The genus Erioscyphella (Lachnaceae, Helotiales), characterized by minute apothecia, is distributed in subtropical regions of East Asia; however, relatively little is known about species in Korea. In this study, Korean collections of Erioscyphella were examined using morphological observations and multilocus phylogenetic analyses based on ITS, LSU, and RPB2 sequences. One new taxon, Erioscyphella koreana sp. nov., has been described, and Erioscyphella hainanensis has been newly recorded in Korea. The Korean specimens of E. hainanensis showed similar morphological characteristics to those of previously reported E. hainanensis and high sequence similarity in the combined ITS-LSU-RPB2 analysis. In the multilocus phylogeny, E. koreana was recovered as a distinct clade closely related to Erioscyphella boninensis, Erioscyphella lushanensis, and Erioscyphella paralushanensis. However, it was distinguishable from these species by a combination of morphological characteristics, including apothecial coloration, ascus morphology, and ascospore dimensions. Korean Erioscyphella abnormis, E. hainanensis, and E. koreana shared similar apothecial structures but differed in ascospore septation, paraphysis morphology, and substrate preference. These findings expand our knowledge of Erioscyphella diversity in Korea and highlight the value of integrative taxonomy for species delimitation.

This study conducted a comparative assessment of fungal diversity and occurrence patterns in a montane deciduous broad-leaved forest within Seoraksan National Park, combining field surveys with metabarcoding analyses. A total of 23 macrofungal specimens were collected during the field investigation, with the genus Amanita as the dominant. In contrast, metabarcoding analysis of soil samples from the same site revealed Descolea sp. and two other Basidiomycota taxa, including Tomentellopsis sp. Russula sp. as the major dominant groups. Differences in dominant taxa between the two approaches were attributed to methodological variations as well as ecological factors such as sampling period, microclimate, and soil environment. These findings suggest that integrating field-based and metagenomic approaches enables a more precise and comprehensive evaluation of fungal diversity within forest ecosystems.

Two species of Sarcoscypha, including the new species S. orientalis sp. nov. and the first Korean record of S. vassiljevae, are reported based on morphological observations and phylogenetic analyses of internal transcribed spacer (ITS), large subunit (LSU), and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2) sequence data. Specimens of S. orientalis sp. nov. are morphologically similar to S. occidentalis but differ in possessing completely sessile apothecia. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that sequences previously attributed to S. occidentalis were separated into two geographically distinct clades corresponding to USA and East Asian lineages; the Korean specimens were placed within the East Asian lineage. Based on this morphological and phylogenetic evidence, the East Asian specimens are proposed as the new species, Sarcoscypha orientalis sp. nov. The remaining specimens were identified as S. vassiljevae, which is characterized by ivory to pale cream hymenial surfaces and ellipsoid ascospores containing a single large guttule. These specimens clustered with reference sequences of S. vassiljevae in the phylogenetic analyses. These findings expand the known diversity of the genus Sarcoscypha in Korea and provide new insights into the geographic differentiation and taxonomic diversity within the genus.

The genus Xylaria Hill ex Schrank is an ecologically significant group of wood-decaying fungi that contribute to nutrient cycling and ecosystem stability in forests worldwide. Despite a recent global increase in the descriptions of new species, Korean Xylaria species have rarely been reexamined using modern taxonomic frameworks. In this study, dried specimens preserved at the Korea National Arboretum were re-identified through integrative morphological and molecular analyses using four genetic markers (ITS, ACT, TUB2, and RPB2). Consequently, one previously unrecorded species (Xylaria frustulosa) and three novel species (Heteroxylaria aciculiformis, Xylaria gwangneungensis, and Xylaria pratimongolica) were discovered. Morphological observations revealed that H. aciculiformis is characterized by its slender, needlelike, unbranched stromata with fine longitudinal striations and semi-exposed perithecia; X. gwangneungensis has distinctive capitate stromata with a short stipe and a solitary perithecium; and X. pratimongolica exhibits an erect, oriental brush-like stroma partially developed underground. Phylogenetic analyses supported the unique status of these taxa, as they formed distinct and well-supported clades separate from known species within Xylariaceae. These findings further elucidate the diversity of the Xylariaceae family and demonstrate the value of combining morphological and molecular data to resolve cryptic species within this genus.

The National Forest Inventory, conducted at the national level, aims to provide basic data for policy establishment through scientific research and evaluation of forests. The survey was conducted on trees, vegetation, and soil characteristics, in addition to lichen, and research is being conducted as one axis of the forest survey. The survey was carried out in 258 regions, and 16 municipalities from 2021 to 2023. Lichen collected over 3 years included 119 species in 52 genera, 27 families, 16 orders, 4 classes, and 7 new records were identified. This study aims to provide lichen information known and reports new records of species based on information obtained from ongoing nationwide surveys. (c) 2024 National Science Museum of Korea (NSMK) and Korea National Arboretum (KNA). Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.) are native to Northeast Asia, including Korea, China, and Japan, and are now widely cultivated as ornamental plants. This study investigated the occurrence of viruses in daylily cultivars at the National Arboretum in Pocheon. A total of 312 leaf samples from 104 cultivars showing virus-like symptoms were collected and analyzed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and nucleotide sequencing. Three viruses (cucumber mosaic virus [CMV], lily mottle virus [LMoV], and tobacco rattle virus [TRV]) were detected in this study. Of the 312 samples, CMV, LMoV, and TRV were detected in 10 (3.2%), 67 (21.5%), and five (1.6%) samples, respectively. Mixed infections were observed in seven cultivars, with all three viruses detected in three of them. A total of 46 viral isolates were sequenced and deposited to GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the isolates were closely related to previously reported isolates from Korea, China, and the United States but formed distinct clades, suggesting host- or region-specific diversification. This is the first report of CMV, LMoV, and TRV infection in daylilies in Korea, providing valuable molecular data for future virus management and disease prevention strategies in Hemerocallis cultivation.

During a survey of the Korean macrofungal diversity, we identified three Peziza species that have not been previously observed in the Republic of Korea. Phylogenetic and morphological investigations were performed to confirm the taxonomic placement of these species. Herein, three Peziza species (P. granularis, P. saniosa, and P. varia) have been described as newly identified species in the Republic of Korea.

In this study, we updated and revised the checklist of macrofungi, along with the distribution of phytogeographical regions and the regional conservation status in Mongolia. The checklist comprises 677 macrofungal species belonging to 284 genera and 119 families in the country. Based on previous studies, 18 species are currently invasive to Mongolia. In this checklist, only four species are endemic to Mongolia. Among the 677 species, the regional conservation status of 51 species was previously assessed as threatened in the country. Furthermore, we collected all available occurrence records from various sources. A total of 4733 occurrences of 655 species across Mongolia were analyzed for species richness based on a 0.5° × 0.5° grid cell size. We found the records to be unevenly distributed across Mongolia, where records from the northern and central parts dominate. Among these, we identified 43 grids with a high diversity of macrofungal species. Most of these grids did not reside inside by protected geographical areas.

Lecanora is one of the largest genera of lichens worldwide. These lichens can be easily seen, and are commonly found on trees and rocks. Most Korean Lecanora species belong to the Lecanora subfusca group, which has well-defined superficial thallus, red-brown apothecia, and soredia. The new species of L. neobarkmaniana grows on rocks, farinose soredia coalescing, usually covering the whole thallus, and containing atranorin and zeorin. We used internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and mitochondrial small subunit (mtSSU) sequence data to identify the phylogenetic relationship across Lecanora sequence data and found the species to form different clades. In this study, we reported some interesting findings and described the genetic relationship with other sorediate Lecanora species and the characteristics of the new species. An identification key for the Korean sorediate Lecanora species is given.

Acarosporaceae is a crustose lichen and is known as a species that has more than 50 multi-spores, and has hyaline spores. Those taxa are often found in rock and soil in mountain areas or coastal regions in Korea, and very diverse forms and species are known. However, after an overall genetic phylogenetic analysis of carbonized ascomata in 2015, species consisting only of the morphological base are newly divided, and several species of Acarosporaceae in Korea are also being discovered in this situation. As a result of analysis using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and nuLSU gene analysis, Korean species belonged to Acarospora and Sarcogyne clade, and Acarospora classified as the Acarospora clade was mixed with the Polysporina group and the Sarcogyne clade is mixed with the Acarospora. We identified two new species (Acarospora beangnokdamensis J. S. Park & S. O. Oh, sp. nov., Sarcogyne jejuensis J. S. Park & S. O. Oh, sp. nov.) through morphological, molecular, and secondary metabolite substance and found one new record (Sarcogyne oceanica K. Knudsen & Kocourk). We have made a classification key for Acarospora and Sarcogyne in Korea and reported all information together here.

Pulveroboletus ravenelii, an ectomycorrhizal fungus, has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine and mushroom dyes; however, its mitogenome and phylogenetic relationship with other taxa remain unexplored. Here, we sequenced the mitochondrial genome of P. ravenelii using next-generation sequencing and found that its mitogenome, a circular DNA molecule of 43,528 bp, comprised 15 protein-coding genes, 15 transfer RNA genes, and two ribosomal RNA genes. The mitogenome had a base composition of A (37.52%), C (11.14%), G (12.21%), and T (39.13%) and a GC content of 23.35%. A phylogenetic tree was constructed to determine the phylogenetic relationship of this species with other taxa based on the mitochondrial genome sequence. This study revealed the phylogenetic positions of P. ravenelii and its related genera for the first time.

Gwangneung Forest is a forest area that has been in existence for more than 550 years with a long history of natural and artificial forests in harmony. Lichens are not only a single organism but also a group of basic organisms formed from a stable symbiotic association between a fungus and algae and/or cyanobacteria. They are closely associated with forests and have formed an axis through Gwangneung Forest. From 2016 to 2021, a survey was conducted to investigate the lichen flora distribution by species, focusing on the viewing area within the Korea National Arboretum and the undisclosed research area centered in the Suribong Peak area. As a result of collecting and identifying 246 specimens, 68 species of lichens were identified in 11 orders, 22 families, and 39 genera. The tree with the largest number of lichens was Koelreuteria paniculata, followed by Sophora japonica, Ginkgo biloba, and Malus sieboldii. In trees belonging to Aceraceae, crustose lichens rather than foliose lichens were mainly found. Through this survey, three unreported species were discovered: Lepraria cupressicola, Leprocaulon nicholsiae, and Graphis pinicola. Lepraria cupressicola and Leprocaulon nicholsiae were distributed throughout the arboretum viewing area and Graphis pinicola was identified only in one viewing area.

The Inocybaceae is a family of ectomycorrhizal fungi belonging to the Agaricales order. Most species in this family produce secondary metabolites, such as muscarine, psilocybin, and other compounds. In the present study, we conducted taxonomic studies on the Inocybaceae based on morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses for the first time in Korea. As a result, seven species of Inocybaceae were newly recorded: Inocybe caroticolor, I. fuscidula, I. grammatoides, I. latibulosa, I. stellata, Inosperma shawarense, and Mallocybe malenconii. Among them, the genera Inosperma and Mallocybe were described for the first time in Korea. Relevant morphological characteristics, phylogenetic trees, and photographs are provided.

Several species of Gyromitra are highly poisonous when consumed raw the presence of gyromitrin. In this study, Gyromitra specimens deposited in the Korea National Arboretum were re-examined and subjected to molecular sequence analysis. G. gigas, G. aff. perlata, and G. tianshanensis were identified based on their morphological features and molecular phylogenetic analysis for the first time in Korea. Furthermore, internal transcribed spacer and 28S rRNA sequences of G. esculenta and G. infula were analyzed to confirm their phylogeny.

As part of the mushroom surveys in the unexplored areas of Korea in 2019 and 2020, a phalloid fungus was found in a saline sand beach. The specimen was mainly characterized by its reticulate pileus and violet volva with well-developed rhizomorphs. Based on ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing and morphological characteristics, the specimen was identified as Phallus hadriani. Additionally, a morphological comparison of closely related species was performed. This study describes for the first time the presence of P. hadriani in Korea.

A new species of Amanita sect. Roanokenses, A. brunneofolia, from South Korea, is described based on morphological and molecular evidences. The species is characterized by medium- to large-sized basidiomata, a greenish white pileus covered with brownish, floccose pyramidal volval remnants, an appendiculate margin, reddish brown lamellae, a long radicating stipe, and ellipsoid to elongate amyloid basidiospores. Based on both nrLSU and combined dataset (nrLSU, rpb2 and tef1-α), A. brunneofolia formed a monophyletic clade and clearly separated from other Amanita species. In addition, we describe two other Amanita species in A. sect. Roanokenses, namely, A. caojizong and A. sphaerobulbosa. This is the first report of these species for South Korea.

Most macrofungi are cosmopolitan, occurring in both tropical and temperate regions. Studies on diversity and distribution of the mushroom flora in Korea are mainly conducted in major national parks and forest, but there are few studies on species distributed in urbanized areas. As part of the Korea National Arboretum project, we investigated the diversity of mushrooms through examining the distribution of mushrooms in Gyeongsang Province from May to September in 2017. In this province, we surveyed urbanized areas comprising three cultural heritage protection zones (Salix chaenomeloides forest, Tongdo Temple, Placenta Chamber of King Sejong's Princes), two urban parks (Duryu and Amnam parks), and 20 legally protected trees (such as Ginko biloba, Pinus densiflora, Quercus acutissima, Salix hallaisanensis, Zelkova serrata and so on). Consequently, 37 species on legally protected trees, 48 species in urban parks, and 84 species in cultural heritage protection zones were confirmed. A total of 37 families, 90 genera, and 139 species were identified. Of those, three species were confirmed for the first time in Korea. This study provides the basic data for the preparation of protection management protocols for macrofungal flora on legally protected trees and in cultural property protection areas.

The Tian Shan mountain system is one of the large mountain ranges located in Central Asia. This region is globally recognized as mountain ranges, offering inestimable wealth in fauna and flora with significant biodiversity values. We surveyed macrofungal diversity of Tian Shan in Kyrgyzstan from 2016 to 2018. A collection of macrofungi was made, and these were subjected to sequence comparisons and phylogenetic analysis to ensure the identity of the collected macrofungi. Of those collected, 95 out of 100 specimens were successfully sequenced and compared with those of other related species retrieved from GenBank. The sequenced specimens were classified into 2 phyla, 8 orders, 24 families, 47 genera, and 57 species, based on current taxonomic concepts (combining morphology and phylogeny). To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the first well-documented checklist and phylogenetic analysis of macrofungi recovered from the Tian Shan mountains in Kyrgyzstan.

Arthonia dokdoensis sp. nov., a lichenicolous fungus from the subcosmopolitan Arthonia molendoi complex growing on crustose thalli of species of the genus Orientophila (subfamily Xanthorioideae, Teloschistaceae), as well as the lichen species Rufoplaca toktoana sp. nov. (subfamily Caloplacoideae, Teloschistaceae) similar to Rufoplaca kaernefeltiana, both from Dokdo Islands, Republic of Korea, are described, illustrated, and compared with closely related taxa. In the phylogenetic tree of the Arthoniaceae based on 12S mtSSU and RPB2 gene sequences, the phylogenetic position of the A. dokdoensis and the relationship with the A. molendoi group are illustrated, while the position of the newly described R. toktoana is confirmed by phylogenetic tree based on ITS nrDNA data.

In 2017, we collected a wood-decay fungus growing on a dead and decaying herbaceous plant (Reynoutria sachalinensis (F. Schmidt) Nakai) in Dokdo, the far-eastern island of South Korea. Morphologically, this species is characterized by resupinate, coriaceous to corky basidiocarps, poroid hymenophores, pseudodimitic hyphal system, and ellipsoid basidiospores. Based on morphological observation and internal transcribed spacer of ribosomal DNA, the fungus was identified as Xylodon flaviporus (Berk. & M.A. Curtis ex Cooke) Riebesehl & Langer. It is only the second macrofungal species reported from Dokdo, and R. sachalinensis is the first herbaceous plant to be identified as a host for X. flaviporus