Abstract
Lethal amanitas (Amanita sect. Phalloideae) cause many casualties worldwide. Recent molecular phylogenetic studies revealed diverse lethal Amanita spp. in China. Here a 5-gene phylogeny (nuc rDNA region encompassing the internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2 with the 5.8S rDNA, the D1–D3 domains of nuc 28S rDNA, and partial RNA polymerase II second largest subunit, translation elongation factor 1-α and β-tubulin genes) is used to investigate the phylogenetic lineages and species delimitation in this section. Thirteen species are recognized, including four new species, namely A. griseorosea, A. molliuscula, A. parviexitialis, and A. subfuliginea. They are documented with morphological, multigene phylogenetic, and ecological evidence, line drawings, and photographs and compared with similar species. A key to the Chinese lethal Amanita species is provided.
Acknowledgments
The authors are very grateful to Prof Bau Tolgor from Jilin Agricultural University, Dr Rodham E. Tulloss from USA, Dr Zuo-Hong Chen and Dr Ping Zhang from Hunan Normal University, Dr Nian-Kai Zeng from Hainan Medical University, Dr Md Iqbal Hosen from Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Dr Li-Ping Tang from Kunming Medical University, Dr Fang Li from Sun Yat-sen University, Dr Xiang-Hua Wang, Dr Bang Feng, Dr Gang Wu, Miss Yan-Jia Hao, Mr Qi Zhao, and Mr Xiao-Bin Liu from Kunming Institute of Botany for providing valuable specimens and images for this study. Thanks are also due to the anonymous reviewers for their valuable suggestions and comments that improved this paper. This work is supported by the Joint Funds of the National Natural Science Foundation of China and Yunnan Provincial Government (grant No. U1302263).