Tolgor Bau

Based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses using ITS, nrLSU, rpb 2, and tef 1-α sequence data, six new species belonging to subg. Globulares were identified and described. In addition, this study addressed the taxonomic confusion surrounding ser. Haematocephali through detailed discussions. Two new species were documented in Marasmius subg. Marasmius . Furthermore, Cr. nigricaulis var. macrospora was raised to species rank as Cr. macrospora , and one new species each of Crinipellis and Moniliophthora was described. Within Marasmiaceae , the subfamily names Marasmieae and Crinipellieae are corrected to Marasmioideae and Crinipelloideae , respectively. Cr. xiaoxinganlingensis nom. prov., with an uncertain systematic position, was also incorporated into Crinipellis . Accordingly, this genus is of great significance in resolving the taxonomic framework of Crinipelloideae . By compiling and discussing habitat information for the relevant species, this study further emphasized the value of ecological evidence for clarifying taxonomic boundaries and evolutionary relationships among genera. Moreover, by synthesizing diagnostic characters, clearer and more practical identification keys were constructed at multiple taxonomic levels, including the generic level within Marasmiaceae and the subgeneric, sectional, subsectional, and series levels within Marasmius . These findings have also substantially enriched the species diversity of Marasmiaceae in the Northeast China Ecological Region.

The family Verrucosporaceae , a recently resurrected lepiotoid fungal lineage, has historically been subject to unstable generic delimitations and polyphyletic infrageneric classifications. To resolve these taxonomic ambiguities, we conducted comprehensive morphological examinations and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses (nrITS, nrLSU, rpb2 , and tef1-α ) based on extensive specimen sampling across China. Our results strongly support the monophyly of Verrucosporaceae and clarify the evolutionary boundaries among its core genera, including Cystolepiota , Echinoderma , Lepiota , Pulverolepiota , and Smithiomyces . Within Lepiota , seven formally defined sections and four unplaced distinct clades were recovered. A novel subsection, Lepiota sect. Eriophorae subsect. Pseudocystolepiotae , is proposed to accommodate an evolutionary transitional lineage between Cystolepiota and Lepiota sect. Eriophorae . Based on an integrative taxonomic approach, we describe 17 species new to science, introduce three new combinations, and reinstate Lepiota squamulosa . Furthermore, micromorphological observations indicate that the microstructure of the pileus and stipe coverings shares structural homology, reinforcing its reliability as a criterion for infrageneric delimitation. Ultimately, this study expands the current understanding of cryptic diversity within Verrucosporaceae in China and provides useful morphological and phylogenetic data for future evolutionary studies on lepiotaceous fungi.

A taxonomic study of the genus Bolbitius from northeast China was conducted, based on morphological observations and molecular phylogenetic analyses. Phylogenetic relationships were reconstructed, based on a combined multi-locus dataset comprising the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), nuclear large subunit (nrLSU) and translation elongation factor 1-α ( tef1-α ) sequences. As a result, two new species are described and illustrated: Bolbitius planoflavus , characterised by its distinctly applanate, pale yellow pileus when mature and the presence of occasional 2-spored basidia; and Bolbitius fuscopapillatus , distinguished by its violet-brown papillate umbo and purplish-white margin bearing faint veil remnants. Additionally, Bolbitius bisporus is reported as a new record for China. Detailed morphological descriptions, colour photographs and comparisons with closely-related taxa are provided.

Sanghuangporus mongolicus T. Bau is a wood-inhabiting medicinal fungus parasitic on Hemiptelea davidii, yet genomic resources for this species remain limited. Here, we generated and characterized a genome assembly from a verified monokaryotic isolate using PacBio long-read and Illumina short-read sequencing. The 34.79 Mb assembly comprised 13 contigs, with a contig N50 of 3.09 Mb and a GC content of 48.18%. BUSCO analysis recovered 98.3% complete orthologs, indicating high genome completeness. A total of 8471 protein-coding genes were predicted, including 491 genes annotated as carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), 447 transporter-related genes, and 123 cytochrome P450 genes. In addition, 16 secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters were identified. A descriptive comparison with four published Sanghuangporus genomes showed that S. mongolicus had 491 CAZyme-related annotations (14.11 per Mb; 5.80 per 100 predicted protein-coding genes). Corresponding values for the other four species were 313–346 annotations, with 9.78–10.38 per Mb and 2.99–4.18 per 100 predicted genes. However, structural gene-prediction workflows differed among the five genomes, and no formal gene-family expansion analysis was conducted. Accordingly, these differences are reported descriptively and should not be interpreted as evidence of evolutionary gene-family expansion. These genomic data provide a resource for functional gene characterization and further biological studies of S. mongolicus.

Based on morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses, two new species of Trichoderma from China are described: Trichoderma jilinense and T. palmatum. Phylogenetic analyses based on a concatenated multi-gene (tef1-α and rpb2) dataset demonstrated that each new taxon formed an independent lineage with unique sequences, fulfilling the criteria for new Trichoderma species. Specifically, T. jilinense belongs to the Polysporum clade, and T. palmatum belongs to the Psychrophila clade. Morphologically, T. jilinense is diagnosed by relatively small part-ascospores and fresh beige to buff stromata that turn chestnut brown in 5% KOH, and relatively small part-ascospores. T. palmatum is distinguished by a fertile part that is palmate to irregular and typically laterally flattened.

Based on morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses, a new species of Ophiocordyceps from China is described: Ophiocordyceps changbaishanensis sp. nov. The species is characterized by a predominantly solitary and unbranched stroma. The fertile part is ellipsoid to cylindrical, with a slightly acute apex and longitudinal striations on the surface, greyish-yellow to olivaceous at the tip. The perithecia are large, long-ampulliform, and obliquely immersed. The ascus apex is obcordate and distinctly thickened. Ascospores are filiform, disarticulating at maturity into fusoid secondary ascospores measuring 10.3–15.6 × 1.8–3.2 μm. Phylogenetic analyses based on the combined sequences of ITS, nrLSU, tef1-α, rpb1, and rpb2 demonstrate that this new species is phylogenetically distinct from other known species within the Ophiocordyceps sphecocephala clade. Detailed descriptions and line drawings are provided.

The Rhodocybe – Clitopilus clade of Entolomataceae exhibits high diversity in Northeast China, yet taxonomic studies on this group remain limited. Based on a field investigation conducted in this region (Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces), combined with morphological characteristics and multigene phylogenetic analyses (ITS, nrLSU, rpb 2, and tef 1-α), seven new species within four genera are proposed: Clitopilus fraxinicola , Lulesia variabilicolor , Rhodocybe jilinensis , R. galericulata , R. eburneolutea , R. subnuciolens , and Rhodophana hongshiensis . Phylogenetic analyses support the independent taxonomic status of these species within their respective genera. Detailed morphological descriptions, color photographs of basidiomata, and illustrations of microstructures are provided. Additionally, a dichotomous key to the known species of the Rhodocybe – Clitopilus clade in Northeast China is presented.

Lepiota sect. Stenosporae is characterized by a trichodermal or cutis-like pileus covering and spurred basidiospores. Although macroscopic similarities among its members complicate field identification, species can be delimited by combining multi-locus (ITS, nrLSU, rpb2, and tef1-α) phylogenetic analyses with distinct micro-morphological features. Using this integrative approach, we investigated specimens of sect. Stenosporae collected from Northeast China. A total of 12 species were successfully delimited, including six species new to science (Lepiota dolichospora, L. hongshiensis, L. jilinensis, L. microstenospora, L. sinocastanea, and L. sirupa) and one new record for China (L. grangei). Comprehensive morphological descriptions and line-drawing illustrations of microscopic features are provided for all recognized taxa. These findings expand the known species diversity of Lepiota in China and contribute morphological and molecular data for further systematic studies of this fungal group.

Based on morphological examination and phylogenetic analyses of ITS and nrLSU sequences, four new species and one new record of Entoloma were identified from Jilin Province, China. The four new species are described as Entoloma hongshiense and E. bulbocystum (subgen. Leptonia), E. cirratum (subgen. Pouzarella), and E. changbaiense (subgen. Cyanula). Additionally, E. roseoflavum (subgen. Cyanula) is reported as a new geographical record for China, accompanied by its first DNA sequence data. Detailed morphological descriptions, line drawings, and phylogenetic trees are presented to support the establishment of these taxa.

Based on morphological and molecular evidence, the new species Gymnopilus poaceophilus (Hymenogastraceae) is described from Mongolia. It inhabits grasslands and is characterized by a golden yellow to brownish orange pileus that has a cracked surface and lacks scales. Phylogenetic analyses based on combined ITS and LSU sequences confirm that G. poaceophilus forms a distinct lineage, sister to a clade containing G. aeruginosus, G. subpurpuratus, G. luteofolius, G. suberis, and G. hispidus. Despite its close phylogenetic relationship with these species, G. poaceophilus can be clearly distinguished from them by a combination of its unique ecological and morphological features. A comprehensive description and illustrations are provided for the new species.