Just the tip of the iceberg: uncovering a hyperdiverse clade of African Russula (Basidiomycota, Russulales, Russulaceae) species with signs of evolutionary habitat adaptations

The diversity within the ectomycorrhizal genus Russula (Basidiomycota) in West Africa is largely unexplored. The study area was Benin, where only ten out of the 159 species endemic to tropical Africa have been previously reported. We focused on "Afrovirescentinae", which is a monophyletic lineage within Russulasubgen.Heterophyllidiaesister tosubsect.Virescentinae. The phylogenetic placement of this clade was analysed using sequence data from ITS, LSU, mtSSU, tef1, rpb1 and rpb2 regions. Ten "Afrovirescentinae" species are recognised, described and illustrated from Benin. Four of them, R.carmesina, R.hiemisilvae, R.inflata and R.sublaevis, were previously published. Five species, Russulaacrialbida sp. nov., R.beenkenii sp. nov., R.coronata sp. nov., R.florae sp. nov. and R.spectabilis sp. nov., are newly described. Species within this group are characterised by densely reticulated spore ornamentation, but they exhibit considerable variation in field appearance and pileipellis structure. In gallery forests, their basidiomata are ephemeral, small and their basidiospores have prominent ornamentation; while in savannah woodlands, the basidiomata are fleshy, large and basidiospores present low ornamentation. We suggest that these morphological traits may represent evolutionary adaptations to a specific environmental condition. We analysed the species richness, ecological range and distribution of the "Afrovirescentinae" clade globally based on data from the UNITE database, estimating a total diversity of 94 species primarily distributed in sub-Saharan Africa, but also in the Neotropics. Four additional previously described species not detected in Benin were assigned to this clade, based on holotype sequencing. Several species are widely distributed across tropical Africa and do not show specificity regarding their associated plant symbionts.

Russula rubrosquamosa (Russulaceae, Russulales), a new species from southwestern China

Russula rubrosquamosa (Russulaceae, Russlales) is described as a novel species from Yunnan Province, southwestern China. It is morphologically recognised by a small basidiocarp with orange-yellow to orange-red scales on the pileus and stipe, white lamellae, orange-red to bright red basal mycelia, subglobose to broadly ellipsoid basidiospores with dense warts and short or long ridges. Phylogenetically analyses of DNA sequences from part of the 28S gene combined with the nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region also confirm that R. rubrosquamosa forms an independent lineage within Russula subgenus Heterophyllidia section Ingratae. A comprehensive description, color photographs of fresh basidiomata, line-drawings of microstructures and comparisons with morphologically similar species are provided in this paper.

Concordance of multigene genealogy along with morphological evidence unveils five novel species and two new records of boletoid mushrooms (fungi) from India

Agaricales, Russulales and Boletales are dominant orders among the wild mushrooms in Basidiomycota. Boletaceae, one of the major functional elements in terrestrial ecosystem and mostly represented by ectomycorrhizal symbionts of trees in Indian Himalaya and adjoining hills, are extraordinarily diverse and represented by numerous genera and species which are unexplored or poorly known. Therefore, their hidden diversity is yet to be revealed. Extensive macrofungal exploration by the authors to different parts of Himalaya and surroundings, followed by through morphological studies and multigene molecular phylogeny lead to the discovery of five new species of wild mushrooms: Leccinellum bothii sp. nov., Phylloporus himalayanus sp. nov., Phylloporus smithii sp. nov., Porphyrellus uttarakhandae sp. nov., and Retiboletus pseudoater sp. nov. Present communication deals with morphological details coupled with illustrations and phylogenetic inferences. Besides, Leccinellum sinoaurantiacum and Xerocomus rugosellus are also reported for the first time from this country.

Four Novel Species and Two New Records of Boletes from India

Repeated macrofungal explorations, followed by thorough examination of species through morphology and molecular phylogeny, have made it clear that European and American names of wild mushrooms were inadvertently misapplied quite often to Asian lookalikes by mycologists/taxonomists in the past. Therefore, in order to reveal this mushroom treasure, in recent years, taxonomical research on wild mushrooms has been intensified in Asian countries, including India, by undertaking a combined approach of morpho-taxonomy and multigene molecular phylogeny. Boletoid mushrooms (Boletaceae) are no exception. While working on boletoid mushrooms of the Indian Himalayas, authors recently came across six interesting species of boletoid mushrooms. In the present communication, four novel species, namely Leccinellum binderi, Cyanoboletus paurianus, Xerocomus uttarakhandae, and Xerocomellus himalayanus, are established based on morphology and molecular phylogenetic estimations. Moreover, Cyanoboletus macroporus and Xerocomus fraternus are also reported here for the first time in India.

Notes on four species of Russula subgenus Heterophyllidiae (Russulaceae, Russulales) from southern China

Heterophyllidiae, one of the main subgenus of Russula (Russulaceae, Russulales), is both ecologically and economically important. Although many studies have focused on subgenus Heterophyllidiae in China, the diversity, taxonomy, and molecular phylogeny still remained incompletely understood. In the present study, two new species, R. discoidea and R. niveopicta, and two known taxa, R. xanthovirens and R. subatropurpurea, were described based on morphology and molecular phylogenetic analyses of ITS and 28S DNA sequences with new collections of subgenus Heterophyllidiae from southern China. Both morphological and phylogenetic analyses consistently confirmed that R. niveopicta and R. xanthovirens belong to the subsect. Virescentinae, R. discoidea and R. subatropurpurea come under subsect. Heterophyllae, and R. prasina is synonymized with R. xanthovirens.

Two new species of Craterellus (Cantharellales, Hydnaceae) with veined hymenophore from north-eastern China

In this contribution to the genus Craterellus in northern China, two new species are introduced: Craterellusconnatus and C.striatus. These species and C.atrobrunneolus, initially described in south-western China, are highly similar and closely related. The species delimitation is molecularly supported by multigene phylogenetic analysis of the nr LSU and tef-1α region. Craterellusconnatus is characterised by its medium-sized basidiomata, greyish-brown and smooth pileus with an off-white margin, the hymenophore with a strongly anastomosing vein, turning khaki upon drying, connate stipe, broad ellipsoid to ellipsoid basidiospores (6.1-7.8 × 4.8-5.9 μm), slender basidia with (2)4-6 sterigmata and the absence of clamp connection. Craterellusstriatus is characterised by its small-sized basidiomata, fibrillose, greyish-brown to yellowish-brown, fully perforated pileus with a brown fringe, the hymenophore with a forking vein, the stipe inflated at the base, broad ellipsoid to ellipsoid basidiospores (6.8-8.0 × 5.1-6.0 μm), 2-6 spored basidia, encrusted hyphae and the absence of clamp connection. Detailed macroscopic and microscopic descriptions, accompanied by illustrations and a taxonomic discussion, are presented. A key to the Chinese Craterellus species is also provided.

A Contribution to Knowledge of Craterellus (Hydnaceae, Cantharellales) in China: Three New Taxa and Amended Descriptions of Two Previous Species

Species of Craterellus (Hydnaceae, Cantharellales) in China are investigated on the basis of morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences from nuc 28S rDNA D1-D2 domains (28S) and nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region. Five species are recognized in China, of which three of them are described as new, viz. C. fulviceps, C. minor, and C. parvopullus, while two of them are previously described taxa, viz. C. aureus, and C. lutescens. A key to the known Chinese taxa of the genus is also provided.

Two new Russula species (fungi) from dry dipterocarp forest in Thailand suggest niche specialization to this habitat type

Dry dipterocarp forests are among the most common habitat types in Thailand. Russulaceae are known as common ectomycorrhizal symbionts of Dipterocarpaceae trees in this type of habitat. The present study aims to identify collections of Russula subsection Amoeninae Buyck from dry dipterocarp forests in Thailand. A multi-locus phylogenetic analysis placed Thai Amoeninae collections in two novel lineages, and they are described here as R. bellissima sp. nov. and R. luteonana sp. nov. The closest identified relatives of both species were sequestrate species suggesting that they may belong to drought-adapted lineages. An analysis of publicly available ITS sequences in R. subsect. Amoeninae did not confirm evidence of any of the new species occurring in other Asian regions, indicating that dry dipterocarp forests might harbor a novel community of ectomycorrhizal fungi. Macromorphological characters are variable and are not totally reliable for distinguishing the new species from other previously described Asian Amoeninae species. Both new species are defined by a combination of differentiated micromorphological characteristics in spore ornamentation, hymenial cystidia and hyphal terminations in the pileipellis. The new Amoeninae species may correspond to some Russula species collected for consumption in Thailand, and the detailed description of the new species can be used for better identification of edible species and food safety in the region.

Three new Russula species in sect. Ingratae (Russulales, Basidiomycota) from southern China

Three new species of Russulasection Ingratae, found in Guizhou and Jiangsu Provinces, southern China, are proposed: R.straminella, R.subpectinatoides and R.succinea. Photographs, line drawings and detailed morphological descriptions for these species are provided with comparisons against closely-related taxa. Phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region supported the recognition of these specimens as new species. Additionally, R.indocatillus is reported for the first time from China and morphological and phylogenetic data are provided for the Chinese specimens.

Systematic analysis of Russula in the North American Rocky Mountain alpine zone

Russula (Russulales) is an important ectomycorrhizal fungal genus in Arctic and alpine regions where it occurs with Salix, Betula, Dryas, and Polygonum, yet a complex phylogenetic analysis of the genus in these habitats is lacking. This research compared collections of Russula from the Rocky Mountain alpine (Colorado, Montana, Wyoming) with reference specimens from Arctic and alpine habitats, mostly in Europe, using an in-depth morphological study and a phylogenetic analysis of the nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer region ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS barcode) and the second largest subunit of the RNA polymerase II gene (rpb2). One hundred thirty-nine Russula collections were sequenced, including type material. Ten species are reported from alpine or treeline habitats in the Rocky Mountains. This is the first formal report of R. cf. altaica, R. saliceticola, and R. subrubens from the Rocky Mountains and of R. purpureofusca in North America. Russula laevis is reported for the first time under this name with a voucher, and not as an environmental sample. Previous reports of R. nana and R. laccata are molecularly confirmed. Two species are reported from subalpine habitats at treeline: R. montana with conifers and R. cf. altaica with Betula. In this study, R. laccata, R. subrubens, and R. laevis were collected in alpine habitats but have been reported below treeline in Europe; these species may also be present at lower elevations in North America. Most species have an intercontinental distribution and have been reported in other alpine or Arctic habitats. Two unidentified and potentially new species were only found in North America and are discussed. A key to the alpine Russulas of North America is provided.

Morphological and phylogenetic evidence for two new species of Russula subg. Heterophyllidia from Guangdong Province of China

Two new species of Russulasubg.Heterophyllidia from Guangdong Province of China were described and illustrated based on morphological characters, and their identity supported by molecular phylogeny. R.luofuensis is morphologically characterized by a grayish yellow to brownish orange pileus center with a purplish gray to grayish magenta margin, a surface that is cracked and broken into small golden-brown patches, subglobose to broadly ellipsoid basidiospores with warts fused in short or long chains and a suprapellis composed of hyphal extremities with inflated, ellipsoid or globose cells and attenuated terminal cell. R.subbubalina is distinguished by the blanched almond to dark salmon pileus that is cracked with age, subglobose to broadly ellipsoid basidiospores with wart fused in short or long chains and frequently connected by line connections, a suprapellis with hyphal ends composed of inflated or ellipsoid cells and attenuated terminal cell, and pileocystidia that are mainly clavate and sometimes with round or ellipsoid appendage. The phylogenetic analyses based on ITS-nrLSU-mtSSU-TEF1 dataset were performed using maximum likelihood and Bayesian analysis. In terms of morphological features and molecular data, the former species belongs to subsect. Virescentinae, whereas the latter comes under subsect. Heterophyllinae.

A phylogenetic overview of the Hydnaceae (Cantharellales, Basidiomycota) with new taxa from China

The family Hydnaceae (Cantharellales, Basidiomycota) is a group of fungi found worldwide which exhibit stichic nuclear division. The group is highly diverse in morphology, ecology, and phylogeny, and includes some edible species which are popular all over the world. Traditionally, Hydnaceae together with Cantharellaceae, Clavulinaceae and Sistotremataceae are four families in the Cantharellales. The four families were combined and redefined as "Hydnaceae", however, a comprehensive phylogeny based on multiple-marker dataset for the entire Hydnaceae sensu stricto is still lacking and the delimitation is also unclear. We inferred Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian phylogenies for the family Hydnaceae from the data of five DNA regions: the large subunit of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nLSU), the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS), the mitochondrial small subunit rDNA gene (mtSSU), the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2) and the translation elongation factor 1-alpha gene (TEF1). We also produced three more phylogenetic trees for Cantharellus based on 5.8S, nLSU, mtSSU, RPB2 and TEF1, Craterellus and Hydnum both based on the combined nLSU and ITS. This study has reproduced the status of Hydnaceae in the order Cantharellales, and phylogenetically confirmed seventeen genera in Hydnaceae. Twenty nine new taxa or synonyms are described, revealed, proposed, or reported, including eight new subgenera (Cantharellus subgenus Magnus, Craterellus subgenus Cariosi, subg. Craterellus, subg. Imperforati, subg. Lamelles, subg. Longibasidiosi, subg. Ovoidei, and Hydnum subgenus Brevispina); seventeen new species (Ca. laevihymeninus, Ca. magnus, Ca. subminor, Cr. badiogriseus, Cr. croceialbus, Cr. macrosporus, Cr. squamatus, H. brevispinum, H. flabellatum, H. flavidocanum, H. longibasidium, H. pallidocroceum, H. pallidomarginatum, H. sphaericum, H. tangerinum, H. tenuistipitum and H. ventricosum); two synonyms (Ca. anzutake and Ca. tuberculosporus as Ca. yunnanensis), and two newly recorded species (H. albomagnum and H. minum). The distinguishing characters of the new species and subgenera as well as their allied taxa are discussed in the notes which follow them. The delimitation and diversity in morphology, ecology, and phylogeny of Hydnaceae is discussed. Notes of seventeen genera which are phylogenetically accepted in Hydnaceae by this study and a key to the genera in Hydnaceae are provided.

Taxonomic revision of Russula subsection Amoeninae from South Korea

RussulasubsectionAmoeninae is morphologically defined by a dry velvety pileus surface, a complete absence of cystidia with heteromorphous contents in all tissues, and spores without amyloid suprahilar spot. Thirty-four species within subsection Amoeninae have been published worldwide. Although most Russula species in South Korea have been assigned European or North American names, recent molecular studies have shown that Russula species from different continents are not conspecific. Therefore, the present study aims to: 1) define which species of RussulasubsectionAmoeninae occur on each continent using molecular phylogenetic analyses; 2) revise the taxonomy of Korean Amoeninae. The phylogenetic analyses using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and multilocus sequences showed that subsection Amoeninae is monophyletic within subgenus HeterophyllidiaesectionHeterophyllae. A total of 21 RussulasubsectionAmoeninae species were confirmed from Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and Central America, and species from different continents formed separate clades. Three species were recognized from South Korea and were clearly separated from the European and North American species. These species are R.bella, also reported from Japan, a new species described herein, Russulaorientipurpurea, and a new species undescribed due to insufficient material.

Notes, outline and divergence times of Basidiomycota

The Basidiomycota constitutes a major phylum of the kingdom Fungi and is second in species numbers to the Ascomycota. The present work provides an overview of all validly published, currently used basidiomycete genera to date in a single document. An outline of all genera of Basidiomycota is provided, which includes 1928 currently used genera names, with 1263 synonyms, which are distributed in 241 families, 68 orders, 18 classes and four subphyla. We provide brief notes for each accepted genus including information on classification, number of accepted species, type species, life mode, habitat, distribution, and sequence information. Furthermore, three phylogenetic analyses with combined LSU, SSU, 5.8s, rpb1, rpb2, and ef1 datasets for the subphyla Agaricomycotina, Pucciniomycotina and Ustilaginomycotina are conducted, respectively. Divergence time estimates are provided to the family level with 632 species from 62 orders, 168 families and 605 genera. Our study indicates that the divergence times of the subphyla in Basidiomycota are 406–430 Mya, classes are 211–383 Mya, and orders are 99–323 Mya, which are largely consistent with previous studies. In this study, all phylogenetically supported families were dated, with the families of Agaricomycotina diverging from 27–178 Mya, Pucciniomycotina from 85–222 Mya, and Ustilaginomycotina from 79–177 Mya. Divergence times as additional criterion in ranking provide additional evidence to resolve taxonomic problems in the Basidiomycota taxonomic system, and also provide a better understanding of their phylogeny and evolution.

Phylogenetic study documents different speciation mechanisms within the Russula globispora lineage in boreal and arctic environments of the Northern Hemisphere

The Russula globispora lineage is a morphologically and phylogenetically well-defined group of ectomycorrhizal fungi occurring in various climatic areas. In this study we performed a multi-locus phylogenetic study based on collections from boreal, alpine and arctic habitats of Europe and Western North America, subalpine collections from the southeast Himalayas and collections from subtropical coniferous forests of Pakistan. European and North American collections are nearly identical and probably represent a single species named R. dryadicola distributed from the Alps to the Rocky Mountains. Collections from the southeast Himalayas belong to two distinct species: R. abbottabadensis sp. nov. from subtropical monodominant forests of Pinus roxburghii and R. tengii sp. nov. from subalpine mixed forests of Abies and Betula. The results suggest that speciation in this group is driven by a climate disjunction and adaptation rather than a host switch and geographical distance.