Clavulina mollis , sp. nov. ( Hydnaceae , Cantharellales ), a New Fungal Species from Southwest China Revealed by Morphology and Phylogenetic Analyses

Abstract

A new basidiomycete, Clavulina mollis , is described based on morphological features and DNA sequence analyses. This fungus, collected in Yunnan Province, China, is characterized by its coralloid basidiomata growing in caespitose clusters, branching two to five times, polychotomous toward the apices and irregularly dichotomous to polychotomous at the base; a monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae; pale yellow, subclavate to subcylindrical basidia with two sterigmata; and subglobose basidiospores measuring 7–8.5 × 6–8 µm. Phylogenetic analyses based on three loci—the internal transcribed spacer region, the large subunit nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nrLSU), and the small subunit mitochondrial rRNA gene (mtSSU—revealed that the studied material represents a new lineage within the genus Clavulina , closely related to C. cirrhata and C. livida . In addition to a detailed description, illustrations, and a phylogeny reconstruction showing the placement of the new species, a key to Clavulina species reported from China is provided.

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