Ya-Ping Hu

The Inocybe asterospora group is a morphologically distinctive lineage with global distribution, yet its taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships in East Asia remain poorly understood. Here, we conducted the first multi-locus phylogenetic assessment of the I. asterospora complex from warm-temperate and subtropical China using ITS, LSU, and rpb2 sequences, combined with morphological observations. Our analyses uncovered three new species, namely I. taishanensis sp. nov ., I. draconoculus sp. nov ., and I. pretiosa sp. nov ., substantially expanding the known diversity of this group in East Asia. The phylogeny recovered four geographically distinct subclades within the Asterospora group, although their interrelationships remained statistically unsupported. We further demonstrated that previous Chinese records of “ I. asterospora ” represent a species complex, and that the confirmed distribution of true I. asterospora is confined to northern China. Records from North America and southern China lack molecular confirmation and likely represent misidentifications or undescribed taxa. These findings indicate that the species diversity of this group in East Asia has been substantially underestimated.

Within the typical saprotrophic genus Resupinatus , only 47 species are currently recognized worldwide. Most of these species are reported from Europe and North America, whereas only 12 species have been recorded from China. Species of Resupinatus are characterized by laterally or dorsally attached basidiomata, sessile or with a lateral pseudostipe, a gelatinous pileus, smooth and inamyloid basidiospores, cylindrical to coralloid cheilocystidia with apical protrusions, and pileipellis hyphae with branches or protrusions. They usually occur on dead branches and well-decayed wood in mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forests. In this study, two new species, R. meihui sp. nov . and R. cinereofuscus sp. nov ., are recognized from China. Both species are laterally or dorsally attached to the substrate, sessile, and have lamellate hymenophores, pileus surfaces covered with tomentum or pruina, and cheilocystidia with digitate protrusions. However, R. meihui is distinguished by the absence of coarse felt at the point of attachment, the presence of shortly branched lamellae, and coralloid protrusions on the terminal hyphae of the pileipellis, whereas coarse felt at the point of attachment, unbranched lamellae, and smooth, thick-walled terminal hyphae in the pileipellis are observed in R. cinereofuscus . Morphological descriptions, habitat photographs, micrographs, and line drawings are provided for the two species, and their differences from related taxa are discussed. Phylogenetic trees inferred from ITS and nrLSU sequences using Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood analyses show that both species form independent lineages with strong support. A key to the 49 known species of Resupinatus is also provided.

Background: C. pipiens blood feeding rhythm exhibits a circadian rhythm that have the ability to persist under absent of environmental cues, consistent with endogenous control. Variations observed in the blood feeding rhythm is accompanied by changes in CYCLE (CYC) expression and olfactory sensitivity, supporting a role for CYC in pathways related to feeding propensity control. In our study, we explore the endogenous circadian control of blood feeding and the effects of mistimed feeding. Results: The blood-feeding rhythm of C. pipiens is governed by an endogenous circadian clock, wherein the variations observed in blood feeding propensity is accompanied by coordinated changes in CYCLE expression and the olfactory sensitivity. We observed a light-induced masking effect that can elevate feeding propensity in subjective daytime in the absence of light, suggesting acute involvement of light in feeding regulation. Under extended starvation induced molecular stress, olfactory sensitivity was reduced along with variations in CYC expression, that is consistent with an olfactory shutdown under extreme metabolic stress. The proposed mechanism placed CYC as a molecular mediator to shut down the olfactory system in mosquitoes in response to extreme metabolic stress. We confirmed through CYCLE knockdown and behavioral assays that the loss of function of CYCLE can alter the feeding propensity in mosquitoes. We also found that mistimed feeding severely compromises mosquito reproductive health and notably evokes compensatory mechanisms. Conclusions: This study provides evidence for endogenous regulation in the blood-feeding behavior of C. pipiens , from host-seeking through olfaction to reproductive fitness. The observed changes in blood feeding rhythm are associate with the light conditions provided, and the underlying rhythm is governed through an internal clock, including core clock component CYCLE and accompanied by the rhythmic changes in small neuropeptide F expression. Through our study, we provide insights into complex genetics involved in chronobiology that control mosquito biting behaviour and reveal a novel target in chronobiology-based vector control strategies aimed at reducing mosquito-human contact.

Marasmius is a large genus in Agaricales, exhibiting rich species diversity and a wide distribution. In this study, four new species of Marasmius belonging to the subgenus Globulares were identified in subtropical regions of China. Morphologically, M. blandus is characterized by a light orange pileus, with a non-striate surface, medium-sized basidiospores, and subfusiform to narrowly utriform pleurocystidia; M. xingshanensis is identified by a brown pileus, variably shaped pleurocystidia, and absence of cheilocystidia; M. vulgaris is identified by large basidiospores, which are up to 16.0 μm long, narrowly fusiform to lageniform pleurocystidia, often with capitate, papillate, or constricted moniliform structures at apices; M. subpurpureostriatus is recognized by a grayish-green pileus with deeply sulcate violet striae, lamellae distant, and clavate to fusoid-clavate basidiospores, which are up to 22.0 μm long. The distinct taxonomic status of these four new species was confirmed by their positions in the 4-locus (ITS, LSU, tef-1α, rpb2) phylogenetic trees. Detailed descriptions and morphological photographs of four new species are provided in this paper.

Subtropical high-elevation mountain ecosystems are crucial for regional climate regulation and biodiversity conservation. However, the patterns of conifer radial growth in response to climate change in these regions remain unclear, significantly hindering the development of effective adaptive forest management strategies. This study examined Pinus taiwanensis and Cryptomeria fortunei, two dominant species in the Wuyi Mountains, using dendroclimatological methods to systematically analyze their long-term climate–growth relationships. The main findings include the following: (1) P. taiwanensis radial growth was significantly and positively associated with summer mean and maximum temperatures (in both the current and previous year), with no significant correlation to precipitation or minimum temperatures. In contrast, C. fortunei growth showed a positive relationship with previous autumn precipitation and a negative correlation with previous winter precipitation; (2) moving-window analysis revealed that P. taiwanensis maintained consistent temperature sensitivity, with an increasing response to summer warming in recent decades. Meanwhile, C. fortunei displayed phase-specific responses driven by precipitation and minimum temperatures. These results demonstrate divergent climate-response strategies among subtropical conifers in a warming climate: P. taiwanensis exhibits temperature-sensitive growth, whereas C. fortunei is primarily regulated by moisture availability. The findings provide critical insights for the adaptive management of subtropical montane forests, highlighting the need for species-specific strategies to maintain ecosystem services under future climate change.

Understanding the population dynamics and interspecific interactions in subtropical forests is crucial for uncovering the underlying mechanisms of species coexistence and community stability. Two censuses were conducted between 2018 and 2023 in a 9.6 ha subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest dynamics plot situated in Mount Wuyi, southeastern China. Utilizing co-occurrence networks and long-term data, we examined the relationship between species interactions and their contributions to community assembly. Our findings reveal that high mortality rates among small-diameter individuals have created ecological niches, facilitating the establishment of 12 new species between 2018 and 2023. A generalized linear mixed-effects model showed positive relationships between sapling abundance and conspecific neighbor density. Co-occurrence networks demonstrated a shift toward higher positive interactions but reduced modularity, indicating a more integrated yet less stable community structure. Despite their low abundance, rare species demonstrated significant roles in network connectivity and stability, underscoring their status as keystone species. Additionally, the significant correlations between topographic factors and species richness highlighted the role of environmental filtering in shaping community composition. Our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of subtropical forest community dynamics, emphasizing the importance of long-term monitoring to unravel the complex interactions between populations and their environmental conditions. This study represents the first long-term observational experiment conducted in a subtropical secondary forest, providing valuable insights into the dynamics of forest community assembly in this region.

Deconica is a relatively small genus, with only 90 names recorded in previous research. In this study, four new species of Deconica have been identified based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence from subtropical regions of China. This represents the first discovery of new species of Deconica in China. Morphologically, D. austrosinensis is characterized by medium-sized spores that are elliptical to elongated-ellipsoid in face view, and fusiform to sublageniform and slightly thick-walled pleurocystidia; D. furfuracea is identified by a well-developed and evanescent veil, medium-sized spores that are rhomboid to mitriform in face view, and fusiform to subclavate pleurocystidia that are rare and subacute at apex; D. fuscobrunnea is recognized by dark brown pileus, medium-sized spores that are rhomboid to mitriform in face view, an ixocutis pileipellis, lageniform cheilocystidia with a long neck and lacks pleurocystidia; D. ovispora is distinguished from other Deconica species by medium-sized spores that are ovoid in face view, an ixocutis pileipellis, lageniform cheilocystidia with a long to short neck, and lacks pleurocystidia. Their distinct taxonomic status is confirmed by the positions of the four new species in ITS + LSU phylogenetic trees. Detailed descriptions and morphological photographs of four new species are presented.

Crepidotus subg. Dochmiopus contributes to more than half of Crepidotus species and exhibits highly hidden diversity. However, C. subg. Dochmiopus is challenging to study because the basidiomata of C. subg. Dochmiopus species are usually small and white, inconspicuous interspecific distinctions, and possess a familiar complex. In this study, we utilized a variety of characteristics for species identification, including habitat, presence or absence of a stipe in mature specimens, pileipellis and cheilocystidia patterns, whether the lamellae edges are fimbriated, and other characteristics. Above all, cheilocystidia and pileipellis patterns will be important in C. subg. Dochmiopus research. Based on the present specimens, we constructed a multigene phylogenetic tree (ITS + LSU) and recognized four new species: C. lamellomaculatus sp. nov., C. capitatocystidiatus sp. nov., C. succineus sp. nov., C. clavocystidiatustustus sp. nov. Detailed morphological descriptions, photographs, line drawings and comparisons with closely related taxa for the new species are provided. The current phylogenetic analysis does not support the previously classifications, indicating that the classification of Crepidotus requires re-evaluation. But the existing molecular datasets and species’ descriptions are insufficient to fully resolve the classification. Further integration of new gene segments and a comprehensive review of morphological characteristics will reveal a natural classification for Crepidotus.

Understanding the biodiversity–productivity relationship (BPR) is crucial for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management. While it is known that diversity enhances forest productivity, the underlying mechanisms at the local neighborhood level remain poorly understood. We established a 9.6 ha dynamic forest plot to study how neighborhood diversity, intraspecific competition, and interspecific competition influence tree growth across spatial scales using linear mixed-effects models. Our analysis reveals a significant positive correlation between neighborhood species richness (NSR) and relative growth rate (RGR). Notably, intraspecific competition, measured by conspecific neighborhood density and resource competition, negatively impacts RGR at finer scales, indicating intense competition among conspecifics for limited resources. In contrast, interspecific competition, measured by heterospecific density and resource competition, has a negligible impact on RGR. The relative importance of diversity and intra/interspecific competition in influencing tree growth varies with scale. At fine scales, intraspecific competition dominates negatively, while at larger scales, the positive effect of NSR on RGR increases, contributing to a positive BPR. These findings highlight the intricate interplay between local interactions and spatial scale in modulating tree growth, emphasizing the importance of considering biotic interactions and spatial variability in studying BPR.

Within the genus Mycena, species exhibiting brownish basidiomata present considerable challenges in identification due to similar coloration. This study underscores the significance of pileipellis types and cheilocystidia characteristics as critical in delimiting brownish Mycena species. To clarify the principal taxonomic characters and their utility in distinguishing between brownish Mycena species, a morphological taxonomy and phylogenetic analysis were performed. Five new species from China were introduced and characterized through a comprehensive morphological anatomy and phylogenetic substantiation: M. campanulatihemisphaerica sp. nov., M. digitifurcata sp. nov., M. kunyuensis sp. nov., M. limitis sp. nov., and M. oryzifluens sp. nov. Discussions of these taxa are supplemented with morphological illustrations. The phylogenetic relationships were inferred using Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood methods based on sequences from the internal transcribed spacer and the large subunit regions of nuclear ribosomal RNA. With the addition of these five new species, the worldwide count of brownish Mycena increases to 94, and a key to the 29 known species of brownish Mycena from China is presented.