Three new species of Physalacria from China, with a key to the Asian taxa

Abstract

Three new and one previously described species of Physalacria (Physalacriaceae, Agaricales) are reported from China. Specimens of two additional species described from Malaysia and North America were studied for comparison. Placements of these species were corroborated based on morphological observations and molecular evidence from partial sequences of the nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS) and the 28S D1–D3 region, and genes for translation elongation factor 1-α (tef1α) and the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (rpb2). These new species of Physalacria distributed in subtropical China were found on rotten wood of broadleaf trees or bamboo and possess stipitate-capitate basidiomata with four-spored basidia, clamp connections and smooth, inamyloid basidiospores. To facilitate studies of the genus in Asia, a key is provided for all Physalacria species reported from this region.

• Asia
• new species
• phylogeny
• Physalacriaceae
• taxonomy

Acknowledgments

We thank Prof Tolgor Bau and Dr Yu-Guang Fan (the Herbarium of Mycology of Jilin Agricultural University, HMJAU), Dr Barbara Thiers (New York Botanic Garden, NY) and Dr Eric McKenzie (New Zealand Fungal Herbarium Landcare Research, PDD) for specimens on loan. Dr Samantha C. Karunarathna (School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Thailand), Ms Yan-Jia Hao and Mr Qi Zhao (Kunming Institute of Botany, China) are acknowledged for providing specimens and color images. We especially thank Dr Sarah Bergemann (associate editor) and two anonymous reviewers for constructive and illuminating comments, criticisms and suggestions.

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 31170024), the CAS/SAFEA International Partnership Program for Creative Research Teams and the Knowledge Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (No. KSCX2-EW-Z-9).