Identification and taxonomic position of a new Pseudoomphalina species from Pakistan based on light, scanning electron microscopy, and molecular analysis.

Khanspur, a small town located near Ayubia National Park, is a famous mountainous resort lying in Galyat area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is included in one of the richest biodiversity hotspots in the country. Despite of extensive previous studies, many new species are awaiting to be documented, including macrofungi. In this study, a new macrofungus Pseudoomphalina khanspurensis is analyzed by both light and scanning electron microscopy as well as DNA sequences based on nrITS and nrLSU regions. The sister species P. cokeri differs by its red to purple, dark to reddish brown, broadly convex to applanate pileus, purple blue to brownish stipe, and numerous cylindrical to lageniform cheilocystidia. HIGHLIGHTS: This is the first report of genus Pseudoomphalina from Pakistan and first study based on Scanning electron microscopy. These species have been described with detailed micro-morphological and molecular makers (nrITS and nrLSU). General distribution, ecology, diagnostic features and comparisons with alies have been provided. Graphical representation of DNA extraction and geographical locations of sampling sites are also illustrated. Softwares such as CIPRES Science Gateway Portal, MUSCLE, BioEdit, FigTree, Adobe illustrator and Adobe Photoshop are used in the current study. No member of this genus is already described from Pakistan.

Laccaria murina and L. pumila from Pakistan, a study based on SEM and nrITS molecular marker.

Two species of the genus Laccaria, are described as new reports for Pakistan. Laccaria murina has been collected from a Himalayan moist temperate forest in Khanspur, KP, while L. pumila was found in the moist temperate forests of Kumrat Valley in Dir Upper, KP, and at higher altitudes of the Deosai plains of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Phylogenetic analysis based on the nrITS region clustered the Pakistani species with L. murina sequences with other Asian collections and L. pumila from USA and Netherlands. SEM of basidiospores along with detailed micro-morphological data are provided. General distribution, habitat, ecology, and diagnostic features are also discussed. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: It has new reports from Pakistan, studies based on light, scanning electron microscopy, and nrITS molecular markers. These species have been described with detailed micro-morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses. General distribution, ecology, diagnostic features, and comparisons with closely related specimens have been provided. Graphical representation of DNA extraction and geographical locations of sampling sites are also illustrated (Figures 1 and 2). Very few members of this genus are already described from Pakistan.