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Issue: Vol. 765 No. 3: 2 Jul. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-07-02
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.765.3.6
Page range: 279-287
Abstract views: 0
PDF downloaded: 0

Lyoathelia tsugae sp. nov. (Agaricomycetes), a new corticioid wood-decaying fungus associated with Tsuga tchekiangensis in subtropical China

School of Ecology and Nature Conservation; Beijing Forestry University; Beijing 100083; China
School of Ecology and Nature Conservation; Beijing Forestry University; Beijing 100083; China
School of Ecology and Nature Conservation; Beijing Forestry University; Beijing 100083; China; Guangxi Forestry Science Research Institute; Nanning 530002; China
School of Ecology and Nature Conservation; Beijing Forestry University; Beijing 100083; China; Harbin Academy of Agricultural Sciences; Harbin 150029; Heilongjiang; China
School of Ecology and Nature Conservation; Beijing Forestry University; Beijing 100083; China
Fungi Agaricomycetes species diversity subtropical China wood-decaying fungi

Abstract

Tsuga tchekiangensis is a rare coniferous tree in southern China, with a limited distribution in very high mountains in subtropical China. Knowledge of wood-decaying fungi on T. tchekiangensis was limited previously, and two samples of a white corticioid fungus on rotten wood of T. tchekiangensis were collected during a field trip. After morphological examination and phylogenetic analysis, it turned out that these samples represented a new species, Lyoathelia, viz. L. tsugae. The new taxon is characterized by annual, resupinate basidomata with white rhizomorphs at the margin and inside substrate, a white and smooth monomitic hyphal system with clamp connections on generative hyphae, the presence of clavate cystidia, globose basidiospores measuring 5.5–6.3 × 5.3–6 µm, growing on rotten wood of Tsuga tchekiangensis. Lyoathelia laxa is phylogenetically and morphologically closely related to L. tsugae, but the former has bigger basidiospores (6–8 × 5.5–6.5 µm). A description, illustrations, and phylogenetic analysis results for the new species are provided, with comparisons to the closely related taxa.

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How to Cite

Li, M.-R., Zhao, Y.-L., Zeng, G.-Y., Zhaung, L. & Dai, Y.-C. (2026) Lyoathelia tsugae sp. nov. (Agaricomycetes), a new corticioid wood-decaying fungus associated with Tsuga tchekiangensis in subtropical China. Phytotaxa 765 (3): 279–287. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.765.3.6