Phellinopsis lonicericola and P-tibetica spp. nov (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota), from Tibet, with a key to worldwide species

Phellinopsis (Hymenochaetaceae) was recently segregated from Phellinus. Phellinopsis differs from other genera segregated from Phellinus in a combination of hymenial setae, if present, mostly originating from tramal hyphae and hyaline basidiospores becoming pale yellowish with age. In this study, two new species of Phellinopsis, P. lonicericola and P. tibetica, from Tibet in southwestern China were described and illustrated. Morphological data and sequences of the nuc rDNA ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region (internal transcribed spacer [ITS] barcode) support the recognition of these taxa as distinct. They are morphologically compared with other species of Phellinopsis. Notably, P. lonicericola was often found on Lonicera together with Sanghuangporus alpinus, which was originally described from the same locality. In addition, Phellinopsis helwingiae, known from a single collection from Sichuan Province in midwestern China, is reported from Tibet. Eight accepted species of Phellinopsis worldwide, each forming a terminal lineage, grouped together as a strongly supported clade distinct from the clade representing Phellinus. A key to the eight species of Phellinopsis is provided.