Two new species in Favolaschia, namely F. guangxiensis and F. microcarpa, are illustrated and described from southern and eastern China, based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of a combined ITS+nLSU dataset. F. guangxiensis is characterized by its greyish-white basidiomata when fresh, broadly ellipsoid basidiospores measuring 6.2–11 × 4.1–9 μm and inhabiting dead bamboo; F. microcarpa is characterised by its very small (1–3 × 1–2 mm) and white basidiomata, broadly ellipsoid to subglobose basidiospores measuring 6.3–11 × 5.1–9 μm and inhabiting Miscanthus sp. and Trachycarpus fortunei. The differences between the two new species and their morphologically similar and phylogenetically related species are discussed.
Imperator torosus is a polymorphic, critical Friesian bolete, originally described from Central Europe, but with a convoluted taxonomic history which caused much uncertainty in delimiting it from similar-looking species. Previous molecular phylogenetic analyses confidently indicated that I. torosus , as presently circumscribed, is a polyphyletic species in need of taxonomic revision. Based on a two-locus (ITS and LSU) phylogeny, pairwise distance and percent nucleotide similarity analyses, as well as morphological and ecological evidence, I. torosus s. str. is defined and Imperator occultus described as a novel species. Besides unravelling the intricate taxonomic history of I. torosus s. l., detailed macro- and micro-morphological descriptions based on well-documented collections are provided for both I. torosus s. str. and I. occultus , accompanied by colour photographs taken in their natural habitats and line drawings of their main microscopic features. A comprehensive and circumstantial discussion upon the reasons why the recent epitypification of B. torosus is deemed untenable is presented. Morphological comparisons with xanthoid phenotypes of Imperator rhodopurpureus ( I. rhodopurpureus f. xanthopurpureus and I. xanthocyaneus ), as well as their taxonomic placement within the genus Imperator are also elucidated and discussed.
The toothed jelly genus Pseudohydnum P. Karst. (Basidiomycota, Auriculariales) has historically been treated under a broad morphological concept centered on P. gelatinosum, a view that has long masked substantial cryptic diversity worldwide. However, many Chinese collections remain taxonomically unresolved and species boundaries are poorly defined. Here, we reassess the species diversity of Chinese Pseudohydnum through an integrative approach combining detailed morphology with multi-marker phylogenetics (ITS, nrLSU, and rpb1). We formally describe three new species, P. ellipsosporum sp. nov., P. macroumbrosum sp. nov., and P. roseolostipitatum sp. nov. We also refine the circumscriptions of four previously described taxa and provide new insights into their intraspecific variation, geographic distribution, and ecology. Notably, we document a previously unknown host association: P. brunneiceps was consistently found on decayed bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis), a substrate never before recorded for any Pseudohydnum species. Critically, our results demonstrate that morphology alone is currently insufficient for species delimitation as convergent or plastic characters obscure diagnostic differences, reinforcing the necessity of molecular validation. These findings substantially expand the known taxonomic and ecological diversity of Pseudohydnum in Asia, suggesting that China, particularly the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, may be a global hotspot for the genus. Overall, this study underscores the essential role of phylogenetic inference in revising species boundaries and elucidating evolutionary patterns in morphologically plastic groups of fungi.
Sporidesmium sensu lato comprises several phylogenetically divergent lineages. Although lineages such as Distoseptispora and Xenosporidesmium have been intensively studied, others remain poorly resolved owing to incomplete type material, limited population sampling, or the absence of molecular data. In this study, Sporidesmium -related taxa were investigated using a multigene phylogenetic framework based on combined LSU, ITS, rpb 2, SSU, and tef 1-α sequence data, which resolved seven distinct phylogenetic lineages. Based on integrative evidence from morphology and phylogeny, a new species, Xenosporidesmium lignicola , is described, and a new genus, Lignosporidesmium , is introduced to accommodate L. tropicale (≡ Sporidesmium tropicale ). In addition, nine new combinations are proposed, including Lylea lignicola , Xenosporidesmium bostenicum , X. dianchiense , X. distoseptatum , X. hongheense , X. lacustris , X. mucilaginosum , X. yangzonghaiense , and X. yilonghuense . Furthermore, the phylogenetic structure and classification of Sporidesmium -related groups are comprehensively discussed from both morphological and multigene phylogenetic perspectives. Distinctive morphological characters, including conidiogenesis, septum type, and the presence or absence of sheaths or appendages, are evaluated in relation to their phylogenetic placements. The boundaries and relationships among Ellisembia , Lylea , Sporidesmium , Xenosporidesmium , and related historical and newly established taxa are critically assessed. However, the taxonomic positions of several lineages remain uncertain due to missing type materials or a lack of molecular data, highlighting the need for re-collection, detailed morphological re-examination, and the generation of fresh sequence data. Overall, the pronounced morphological diversity and limited molecular representation of many historically described species underscore the challenges in achieving a stable and comprehensive classification, emphasizing the necessity of integrative taxonomic approaches combining morphology, fresh collections, and multigene phylogenetic analyses.
Phaeocollybia is a globally distributed agaricoid genus and remains poorly studied in China. In this study, field surveys were conducted, and specimens of Phaeocollybia were collected in Yunnan Province and the Xizang Autonomous Region of southwestern China from 2024 to 2025. Based on detailed morphological observations and multilocus phylogenetic analyses using internal transcribed spacer (ITS), nuclear ribosomal large subunit (nrLSU), and second-largest subunit of RNA polymerase II ( rpb2 ) sequence data, two new species and one species newly recorded from China are recognized. Phaeocollybia dingjieensis is characterized by a paraboloid to broadly conical pileus with dark moderate orange vertical stripes, limoniform to amygdaliform basidiospores, and the presence of clamp connections. Phaeocollybia lulangensis is distinguished by a broadly conical to conical pileus with an oily to subwaxy luster, smooth to rarely verruculose basidiospores, and narrowly cylindrical to lageniform cheilocystidia with long rostrate apices. In addition, Phaeocollybia attenuata , previously known only from North America, is reported from China for the first time; its morphological variations and phylogenetic placement are documented. Phylogenetic analyses strongly support the delimitation of these taxa. Comprehensive morphological comparisons with related taxa are provided, and an updated dichotomous key to the 15 species of Phaeocollybia currently known from China is provided. These findings significantly expand the known diversity and distribution of Phaeocollybia in China.
