Family matters inside the order Agaricales: systematic reorganization and classification of incertae sedis clitocyboid, pleurotoid and tricholomatoid taxa based on an updated 6-gene phylogeny.

The phylogenetic position of several clitocyboid/pleurotoid/tricholomatoid genera previously considered incertae sedis is here resolved using an updated 6-gene dataset of Agaricales including newly sequenced lineages and more complete data from those already analyzed before. Results allowed to infer new phylogenetic relationships, and propose taxonomic novelties to accommodate them, including up to ten new families and a new suborder. Giacomia (for which a new species from China is here described) forms a monophyletic clade with Melanoleuca (Melanoleucaceae) nested inside suborder Pluteineae, together with the families Pluteaceae, Amanitaceae (including Leucocortinarius), Limnoperdaceae and Volvariellaceae. The recently described family Asproinocybaceae is shown to be a later synonym of Lyophyllaceae (which includes also Omphaliaster and Trichocybe) within suborder Tricholomatineae. The families Biannulariaceae, Callistosporiaceae, Clitocybaceae, Fayodiaceae, Macrocystidiaceae (which includes Pseudoclitopilus), Entolomataceae, Pseudoclitocybaceae (which includes Aspropaxillus), Omphalinaceae (Infundibulicybe and Omphalina) and the new families Paralepistaceae and Pseudoomphalinaceae belong also to Tricholomatineae. The delimitation of the suborder Pleurotineae (= Schizophyllineae) is discussed and revised, accepting five distinct families within it, viz. Pleurotaceae, Cyphellopsidaceae, Fistulinaceae, Resupinataceae and Schizophyllaceae. The recently proposed suborder Phyllotopsidineae (= Sarcomyxineae) is found to encompass the families Aphroditeolaceae, Pterulaceae, Phyllotopsidaceae, Radulomycetaceae, Sarcomyxaceae (which includes Tectella), and Stephanosporaceae, all of them unrelated to Pleurotaceae (suborder Pleurotineae) or Typhulaceae (suborder Typhulineae). The new family Xeromphalinaceae, encompassing the genera Xeromphalina and Heimiomyces, is proposed within Marasmiineae. The suborder Hygrophorineae is here reorganized into the families Hygrophoraceae, Cantharellulaceae, Cuphophyllaceae, Hygrocybaceae and Lichenomphaliaceae, to homogenize the taxonomic rank of the main clades inside all suborders of Agaricales. Finally, the genus Hygrophorocybe is shown to represent a distinct clade inside Cuphophyllaceae, and the new combination H. carolinensis is proposed. Taxonomic novelties: New suborder: Typhulineae Vizzini, Consiglio & P. Alvarado. New families: Aphroditeolaceae Vizzini, Consiglio & P. Alvarado, Melanoleucaceae Locq. ex Vizzini, Consiglio & P. Alvarado, Paralepistaceae Vizzini, Consiglio & P. Alvarado, Pseudoomphalinaceae Vizzini, Consiglio & P. Alvarado, Volvariellaceae Vizzini, Consiglio & P. Alvarado, Xeromphalinaceae Vizzini, Consiglio & P. Alvarado. New species: Giacomia sinensis J.Z. Xu. Stat. nov.: Cantharellulaceae (Lodge, Redhead, Norvell & Desjardin) Vizzini, Consiglio & P. Alvarado, Cuphophyllaceae (Z.M. He & Zhu L. Yang) Vizzini, Consiglio & P. Alvarado, Hygrocybaceae (Padamsee & Lodge) Vizzini, Consiglio & P. Alvarado, Lichenomphaliaceae (Lücking & Redhead) Vizzini, Consiglio & P. Alvarado. New combination: Hygrophorocybe carolinensis (H.E. Bigelow & Hesler) Vizzini, Consiglio & P. Alvarado. New synonyms: Sarcomyxineae Zhu L. Yang & G.S. Wang, Schizophyllineae Aime, Dentinger & Gaya, Asproinocybaceae T. Bau & G.F. Mou. Incertae sedis taxa placed at family level: Aphroditeola Redhead & Manfr. Binder, Giacomia Vizzini & Contu, Hygrophorocybe Vizzini & Contu, Leucocortinarius (J.E. Lange) Singer, Omphaliaster Lamoure, Pseudoclitopilus Vizzini & Contu, Resupinatus Nees ex Gray, Tectella Earle, Trichocybe Vizzini. New delimitations of taxa: Hygrophorineae Aime, Dentinger & Gaya, Phyllotopsidineae Zhu L. Yang & G.S. Wang, Pleurotineae Aime, Dentinger & Gaya, Pluteineae Aime, Dentinger & Gaya, Tricholomatineae Aime, Dentinger & Gaya. Resurrected taxa: Fayodiaceae Jülich, Resupinataceae Jülich. Citation: Vizzini A, Alvarado P, Consiglio G, Marchetti M, Xu J (2024). Family matters inside the order Agaricales: systematic reorganization and classification of incertae sedis clitocyboid, pleurotoid and tricholomatoid taxa based on an updated 6-gene phylogeny. Studies in Mycology 107: 67-148. doi: 10.3114/sim.2024.107.02.

Fungi in hair roots of Vaccinium spp. (Ericaceae) growing on decomposing wood: colonization patterns, identity, and in vitro symbiotic potential.

Most of our knowledge on the ericoid mycorrhizal (ErM) symbiosis comes from temperate heathlands characterized by acidic peaty soils and many experiments with a few ascomycetous fungi. However, ericaceous plants thrive in many other ecosystems and in temperate coniferous forests, their seedlings often prosper on decomposing wood. While wood is typically exploited by basidiomycetous ectomycorrhizal (EcM) and saprobic fungi, the role of ErM fungi (ErMF) is much less clear. We explored the cultivable mycobiota of surface sterilized hair roots of Vaccinium spp. growing on decomposing wood in two coniferous forests in Mid-Norway (Scandinavia) and Northern Bohemia (Central Europe). Obtained isolates were identified using molecular tools and their symbiotic potential was tested in vitro. While the detected community lacked the archetypal ErMF Hyaloscypha hepaticicola and the incidence of dark septate endophytes and EcM fungi was negligible, it comprised other frequent asexual ascomycetous ErMF, namely H. variabilis and Oidiodendron maius, together with several isolates displaying affinities to sexual saprobic H. daedaleae and H. fuckelii. Ascomycete-suppressing media revealed representatives of the saprobic basidiomycetous genera Coprinellus, Gymnopilus, Mycena (Agaricales), and Hypochnicium (Polyporales). In the resyntheses, the tested basidiomycetes occasionally penetrated the rhizodermal cells of their hosts but never formed ericoid mycorrhizae and in many cases overgrew and killed the inoculated seedlings. In contrast, a representative of the H. daedaleae/H. fuckelii-related isolates repeatedly formed what morphologically appears as the ErM symbiosis and supported host's growth. In conclusion, while basidiomycetous saprobic fungi have a potential to colonize healthy-looking ericaceous hair roots, the mode(-s) of their functioning remain obscure. For the first time, a lineage in Hyaloscypha s. str. (corresponding to the former Hymenoscyphus ericae aggregate) where sexual saprobes are intermingled with root symbionts has been revealed, shedding new light on the ecology and evolution of these prominent ascomycetous ErMF.

The First Five Mitochondrial Genomes for the Family Nidulariaceae Reveal Novel Gene Rearrangements, Intron Dynamics, and Phylogeny of Agaricales.

The family Nidulariaceae, consisting of five genera including Cyathus, is a unique group of mushrooms commonly referred to as bird's nest fungi due to their striking resemblance to bird's nests. These mushrooms are considered medicinal mushrooms in Chinese medicine and have received attention in recent years for their anti-neurodegenerative properties. However, despite the interest in these mushrooms, very little is known about their mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes). This study is the first comprehensive investigation of the mitogenomes of five Nidulariaceae species with circular genome structures ranging in size from 114,236 bp to 129,263 bp. Comparative analyses based on gene content, gene length, tRNA, and codon usage indicate convergence within the family Nidulariaceae and heterogeneity within the order Agaricales. Phylogenetic analysis based on a combined mitochondrial conserved protein dataset provides a well-supported phylogenetic tree for the Basidiomycetes, which clearly demonstrates the evolutionary relationships between Nidulariaceae and other members of Agaricales. Furthermore, phylogenetic inferences based on four different gene sets reveal the stability and proximity of evolutionary relationships within Agaricales. These results reveal the uniqueness of the family Nidulariaceae and its similarity to other members of Agaricales; provide valuable insights into the origin, evolution, and genetics of Nidulariaceae species; and enrich the fungal mitogenome resource. This study will help to expand the knowledge and understanding of the mitogenomes in mushrooms.

Hydropodia silvae-nipponicae (Porotheleaceae), a new species from evergreen broad-leaved forests in Japan.

Hydropodia silvae-nipponicae, a new agaric species was described based on the specimens collected from evergreen broad-leaved forests in Japan. The present new species is distinct from H. subalpina, the type species of the genus by morphological characteristics and nuclear rDNA sequences. Hydropodia silvae-nipponicae is characterized by its nodulose cystidium-like terminal elements of pileipellis, cylindrical to clavate pileocystidia with irregular excrescences, and dimorphic pleurocystidia. It is the second species belonging to the genus Hydropodia.

Effect of Ganoderma lucidum on serum lipid profiles: A systematic review and meta-analysis on animal studies.

Background: Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) is one of the most popular edible mushrooms in the world which has various pharmacological components. Recently, some animal studies have investigated the lipid-lowering effects of G. lucidum and have shown contradictory results. This study aims to systematically review the effects of G. lucidum on lipid parameters in animal studies. Materials and Methods: A systematic search was conducted in the Medline database (PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar up to the end of January 2022. Only animal studies and all eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs), including cluster RCTs and randomized crossover trials were included. The English language studies that assessed the effects of G. lucidum on lipid profiles including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) were selected. Results: Among 358 studies, 49 articles were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. G. lucidum consumption was associated with decreased levels of TG (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -1.52, 95% CI: -1.79, -1.24), TC (SMD = -1.51, 95% CI: -1.75, -1.27), LDL-C (SMD = -2.03, 95% CI: -2.37, -1.69) and VLDL (SMD =-1.06, 95% CI: -1.638, -0.482). Furthermore, G. lucidum consumption was associated with increased levels of HDL-C (SMD = 1.03, 95% CI: 0.73, 1.33). Conclusion: G. lucidum has favorable effects on TG, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, and VLDL. Different doses of G. lucidum have various degrees of effectiveness on lipid profiles.

Genomic Analysis Enlightens Agaricales Lifestyle Evolution and Increasing Peroxidase Diversity.

As actors of global carbon cycle, Agaricomycetes (Basidiomycota) have developed complex enzymatic machineries that allow them to decompose all plant polymers, including lignin. Among them, saprotrophic Agaricales are characterized by an unparalleled diversity of habitats and lifestyles. Comparative analysis of 52 Agaricomycetes genomes (14 of them sequenced de novo) reveals that Agaricales possess a large diversity of hydrolytic and oxidative enzymes for lignocellulose decay. Based on the gene families with the predicted highest evolutionary rates-namely cellulose-binding CBM1, glycoside hydrolase GH43, lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase AA9, class-II peroxidases, glucose-methanol-choline oxidase/dehydrogenases, laccases, and unspecific peroxygenases-we reconstructed the lifestyles of the ancestors that led to the extant lignocellulose-decomposing Agaricomycetes. The changes in the enzymatic toolkit of ancestral Agaricales are correlated with the evolution of their ability to grow not only on wood but also on leaf litter and decayed wood, with grass-litter decomposers as the most recent eco-physiological group. In this context, the above families were analyzed in detail in connection with lifestyle diversity. Peroxidases appear as a central component of the enzymatic toolkit of saprotrophic Agaricomycetes, consistent with their essential role in lignin degradation and high evolutionary rates. This includes not only expansions/losses in peroxidase genes common to other basidiomycetes but also the widespread presence in Agaricales (and Russulales) of new peroxidases types not found in wood-rotting Polyporales, and other Agaricomycetes orders. Therefore, we analyzed the peroxidase evolution in Agaricomycetes by ancestral-sequence reconstruction revealing several major evolutionary pathways and mapped the appearance of the different enzyme types in a time-calibrated species tree.

New disease and first report of marasmioid fungus, Marasmius palmivorus (Sharples), causing white root rot in Arachis hypogaea L.

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) plants showing distinct symptoms of necrosis of leaves and severe rotting of roots were observed in an agricultural field at Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu, India. The rhizomorphs of the phytopathogenic fungus were obtained from the rotted roots of the diseased plants and were cultured in the laboratory, and based on the morphological characteristics and nucleotide sequencing analysis of ITS and nLSU region, the phytopathogen was identified as Marasmius palmivorus. The isolated fungus produced distinct fruiting bodies (basidiocarps) when grown under the laboratory conditions. The fungus grew as cottony white colonies on the potato dextrose agar medium and were found to contain septate and clamp connections when examined under light microscope. The pathogenicity of the isolated fungus was assessed by inoculating it on healthy groundnut plant under glasshouse conditions; this resulted in the establishment of typical disease symptoms, which confirmed the pathogenicity of the fungus. The fungal pathogen re-isolated from the artificially inoculated plants was used for molecular characterization and confirmed that the organism was M. palmivorus. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the occurrence of M. palmivorus, causing white root rot disease in A. hypogaea L.

Phylogeny, taxonomy, and character evolution in Entoloma subgenus Nolanea.

Nolanea is a well-known and long-established subgenus of the genus Entoloma traditionally defined mainly by the mycenoid basidiocarps of the included species. Until now, revisions of this subgenus including molecular data exist only on a regional scale. In this study, the phylogeny of species of Nolanea is analysed based on multi-gene DNA sequences including data of specimens from all continents. New primers are designed for the mitochondrial small subunit and RPB2. The performance of the DNA loci in reconstructing the phylogeny in subg. Nolanea is evaluated. An ancestral state reconstruction is used to infer the character state evolution as well as the importance and reliability of morphological characters used to define subclades below subgeneric rank. Based on the results, seven sections are recognised in Nolanea: the sections Holoconiota, Infularia, Mammosa, Nolanea, Papillata, Staurospora, and the newly described sect. Elegantissima. A large phylogeny based on the fungal barcode rDNA ITS with numerous type sequences is used to evaluate current species concepts. Several names are revealed to be synonyms of older names. Four species new to science are described, namely E. altaicum, E. argillaceum, E. cornicolor, and E. incognitum. Lectotypes, epitypes or neotypes are designated for E. cetratum, E. clandestinum, E. conferendum, E. cuspidiferum, E. hebes, E. minutum, E. nitens, and E. rhodocylix. The re-evaluation of the limits of subg. Nolanea leads to an altered concept excluding species with distinct, lageniform cheilocystidia. The section Ameides is placed in subg. Leptonia. For several species formerly accommodated in Nolanea, but excluded now, viz., E. lepiotoides, E. rhombisporum, E. subelegans, and E. velenovskyi the taxonomic position remains unclear, because of the yet unresolved phylogeny of the whole genus Entoloma. Citation: Reschke K, Morozova OV, Dima B, et al. 2022. Phylogeny, taxonomy, and character evolution in Entoloma subgenus Nolanea. Persoonia 49: 136-170. https://doi.org/10.3767/persoonia.2022.49.04.

More smooth-spored species of Inocybe (Agaricales, Ba sidiomycota): type studies and 12 new species from Europe.

Twelve new species of Inocybe (I. adorabilis, I. comis, I. demetris, I. filiana, I. galactica, I. morganae, I. othini, I. ovilla, I. proteica, I. somae, I. suryana and I. venerabilis) are described from Europe on the basis of detailed morphological and molecular investigation. A portrait of the recently described I. ianthinopes is given. All species are smooth-spored and some pruinose only in the apical part of the stipe, and some on entire length. The new species are compared to 24 type specimens (17 characterized by at least partial ITS sequence data), all of which are described and revised here. Epitypes were selected for two species, I. hirtella and I. sindonia. Based on our studies, we confirm that I. kuehneri and I. sindonia on one hand, and I. subalbidodisca and I. ochroalba on the other, are synonyms and furthermore suggest that I. abietis is synonymous with I. catalaunica, I. exilis with I. rufobrunnea, I. hirtellarum with I. mycenoides, I. lapidicola with I. deianae, I. ochraceolutea with I. sindonia, I. stangliana with I. pelargonium, I. subrubens with I. subhirtella and I. sulfovirescens with I. langei. All of the new species are supported by phylogenetic analyses. Among the 16 previously described species accepted here, 10 are represented by types in the phylogenetic analyses and five by own collections corresponding to the type. Two species, I. eutheloides (remaining doubtful) and I. pallidolutea are only treated morphologically. In summary, we describe as new or verify the taxonomic status and provide or corroborate morphological concepts for 37 smooth-spored species of Inocybe. Citation: Bandini D, Oertel B, Eberhardt U. 2022. More smooth-spored species of Inocybe (Agaricales, Basidiomycota): type studies and 12 new species from Europe. Persoonia 48: 91-149. https://doi.org/10.3767/persoonia.2022.48.03.

Cortinarius subgenus Leprocybe, unexpected diversity and significant differences in species compositions between western and eastern North America.

The focus of this paper is the North American species of Cortinarius in subg. Leprocybe. Eighteen species, including twelve new ones, and two tentative (aff.) species, are delimited based on morphological and molecular data (DNA ITS-LSU sequences). Existing type specimens of species in subg. Leprocybe were also studied, and neo- or epitypes designated for C. cotoneus, C. melanotus, C. phrygianus and C. venetus to stabilize the nomenclature. In addition, to improve the infrasubgeneric classification of Leprocybe three new sections are proposed: sect. Fuscotomentosi, sect. Melanoti and sect. Squamiveneti. This study adds substantial information to the knowledge of subg. Leprocybe in North America against a background of European species. To date only two species, C. phrygianus and C. squamivenetus have been reported from both continents. Citation: Ammirati J, Liimatainen K, Bojantchev D, et al. 2021. Cortinarius subgenus Leprocybe, unexpected diversity and significant differences in species compositions between western and eastern North America. Persoonia 46: 216-239. https://doi.org/10.3767/persoonia.2021.46.08.

A morphological and phylogenetic evaluation of Marasmius sect. Globulares (Globulares-Sicci complex) with nine new taxa from the Neotropical Atlantic Forest.

The largest and most recently emended Marasmius sect. Globulares (Globulares-Sicci complex) has increased in number of species annually while its infrasectional organization remains inconclusive. During forays in remnants of the Atlantic Rainforest in Brazil, 24 taxa of Marasmius belonging to sect. Globulares were collected from which nine are herein proposed as new: Marasmius altoribeirensis, M. ambicellularis, M. hobbitii, M. luteoolivaceus, M. neotropicalis, M. pallidibrunneus, M. pseudoniveoaffinis, M. rhabarbarinoides and M. venatifolius. We took this opportunity to evaluate sect. Globulares sensu Antonín & Noordel. in particular, combining morphological examination and both single and multilocus phylogenetic analyses using LSU and ITS data, including Neotropical samples to a broader and more globally distributed sampling of over 200 strains. Three different approaches were developed in order to better use the genetic information via Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood analyses. The implementation of these approaches resulted in: i) the phylogenetic placement of the new and known taxa herein studied among the other taxa of a wide sampling of the section; ii) the reconstruction of improved phylogenetic trees presenting more strongly supported resolution especially from intermediate to deep nodes; iii) clearer evidence indicating that the series within sect. Sicci and sect. Globulares in the traditional concept are non-monophyletic by this more stringent evaluation; and iv) the existence of several monophyletic suprespecific groups equivalent to the stirpes of Singer - clusters of morphologically similar species. These two latter points corroborate with findings of previous studies implementing analyses with the entire genus. Based on these results, we proposed a new infrasectional classification elevating Singer's concept of stirpes to series. Thirteen new series, the emendation of three extant series and three subsections gathering these series based on the major clades are proposed.

The genome sequence of the commercially cultivated mushroom Agrocybe aegerita reveals a conserved repertoire of fruiting-related genes and a versatile suite of biopolymer-degrading enzymes.

BACKGROUND: Agrocybe aegerita is an agaricomycete fungus with typical mushroom features, which is commercially cultivated for its culinary use. In nature, it is a saprotrophic or facultative pathogenic fungus causing a white-rot of hardwood in forests of warm and mild climate. The ease of cultivation and fructification on solidified media as well as its archetypal mushroom fruit body morphology render A. aegerita a well-suited model for investigating mushroom developmental biology. RESULTS: Here, the genome of the species is reported and analysed with respect to carbohydrate active genes and genes known to play a role during fruit body formation. In terms of fruit body development, our analyses revealed a conserved repertoire of fruiting-related genes, which corresponds well to the archetypal fruit body morphology of this mushroom. For some genes involved in fruit body formation, paralogisation was observed, but not all fruit body maturation-associated genes known from other agaricomycetes seem to be conserved in the genome sequence of A. aegerita. In terms of lytic enzymes, our analyses suggest a versatile arsenal of biopolymer-degrading enzymes that likely account for the flexible life style of this species. Regarding the amount of genes encoding CAZymes relevant for lignin degradation, A. aegerita shows more similarity to white-rot fungi than to litter decomposers, including 18 genes coding for unspecific peroxygenases and three dye-decolourising peroxidase genes expanding its lignocellulolytic machinery. CONCLUSIONS: The genome resource will be useful for developing strategies towards genetic manipulation of A. aegerita, which will subsequently allow functional genetics approaches to elucidate fundamentals of fruiting and vegetative growth including lignocellulolysis.

Population structure of Guyanagaster necrorhizus supports termite dispersal for this enigmatic fungus.

Understanding how species accomplish dispersal of their propagules can shed light on how they are adapted for their ecosystem. Guyanagaster necrorhizus is a sequestrate fungus, meaning its dispersal propagules, or spores, are entirely enclosed within a fruiting body, termed a sporocarp. This fungus is most closely related to Armillaria and its allies. While Armillaria species form mushrooms and have forcibly discharged spores, G. necrorhizus spores have lost this ability, and by necessity, must be passively dispersed. However, G. necrorhizus does not possess characteristics of other sequestrate fungi with known dispersal mechanisms. Repeated observations of termites feeding on G. necrorhizus sporocarps, and spores subsequently adhering to their exoskeletons, led to the hypothesis that termites disperse G. necrorhizus spores. To test this hypothesis, we used microsatellite markers and population genetics analyses to understand patterns of clonality and population structure of G. necrorhizus. While Armillaria individuals can spread vegetatively over large areas, high genotypic diversity in G. necrorhizus populations suggests spores are the primary mode of dispersal. Spatial genetic structure analyses show that G. necrorhizus sporocarps within 238 m of each other are more closely related than would be expected by chance and conservative estimates from population assignment tests suggest gene flow no longer occurs between sporocarps separated by 2 km. These distances are consistent with previous studies analysing foraging distances of the termites found associated with G. necrorhizus sporocarps. Termites have rarely been recorded to specifically target fungal sporocarps, making this a potentially novel fungal-insect interaction.

Spring and early summer species of Cortinarius, subgenus Telamonia, section Colymbadini and /Flavobasilis, in the mountains of western North America.

Seven species of Cortinarius, subgenus Telamonia, section Colymbadini and /Flavobasilis, are reported from conifer forests in the mountains of western North America. They typically produce basidiomes in the spring and summer. Only one species, C. colymbadinus, is widespread, occurring in Europe and western North America, but to date not reported from California. Cortinarius bridgei, C. flavobasilis, C. rumoribrunsi, C. vernalishastensis, and C. vernalisierraensis are new species. The first two are found throughout the western mountains, whereas the latter three thus far are known only from California. Cortinarius ahsii, a common species in the Rocky Mountains and Pacific Northwest, also has not been recorded from California.

Insights into the phylogeny of Northern Hemisphere Armillaria: Neighbor-net and Bayesian analyses of translation elongation factor 1-α gene sequences.

Armillaria possesses several intriguing characteristics that have inspired wide interest in understanding phylogenetic relationships within and among species of this genus. Nuclear ribosomal DNA sequence-based analyses of Armillaria provide only limited information for phylogenetic studies among widely divergent taxa. More recent studies have shown that translation elongation factor 1-α (tef1) sequences are highly informative for phylogenetic analysis of Armillaria species within diverse global regions. This study used Neighbor-net and coalescence-based Bayesian analyses to examine phylogenetic relationships of newly determined and existing tef1 sequences derived from diverse Armillaria species from across the Northern Hemisphere, with Southern Hemisphere Armillaria species included for reference. Based on the Bayesian analysis of tef1 sequences, Armillaria species from the Northern Hemisphere are generally contained within the following four superclades, which are named according to the specific epithet of the most frequently cited species within the superclade: (i) Socialis/Tabescens (exannulate) superclade including Eurasian A. ectypa, North American A. socialis (A. tabescens), and Eurasian A. socialis (A. tabescens) clades; (ii) Mellea superclade including undescribed annulate North American Armillaria sp. (Mexico) and four separate clades of A. mellea (Europe and Iran, eastern Asia, and two groups from North America); (iii) Gallica superclade including Armillaria Nag E (Japan), multiple clades of A. gallica (Asia and Europe), A. calvescens (eastern North America), A. cepistipes (North America), A. altimontana (western USA), A. nabsnona (North America and Japan), and at least two A. gallica clades (North America); and (iv) Solidipes/Ostoyae superclade including two A. solidipes/ostoyae clades (North America), A. gemina (eastern USA), A. solidipes/ostoyae (Eurasia), A. cepistipes (Europe and Japan), A. sinapina (North America and Japan), and A. borealis (Eurasia) clade 2. Of note is that A. borealis (Eurasia) clade 1 appears basal to the Solidipes/Ostoyae and Gallica superclades. The Neighbor-net analysis showed similar phylogenetic relationships. This study further demonstrates the utility of tef1 for global phylogenetic studies of Armillaria species and provides critical insights into multiple taxonomic issues that warrant further study.

Taxonomy and phylogeny in Lepiota sect. Stenosporae from China.

Lepiota sect. Stenosporae (J.E. Lange) Kühner contains species with spurred or truncate basidiospores and pileus covering composed of adnate, ascending or erect long and slender elements. Seven species from southwestern, northeastern and southern China in this section have been identified, described and illustrated. Lepiota mandarina and L. subcastanea are described as new. Lepiota mandarina is characterized by densely orange red to brownish red squamules on pileus and stipe, subtriangular basidiospores with truncate bottom, narrowly clavate cheilocystidia and pileus covering a trichodermial palisade. Lepiota subcastanea has a pileus with yellow-brown to dark brown squamules, non-dextrinoid subtriangular basidiospores with a distinct sac-like spur, narrowly clavate or narrowly utriform cheilocystidia, and pileus covering a trichodermial palisade with short clavate elements. It is hypothesized that this section evolved from sect. Ovisporae subsect. Helveolinae. It also is speculated that subtriangular and spurred basidiospores have evolved from ellipsoidal basidiospores and that a trichodermial pileus covering composing long, erect elements and basal short, clavate elements might have evolved from a cutis or a trichoderm lacking such an under layer of short elements.

Psathyloma, a new genus in Hymenogastraceae described from New Zealand.

A new genus Psathyloma is described based on collections of agarics from New Zealand. We describe two new species in the genus, Ps. leucocarpum and Ps. catervatim, both of which have been known and tentatively named for a long time awaiting a formal description. Morphological traits and phylogenetic analyses reveal that Psathyloma forms a strongly supported sister clade to Hebeloma, Naucoria and Hymenogaster Morphologically Psathyloma resembles Hebeloma from which it differs mainly by producing smooth basidiospores with a germ pore. The geographical range of the genus has been demonstrated to include several regions in the southern hemisphere. A survey of published environmental sequences reveals that Psathyloma spp. were isolated from ectomycorrhizal root tips from Tasmania and Argentina, indicating an ectomycorrhizal association with southern beech.

Gymnopanella nothofagi, a new genus and species of gymnopoid fungi (Omphalotaceae) from Chilean Nothofagus forest.

A novel, lignicolous agaric from Nothofagus forests of southern Chile is described as a new genus and species, Gymnopanella nothofagi This taxon falls within the family Omphalotaceae as a sister group to Gymnopus in phylogenetic analyses based on sequences spanning the internal transcribed spacer region and D1/D2 region of nuclear 28S rDNA. Morphologically it is characterized by convex to flabellate basidiomata with distinctly gelatinized trama, pileipellis in the form of a cutis with erect fascicles of cylindrical, spirally incrusted hyphae and nonamyloid, broadly ellipsoid basidiospores. This combination of features, in particular the lack of a rameales structure, serve to distinguish Gymnopanella from Gymnopus, Marasmiellus and other similar genera of the Omphalotaceae or Marasmiaceae. The new taxon is known only from Chilean Nothofagus forests at approximately 45-46° south latitude, but concerted searching in similar habitats in surrounding areas or in New Zealand may extend the known range considerably.

Cortinarius subgenus Callistei in North America and Europe-type studies, diversity, and distribution of species.

Five species of Cortinarius subgenus Callistei, are recognized in Europe and North America. Cortinarius callisteus, C. infucatus, and C. neocallisteus sp. nov. have a broad distribution, extending from western North America to Europe. Cortinarius tofaceus is known from eastern North America and Europe, while C. callistei sp. is known only from one locality in Sweden. All five species are primarily associated with coniferous trees. Previously the species were included either in subgenus Leprocybe or subgenus Cortinarius, but recently they have been separated into subgenus Callistei based on molecular data. Type specimens of the names associated with this subgenus were studied and a neotype proposed for C. tofaceus and an epitype for C. infucatus Barcodes for the species are deposited in RefSeq and UNITE.

Unraveling the Inocybe praetervisa group through type studies and ITS data: Inocybe praetervisoides sp. nov. from the Mediterranean region.

Species in the Inocybe praetervisa group are characterized by producing nodulose to angular basidiospores and a bulbous, marginate, white stipe devoid of any pinkish to reddish tinge. Species delimitation problems and common misinterpretations in the I. praetervisa group have not yet been resolved through type studies and analysis of molecular data. This study seeks to clarify the taxonomy and nomenclature of species around I. praetervisa. Analyses of the nuc rDNA internal transcribed regions (ITS) recovered two major groups within the I. praetervisa group that can be separated on the basis of cystidial morphology. The study of three authentic and topotypic specimens in the Bresadola herbarium revealed that the name I. praetervisa has been misapplied often. The ITS region of one of the specimens was obtained, and this specimen is designated as epitype in support of a lectotype. Inocybe rivularis is demonstrated to be a later synonym of I. praetervisa, while Inocybe phaeocystidiosa is the correct name for the species most often misdetermined as I. praetervisa. Inocybe salicis-herbaceae and I. praetervisa var. flavofulvida are shown to be synonyms of I. phaeocystidiosa based on ITS sequence data from type collections. A new species sister to I. phaeocystidiosa with a Mediterranean distribution is described as I. praetervisoides. Cystidial morphology, distribution of caulocystidia, basidiospore morphology and ecology are shown to be the main diagnostic characters for separating the species. Inocybe praetervisa and I. phaeocystidiosa have a transoceanic distribution in Europe and North America, whereas I. praetervisoides so far is known only from the Mediterranean region.