Rhodocybe subasyae, a new species of Rhodocybe sect. Rufobrunnea (Entolomataceae, Agaricales) from northeast China.

Rhodocybe subasyae is described from northeast China as a new species with both morphological and molecular characteristics, which is morphologically characterized by its tricholomatoid basidiomata, orange white to beige red pileus, adnexed to sinuate lamellae and long clavate branched cheilocystidia within section Rufobrunnea. The phylogenetic tree based on internal transcribed spacers of rDNA (nrITS) sequences using Bayesian methods showed that new taxon was distinguished from other species of Rhodocybe.

[Antitumor Effect of Solid State Fermentation Powder of Inonotus hispidus on H22 Bearing Mice].

Objective: To study the inhibitory effect and the mechanism of solid fermentation powder（ SFP） of Inonotus hispidus on H22 bearing mice. Methods: The H22 transplanted models of mice were established by H22 ascites tumor. 90 mice were divided into nine groups as control,model,cytoxan（ CTX,20 mg / kg） positive control,high-,mid-,low-dose（ 1 000,750,and 500 mg / kg） of corn SFP of Inonotus hispidus,and high-,mid-,low-dose（ 1 000,750,and 500 mg / kg） of sorghum SFP of Inonotus hispidus. On the day after being inoculated with H22 tumor cells, mice were given SFP of Inonotus hispidus once daily for consecutive 11 d. And then the increaseing of the tumor inhibitory rate,body weight,thymus,spleen,and liver indexes were calculated; and the histopathologic changes of tumor of H22 bearing mice were observed. The activities of MDA,SOD and CAT, the contents of GSH-Px in liver homogenates and blood serum,and the number of IL-2,VEGF,and IFN-γ in blood serum were detected. Results: The treatment with SFP of Inonotus hispidus significantly increased the body weight,thymus index,spleen,and liver indexes. The histopathologic study showed that the necrosis in H22 cells was induced,and the hepatic SOD,CAT,GSH-Px activities were increased,the MDA in liver homogenates and blood serum were decreased, the serum levels of IL-2 and IFN-γ were elevated, and the VEGF level was reduced. Conclusion: SFP of Inonotus hispidus have an antitumor effect on H22 bearing mice,and the possible mechanism may be due to its antioxidant activity,improving immunofunction,and antiangiogenetic action.

Four New Species of Jelly Fungi from Northeastern China.

Four new species of jelly fungi were described from northeastern China based on morphological and molecular evidence. These new species were classified into the four genera Sirobasidium (Sirobasidium jilinense), Calocera (Calocera velutina), Dacrymyces (Dacrymyces jauensis), and Dacryopinax (Dacryopinax manghanensis). Maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses were performed using a combined nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) and nuc 28S rDNA (nrLSU) dataset for the construction of phylogenetic trees. Morphological descriptions, line illustrations, and the ecological habits of these new species are provided.

Species clarification of fairy inkcap ("Coprinellus disseminatus") in China.

Coprinellus disseminatus and other morphologically similar species are widely dispersed worldwide and are commonly referred to as "fairy inkcap". Based on the molecular phylogenetic study and morphological observation, a thorough investigation was carried out utilising 74 collections of related species that were gathered from seventeen provinces and five Chinese fungaria between 1998 and 2023 and revealed 11 lineages of "fairy inkcap", nine of which were found in China, and which belonged to the two genera Coprinellus and Tulosesus. In sect. Disseminati, genetic diversities (π), and fixation index (Fst) amongst lineages were computed, and a haplotype-based network was established to ascertain the relationships amongst each clade. A new section of Coprinellus, sect. Aureodisseminati, were discovered. In addition, four new species (C. aureodisseminatus, C. austrodisseminatus, C. parcus, and C. velutipes), a new subspecies of C. disseminatus, a new combination (Tulosesus pseudodisseminatus), the first discovery of epigamous type of C. magnoliae and a new record to China (T. subdisseminatus) were also identified and thoroughly described with accompanying illustrations. Their differences in macro- and micro-features, as well as their character sequence, were discussed.

Six New Species of Agaricus (Agaricaceae, Agaricales) from Northeast China.

Agaricus belongs to Agaricaceae and is one of the most well-known macrofungi, with many edible species. More than 300 Agaricus specimens were collected during a three-year macrofungal resource field investigation in Northeast China. Based on morphological observations and multi-gene (ITS + nrLSU + tef1-a) phylogenetic analyses, six new Agaricus species, i.e., Agaricus aurantipileatus, A. daqinggouensis, A. floccularis, A. griseopileatus, A. sinoagrocyboides, and A. velutinosus, were discovered. These new species belong to four sections within different subgenera: A. (subg. Agaricus) sect. Agaricus, A. (subg. Flavoagaricus) sect. Arvenses, A. (subg. Minores) sect. Minores, and A. (subg. Pseudochitonia) sect. Xanthodermatei. Morphological descriptions, line illustrations, and basidiomata photographs of these new species are provided, and their differences from similar species are discussed.

Four new species of Cystolepiota (Agaricaceae, Agaricales) from northeastern China.

Cystolepiota is a tiny lepiotaceous fungi. During our 3 years fieldwork, we found four new species of Cystolepiota from northeastern China. A phylogenetic study of a combined dataset of ITS+nrLSU+rpb2+tef1-α revealed that Cystolepiota changbaishanensis and Cystolepiota hetieri are sister clades; Cystolepiota hongshiensis belongs to Cystolepiota seminuda complex; Cystolepiota luteosquamulosa formed a clade not closely related with any other; Cystolepiota nivalis and Cystolepiota sp. (HMJAU68235) formed a sister clade. All new species are provided with descriptions, photos of the basidiomata, and colored illustrations of the microstructures. A key for the identification of Cystolepiota species from China is also presented.

Modicellaguangxiensis (Mortierellomycota, Mortierellaceae), a new species from south-western karst areas of China.

Background: Modicella Kanouse (1936) is the only genus of Mortierellaceae known to produce macroscopic fruiting bodies in the form of small, whitish, round sporocarps. Specimens which belong to Modicella were collected during our field investigations in tropical karst areas of China. Based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis, a new species is introduced. New information: Modicellaguangxiensis is described as a new species from tropical karst areas of China. The main distinguishing characteristics of M.guangxiensis are the number of sporangiospores per sporangium (11-18), the size of sporangiospores (14-34 × 12-27.5 µm) and the surface of some hyphae with hemispherical tuber. The phylogenetic analyses, based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the large subunit (LSU) regions of rDNA sequences using Bayesian (BA) and Maximum Likelihood (ML) methods showed that the new taxon is closely related to M.reniformis.

Two new species of Metacampanella (Agaricales, Marasmiaceae) from China and Mongolia.

Metacampanella is an important genus in the Marasmiaceae family. We collected specimens during our investigations in China and Mongolia. Through morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses, we identified two new species of this genus: Metacampanellasubtricolor and Metacampanellacoprophila. In addition, we identified Metacampanellatricolor as a novel combination. Molecular systematic studies support these results. Illustrated descriptions, taxonomic discussions, and keys to the genus are provided.

Phylogenetic and taxonomic updates of Agaricales, with an emphasis on Tricholomopsis.

The order Agaricales was divided into eight suborders. However, the phylogenetic relationships among some suborders are largely unresolved, and the phylogenetic positions and delimitations of some taxa, such as Sarcomyxaceae and Tricholomopsis, remain unsettled. In this study, sequence data of 38 genomes were generated through genome skimming on an Illumina sequencing system. To anchor the systematic position of Sarcomyxaceae and Tricholomopsis, a phylogenetic analysis based on 555 single-copy orthologous genes from the aforementioned genomes and 126 publicly accessible genomes was performed. The results fully supported the clustering of Tricholomopsis with Phyllotopsis and Pleurocybella within Phyllotopsidaceae, which formed a divergent monophyletic major lineage together with Pterulaceae, Radulomycetaceae, and Macrotyphula in Agaricales. The analysis also revealed that Sarcomyxaceae formed a unique major clade. Therefore, two new suborders, Phyllotopsidineae and Sarcomyxineae, are proposed for the two major lineages. Analyses of 450 single-copy orthologous genes and four loci suggested that Tricholomopsis consisted of at least four clades. Tricholomopsis is subsequently subdivided into four distinct sections. Seventeen Tricholomopsis species in China, including six new species, are reported. Conoloma is established to accommodate T. mucronata. The substrate preference of Tricholomopsis species and the transitions of the pileate ornamentations among the species within the genus are discussed.

Improved Understanding of the Macrofungal Diversity of Mongolia: Species Richness, Conservation Status, and An Annotated Checklist.

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.

[Advance in studies on chemical constituents and pharmacological activity of lichens in Usnea genus].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the studies on chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of lichens of Usnea genus. METHOD: A systematic literature survey was conducted to classifiy and summarize chemical constituents of lichens of Usnea genus, and sum up current studies on main pharmacological activities of lichens of the genus. RESULT: Lichens of Usnea genus contained multiple chemical constituents, primarily including mono-substituted phenyl rings, depsides, anthraquinones, dibenzofurans, steroids, terpenes, fatty acids and polysaccharides, with such biological activities as antitumor, antibacterial, anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation and antithrombosis. CONCLUSION: This essay provides reference for further studies and development of lichens of Usnea genus.

[Chemical constituents from Lyophyllum decastes].

The chemical constituents from the fruiting bodies of Lyophyllum decastes (Fr.) Singer were studied in this paper. Thirteen compounds were isolated and purified by column chromatographies on silica gel and Sephadex LH-20. Their structures were identified by MS and NMR data analysis as adenosine (1), 2R, 3S, 4S, 8E)-2-[(2'R)-2-hydroxyheneicosanoylamino]-8-octadecene-1, 3, 4-triol (2), (2R, 3S, 4S, 8E)-2-[(2'R)-2-hydroxypentacosanoylamino]-8-octadecene-1, 3, 4-triol (3), nicotinic acid (4), (4E, 8E) -2-N-2-hydroxytetracosanoyl-1-O-beta-D-glycopyranosyl-9-methyl-4, 8-sphingadienine (5), D-mannitol (6), ergosteryl-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (7), tuberoside (8), (2R, 3S, 4S, 8E)-2-[(2'R)-2-hydroxybehenoylamino]-8-octadecene-1, 3, 4-triol (9),(2R, 3S, 4S, 8E)-2-[(2'R) -2-hydroxytricosanoylamino] -8-octadecene-1, 3, 4-triol (10), (22E, 24R)-ergosta-7, 22-dien-3beta, 5alpha, 6beta-triol (11), (22E, 24R)-ergosta-5, 7, 22-trien-3beta-ol (12), and 5alpha, 8alpha-epidiory-(22E, 24R)-ergosta-6, 22-dien-3beta-ol (13), respectively. All the above compounds are first obtained from the mushroom and compounds 2-10 are reported to be obtained from the Lyophyllum for the first time.

[Chemical constituents from Usnea longgisima, a traditional mongolian medicine].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of the whole lichen of Usnea longissima. METHOD: The compounds were separated by silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The structures of the compounds isolated were identified by physico-chemical properties and spectral analysis. RESULT: Ten compounds were isolated and their structures were identified as (4aR,9bS)-2,6-diactyl-3,4a,7,9-tetrahydroxy-8,9b-dimethyl-1-oxo-1,4,4a, 9b-tetrahydrodibenzo [b,d]furan (1), (+)-usnic acid (2), orcinol (3), 18R-hydroxydihydroalloprotolichensterinic acid (4), 5, 8-epidioxy-5alpha, 8alpha-ergosta-6, 22E-dien-3beta-ol (5), ethyl everninate (6), arabitol(7), apigenin 7-O-beta-D-glucuronide (8), 3-hydroxy-5-methoxy-2-methylbenzoic acid(9), friedelin(10). CONCLUSION: Compound 1 was a new compound. Compound 8 was isolated from genu Usnea for the first time and compounds 3, 4 and 7 were isolated from U. longissima for the first time.

Seven New Species of the Genus Geastrum (Geastrales, Geastraceae) in China.

Geastrum belongs to Basidiomycota, Agaricomycetes, Geastrales, and Geastraceae. The genus Geastrum exoperidium normally splits at maturity into a characteristic star-like structure. It is a saprophytic fungus with great research significance. Based on morphological observation combined with phylogenetic analysis through ITS and LSU, seven new species of Geastrum belong to four sections, viz., Sect. Myceliostroma, Geastrum laneum; Sect. Exareolata, Geastrum litchi, Geastrum mongolicum; Sect. Corollina, Geastrum pseudosaccatum, Geastrum melanorhynchum, Geastrum oxysepalum; and Sect. Campestria, Geastrum microphole. Illustrated descriptions and the ecological habits of the novel species are provided.

Conocybe Section Pilosellae in China: Reconciliation of Taxonomy and Phylogeny Reveals Seven New Species and a New Record.

Conocybe belongs to the Bolbitiaceae. The morphological classification and molecular phylogenetics of Conocybe section Pilosellae are not in agreement. In this study, based on the specimens from China, we investigated the sect. Pilosellae and identified 17 species, including 7 new species: Conocybe pilosa, with a densely hairy pileus and stipe; C. reniformis, with reniform spores; C. ceracea, with waxy dehydration of the lamellae; C. muscicola, growing on moss; C. sinobispora, with two-spored basidia; C. hydrophila, with a hygrophanous pileus; C. rufostipes, growing on dung with a brown stipe; and C. pseudocrispa, one new record for China. A key was compiled for the sect. Pilosellae in China. Here, the sect. Pilosellae, and new species and records from China are morphologically described and illustrated. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses were performed using a combined nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) and nuc 28S rDNA (nrLSU), and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1-α) dataset to reconstruct the relationships of this section. We found that the sect. Pilosellae was the basal clade of Conocybe, and its evolutionary features may shed light on the characteristics of Conocybe. By integrating morphological classification and phylogenetic analysis, we explored the possible phylogenetic relationships among the species of the sect. Pilosellae in China.

Morphological and phylogenetic evidence reveal three new Pseudohydnum (Auriculariales, Basidiomycota) species from North China.

Pseudohydnum is characterized by gelatinous basidiomata with hydnoid hymenophores and longitudinally septate basidia. In this study, samples of the genus from North China were examined morphologically and phylogenetically using a dataset of the internal transcribed spacer of the ribosomal RNA gene and the nuclear large subunit rDNA. This study describes three new species, namely Pseudohydnum abietinum, Pseudohydnum candidissimum, and Pseudohydnum sinobisporum. Pseudohydnum abietinum is characterized by pileate and pale clay pink basidiomata when fresh, with a rudimentary stipe base, four-celled basidia, and broadly ellipsoid to ovoid or subglobose basidiospores (6-7.5 × 5-6.3 µm). P. candidissimum is characterized by very white basidiomata when fresh, frequently four-celled basidia, and broadly ellipsoid to subglobose basidiospores (7.2-8.5 × 6-7 µm). P. sinobisporum is characterized by ivory basidiomata when fresh, two-celled basidia, ovoid to broadly ellipsoid, or subglobose basidiospores (7.5-9.5 × 5.8-7.2 µm). The main characteristics, type localities, and hosts of Pseudohydnum species are listed.

Phylogeny and Taxonomic Revision of the Family Discinaceae (Pezizales, Ascomycota).

Species of Discinaceae are common macrofungi with a worldwide distribution. Some of them are commercially consumed, while a few others are reported as poisonous. Two genera were accepted in the family: the epigeous Gyromitra with discoid, cerebriform to saddle-shaped ascomata and the hypogeous Hydnotrya with globose or tuberous ascomata. However, due to discrepancies in their ecological behaviors, a comprehensive investigation of their relationship was not thoroughly explored. In this study, phylogenies of Discinaceae were reconstructed using sequence analyses of combined and separate three gene partitions (internal transcribed spacer [ITS], large subunit ribosomal DNA [LSU], and translation elongation factor [TEF]) with a matrix containing 116 samples. As a result, the taxonomy of the family was renewed. Eight genera were recognized: two of them (Gyromitra and Hydnotrya) were retained, three (Discina, Paradiscina, and Pseudorhizina) were revived, and three (Paragyromitra, Pseudodiscina, and Pseudoverpa) were newly established. Nine new combinations were made in four genera. Two new species in Paragyromitra and Pseudodiscina and an un-named taxon of Discina were described and illustrated in detail based on the materials collected from China. Furthermore, a key to the genera of the family was also provided. IMPORTANCE Taxonomy of the fungal family Discinaceae (Pezizales, Ascomycota) was significantly renewed on the basis of sequence analyses of internal transcribed spacer (ITS), large subunit ribosomal DNA (LSU), and translation elongation factor (TEF). Eight genera were accepted, including three new genera; two new species were described; and nine new combinations were made. A key to the accepted genera of the family is provided. The aim of this study is to deepen the understanding of the phylogenetic relationships among genera of the group, as well as the associated generic concepts.

[Determination of main peptide toxins from Amanita pallidorosea with HPLC and their antifungal action on Blastomyces albicans].

OBJECTIVE: To detect peptide toxins in Amanita pallidorasea and to study the antifungal activities of peptide toxins against Blastomyces albicans. METHODS: We separated and identified peptide toxins and determined its contents in the fruiting body, pileus and the mixture of stipe and volva from A. pallidorasea by HPLC and ESI-MS methods. Meanwhile, we detected antifungal activities of the crude toxin and the separated peptide toxins against Blastomyces albicans JLC31680 and JLC31681 by the paper disk method. RESULTS: We totally got three peptide toxins: alpha-amanitin (alpha-AMA), beta-amanitin (beta-AMA) and phalloidin (PHD). The contents of alpha-AMA, beta-AMA and PHD were 30.3 mg/g, 6.99 mg/g and 9.95 mg/g in fruiting body, and 45.0 mg/g, 11.1 mg/g and 11.3 mg/g in pileus. The contents of alpha-AMA and PHD were 11.7 mg/g and 7.98 mg/g in the mixture of stipe and volva , but the beta-AMA was not detected in this part. The inhibition ratio of the crude toxin and alpha-AMA, beta-AMA and PHD to B. albicans JLC31680 were 11.96%, 32.52%, 23.29% (P<0.01) and 15.46% (P<0.05). The inhibition ratio of the crude toxin and beta-AMA to B. albicans JLC31681 was 10.16% and 11.10% (P < 0.01), while that of alpha-AMA's was 6.89% (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A. pallidorasea is a new resource of peptide toxins with antifungal activity.

Asproinocybaceae fam. nov. (Agaricales, Agaricomycetes) for Accommodating the Genera Asproinocybe and Tricholosporum, and Description of Asproinocybe sinensis and Tricholosporum guangxiense sp. nov.

Asproinocybe and Tricholosporum are not well known, and their placement at the family level remains undetermined. In this study, we conducted molecular phylogenetic analyses based on nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) and nuc 28S rDNA (nrLSU), and a dataset with six molecular markers (ITS, LSU, RNA polymerase II largest subunit (RPB1), RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2), 18S nuclear small subunit ribosomal DNA (nrSSU), and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1-α)) using Bayesian (BA) and Maximum Likelihood (ML) methods, we found that the species of Asproinocybe and Tricholosporum formed an independent family-level clade (0.98/72). Asproinocybaceae fam. nov., a new family, is established here for accommodating this clade. Two new species, Asproinocybe sinensis and Tricholosporum guangxiense, from subtropical and tropical karst areas of China, are also described here.

Grassland fairy rings of Leucocalocybe mongolica represent the center of a rich soil microbial community.

BACKGROUND: The ecological phenomenon of fungal fairy rings is usually found in grasslands and caused by the growth of specific fairy ring fungi in soil. The fairy rings are classified into three zones (DARK, DEAD, and OUT), and they have the potential to increase crop yield. Among these fairy rings, distinct characteristics of type I fairy rings can be seen in the rings formed by Leucocalocybe mongolica (LM). Our studies addressed changes in the soil microbial structure due to LM fairy rings to enhance understand of this ecological phenomenon. METHODS: In the present study, we report the soil microbial analysis results (fungi and bacteria), including those of metabarcoding (16s rRNA, ITS), microbial quantity, and metagenomics surveys of soils collected from various fairy ring zones, of 6 LM fairy rings. All sampling sites cover the grasslands of Mongolian Plateau in China. RESULTS: First, we found through metabarcoding surveys that the difference in microbial diversity is relatively less in bacteria and that the abundance of fairy ring fungi (LM) is relatively high in DEAD zones. We also identified eight bacterial and fungal families, including Sphingobacteriaceae and Sphingomonadaceae that were enriched within the soils of fairy ring zones. Second, we found that the abundance of soil bacteria in the DEAD zones is sharply increased along with the growth of fairy ring fungi (LM). Third, we found through shotgun sequencing that fairy ring-infected zones, DARK and DEAD, exhibit greater genetic diversity than OUT zones. Finally, we showed that the fairy ring ecosystem is the center for a rich grassland microbial community. CONCLUSIONS: The reported data can improve our understanding of type I fairy rings and will be further insightful to the research on crop production.