriporiopsis.     

A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phellinus</Emphasis> sensu stricto associated with esca on grapevine in South Africa

A new species of Phellinus sensu stricto was isolated from diseased Vitis vinifera in the Northern Cape and Limpopo provinces of South Africa. Phellinus resupinatus is described here based on fruit body morphology, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (LSU) phylogenies. Phellinus resupinatus forms a well-supported clade closely related to Phellinus bicuspidatus, a species associated with white rot in oak trees in the United States. Morphologically, P. resupinatus is characterised by its resupinate fruit body shape, straight, ventricose hymenial setae and broadly ellipsoid hyaline basidiospores. It has been isolated from esca-diseased grapevines in the summer rainfall regions of South Africa and is found on the uppermost trunks of declining vines showing symptoms of white rot.     

Diploid hybrid origin of Hippophaë gyantsensis (Elaeagnaceae) in the western Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

Homoploid hybrid speciation, the origin of a hybrid species without change in chromosome number, is currently considered to be a rare form of speciation. In the present study, we examined the phylogenetic origin of Hippophaë gyantsensis, a diploid species occurring in the western Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Some of its morphological and molecular traits suggest a close relationship to H. rhamnoides ssp. yunnanensis while others indicate H. neurocarpa. We conducted phylogenetic analyses of sequence data of two maternally inherited chloroplast (cp) DNA fragments and the bi‐parentally inherited nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) from 17 populations of H. gyantsensis, 15 populations of H. rhamnoides ssp. yunnanensis and 27 populations of H. neurocarpa across their distributional ranges, and modelled the niche differentiation of the three taxa. Multiple lines of evidence suggested that H. gyantsensis is a morphologically stable, genetically independent and ecologically distinct species. The inconsistent phylogenetic placements of the H. gyantsensis clade that comprised the dominant cpDNA haplotypes and ITS ribotypes suggested a probable diploid hybrid origin from multiple crosses between H. rhamnoides ssp. yunnanensis and H. neurocarpa. This tentative hypothesis is more parsimonious than alternative explanations according to the data available, although more evidence based on further testing is needed.     

New records of minute litter-decomposing basidiomycetes from Japan.Actiniceps thwaitesii (Pterulaceae) new to Japan andAnastrophella podocarpicola sp. nov. (Tricholomataceae)

Actiniceps thwaitesii (Pterulaceae) new to Japan andAnastrophella podocarpicola sp. nov. (Tricholomataceae) are described and illustrated. The former is characterized by forming stipitate-capitate basidiomata under 1 mm tall with encrusted cystidia and acanthophyses. The latter, occurring on a decaying leaf ofPodocarpus macrophyllus, differs from other taxa ofAnastrophella in having undifferentiated hymenial cystidia and smaller basidiospores and basidia. Their cultural features are also presented.