The genus Retiboletus in China

Abstract

Species of the genus Retiboletus (Boletaceae, Boletales) in China are investigated based on morphology and phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences from nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and partial 28S regions and sequences from the translation elongation factor 1-a gene (tef1a). Six lineages are recovered among the collections studied. Five of these are documented and presented in the present paper, including three new species and two new combinations. The remaining species is not described due to the paucity of material. The specimens from China identified as “R. ornatipes” or “R. retipes” are in fact R. sinensis or R. kauffmanii, those labeled “R. griseus” are either R. fuscus or R. pseudogriseus. A key to all known taxa of the genus is provided. Phylogenetic relationships of taxa within Retiboletus are partially resolved. A preliminary biogeographical analysis shows that allied species of Retiboletus between eastern Asia and North/Central America are common but there are no Retiboletus species common to both continents. Species of Retiboletus in Japan and southern China are conspecific or closely related.

• biogeography
• boletes
• new taxa
• systematics
• taxonomy

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the following: Dr LS Wang, Dr ED Liu, Dr XY Wang, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences (KIB, CAS) for providing some specimens of Retiboletus on loan; Ms YJ Hao, Dr B Feng (KIB, CAS), Dr T Ma (the Research Institute of Resource Insects, Chinese Academy of Forestry) and Dr LP Tang (Kunming Medical University) for providing collections; Mr Z Zhao (Bawangling Nature Reserve, Hainan) for his kind help during field investigations. We also thank the two anonymous reviewers for critical reading and helpful comments. The study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 31210103919, 31360008) and the Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, KIB, CAS ( KLBB 201303).