Global Diversity and Taxonomy of Sidera (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota): Four New Species and Keys to Species of the Genus

Neocotylidia gen. nov. (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota) Segregated from Cotylidia Based on Morphological, Phylogenetic, and Ecological Evidence

Taxonomic and phylogenetic studies of Cotylidia (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota) were performed. A phylogenetic estimate based on six genetic markers revealed that Cotylidia in the current sense includes species belonging to three distantly related clades in the Hymenochaetales. Based on morphology, phylogeny, and ecological habitat, the name Cotylidia s.s. is proposed for the first clade, including the type species C. undulata and C. carpatica. Neocotylidia gen. nov. is proposed for the second clade, which includes N. diaphana, N. fibrae, the new species N. bambusicola, and two accessions recorded as Cotylidia aurantiaca var. alba and C. aurantiaca. Contrary to the findings in earlier studies, C. pannosa demonstrated a weak grouping affinity with Globulicium hiemale, Hastodontia hastata, Atheloderma mirabile, Tsugacorticium kenaicum, Lawrynomyces capitatus, and Lyoathelia laxa. The morphological characteristics of Cotylidia s.s. are restricted to species with hymenial cystidia, pileocystidia, and caulocystidia, as well as a muscicolous habitat. Neocotylidia species differ from Cotylidia s.s. in the lack of pileocystidia and caulocystidia and substrate preference for soil or wood. Illustrated descriptions of the new species and genus, as well as an identification key to the worldwide species of Cotylidia s.l. are provided.

Morphological and molecular analyses revealed four new wood-inhabiting fungal species (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota) from Yunnan

Hymenochaetales is one of the fungal orders mainly composed of wood-inhabiting macrofungi within the class Agaricomycetes, Basidiomycota. Four new Hymenochaetales wood-inhabiting fungi, Hymenochaetebannaensis, Lyomycesasiaticus, Peniophorellaalbohymenia, and P.punctata collected from China are proposed based on morphological characteristics and molecular evidence. H.bannaensis is distinguished by flocculent basidiomata with cinnamon to yellowish brown to rust-brown hymenial surface, generative hyphae with simple septa and broadly ellipsoid to globose basidiospores. L.asiaticus is characterized by the membranaceous basidiomata with white to cream hymenial surface with tuberculate, a monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae and ellipsoid basidiospores. In addition, P.albohymenia is delimited by membranaceous basidiomata with white hymenial surface, four types of cystidia as stephanocyst, fusiform, cylindrical and capitate, and ellipsoid basidiospores. P.punctata is unique in the membranaceous, punctate basidiomata with white to pale yellow hymenial surface, fusiform cystidia, and allantoid basidiospores. Sequences of ITS and nLSU rRNA markers based on phylogenetic analyses were performed using the Maximum Likelihood, Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian Inference methods.

Molecular phylogeny and morphology reveal four new species in Hymenochaetales and one new species in Cantharellales from Southwestern China

Wood-decaying fungi represent a vital group of higher fungi that drive the cycling of matter and energy in forest ecosystems, and they have been the focus of thorough investigation. In this study, five new species, viz. Botryobasidiumdaweishanense, Inonotussubglobisporum, Kneiffiellabubalina, Xylodongranulanoides, and X.granulans from China, are described and illustrated based on the morphological characteristics and molecular phylogenetic analyses, in which the sequences of ITS+nLSU genes were used for the phylogenetic analyses by maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods. The phylogeny revealed that the Botryobasidiumdaweishanense groups with three taxa, viz., B.intertextum, B.leptocystidiatum, and B.subcoronatum. Inonotussubglobisporum is closely related to I.radiatus. Kneiffiellabubalina clustered sister to K.subalutacea. Xylodongranulanoides and X.granulans have a close relationship with X.bambusinus, X.fissuratus, X.subclavatus, X.montanus, and X.wenshanensis. Additionally, Xylodongranulanoides and X.granulans clustered together. Botryobasidiumdaweishanense is characterized by an araneose hymenial surface, fusiform, and cyanophilous basidiospores (6.1-7.3 × 3.3-3.9 μm). Inonotussubglobisporum is characterized by perennial basidiomata with lateral stipes, polygon pores measuring 4-6 per mm, and subglobose, cyanophilous basidiospores (3.6-4.3 × 2.8-3.5 μm). Kneiffiellabubalina is characterized by cream basidiomata and cylindrical to slightly allantoid basidiospores (8.0-8.9 × 1.8-2.3 μm). Xylodongranulanoides is characterized by grandinioid hymenial surfaces, various cystidia, and broadly ellipsoid, thick-walled basidiospores (4.7-5.3 × 3.6-4.1 μm). Xylodongranulans is characterized by grandinioid hymenial surfaces, capitate and clavate cystidia, and broadly ellipsoid basidiospores (3.8-4.2 × 2.9-3.3 μm). Phylogenetic analysis based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and nuclear large subunit RNA (nLSU) shows that the four species are members of Hymenochaetales, and one belongs to Cantharellales. All five new species are compared with morphologically and phylogenetically closely related species. The present study contributes to understanding the species diversity, taxonomy, and phylogeny of macrofungi in Southwestern China.

Species diversity, taxonomic classification and ecological habits of polypore fungi in China

Polypore fungi are an important part of forest ecosystems. In the last decade, the taxonomic status and species number of polypore fungi have changed greatly, and many new taxa have been discovered. China is one of the countries with the most abundant and diverse polypore fungi in the world, and a total of 1,214 polypore fungal species were reported here. This study lists the polypore fungi with their diversity, taxonomic status, habitats, geographical distributions, and molecular data. All the polypore fungi in China belong to the phylum Basidiomycota, subphylum Agaricomycotina, and class Agaricomycetes, including 11 orders, 55 families, and 266 genera. The orders Polyporales and Hymenochaetales are dominant, and the families Polyporaceae and Hymenochaetaceae are dominant. The overall distribution trend of polypore fungi in China shows that more species are distributed in the south and fewer are distributed in the north. In addition, different nutritional modes of polypore fungi have different preferences for host species, with white-rot fungi preferring angiosperm trees and brown-rot fungi preferring gymnosperm trees.

Phylogenetic Assessment of Understudied Families in Hymenochaetales (Basidiomycota, Fungi)-Reporting Uncovered Species and Reflecting the Recent Taxonomic Updates in the Republic of Korea

Hymenochaetales Oberw. is an order classified in Basidiomycota of Fungi, and species in this order display notable diversity. They exhibit various fruiting body shapes, including clavarioid, effused-reflexed, and resupinate basidiomes. Few mycorrhizal species have been reported in Hymenochaetales, but wood-decaying species dominate the order. Hymenochaetaceae Imazeki & Toki and Schizoporaceae Jülich are the most species-rich families within Hymenochaetales, and most species in the Republic of Korea belong to these two families. As such, current taxonomic classification and nomenclature are not reflected upon species in the remaining Hymenochaetales families. For this study, a multifaceted morphological and multigenetic marker-based phylogenetic investigation was conducted to, firstly, comprehensively identify understudied Hymenochaetales specimens in Korea and, secondly, reflect the updates on the species classification. Five genetic markers were assessed for the phylogenetic analysis: nuclear small subunit ribosomal DNA (nSSU), internal transcribed spacer (ITS), nuclear large subunit ribosomal DNA (nLSU), RNA polymerase II subunit 2 gene (RPB2), and translation elongation factor 1 gene (TEF1). The results from phylogenetic analysis supported 18 species classified under eight families (excluding Hymenochaetaceae and Schizoporaceae) in Korea. Species formerly placed in Rickenellaceae and Trichaptum sensu lato have been systematically revised based on recent taxonomic reconstructions. In addition, our findings revealed one new species, Rickenella umbelliformis, and identified five formerly nationally unreported species classified under five understudied families. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of Hymenochaetales diversity and highlight the need for continued research.

Revisiting the phylogeny and taxonomy of the genus Sidera (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota) with particular emphasis on S.vulgaris

The genus Sidera (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota) comprises white-rot, mono- or dimitic fungi with poroid or hydnoid hymenophore. It has a worldwide distribution albeit with fewer species present in the Southern Hemisphere. Although recent studies revealed the existence of several new Sidera species, there are still taxonomic inconsistencies and obscure phylogenetic relationships amongst certain taxa of the genus. In this work, a large number of Sidera collections were used to obtain an updated phylogeny, based on ITS and 28S rDNA sequences by including new material from Mediterranean Europe. The monophyly of the genus was strongly supported and all species with poroid hymenophore formed a highly-supported lineage with two major subclades. In total, 23 putative species were recognised. Amongst those, five are considered to possibly represent entities new to science, but further work is required since they are represented by single specimens or environmental sequences. Examined collections originally named S.lenis from southern Europe were grouped within S.vulgaris. Similarly, several collections under various names were hereby identified as S.vulgaris, including those of the recently described species S.tibetica. Furthermore, a critical discussion (based on morphoanatomical findings) is made on the key features that could be used to distinguish S.lenis from S.vulgaris.

Taxonomic and phylogenetic contributions to Fuscoporia (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota): two new species from Hawaii with a key to North American species

Fuscoporia is a cosmopolitan, poroid, wood-decaying genus, belonging to the Hymenochaetales. During a study of wood-inhabiting fungi in the USA, four unknown specimens were collected from Hawaii. Both morphological criteria and molecular genetic analyses based on the ITS+nLSU+EF1-α datasets and the nLSU dataset confirmed that these four specimens represent two new species of Fuscoporia, and they are described as F. hawaiiana and F. minutissima. Fuscoporia hawaiiana is characterized by pileate basidiocarps, the absence of cystidioles, hooked hymenial setae, broadly ellipsoid to subglobose basidiospores measuring 4-6 × 3.5-4.5 μm. Fuscoporia minutissima is distinguished by small pores (10-13 per mm) and basidiospores (3.4-4 × 2.4-3 μm). The taxonomic status of the two new species is briefly discussed. A key to the North American species of Fuscoporia is provided.

Ceriporiopsistianshanensis (Polyporales, Agaricomycetes) and Sideratianshanensis (Hymenochaetales, Agaricomycetes), two new species of wood-inhabiting fungi from Xinjiang, Northwest China

Wood-inhabiting fungi are abundant in China, but their distribution is uneven, with more fungi in southwest China and fewer fungi in northwest China. During the investigation of wood-inhabiting fungi in Xinjiang, we collected a large number of specimens. Eight specimens growing on Piceaschrenkiana were collected from Tianshan Mountains, and they were described as two new species in Ceriporiopsis and Sidera based on morphological characters and molecular evidence. Ceriporiopsistianshanensis is characterized by a cream to salmon-buff pore surface, larger pores measuring 1-3 per mm, and broadly ellipsoid basidiospores 5-6.5 × 3-4 μm. Sideratianshanensis is characterized by annual to perennial basidiocarps, measuring 15 mm thick, pores 5-7 per mm, cream to rosy buff pore surface, and allantoid basidiospores 3-3.5 × 1-1.4 µm. Detailed illustrations and descriptions of the novel species are provided.

Taxonomy and phylogeny of Sidera (Hymenochaetales, Rickenella clade) from China and North America revealing two new species

Sidera, belonging to the Rickenella clade of Hymenochaetales, is a worldwide genus with mostly poroid hymenophore of wood-inhabiting fungi. Two new species in the genus, Sideraamericana and S.borealis, are described and illustrated from China and North America based on morphological and molecular evidence. They were mainly found growing on rotten wood of Abies, Picea and Pinus. S.americana is characterized by annual, resupinate basidiomata with silk sheen when dry, round pores (9-11 per mm), a dimitic hyphal system, and allantoid basidiospores measuring 3.5-4.2 × 1 μm. S.borealis is characterized by annual, resupinate basidiomata with cream to pinkish buff dry pore surface, angular pores (6-7 per mm), a dimitic hyphal system, and allantoid basidiospores measuring 3.9-4.1 × 1-1.1 μm. Phylogenetic analysis based on a combined 2-locus dataset [ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS) + nuclear large subunit RNA (nLSU)] shows that the two species are members of Sidera, and they are compared with morphologically similar and phylogenetically related species, respectively. An identification key to 18 accepted species of Sidera in worldwide is provided.

Taxonomy and Multi-Gene Phylogeny of Poroid Panellus (Mycenaceae, Agaricales) With the Description of Five New Species From China

Panellus is an Agaricales genus with both lamellate and poroid hymenophore. The poroid species are readily overlooked because of their tiny basidiocarps. The Chinese samples of poroid Panellus are studied, and five species, namely Panellus alpinus, Panellus crassiporus, Panellus longistipitatus, Panellus minutissimus, and Panellus palmicola are described as new species based on morphology and molecular phylogenetic analyses inferred from an nrITS dataset and a multi-gene dataset (nrITS + nrLSU + mtSSU + nrSSU + tef1). Panellus alpinus is characterized by its round to ellipsoid pores measuring 4-6 per mm and oblong ellipsoid basidiospores measuring 4.8-6 μm × 2.8-3.6 μm; P. crassiporus differs from other poroid species in the genus by the irregular pores with thick dissepiments and globose basidiospores measuring 8-9.8 μm × 6.9-8 μm; P. longistipitatus is distinguished by its long stipes, pyriform cheilocystidia, and broadly ellipsoid to subglobose basidiospores measuring 7-9.8 μm × 5-7 μm; P. minutissimus is characterized by its tiny and gelatinous basidiocarps, 5-20 pores per basidiocarp, and ellipsoid basidiospores measuring 6-8 μm × 3.2-4.2 μm; P. palmicola is characterized by its round pores measuring 2-4 per mm, the presence of acerose basidioles, and globose basidiospores measuring 7-9.5 μm × 6.2-8.2 μm. An identification key to 20 poroid species of Panellus is provided.

Outline, Divergence Times, and Phylogenetic Analyses of Trechisporales (Agaricomycetes, Basidiomycota)

Phylogenetic analyses inferred from the nuc rDNA ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS) data set and the combined 2-locus data set [5.8S + nuc 28S rDNA (nLSU)] of taxa of Trechisporales around the world show that Sistotremastrum family forms a monophyletic lineage within Trechisporales. Bayesian evolutionary and divergence time analyses on two data sets of 5.8S and nLSU sequences indicate an ancient divergence of Sistotremastrum family from Hydnodontaceae during the Triassic period (224.25 Mya). Sistotremastrum family is characterized by resupinate and thin basidiomata, smooth, verruculose, or odontoid-semiporoid hymenophore, a monomitic hyphal structure, and generative hyphae bearing clamp connections, the presence of cystidia and hyphidia in some species, thin-walled, smooth, inamyloid, and acyanophilous basidiospores. In addition, four new species, namely, Trechispora dentata, Trechispora dimitiella, Trechispora fragilis, and Trechispora laevispora, are described and illustrated. In addition, three new combinations, namely, Brevicellicium daweishanense, Brevicellicium xanthum, and Sertulicium limonadense, are also proposed.

Two New Species of Sidera (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota) from Southwest China

Two new wood-inhabiting fungi, Sidera salmonea sp. Nov. and S. tibetica sp. Nov. in the order Hymenochaetales from southwest China, are described and illustrated based on molecular and morphological evidence. They were found on gymnosperm wood that is rotten and charred. The characteristics of S. salmonea include annual, resupinate basidioma, salmon pores with distinctly white margins, angular pores (7–9 per mm), a dimitic hyphal system, and lunate basidiospores that are 3–3.5 × 0.9–1.1 μm. The characteristics of S. tibetica include annual, resupinate basidioma with a white to cream fresh pore surface that becomes cream to honey-yellow and shiny when dry, round pores (7–8 per mm), a dimitic hyphal system, and lunate basidiospores that measure 2.9–3.1 × 1–1.1 μm. A phylogenetic analysis based on the combined 2-locus dataset (5.8S + nuclear large subunit RNA (nLSU)) shows that the two species are members of the genus Sidera, and they are morphologically compared with related species, respectively. This paper provides a key to the identification of 16 accepted species of Sidera that are found throughout the world.

Twelve New Taxa of Xylaria Associated with Termite Nests and Soil from Northeast Thailand

Simple Summary

Xylaria species are known for their medicinal value and production of a variety of bioactive compounds. They usually grow on rotten wood, fallen leaves, seeds, and fruits. Some species can be found growing on soil or associated with termite nests, which belong to subgenus Pseudoxylaria. They share with other Xylaria species a suite of morphological characteristics, including conspicuous or massive upright stromata with a light-coloured interior, a longer than wide ascal apical ring, bluing in an iodine reagent, and brown unicellular ascospores possessing a germ slit. In Thailand, there are only limited reports on Xylaria diversity and taxonomy, especially on species associated with termite nests. In the present study, we describe 12 new Xylaria taxa and report two species closely resembling known species from termite nests or soil. Their morphological and cultural characteristics are described and illustrated, and their nucleotide sequences of ITS rDNA, alpha-actin, and beta-tubulin genes were obtained. Phylogenetic inference based on these sequences confirmed that all taxa analyzed belong to subgenus Pseudoxylaria and differ from all other species with sequences available in public databases. Our study is the first to report on the novel Xylaria species associated with termite nests or growing on soil in Thailand. Subgenus Pseudoxylaria is likely highly diverse in the country.

Abstract

The diversity of Xylaria species associated with termite nests in northeast Thailand was investigated. Among the 14 taxa included in this study, 11 species and one variety were described as new, and another two species resemble the existing taxa, X. escharoidea and X. nigripes. The newly described taxa are X. chaiyaphumensis, X. conica, X. fulvescens, X. ischnostroma, X. margaretae, X. minima, X. reinkingii var. microspora, X. siamensis, X. sihanonthii, X. subintraflava, X. thienhirunae, and X. vinacea. Their morphological and cultural characteristics are described and illustrated, and their ITS, α-actin and β-tubulin sequences were analysed. A dichotomous key to the 17 species of Xylaria occurring in Thailand is provided.