Multi-locus phylogeny and morphology reveal five new species of Fomitiporia (Hymenochaetaceae) from China

Five newly identified species of Fomitiporia (F. alpina, F. gaoligongensis, F. hainaniana, F. subrobusta and F. subtropica) and their morphological and molecular characterisation are described in this paper. Fomitiporia alpina sp. nov. is distinguished by its pileate basidiomata, parallel tramal hyphae and large basidiospores (6.5-8 x 6-8 mu m), and by its gymnosperm wood-living habitat. Fomitiporia gaoligongensis sp. nov. is distinct from other species due to its semicircular pileus and subglobose to globose basidiospores (6.5-7.6 x 6-7.4 mu m). Fomitiporia hainaniana sp. nov. is marked by its resupinate basidiomata, the presence of setae and small globose basidiospores (4-5 x 3.8-4.4 mu m). Fomitiporia subrobusta sp. nov. is characterised by its triquetrous basidiomata, small pores (6-9 per mm) with entire and thick dissepiments, and subglobose to obovoid basidiospores (6.2-6.8 x 5.2-6 mu m). Fomitiporia subtropica sp. nov. can be differentiated by its resupinate basidiomata, smaller pores (6-10 per mm) and smaller basidiospores (5.2-6 x 4.4-5 mu m). Phylogenetic analysis, based on multi-gene comparison of the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS), nuclear large subunit ribosomal RNA gene regions (nLSU), the translation elongation factor 1-alpha gene (tef1 alpha) and the second subunit of RNA polymerase II (rpb2), confirmed affinity with the Fomitiporia species and showed association with similar fungi in the genus.