Taxonomy and phylogeny of Panus (Polyporales, Panaceae) in China and its relationship with allies.

ABSTRACT

Panus is a typical wood-rotting fungi, which plays considerable roles in ecosystems and has significant economic value. The genus Panus currently consists of more than 100 species; however, only eight species have been reported from China. This study aims to distinguish and describe two novel species from the Panussimilis complex, namely Panusminisporus and Panusbaishanzuensis, one new record species from Zhejiang Province, Panussimilis and three common species, Panusconchatus, Panusneostrigosus and Panusrudis, based on detailed morphological and phylogenetic studies, relying on Chinese specimens. Panusminisporus is characterised by its reddish-brown pileus, decurrent lamellae with cross-veins, slender stipe, smaller basidiospores, wider generative hyphae and absence of sclerocystidia. Panusbaishanzuensis is featured by its pileus with concentric and darker ring zone, decurrent lamellae with cross-veins, shorter stipe, longer basidiospores, diverse and shorter cheilocystidia and smaller sclerocystidia. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, large subunit nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nLSU) and translation elongation factor 1-α gene (tef-1α) were employed to perform a thorough phylogenetic analysis for genus Panus and related genera, using Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood analysis. The results indicate that Panusminisporus and Panusbaishanzuensis form two independent clades within the Panussimilis complex themselves. Detailed descriptions, taxonomic notes, illustrations etc. were provided. In addition, a key to the reported species of Panus from China is also provided.