Dian-Ming Hu

The genus Hygrocybe is a species-rich group of macrofungi widely distributed across the world; however, species within this genus show high morphological variability and significant regional differences, and taxonomic revisions are ongoing. In this study, based on specimens from Anhui and Jiangxi provinces, China, we describe two previously unreported species, Hygrocybe zhibaiensis and H. longchuanensis , using morphological studies and phylogenetic analyses based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit ribosomal (LSU) sequences. Hygrocybe zhibaiensis is characterized by viscid basidiomata, a greenish pileus, a stipe that is bright yellow at the apex and gradually fades to white downwards, and basidiomata that turn black upon bruising or with age; H. longchuanensis is characterized by a bright red pileus at the center with an orange-yellow margin, a viscid surface, and an orange-yellow to yellow stipe, Basidiospores ellipsoid to subglobose, no clamp connections. This discovery enriches the diversity of Hygrocybe in southeastern China and contributes to the taxonomic research of this genus.

Citrus aurantium L. (Rutaceae) is a widely cultivated citrus species in China, of considerable economic and medicinal importance, and represents a suitable host for diverse endophytic fungi. Although numerous endophytes have been reported from citrus species, species‐level records from C. aurantium remain relatively limited, and many previous studies have relied primarily on morphological identification, which may underestimate fungal diversity. The genus Neopestalotiopsis comprises pestalotioid fungi occurring as endophytes, saprobes, or weak pathogens, and species delimitation within the genus is often challenging due to overlapping morphological characteristics, requiring multilocus sequence data such as ITS, TEF1‐α, and TUB2 for reliable identification. Here, we investigate two pestalotioid isolates obtained from asymptomatic leaves of C. aurantium in Jiangxi Province, China, and identify them as Neopestalotiopsis ellipsospora and N. rhizophorae based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence. To our knowledge, neither species has previously been reported from this host, and they are therefore documented here as new host records.

Cyclocybe chaxingu is a major cultivated edible mushroom in China; however, the relationship between its genetic diversity and agronomic performance remains insufficiently characterised. In this study, 100 strains were sampled, sequenced at two gene fragments (LSU and TEF1-α) and analysed for strain relationships at these loci. Ten agronomic traits were quantified under standardised cultivation conditions. Significant differences amongst strains were observed for all traits (ANOVA, p < 0.01). Amongst the ten traits, the greatest variation was found in the total number of fruiting bodies (CV 45.6%), followed by average fruiting-body weight (CV 35.0%). Principal component analysis accounted for 83.98% of the variance across three axes: PC1 (57.74%) represented a size and mass gradient (cap thickness, stipe diameter, cap diameter, gill width, average fruiting-body weight versus fruiting-body number), PC2 (15.87%) reflected stipe elongation and PC3 (10.37%) captured the timing of first harvest and earliest yield. Hierarchical clustering identified four phenotypic branches and five operational colour groups, each displaying strong differences across traits. Phylogenetic analysis at the two loci grouped strains into four distinct clusters, which partially overlapped with phenotype-based clusters. Yield was positively correlated with size-related traits and gill width and negatively correlated with fruiting-body number. Time to first harvest and earliest yield were associated with cap thickness and gill width. Stipe diameter, stipe length and gill width are proposed as practical DUS indicator traits for breeding, with size traits serving as complementary selection targets, thereby providing a quantitative breeding framework for C. chaxingu .

Lignicolous freshwater fungi are important for decomposing lignocellulose in woody litter, releasing nutrients, and softening wood, making it more palatable to detritus feeders in water. In this study, 13 lignicolous freshwater fungi were collected and isolated from Jiangxi and Zhejiang provinces, China. Combining morphological characteristics with multi-locus phylogenetic analyses (ITS, LSU, SSU, TEF 1-α, TUB 2, and RPB 2), these samples were identified as 10 new species, two new records, and a new collection belonging to 10 genera, eight families, and seven orders. Furthermore, phylogenetic analyses for each genus were updated, and the current research status and existing taxonomic challenges of these genera are discussed. Additionally, four synonymies are proposed within the genus Distoseptispora , further clarifying the ambiguous species boundaries in phylogenetic analyses. This study contributes to filling a gap in the research on fungal diversity in East China and improves our understanding of their ecological roles in freshwater ecosystems.

Global research on saprophytic fungi associated with Tetradium ruticarpum remains limited. In a survey of fungal diversity on T. ruticarpum in southeastern China, six Rhytidhysteron specimens were collected from Anhui, Hunan, and Jiangxi provinces. Phylogenetic analyses, employing Maximum-likelihood and Bayesian inference, were conducted on a combined dataset of LSU, ITS, SSU, and tef1-α sequences. Both morphological and phylogenetic evidence confirmed two new host records of Rhytidhysteron on Tetradium ruticarpum: Rhytidhysteron subrufulum and R. hongheense. Additionally, three isolates previously identified as R. rufulum were reclassified as R. subrufulum based on phylogenetic analyses and morphological characteristics.

In Mi et al. (2026; IMA Fungus 17: e179140), ten new combinations were proposed in Funiliomyces . Subsequent review revealed that certain requirements of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICNafp; Turland et al. 2025, Madrid Code) were not fully met. Specifically, for Funiliomyces biseptatus (Mi et al. 2026), the basionym indicates that the intended spelling of the epithet should be F. biseptatus . However, this spelling would result in a later homonym of Funiliomyces biseptatus (Aptroot 2004), the type species of the genus, thereby rendering the name illegitimate. In addition, the newly proposed combinations were not registered in Index Fungorum prior to publication as required under Art. F.5.2, and the identifiers cited corresponded to the basionyms rather than to the new combinations. This corrigendum provides a replacement name, Funiliomyces biseptatisporus nom. nov., and presents a corrected, Code-compliant treatment of all nine combinations, including newly issued Index Fungorum identifiers.

Freshwater fungi are characterized by their high species diversity and perform vital ecological roles. During our survey of Chinese aquatic microfungal diversity, four fungal strains were isolated from freshwater environments in Jiangxi and Guizhou Provinces, China. Through comprehensive morphological assessment and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses based on combined ITS, LSU, SSU, RPB2 , and TEF1-α sequences, two new species, Acrogenospora bambusae and A. lignicola , were introduced. In addition, two previously described species, A. taiwanica and A. thailandica , originally described from China (Taiwan), and Thailand, respectively, are newly reported from mainland China. This study provides detailed morphological descriptions, photographic illustrations, and phylogenetic placements for each taxonomic novelty.

The genus Dactylaria has long been recognized as polyphyletic. In this study, phylogenetic analyses based on LSU sequences indicate that Dactylaria is widely distributed across six different classes within Pezizomycotina . Further analyses using combined LSU, ITS, and RPB2 sequence data revealed that Funiliomyces biseptatus , ten previously described “ Dactylaria ” species, and our newly isolated strains form a distinct lineage (SH-aLRT/UFB/BPP = 99.9/94/0.99) within Amphisphaeriales , sister to Nothodactylariaceae . Interfamily genetic differences provide additional evidence for recognizing this lineage as an independent family-level clade. Accordingly, a new family, Funiliomycetaceae fam. nov ., is proposed to accommodate this lineage. The majority of species in this family are saprobes, endophytes, or epiphytes, occurring on a wide range of plant hosts across tropical to temperate regions. The sexual morph of Funiliomycetaceae is characterized by black, subglobose ascomata; cylindrical asci with an IKI-negative apical apparatus; and pale brown, torpedo-shaped, 2-septate ascospores bearing two hyaline mucilaginous appendages. The asexual morph is characterized by macronematous conidiophores and integrated, sympodial conidiogenous cells that exhibit remarkable diversity in denticle morphology, ranging from large cylindrical or geniculate forms to entirely absent, producing hyaline to pale smoky, septate conidia of variable dimensions. The diversity of Funiliomycetaceae is expanded here by the addition of one new species, Funiliomyces jiangxiensis sp. nov ., and the transfer of ten previously described species to Funiliomyces as new combinations ( F. acaciae comb. nov ., F. bisepatus comb. nov ., F. calliandrae comb. nov ., F. fragilis comb. nov ., F. hwasunensis comb. nov ., F. mavisleverae comb. nov ., F. monticola comb. nov ., F. retrophylli comb. nov ., F. sparsus comb. nov ., and F. zapatensis comb. nov .). Information on asexual morphology, lifestyle, host associations, and distribution of Funiliomyces species is provided to facilitate species identification.

Central Asia harbors a rich yet understudied assemblage of wood‐inhabiting Hymenochaetoid fungi. This review delivers the first comprehensive synthesis of 43 poroid species representing 18 genera documented across montane forests, steppes, and xeric habitats. Drawing on literature from 1977 to August 2025, we evaluate their taxonomic diversity, secondary metabolites, and pharmacological activities. Key metabolite classes include polysaccharides (notably β ‐glucans), lanostane‐type triterpenoids, phenolic acids, styrylpyrone derivatives, sterols, and sesquiterpenoids. These compounds display a broad spectrum of bioactivities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, immunomodulatory, anti‐inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and hypoglycemic effects. While globally recognized taxa such as Inonotus obliquus and Phellinus igniarius are well studied, most Central Asian endemics remain poorly characterized, highlighting a substantial untapped reservoir of therapeutic potential. Key challenges include unresolved taxonomy, nonstandardized metabolomic methodologies, limited mechanistic pharmacology, and insufficient ethnomycological and conservation data. To address these gaps, we propose a roadmap integrating multilocus phylogenomics, harmonized metabolomic workflows (LC‐MS/MS, GC–MS, NMR), and targeted in vitro, in vivo, and in silico pharmacological studies, supported by community‐based ethnomycological surveys and IUCN‐aligned conservation strategies. Future progress will require coupling these approaches with advanced omics technologies and AI‐enabled drug discovery to accelerate the translation of fungal metabolites into clinical candidates and nutraceuticals. At the same time, climate‐responsive conservation frameworks are urgently needed to safeguard this unique fungal reservoir. By linking biodiversity with translational pharmacology, this review positions Central Asian Hymenochaetoid fungi as a promising frontier for global natural product discovery and sustainable biotechnological innovation.