The genus Hohenbuehelia , widely distributed in temperate and tropical regions, plays an important role in forest ecosystems. However, the species diversity of Hohenbuehelia in China has been underestimated. This study presents the morphological and molecular characterization of three novel Hohenbuehelia species from China, enhancing the understanding of this genus in the region. Hohenbuehelia albomarginata is characterized by small, gray-brown to brown basidiomata with a frosted, concolorous tomentum on the pileus, often white at the margin, and elongate basidiospores. Hohenbuehelia striata differs in having brown, glabrous basidiomata that are laterally or dorsally attached, lacking a stipe or pseudostipe, with a very faintly translucent-striate pileus margin and ellipsoid to broadly ellipsoid basidiospores. Hohenbuehelia guizhouensis has a gray-brown to brown pileus covered with white tomentum, lamellae radiating from the point of attachment, and elongate, ellipsoid to subreniform basidiospores. Phylogenetic analyses based on multigene sequence data further support their taxonomic distinctiveness. All species are comprehensively described, illustrated, and compared with closely related and morphologically similar taxa. This study expands the known diversity of Hohenbuehelia and highlights the need for further exploration of fungal diversity in China.
The genus Hygrocybe is a species-rich group of macrofungi widely distributed across the world; however, species within this genus show high morphological variability and significant regional differences, and taxonomic revisions are ongoing. In this study, based on specimens from Anhui and Jiangxi provinces, China, we describe two previously unreported species, Hygrocybe zhibaiensis and H. longchuanensis , using morphological studies and phylogenetic analyses based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit ribosomal (LSU) sequences. Hygrocybe zhibaiensis is characterized by viscid basidiomata, a greenish pileus, a stipe that is bright yellow at the apex and gradually fades to white downwards, and basidiomata that turn black upon bruising or with age; H. longchuanensis is characterized by a bright red pileus at the center with an orange-yellow margin, a viscid surface, and an orange-yellow to yellow stipe, Basidiospores ellipsoid to subglobose, no clamp connections. This discovery enriches the diversity of Hygrocybe in southeastern China and contributes to the taxonomic research of this genus.
Acarospora peltata was synonymized by A. H. Magnusson with the South American species A. strigata . We do not recognize the synonymy. Acarospora peltata is the common North American species. Acarospora strigata is relatively rare in South America. Acarospora peltastica is recognized as a rare southern California species with globose ascospores (3.5–)4–5 μm in diameter. We describe the new species A. lactea from Montana, Nevada and Utah. We revise and publish new descriptions of A. coloradiana , A. nevadensis , and A. utahensis . A key is published for the six members of the A. strigata group in North America.
This study describes five new Hydnellum ( Bankeraceae , Thelephorales ) species— H. aureomarginatum , H. coalescens , H. flavomarginatum , H. imbricatum , and H. jianense —collected from northeastern and central China, based on integrated morphological observations and phylogenetic analyses. Morphologically, H. aureomarginatum is characterized by a circular, depressed pileus that bears a golden-yellow zone on its inner margin, with the outermost edge of the pileus remaining white. Hydnellum coalescens is characterized by stipes of multiple basidiocarps that are fused or connate (forming a compound or interconnected basidiome) and a pileus covered with brown scales. Hydnellum flavomarginatum is characterized by a golden-yellow pileus margin and relatively large basidiospores. Hydnellum imbricatum is characterized by layered imbricate scales on the pileus and relatively long basidiospores. Hydnellum jianense is characterized by a plano-convex pileus covered with grayish-orange tomentum (which turns light brown when touched) and relatively small basidiospores. This study also compiles statistics on the main morphological characteristics, species distribution, and host information of the Hydnellum in China, deepening the understanding of the species diversity and distribution patterns of this genus.
Azadirachta (Meliaceae) is a small genus comprising economically and ecologically important plants, including A. indica , which is widely used in traditional medicine and other applications such as natural pest control and cosmetics. Several studies have previously been conducted on Azadirachta , including its phytochemistry and associated microfungi, particularly endophytic species inhabiting the A. indica host. In this study, dead stems of Azadirachta indica bearing fungal fruiting bodies were collected, and the fungi were isolated. Based on morphology and multi-locus (ITS, LSU, SSU, tef 1-α, and rpb 2) phylogenetic analyses using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI), the taxonomic placements of the isolated fungal strains were determined. Five taxa are reported, including two new species, Neomassaria azadirachtae and Nigrograna azadirachtae ; Aquadictyospora yunnanensis as a new host and geographical record; and Neoaquastroma bauhiniae and Pararoussoella lincangensis as two additional new host records. All new isolates in this study belong to Pleosporales ( Dothideomycetes , Ascomycota ), contributing to the understanding of the diversity of Pleosporales taxa associated with Azadirachta . In addition, a global checklist of 212 microfungal taxa and fungus-like Oomycota (excluding Basidiomycota ) reported from Azadirachta species has been compiled. Of the two known Azadirachta species ( A. indica and A. excelsa ), most fungal species were recorded from A. indica (210 species), whereas only one was reported from A. excelsa . This study provides an updated overview of fungal diversity associated with Azadirachta , particularly A. indica , with a global checklist and new saprobic collections including new species, host records, and geographical records.
