Dimitic Hyphal System Research Articles

Odontia aculeata and O. sparsa, two new species of tomentelloid fungi (Thelephorales, Basidiomycota) from the secondary forests of northeast China

Two new tomentelloid basidiomycetes, Odontia aculeata and O. sparsa, are described from secondary forests of northeastern China. Odontia aculeata is characterized by resupinate, arachnoid and brownish basidiocarps, a hydnoid hymenophore, a differentiated dimitic hyphal structure in the rhizomorphs with clamp connections on the generative hyphae, a monomitic hyphal system in the subiculum and irregular subglobose basidiospores with verruculose ornamentation. O. sparsa is characterized by resupinate, arachnoid, continuous and brown basidiocarps, smooth or with sparsely distributed spines, a differentiated dimitic hyphal structure in the rhizomorphs with simple-septate generative hyphae, a dimitic hyphal system in the subiculum and verruculose basidiospores. Molecular phylogeny inferred from internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences data indicated that the two new species clustered with the other species of Odontia with strong support. These two new species are described and illustrated in this paper.

Perenniporia punctata sp. nov. (Polyporales, Basidiomycota), a new species discovered from China

Taxonomic and phylogenetic studies on Perenniporia were carried out. Phylogeny based on ITS and nrLSU regions revealed that a species clustered within the Perenniporia s.s. clade, further morphological study showed three specimens collected from Hubei Province, central China represent an undescribed species. In the present study, Perenniporia punctata sp. nov. is described. It is characterized by its perennial, resupinate basidiocarps, small circular pores (6–9 per mm) with colour of cream, buff-yellow to pale yellow which turned to clay-buff to cinnamon when bruised, distinctly stratified tubes, a dimitic hyphal system with slightly dextrinoid, cyanophilous skeletal hyphae, and broadly ellipsoid to subglobose, truncate, hyaline, thick-walled, smooth, IKI–, strongly cyanophilous basidiospores (5.5–7 × 4–6 µm).

Molecular and morphological evidence reveal a new genus and species in Auriculariales from tropical China.

Grammatus labyrinthinus gen. et sp. nov. is proposed based on DNA sequences data and morphological characteristics. It is known so far from southern, tropical China. The new species is characterised by an annual, resupinate basidiocarp with a shallow, subporoid hymenophore, a hymenium restricted to the bottom of the tubes, a dimitic hyphal system, presence of encrusted skeletocystidia and dendrohyphidia, longitudinally septate basidia and smooth, oblong-ellipsoid to cylindrical, acyanophilous basidiospores. Phylogenetic analyses based on ITS + nLSU DNA sequences data indicate that G. labyrinthinus belongs to Auriculariaceae in which it has an isolated position. Phylogenetic inferences show G. labyrinthinus to be related to Heteroradulum. However, the ITS sequences similarity between G. labyrinthinus and H. kmetii, the type species of Heteroradulum, were 89.84% and support the establishment of the new genus. Inversely, Heteroradulum semis clustered with G. labyrinthinus with strong support and it is transferred to Grammatus.

Morphological characters and phylogenetic analysis reveal a new species of Phellinus with hooked hymenial setae from Vietnam

Phellinus vietnamensis sp. nov. is described from Vietnam based on morphological characters and molecular data. Morphologically, it is characterized by perennial, pileate basidiomata, a dimitic hyphal system, hooked hymenial setae, and colorless, broadly subglobose to ovoid, thick-walled basidiospores 5.5–6 × 4.8–5.2 μm. Phylogenetically, the status of Phellinus vietnamensis is strongly supported based on sequences of the nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, the translation elongation factor 1-α gene (EF1-α) nuclear large subunit rDNA (nrLSU) and the second largest subunits of RNA polymerase II (RPB2).

Morphological and molecular identification of a new species of Perenniporia (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) in North America

A new poroid wood-inhabiting fungal species, Perenniporia bostonensis sp. nov., is proposed based on morphological and molecular characters. The species is characterized by resupinate, cream to buff pore surface; a dimitic hyphal system with skeletal hyphae strongly dextrinoid, unbranched, interwoven and a distinct wide lumen; ovoid to broad ellipsoid, non-truncate, hyaline, distinct thick-walled, smooth, dextrinoid basidiospores, 3.5–4.5 × 3–4 µm. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the large subunit (LSU) regions of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene sequences of the studied samples were generated, and phylogenetic analyses were performed with maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony and bayesian inference methods. The phylogenetic analysis based on molecular data of ITS+nLSU sequences showed that P. bostonensis recognized in Perenniporia sensu stricto. The new species formed a monophyletic lineage with a strong support (100% BS, 100% BP, 1.00 BPP) and was closely related to P. bannaensis and P. koreana. Both morphological and molecular characters confirmed the placement of the new species in Perenniporia.

Morphological and molecular identification of a new species of Perenniporia (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) in North America

A new poroid wood-inhabiting fungal species, Perenniporia bostonensis sp. nov., is proposed based on morphological and molecular characters. The species is characterized by resupinate, cream to buff pore surface; a dimitic hyphal system with skeletal hyphae strongly dextrinoid, unbranched, interwoven and a distinct wide lumen; ovoid to broad ellipsoid, non-truncate, hyaline, distinct thick-walled, smooth, dextrinoid basidiospores, 3.5–4.5 × 3–4 µm. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the large subunit (LSU) regions of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene sequences of the studied samples were generated, and phylogenetic analyses were performed with maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony and bayesian inference methods. The phylogenetic analysis based on molecular data of ITS+nLSU sequences showed that P. bostonensis recognized in Perenniporia sensu stricto. The new species formed a monophyletic lineage with a strong support (100% BS, 100% BP, 1.00 BPP) and was closely related to P. bannaensis and P. koreana. Both morphological and molecular characters confirmed the placement of the new species in Perenniporia.

A re-evaluation of Neotropical Junghuhnia s.lat. (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) based on morphological and multigene analyses.

Junghuhnia is a genus of polypores traditionally characterised by a dimitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae and presence of encrusted skeletocystidia. However, recent molecular studies revealed that Junghuhnia is polyphyletic and most of the species cluster with Steccherinum, a morphologically similar genus separated only by a hydnoid hymenophore. In the Neotropics, very little is known about the evolutionary relationships of Junghuhnia s.lat. taxa and very few species have been included in molecular studies. In order to test the proper phylogenetic placement of Neotropical species of this group, morphological and molecular analyses were carried out. Specimens were collected in Brazil and used for DNA sequence analyses of the internal transcribed spacer and the large subunit of the nuclear ribosomal RNA gene, the translation elongation factor 1-α gene, and the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II gene. Herbarium collections, including type specimens, were studied for morphological comparison and to confirm the identity of collections. The molecular data obtained revealed that the studied species are placed in three different genera. Specimens of Junghuhnia carneola represent two distinct species that group in a lineage within the phlebioid clade, separated from Junghuhnia and Steccherinum, which belong to the residual polyporoid clade. Therefore, the new genus Geesterania is proposed including two species, G. carneola comb. nov. and G. davidii sp. nov. Neotropical specimens identified as Junghuhnia nitida represent a different lineage from the European species and are described as Steccherinum neonitidum sp. nov. In addition, the new combinations Steccherinum meridionale, Steccherinum polycystidiferum and Steccherinum undigerum, as well as the new name Flaviporus tenuis, are proposed.

Phylloporia lonicerae (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota), a new species on Lonicera japonica from Japan and an identification key to worldwide species of Phylloporia.

Phylloporia, in the Hymenochaetaceae, is a polypore genus with a worldwide distribution. The new taxon Phylloporia lonicerae is introduced, which is the first Phylloporia species to originate from Japan. This species grows exclusively on living Lonicera japonica and is distinguished by annual, sessile basidiocarps that occur in clusters, pileal surface of narrow, concentrically sulcate zones, 6–8 pores per mm, duplex context separated by a black zone, dimitic hyphal system and broadly ellipsoid basidiospores, 3.2–4 × 2.3–3.1 µm. Phylogenetically, P. lonicerae is nested within the Phylloporia clade as a distinct terminal lineage with full statistical supports and sister to the clade of P. minutispora, P. cf. pulla and P. terrestris with weak supports. Besides Phylloporia bibulosa, P. chrysites and P. spathulata, P. lonicerae is the fourth species of Phylloporia recorded from Japan. An identification key to all accepted 48 species of Phylloporia is provided.

Three new species of Phylloporia (Hymenochaetales) with dimitic hyphal systems from tropical China

ABSTRACTThree new species of Phylloporia from tropical China are described in this study: P. manglietiae, P. pendula, and P. pseudopectinata. Phylloporia manglietiae is characterized by triquetrous to ungulate basidiomata, with 6–8 pores/mm, a monomitic to dimitic hyphal system, and broadly ellipsoidal basidiospores, 3–3.5 × 2–2.5 μm. Phylloporia pendula has small, imbricate, and pendent basidiomata, with 7–9 pores/mm, a dimitic hyphal system, and broadly ellipsoidal basidiospores, 3.5–4 × 2.5–3 μm. Phylloporia pseudopectinata differs from other species of Phylloporia by its applanate basidiomata, with 8–9 pores/mm, a dimitic hyphal system, and subglobose basidiospores, 3–3.5 × 2–3 μm. Phylogenetic analyses, based on sequences from the D1–D2 domains of the 28S gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 = ITS) of the nuc rDNA, support the classification of the three new species in Phylloporia.

Heterobasidion amyloideopsis sp. nov. (Basidiomycota, Russulales) evidenced by morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis

Heterobasidion amyloideopsis sp. nov., a new poroid wood-inhabiting species from Pakistan, is introduced based on a combination of molecular evidence and morphological characteristics. We generated sequences from the nuclear internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS) and the large subunit ribosomal RNA gene (LSU), the gene encoding the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB1) and the second subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2), focusing on two specimens from Pakistan. We performed phylogenetic analyses with maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and bayesian inference methods on two datasets (RPB1+RPB2 and ITS+nLSU+RPB1+RPB2). Both analyses supported the existence of the new species and showed that it formed a monophyletic group within the H. insulare complex as a sister to H. amyloideum. In addition to assessing the origin and divergence of this new species, we focused on the RPB1+RPB2 dataset to perform maximum likelihood based estimation and Bayesian binary analyses. Heterobasidion amyloideopsis is characterized by an annual habit, pileate basidiomata with a rust colored pileal surface, white, obtuse margin, a dimitic hyphal system with simple septate generative hyphae in the trama and clamp connections present on the contextual hyphae, amyloid skeletal hyphae and broadly ellipsoid, hyaline, fairly thick-walled, and asperulate basidiospores.

Species diversity and molecular systematics of Fibroporia (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) and its related genera

In this study, phylogenetic analysis of Fibroporia and its related genera was carried out based on multiple loci of ITS, nLSU, nSSU, mtSSU, tef1 and rpb2. Combined with the morphological characters, a new genus, Pseudofibroporia gen. nov., is established. Phylogenetically, Pseudofibroporia is closely related to Fibroporia, but morphologically, the former is different from the latter in its distinct pileate basidiomata with entire margin and lacking rhizomorphs. In addition, three new species, Fibroporia bambusae sp. nov., F. ceracea sp. nov. and Pseudofibroporia citrinella sp. nov., are described from China. Fibroporia bambusae is different from other species by its cream to pinkish buff pore surface, cinnamon buff rhizomorphs and a dimitic hyphal system with both clamped and simple-septate generative hyphae. F. ceracea is distinguished by its ceraceous pore surface and a monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae. Pseudofibroporia citrinella is characterized by white to lemon yellow pileal surface, lemon yellow to curry buff pores, a dimitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae and oblong to broadly ellipsoid, and slightly thick-walled basidiospores (4–4.5 × 2.2–2.8 μm). Illustrated descriptions of the novel species and a key to known species of Fibroporia from China are provided.

Cerarioporia cystidiata gen. et sp. nov. (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) evidenced by morphological characters and molecular phylogeny

Cerarioporia cystidiata gen. et sp. nov. is proposed on the basis of a combination of a specific set of morphological characters and molecular (DNA-based) evidences. Cerarioporia is characterized by seasonal, resupinate basidiomata waxy when fresh drying resinous, a dimitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae and skeletal hyphae, distinctly thick-walled encrusted hymenial cystidia, and hyaline, thin-walled, smooth, fusiform basidiospores. Cerarioporia cystidiata was found growing on rotten angiosperm wood, and seems to cause a white rot in very humid tropical forest. Phylogenetic analyses based on n28S, and a combined n28S and ITS datasets show that Cerarioporia belongs to the core polyporoid clade of Polyporales.

Morphological and phylogenetic studies of two new neotropical species of Loweomyces (Polyporales, Basidiomycota)

The genus Loweomyces is characterized by resupinate to pileate, sessile to stipitate basidiomes, monomitic to dimitic hyphal system with presence of pseudoskeletal hyphae, thin-walled hymenial cystidia, and usually cyanophilous spore and hyphal walls. The genus has not been widely accepted and some authors placed Loweomyces species in Abortiporus, Tyromyces or Antrodiella. During a survey of polypores in southern Brazil, two unidentified species with similar features to Loweomyces spp. were found. Morphological and molecular studies were carried out in order to understand their morphological and evolutionary relationships and to confirm their phylogenetic placement and taxonomic identity. DNA sequences of the internal transcribed spacer and large subunit of ribosomal RNA gene were used for phylogenetic studies. Both studied species have similar morphological characteristics to other Loweomyces spp. and group close to L. fractipes phylogenetically; therefore, Loweomyces spissus and L. tomentosus are proposed as new species. Full descriptions, illustrations of microscopic features, and an identification key to the accepted species in the genus are presented.

Leifiporia rhizomorpha gen. et sp. nov. and L. eucalypti comb. nov. in Polyporaceae (Basidiomycota)

A new poroid wood-inhabiting fungal genus, Leifiporia, is proposed, based on morphological and molecular evidence, which is typified by L. rhizomorpha sp. nov. The genus is characterized by an annual growth habit, resupinate basidiocarps with white to cream pore surface, a dimitic hyphal system with generative hyphae bearing clamp connections and branching mostly at right angles, skeletal hyphae present in the subiculum only and distinctly thinner than generative hyphae, IKI–, CB–, and ellipsoid, hyaline, thin-walled, smooth, IKI–, CB– basidiospores. Sequences of ITS and LSU nrRNA gene regions of the studied samples were generated, and phylogenetic analyses were performed with maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference methods. The phylogenetic analysis based on molecular data of ITS + nLSU sequences showed that Leifiporia belonged to the core polyporoid clade and was closely related to Diplomitoporus overholtsii and Lopharia cinerascens, and then grouped with Pycnoporus and Trametes. Further investigation was obtained for more representative taxa in the Polyporaceae based on nLSU sequences, in which the results demonstrated that the genus Leifiporia formed a monophyletic lineage with a strong support (100 % BS, 100 % BP, 1.00 BPP). Both morphological and molecular evidence confirmed the placement of the new genus in the core polyporoid clade. In addition, a new combination, Leifiporia eucalypti, is proposed based on examination of its type material and phylogeny.

Phylloporia minutipora and P. radiata spp. nov. (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota) from China and a key to worldwide species of Phylloporia

Phylloporia is a monophyletic genus within the Hymenochaetaceae as recovered by nuclear large subunit ribosomal DNA (nLSU) sequences. According to the summarization of 38 species accepted in this genus, Phylloporia is characterized by an absence of setae and the presence of abundant thick-walled, colored and tiny basidiospores, although its other morphological characters are highly diverse. Nine herbarium specimens from China, fitting the morphological concept of Phylloporia, were morphologically and phylogenetically studied in detail. The phylogeny inferred from nLSU sequences shows that the nine specimens formed three terminal lineages within the Phylloporia clade. Two lineages being composed of four specimens from Hainan and three from Guizhou were newly described as Phylloporia minutipora and P. radiata, respectively. In Phylloporia, P. minutipora is distinct by a combination of annual, sessile and imbricate basidiocarps, distinctly concentrically sulcate pileal surface with obtuse margin, angular pores of 12–15 per mm, duplex context separated by a black zone, a dimitic hyphal system, and broadly ellipsoid basidiospores of 2.5–3 × 2–2.5 μm, while P. radiata is distinct by a combination of annual, sessile and imbricate basidiocarps, faintly sulcate and radially striate pileal surface, sharp pileal margin, angular pores of 8–10 per mm, duplex context separated by a black zone, a monomitic hyphal system, and broadly ellipsoid basidiospores of 2.5–3.5 × 2–2.5 μm. The third lineage, comprising two specimens from Hainan, was morphologically determined as Phylloporia pulla. This species was recently combined to Phylloporia based on only morphological characters, and the current study for the first time generated its molecular sequences for phylogenetic reference. A key to all 40 species of Phylloporia is provided.

Phellinotus, a new neotropical genus in the Hymenochaetaceae (Basidiomycota, Hymenochaetales)

A new poroid genus with two conspicuous and common species growing on living Fabaceae trees is described from the Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests biome of Brazil. Both taxa in this forest pathogen genus resemble Phellinus rimosus macroscopically, but are distinguished by a dimitic hyphal system with skeletal hyphae present only in the trama of the tube layer while the context remains monomitic, and by the ellipsoid, thick-walled, adaxially flattened, yellow basidiospores that turn chestnut brown in KOH solution. Molecular and morphological studies of Brazilian specimens macroscopically similar to the Phellinus rimosus species complex were carried out to solve their phylogenetic relationships among the Hymenochaetaceae. Phellinotus gen. nov. with P. neoaridus sp. nov. as the genus type and P. piptadeniae comb. nov. are presented and described. Phylogenetically, Phellinotus is closely related to Arambarria, Inocutis, Fomitiporella and other taxonomically unresolved terminal clades, and unrelated to Fulvifomes and Phylloporia. Phellinotus and other genera of poroid Hymenochaetaceae that lack setae or setal hyphae and produce thick-walled, colored (pale yellow to rusty brown) basidiospores form a phylogenetic group here named the ‘phellinotus clade’. Our results indicate the need to include taxa from unexplored areas in order to get a thorough understanding of the phylogeny of the Hymenochaetaceae.

Notes on Junghuhnia (Agaricomycetes) in Brazil

Junghuhnia is a cosmopolitan genus of Agaricomycetes (Basidiomycota), mostly characterized by having a dimitic hyphal system and encrusted cystidia. The genus comprises 37 legitimate species, eight of which have been reported in Brazil. This study provides updated information about the diversity and distribution of Junghuhnia in Brazil by reporting J. semisupiniformis for the first time from South America, J. globospora from Brazil, J. carneola from northeastern Brazil and the state of Para, J. nitida from the state of Pernambuco, and J. subundata from the state of Amazonas. Descriptions of J. semisupiniformis and J. globosbora, as well a key to the accepted species of Junghuhnia from Brazil, are provided.

Morphological and molecular identification of a new species of Truncospora (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) in North America

Truncospora wisconsinensis sp. nov., a new poroid wood-inhabiting species, is proposed based on a combination of molecular and morphological data. This species demonstrates a unique combination of characters including: annual habit; pileate basidiomata with a white pileus and pore surface; a dimitic hyphal system with non- to slightly dextrinoid, cyanophilous skeletal hyphae; and ellipsoid, truncate, slightly thick-walled, strongly dextrinoid basidiospores. Phylogenetic analyses using ITS and partial tef1-α support the position of this new species as a sister clade of T. ohiensis.

Grammothele hainanensis sp. nov. (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) and related species from Hainan, southern China

Grammothele and Theleporus have a shallow pore surface, which makes them morphologically close to corticioid fungi. However, from a phylogenetic perspective, they are polyphyletic genera within the core polyporoid clade of the Polyporales. Eight specimens with a shallow pore surface from Hainan, southern China, were morphologically and phylogenetically studied. Among them, one was determined as Grammothele denticulata, four were identified as Theleporus membranaceus, and three are described as Grammothele hainanensis. G. hainanensis is characterized by the annual and resupinate basidiocarps with poroid to irpicoid hymenophore, a dimitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae and weakly dextrinoid skeletal hyphae, the presence of cystidioles, hyphal pegs and dendrohyphidia, and cylindrical, hyaline and thin-walled basidiospores. It is closely related to G. quercina in phylogeny. Morphologically, G. quercina differs in producing perennial basidiocarps with cream to pale greyish and larger pores. The morphological differences among the new species and other species were analyzed.

Tropicoporus stratificans sp. nov. (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota) from southern Brazil

Tropicoporus is a recently proposed genus that was segregated from Inonotus s.l. and includes species with important wood decay and medicinal functions. The description of T. stratificans sp. nov. is based on more than 10 specimens collected on fallen decayed wood in subtropical forests of Rio Grande do Sul State. The species is recognized by its resupinate, poroid, golden brown, perennial basidiomes that become multi-layered, dimitic hyphal system, abundant hymenial setae, and subglobose to ellipsoid, brownish-yellow to ferruginous-brown basidiospores. Based on nrDNA ITS sequences, Bayesian and maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses of Tropicoporus nested the new taxon in the T. linteus clade. A description and illustrations of the new species are provided.