Phlebioid Clade Research Articles

Molecular phylogeny and taxonomy of the remarkable genus Leptoporus (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) with description of a new species from Southwest China.

Leptoporus is a rare and remarkable genus, mainly occurring in coniferous forests in the Northern Hemisphere. Recent phylogenetic studies showed that Leptoporus belongs to Irpicaceae in the phlebioid clade. It is worth noting that most species in the phlebioid clade can cause white-rot decay, except for the Leptoporus species, which can cause a brown-rot decay. In this study, we performed phylogenetic and taxonomic studies of Leptoporus and related genera. Molecular phylogenetic analyses were conducted based on sequences from multiple loci including the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, the large subunit of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nLSU), the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II gene (RPB1), the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II gene (RPB2), and the translation elongation factor 1-α gene (TEF1). Combined with morphological characteristics, a new species, Leptoporus submollis sp. nov., is discovered and illustrated from Southwest China.

Taxonomy and molecular phylogeny of Trametopsis (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) with descriptions of two new species.

Trametopsis is a worldwide genus belonging to Irpicaceae in the phlebioid clade, which can cause a white decay of wood. Previously, only three species were ascribed to the genus. In this study, we performed a morphological and phylogenetic study of Trametopsis. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of multiple loci included the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, the large subunit nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nLSU), the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB1), the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2) and the translation elongation factor 1-α gene (TEF1). Phylogenetic trees were inferred from the combined datasets of ITS+nLSU sequences and ITS+nLSU+RPB1+RPB2+TEF1 sequences by using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses. Combined with molecular data, morphological characters and ecological traits, two new species of Trametopsis are discovered. Trametopsisabieticola is characterised by its pileate, solitary or imbricate basidiomata, buff to buff-yellow pileal surface when fresh, becoming pinkish buff to clay-buff when dry, cream to buff pore surface when fresh, becoming pinkish buff to greyish brown upon drying, round to angular and large pores (0.5-1 per mm), cylindrical basidiospores (5.8-7.2 × 1.9-2.6 μm), distributed in the high altitude of mountains and grows on Abies sp. Trametopsistasmanica is characterised by its resupinate basidiomata, cream to pinkish-buff pore surface when fresh, becoming honey-yellow to snuff brown upon drying, cylindrical basidiospores (5.2-6.3 × 1.8-2.2 μm), and by growing on Eucalyptus sp. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of the two novel species are provided.

<p><strong><em>Phlebia nigrodontea sp. nov</em></strong><strong>.</strong><em> </em><strong>in Meruliaceae (Polyporales) with a black hymenial surface</strong></p>

A new wood-inhabiting fungus, Phlebia nigrodontea, is proposed based on a combination of morphological features and molecular evidence. The species is characterized by a grandinioid hymenophore with vinaceous brown to black colour, a monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae and ellipsoid, colourless, thin-walled, smooth basidiospores (3.9–4.9 × 2.3–3.1 µm). Sequences of ITS and LSU nrRNA gene regions of the studied samples were generated, and phylogenetic analyses carried out using maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference methods. The phylogenetic analyses based on the molecular data of ITS+nLSU sequences showed that P. nigrodontea nested within the phlebioid clade. A further investigation of more representative taxa from Phlebia, based on ITS+nLSU sequences, demonstrated that the species P. nigrodontea formed a monophyletic lineage with strong support (100% BS, 100% BT, 1.00 BPP) and closely grouped with P. chrysocreas.

Three new species of Phlebia (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) based on the evidence from morphology and DNA sequence data

Three new Phlebia species, Ph. fuscotuberculata, Ph. tomentopileata and Ph. tongxiniana, are proposed based on a combination of morphological features and molecular evidence. Phlebia fuscotuberculata is characterized by brown, tuberculate hymenial surface, fusiform cystidia and ellipsoid basidiospores. Phlebia tomentopileata is distinguished by effused or semi-pileate basidiomata with tomentose upper pileus surface and merulioid hymenophore and allantoid basidiospores (3.5–4.5 × 1–1.4 μm). Phlebia tongxiniana differs in its effused basidiomata with smooth, buff to cinnamon-buff hymenophore, monomitic hyphal system with clamped hyphae and ellipsoid basidiospores. Sequences of ITS and 28S gene regions of the studied specimens were generated, and phylogenetic analyses were performed with maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference methods. The phylogenetic analyses based on combined ITS+28S dataset showed that the three new Phlebia species fell into the phlebioid clade. Further study focused on a more representative set of Phlebia species based on ITS+28S sequences demonstrated that Ph. fuscotuberculata was grouped with Ph. hydnoidea and Ph. nantahaliensis, Ph. tomentopileata was closely related to Ph. tremellosa and Ph. tongxiniana was grouped with Ph. chrysocreas.

<p><strong><em>Phlebiopsis lacerata</em></strong><strong> sp. nov. (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) from southern China</strong></p>

A new white-rot species, Phlebiopsis lacerata sp. nov., is proposed based on morphological and molecular characters. It is characterized by resupinate to effuse-reflexed basidiomata, a monomitic hyphal system with simple septate generative hyphae, conical cystidia that are thick-walled, heavily encrusted with large crystal in the apical part, and ellipsoid basidiospores (4–5.5 × 3–3.5 µm). Phylogenetic analyses of the ITS and LSU nrRNA gene regions showed that P. lacerata belongs to the Phanerochaetaceae and is nested in the phlebioid clade. Further investigation based on ITS+nLSU sequences with more representative taxa in Phlebiopsis demonstrated that P. lacerata forms a monophyletic lineage with a strong support (100% BS, 100% BP, 1.00 BPP) and then groups with P. crassa.

Morphological and molecular identification of Phlebia wuliangshanensis sp. nov. in China

A new white-rot fungus, Phlebia wuliangshanensis, is proposed based on a combination of morphological features and molecular evidence. The species is characterized by an annual growth habit, resupinate basidiocarps with a smooth to tuberculate hymenial surface, a monomitic hyphal system with thin- to thick-walled generative hyphae bearing simple septa, presence of cystidia, and narrow ellipsoid to ellipsoid basidiospores (5–6 × 3–3.7 μm). Our phylogenetic analyses of ITS and LSU nrRNA sequences performed with maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian inference methods support P. wuliangshanensis within a phlebioid clade in Meruliaceae (Polyporales). ITS+nLSU sequence analyses of additional Phlebia taxa strongly support P. wuliangshanensis within a monophyletic lineage grouped with P. chrysocreas and P. uda .

Genome description of Phlebia radiata 79 with comparative genomics analysis on lignocellulose decomposition machinery of phlebioid fungi

BackgroundThe white rot fungus Phlebia radiata, a type species of the genus Phlebia, is an efficient decomposer of plant cell wall polysaccharides, modifier of softwood and hardwood lignin, and is able to produce ethanol from various waste lignocellulose substrates. Thus, P. radiata is a promising organism for biotechnological applications aiming at sustainable utilization of plant biomass. Here we report the genome sequence of P. radiata isolate 79 originally isolated from decayed alder wood in South Finland. To better understand the evolution of wood decay mechanisms in this fungus and the Polyporales phlebioid clade, gene content and clustering of genes encoding specific carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) in seven closely related fungal species was investigated. In addition, other genes encoding proteins reflecting the fungal lifestyle including peptidases, transporters, small secreted proteins and genes involved in secondary metabolism were identified in the genome assembly of P. radiata.ResultsThe PACBio sequenced nuclear genome of P. radiata was assembled to 93 contigs with 72X sequencing coverage and annotated, revealing a dense genome of 40.4 Mbp with approximately 14 082 predicted protein-coding genes. According to functional annotation, the genome harbors 209 glycoside hydrolase, 27 carbohydrate esterase, 8 polysaccharide lyase, and over 70 auxiliary redox enzyme-encoding genes. Comparisons with the genomes of other phlebioid fungi revealed shared and specific properties among the species with seemingly similar saprobic wood-decay lifestyles. Clustering of especially GH10 and AA9 enzyme-encoding genes according to genomic localization was discovered to be conserved among the phlebioid species. In P. radiata genome, a rich repertoire of genes involved in the production of secondary metabolites was recognized. In addition, 49 genes encoding predicted ABC proteins were identified in P. radiata genome together with 336 genes encoding peptidases, and 430 genes encoding small secreted proteins.ConclusionsThe genome assembly of P. radiata contains wide array of carbohydrate polymer attacking CAZyme and oxidoreductase genes in a composition identifiable for phlebioid white rot lifestyle in wood decomposition, and may thus serve as reference for further studies. Comparative genomics also contributed to enlightening fungal decay mechanisms in conversion and cycling of recalcitrant organic carbon in the forest ecosystems.

Phlebiopsis yunnanensis sp. nov. (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) evidenced by morphological characters and phylogenetic analysis

A new poroid wood-inhabiting fungal species, Ceriporiopsis kunmingensis sp. nov., is proposed based on morphological and molecular characters. The species is characterized by resupinate basidiocarps with pale cinnamon-buff to ochreous color when dry; generative hyphae unbranched and subparallel along the tubes; presence of hyphal ends; allantoid basidiospores, 4.5–5 × 1.5–2 μm. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and 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 C. kunmingensis belonged to the phlebioid clade, formed a monophyletic lineage with a strong support (100% BS, 100% BP, 1.00 BPP), and was closely related to Phlebia aurea, and then grouped with P. livida and P. subserialis. Both morphological and molecular characters confirmed the placement of the new species in Ceriporiopsis.

Phlebia ailaoshanensis sp. nov. (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) evidenced by morphological characters and phylogenetic analyses

A new wood-inhabiting fungus, Phlebia ailaoshanensis, is proposed based on a combination of morphological features and molecular evidence. The species is characterized by an annual growth habit, resupinate basidiocarps with tuberculate to phlebioid hymenial surface, a monomitic hyphal system with slightly thick-walled generative hyphae bearing simple septa, IKI–, CB– and ellipsoid, hyaline, thin-walled, smooth, IKI–, CB– basidiospores measuring as 5.7–8.5 × 3–4.3 µm. 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 analyses based on molecular data of ITS+nLSU sequences showed that P. ailaoshanensis belonged to the Meruliaceae and nested into the phlebioid clade. Further investigation was obtained for more representative taxa in the Phlebia based on ITS+nLSU sequences, in which the result demonstrated that the species P. ailaoshanensis formed a monophyletic lineage with a strong support (100% BS, 100% BP, 1.00 BPP) and then grouped with P. acanthocystis, P. chrysocreas, P. ludoviciana, P. subcretacea and P. uda.

Three new species of Phanerochaete (Polyporales, Basidiomycota).

Phanerochaetecanobrunnea, P.cystidiata and P.fusca are presented as new species, supported by morphological studies and two sets of phylogenetic analyses. The 5.8S+nuc 28S+rpb1 dataset shows the generic placement of the three species within the phlebioid clade of Polyporales. The ITS+nuc 28S dataset displays relationships for the new taxa within Phanerochaete s.s. Phanerochaetecanobrunnea grew on angiosperm branches in subtropical Taiwan and is characterised by greyish brown hymenial surface, brown generative hyphae and skeletal hyphae and absence of cystidia. Phanerochaetecystidiata grew on angiosperm branches above 1000 m in montane Taiwan and SW Yunnan Province of China and is characterised by cream to yellowish hymenial surface and more or less encrusted leptocystidia. Phanerochaetefusca grew on angiosperm branches at 1700 m in Hubei Province of China and is characterised by dark brown hymenial surface, leptocystidia, brown subicular hyphae and colourless to brownish basidiospores.

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.

New systematic position of Aurantiporus alborubescens (Meruliaceae, Basidiomycota), a threatened old-growth forest polypore

Odoria (Meruliaceae, Basidiomycota) is described as a new genus established for the threatened old-growth forest polypore Phaeolus alborubescens that was previously discussed in Aurantiporus or Tyromyces. It is characterized by the annual pinkish white spongy basidiocarp with strong sweetish smell, turning pale brown when drying, and has a positive reaction with KOH solution, the lack of cystidia, and the monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae often covered with fine orange crystals. Multigene phylogenetic analyses based on a combined (5.8S–nucLSU–rpb1–rpb2) and a single locus (nrITS) dataset place Odoria in Meruliaceae (Phlebioid clade), close to Crustodontia, Sarcodontia, Luteoporia, and Phlebiporia. Molecular as well as anatomical study of the old type specimen of P. alborubescens is also provided.

Three species of wood-decaying fungi in Polyporales new to China

Three wood-decaying fungi, Ceriporiopsis lagerheimii, Sebipora aquosa, and Tyromyces xuchilensis, are newly recorded in China. The identifications were based on morphological and molecular evidence. The phylogenetic tree inferred from ITS+nLSU sequences of 49 species of Polyporales nests C. lagerheimii within the phlebioid clade, S. aquosa within the gelatoporia clade, and T. xuchilensis within the residual polyporoid clade. The three species are described and illustrated based on Chinese material.

Reappraisal of Climacodon (Basidiomycota, Meruliaceae) and reinstatement of Donkia (Phanerochaetaceae) using multigene data

Climacodon comprises species characterized by a hydnoid hymenophore, a monomitic hyphal system and spores without iodine reactions. Climacodon pulcherrimus is unique within Climacodon due to having multiple clamp connections. Current taxonomy of Climacodon relies exclusively on treatments based on morphological observations. In this study, we constructed a 6-locus DNA phylogeny (LSU, 5.8S, SSU, RPB2, ef-1α, RPB1) to evaluate the monophily of Climacodon. Our results show that Climacodon is polyphyletic as currently circumscribed. Climacodon sanguineus forms a well-supported clade with C. septentrionale, type species of Climacodon, and nests in the Phlebioid clade. A third species, Climacodon roseomaculatus, is closely related to C. sanguineus based on ITS sequence data. Hence, these three species belong to Climacodon s. str., which is characterized by having thick-walled crystalliferous cystidia. Meruliaceae is adopted as family placement for Climacodon s. str. and the whole Phlebioid clade. On the contrary, Climacodon pulcherrimus is nested in the Phanerochaete clade and better accommodated in the monotypic genus Donkia, within Phanerochaetaceae. The presence of multiple clamps by septum in C. pulcherrimus is shared with some Phanerochaete species of this clade. Recent collections of C. sanguineus were compared with the type material, and coloured photographs of macro- and microscopic features of C. sanguineus and Donkia pulcherrima are provided.

Ceriporiopsis kunmingensis sp. nov. (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) evidenced by morphological characters and phylogenetic analysis

A new poroid wood-inhabiting fungal species, Ceriporiopsis kunmingensis sp. nov., is proposed based on morphological and molecular characters. The species is characterized by resupinate basidiocarps with pale cinnamon-buff to ochreous color when dry; generative hyphae unbranched and subparallel along the tubes; presence of hyphal ends; allantoid basidiospores, 4.5–5 × 1.5–2 μm. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and 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 C. kunmingensis belonged to the phlebioid clade, formed a monophyletic lineage with a strong support (100% BS, 100% BP, 1.00 BPP), and was closely related to Phlebia aurea, and then grouped with P. livida and P. subserialis. Both morphological and molecular characters confirmed the placement of the new species in Ceriporiopsis.

Revisiting the taxonomy of Phanerochaete (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) using a four gene dataset and extensive ITS sampling

We amplified RPB1, RPB2, and the ITS and LSU ribosomal genes from species mostly in the phlebioid clade, focusing heavily in phanerochaetoid taxa. We performed Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian analyses for different combinations of datasets. Our results provide a strongly supported phylogenetic picture of the phlebioid clade, representing 89 species in the four genes analyses, of which 49 represent phanerochaetoid taxa. Phanerochaete sensu lato is polyphyletic and distributed across nine lineages in the phlebioid clade. Six of these lineages are associated to already described genera, while we describe the new genus Phaeophlebiopsis to accommodate Phlebiopsis-like species in one of the remaining lineages. We also propose three taxonomic transfers and describe nine new species, with four of those species currently placed in Phanerochaete sanguinea or Phanerochaete velutina. Finally, the placement of Leptoporus mollis along with other potential brown-rot species in the phlebioid clade suggests that, in addition to the Antrodia clade, brown-rot fungi may have evolved more than once in Polyporales.

Unexpected diversity of basidiomycetous endophytes in sapwood and leaves of Hevea

Research on fungal endophytes has expanded dramatically in recent years, but little is known about the diversity and ecological roles of endophytic basidiomycetes. Here we report the analysis of 310 basidiomycetous endophytes isolated from wild and planted populations of the rubber tree genus, Hevea. Species accumulation curves were nonasymptotic, as in the majority of endophyte surveys, indicating that more sampling is needed to recover the true diversity of the community. One hundred eighteen OTUs were delimited, representing nine orders of Basidiomycota (Agaricales, Atheliales, Auriculariales, Cantharellales, Hymenochaetales, Polyporales, Russulales, Septobasidiales, Tremellales). The diversity of basidiomycetous endophytes found inhabiting wild populations of Hevea was comparable to that present in plantations. However, when samples were segregated by tissue type, sapwood of wild populations was found to contain a higher number of species than sapwood of planted trees. Seventy-five percent of isolates were members of the Polyporales, the majority in the phlebioid clade. Most of the species belong to clades known to cause a white-rot type of wood decay. Two species in the insect-associated genus Septobasidium were isolated. The most frequently isolated genera included Bjerkandera, Ceriporia, Phanerochaete, Phlebia, Rigidoporus, Tinctoporellus, Trametes (Polyporales), Peniophora, Stereum (Russulales) and Coprinellus (Agaricales), all of which have been reported as endophytes from a variety of hosts, across wide geographic locations. Literature records on the geographic distribution and host association of these genera revealed that their distribution and substrate affinity could be extended if the endophytic niche was investigated as part of fungal biodiversity surveys.

Fragiliporiaceae, a new family of Polyporales (Basidiomycota)

Fragiliporiaceae fam. nov., a new poroid wood- inhabiting family, is introduced based on the combination of molecular and morphological data, and is typified by Fragiliporia gen. nov. The phylogenetic analysis shows that Fragiliporia fragilis sp. nov. forms a monophyletic group within Polyporales and warrants the introduction of a new fragiliporia clade based on molecular data of ITS+nLSU rRNA gene regions. Combined ITS, nLSU, mtSSU, TEF1 and RPB2 sequence data also demonstrated that the new family Fragiliporiaceae also formed a monophyletic lineage (70 %B S, 57 %B P, 0.99 BPP), and grouped with the phlebioid clade, residual polyporoid cladeandcore polyporoid clade. Fragiliporiaceae has unique macromorphological char- acters in having resupinate basidiocarps with very soft tubes when fresh, which become brittle when dry (becoming almost powdery when bruised); a monomitic hyphal system with thick-walled generative hyphae, clamp connections, and fre- quently H-, W- or Y-shaped hyphae branching from the clamp connections.

Phylogenetic classification of Trametes (Basidiomycota, Polyporales) based on a five–marker dataset

AbstractThe phylogeny of Trametes and related genera was studied using molecular data from ribosomal markers (nLSU, ITS) and protein–coding genes (RPB1, RPB2, TEF1–alpha) and consequences for the taxonomy and nomenclature of this group were considered. Separate datasets with rDNA data only, single datasets for each of the protein–coding genes, and a combined five–marker dataset were analyzed. Molecular analyses recover a strongly supported trametoid clade that includes most of Trametes species (including the type T. suaveolens, the T. versicolor group, and mainly tropical species such as T. maxima and T. cubensis) together with species of Lenzites and Pycnoporus and Coriolopsis polyzona. Our data confirm the positions of Trametes cervina (= Trametopsis cervina) in the phlebioid clade and of Trametes trogii (= Coriolopsis trogii) outside the trametoid clade, closely related to Coriolopsis gallica. The genus Coriolopsis, as currently defined, is polyphyletic, with the type species as part of the trametoid clade and at least two additional lineages occurring in the core polyporoid clade. In view of these results the use of a single generic name (Trametes) for the trametoid clade is considered to be the best taxonomic and nomenclatural option as the morphological concept of Trametes would remain almost unchanged, few new nomenclatural combinations would be necessary, and the classification of additional species (i.e., not yet described and/or sampled for molecular data) in Trametes based on morphological characters alone will still be possible. Alternative scenarios to divide the trametoid clade in five or ten genera were considered but if any of these options were to be adopted morphological distinction of the segregated genera and the ascription of additional species to any of these genera would be very difficult and in some cases impossible. The genera Artolenzites, Coriolopsis (as currently typified), Coriolus, Cubamyces, Cyclomycetella, Lenzites, Poronidulus, Pseudotrametes and Pycnoporus are considered synonyms of Trametes.

Phylogenetic relationships in European Ceriporiopsis species inferred from nuclear and mitochondrial ribosomal DNA sequences

The aim of this work was to clarify taxonomy and examine evolutionary relationships within European Ceriporiopsis species using a combined analysis of the large subunit (nLSU) nuclear rRNA and small subunit (mtSSU) mitochondrial rRNA gene sequences. Data from the ITS region were applied to enhance the view of the phylogenetic relationships among different species. The studied samples grouped into four complex clades, suggesting that the genus Ceriporiopsis is polyphyletic. The generic type Ceriporiopsis gilvescens formed a separate group together with Ceriporiopsis guidella and Phlebia spp. in the phlebioid clade. In this clade, the closely related species Ceriporiopsis resinascens and Ceriporiopsis pseudogilvescens grouped together with Ceriporiopsis aneirina. C. resinascens and C. pseudogilvescens have identical LSU and SSU sequences but differ in ITS. Ceriporiopsis pannocincta also fell in the phlebioid clade, but showed closer proximity to Gloeoporus dichrous than to C. gilvescens or C. aneirina– C. pseudogilvescens– C. resinascens group. Another clade was composed of a Ceriporiopsis balaenae– Ceriporiopsis consobrina group and was found to be closely related to Antrodiella and Frantisekia, with the overall clade highly reminiscent of the residual polyporoid clade. The monotypic genus Pouzaroporia, erected in the past for Ceriporiopsis subrufa due to its remarkable morphological differences, also fell within the residual polyporoid clade. Ceriporiopsis subvermispora held an isolated position from the other species of the genus. Therefore, the previously proposed name Gelatoporia subvermispora has been adopted for this species. Physisporinus rivulosus appeared unrelated to two other European Physisporinus species. Moreover, Ceriporiopsis (= Skeletocutis) jelicii grouped in a separate clade, distinct from Ceriporiopsis species. Finally, the ITS data demonstrated the proximity of some Ceriporiopsis species ( Ceriporiopsis portcrosensis and Ceriporiopsis subsphaerospora) to Skeletocutis amorpha.