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Published: 2026-04-01
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Morphology and phylogeny reveal a new species of Luteoporia (Meruliaceae) in East Asia

School of Biological Sciences and Institute of Biodiversity, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; Department of Microbiology, Parasitology and Biotechnology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3019, Morogoro 67125, Tanzania
School of Biological Sciences and Institute of Biodiversity, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
School of Biological Sciences and Institute of Biodiversity, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
School of Biological Sciences and Institute of Biodiversity, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
Meruliaceae molecular phylogeny odontioid hymenophore wood-inhabiting Fungi

Abstract

The genus Luteoporia (Meruliaceae) comprises a distinctive group of resupinate fungi characterized by their bright yellow odontioid to poroid hymenophore, a monomitic hyphal system with clamp connections, and crystal-encrusted generative hyphae. So far, seven species have been described, occurring predominantly in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia. During recent surveys of wood-inhabiting fungi in South Korea, a distinctive Luteoporia yeosusiensis sp. nov. was discovered and is described here as new to science. Phylogenetic analyses based on the combined ITS and nLSU datasets confirmed the placement of the new species in the odontioid hymenophore lineage, closely related to L. lutea. It is distinguished by its bright lemon to sulphur-yellow hymenophore, tissues turning reddish-purple in KOH, and slightly longer ellipsoid basidiospores (4.0–4.8 × 2.2–3.0 μm). A complete account of the new species is given, including descriptive morphology, illustrations, phylogenetic relationships, and comparisons with morphologically or phylogenetically similar or related species. Additionally, L. straminea is reported as a new record for South Korea. This study expands the known diversity and geographic distribution of Luteoporia in East Asia and documents its first occurrence in the Korean Peninsula.

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How to Cite

Lupala, A.S., Choi, J., Suh, H. & Lim, Y.W. (2026) Morphology and phylogeny reveal a new species of Luteoporia (Meruliaceae) in East Asia. Phytotaxa 750 (2): 86–98. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.750.2.2