The genus Sticta has recently undergone significant taxonomic revisions in Europe, yet central regions such as Switzerland were not included in those revisions. To assess the diversity of the species complex Sticta fuliginosa in Switzerland, we used an integrative taxonomic approach combining morphological and genetic analyses. We sampled both the well-known localities, as well as newly discovered localities along the Doubs River. Our results showed that S. fuliginosa is presently absent from Switzerland. Instead, we confirmed the presence of S. fuliginoides, and reported the first occurrence of S. arenosella, a species previously known only from North and South America. Morphological, phylogenetic, and haplotype network analyses confirmed that the Swiss specimen identified as S. arenosella is morphologically and genetically indistinguishable from its holotype. Additionally, we also documented the presence of apothecia on S. fuliginoides for the first time. This expands the known phenotypic variation in this species and allows for a more complete taxonomic description. Finally, we provide a taxonomic key for the Central European species of Sticta to facilitate future research and monitoring.

Parmotrema enteroxanthum is a restricted distribution foliose lichen, easily recognized by its yellow medulla and salazinic acid content. Previously known only from Venezuela, Colombia, and Bolivia, its distribution in South America remains poorly understood. This study documents the first record of the species in Brazil, with notes on ecology and conservation. Field collections were conducted from Cerrado areas in the state of Maranhão, northeastern Brazil. Morphological and chemical analyses were performed using microscopy, spot tests, and thin-layer chromatography. Distribution data were compiled from GBIF, and conservation status was preliminarily assessed using GeoCat, based on IUCN criteria. Parmotrema enteroxanthum was recorded in cerradão vegetation, extending its range into Brazil and the Cerrado domain (Brazilian Savanna). The species occurs in seasonally dry and rainforest habitats (open/ exposed microhabitats) in South America. Geospatial analysis indicated a wide Extent of Occurrence (~3.6 million km2), but a very restricted Area of Occupancy (16 km2), suggesting a fragmented distribution. According to IUCN criteria, the species may be considered potentially Endangered (EN) due to its low number of localities and ongoing habitat loss. This finding underscores the Cerrado as both a center of lichen diversity and a highly threatened biome.

In this study, we analyzed the genetic diversity within Usnea flavocardia, a widespread species found in all continents except Antarctica. The species is characterized by a shrubby thallus growth form, the presence of soralia, a yellow central axis and/or the presence of red dots on the cortex. Using ITS rDNA and two protein-coding genes (mcm7 and rpb1) in a multispecies coalescent (MSC) approach, we showed that U. flavocardia comprises five different lineages, four of which can be considered as putative new species. Each of the five lineages, except one, is characterized by specific chemical compounds. Within the outgroup that was used in this study, we furthermore showed that U. gaudichaudii and U. eulychniae, both endemic to Chile, constitute a new major clade in the subgenus Usnea s.str.

The bryophilous genus Bryocentria comprises nineteen species of mostly hepaticolous parasites exhibiting a range of distinctive ascospore features and host-parasite interactions. While Bryocentria has been relatively well studied in Europe, with several common and well-known species, new taxa continue to be encountered and most species lack molecular data. Here, we describe a new, muscicolous species of Bryocentria and provide molecular barcoding data for most European species. Bryocentria insolens sp. nov. parasitizes the mosses Lewinskya affinis and L. speciosa, with records from Switzerland and Belgium. The new species deviates from most congenerics by parasitising mosses rather than liverworts, and its ascospores lack the medial, cyanophilous band-like structures typical of most species in the genus. New molecular data from the LSU locus from Bryocentria insolens, B. hypothallina, B. metzgeriae and B. cyanodesma are combined with recent data from B. brongniartii and B. confusa in a preliminary phylogenetic analysis of the genus. These data support the hypothesis that the sequenced species form a natural group. Furthermore, they suggest that the distinctive transverse band-like structures in the medial regions of the ascospores of most Bryocentria species is a trait that arose after the acquisition of a bryophilous lifestyle by a likely necrotrophic hypocrealean ancestor. Finally, a key to the European members of the genus is provided to aid with identification.

Bioluminescent fungi emit light through chemical luminescence of fungal tissues. More than 100 species of bioluminescent fungi have been described in five distinct groups of Agaricales: Omphalotus, Armillaria, the Lucentipes lineage within Marasmiineae, the Eoscyphella lineage, and the mycenoid lineage. The mycenoid lineage includes the largest number of described bioluminescent taxa. Recent efforts to document and describe fungal biodiversity in Chile documented several collections of a bioluminescent Mycena species found exclusively on the dead rachises of Parablechnum chilense, a fern species endemic to temperate forests of Chile and Argentina. This species is related to Mycena tenerrima (= M. adscendens) from the Northern Hemisphere, but is both morphologically and phylogenetically distinct. Here, we describe this species as Mycena luxaustralis sp. nov., including morphological descriptions and analysis of ITS and 28S sequences.

A crustose lichen species new to science – overlooked by previous workers – is formally described. This new species, Diploicia christinae, differs from all other species in the genus by its narrow lobes (< 1 mm) and its effuse soralia that contain consistently white soredia. Its secondary chemistry, and lack of apothecia and pycnidia, are also diagnostic. The new species is known only from the Bermuda archipelago.

Vatica rassak is one of the most exploited species of the genus Vatica for its wood and resin. The species exhibits high morphological variations across their range of distribution that crosses the border of the Wallace’s line. To understand whether such variations may imply infra-specific variations related to the distribution pattern, it is necessary to study the morphological characteristics of V. rassak and determine its phylogenetic position within the genus. Morphological observations were carried out on 799 herbarium specimens of V. rassak deposited in Herbarium Bogoriense (BO). Data collected during the observation was used for a phenetic analysis. The evolutionary relationship of V. rassak within the genus Vatica was assessed by performing a phylogenetic analysis. The results of the phenetic analysis using 14 morphological characters showed a moderate range of morphological variations (similarity coefficient of 0.38–1.05). The spatial morphological variation deduced from the PCA analysis of the specimens examined showed almost the same grouping as in the phenetic analysis. Phylogenetic analysis based on trnL-trnF sequence suggested that V. rassak is included in a group comprised mostly Vatica Section Vatica. Section Sunaptea is a paraphyletic group.

Auricularia is one of the most widely distributed macrofungi, regarded as an edible medical mushroom, and is the third largest cultivated mushroom in the world due to its high nutrition and bioactivity properties. This research specifies the taxonomic status of this genus in Iran for the first time. After sample collection during 2017–2018, 19 samples were collected from Hyrcanian forests in Iran. Phylogenetic analyses and morphological examinations of 19 samples were carried out. Morphological studies identified five species Auricularia auricula-judae, A. cornea, A. heimuer, A. iranica sp. nov., and A. mesenterica. Subsequently, one representative sample from each group (species) was sequenced. Based on rpb2 and ITS sequences, phylogenetic analyses were performed using Bayesian Inference analysis. The identification of five species of Auricularia was done according to molecular and morphological examinations. As expected from morphological characters, as well as ITS and rpb2 regions sequences support, one new species, Auricularia iranica in the A. mesenterica complex, is described. The two known species, A. auricula-judae and A. heimuer belonging to the A. auricula-judae complex and A. cornea belonging to the A. cornea complex, are defined. An identification key for the accepted Auricularia species of Iran is proposed.

From an exhaustive taxonomic survey of Xylariales carried out in the subtropical montane forest of the Argentine northwest (“Las Yungas”), a first comprehensive revision of Camillea for the country is presented. Based on a new combination of sexual and asexual morphology, C. hladkiae and C. romeroae are proposed as new species for the genus; C. hladkiae is principally distinguished by its conidiogenous structure from similar species such as C. guzmanii and C. magnifica. On the other hand, C. romeroae is mainly differentiated from other known species of Camillea by the ornamentation of the ascospores under SEM. Additionally, the conidiogenous structure of C. coroniformis, C. flosculosa, C. hainesii, C. hyalospora and C. signata are described and illustrated for the first time. Furthermore, four species reports are new for the Southern Cone of South America (C. coroniformis, C. hainesii, C. hyalospora and C. signata) and three are a novelty for Argentine Yunga (C. flosculosa, C. obularia and C. punctulata). Finally, full descriptions, illustrations of all species and a dichotomous key to the identification of Camillea species for the region are provided

Bryophilous fungi are an understudied group with unknown biodiversity in tropical regions, and are often underestimated worldwide. In Brazil, research on this ecological group has primarily focused on the southern and southeastern regions. During a survey of bryophilous fungi in the northeastern region, specifically in Bahia State, two novel species, Brachydesmiella bahiensis and Dendryphiosphaera longispora, were discovered. Brachydesmiella bahiensis resembles B. biseptata and B. caudata, but exhibits conidial distal cell morphology between these two species. Dendryphiosphaera longispora has longer conidia than other species within the genus. Also, the uncommon microfungus Dwibeeja sundara was reported for the second time globally. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of each species are provided.