Phylogeny of the genus <i>Fuscoporia</i> and taxonomic assessment of the <i>F. contigua</i> group

Abstract

The genus <i>Fuscoporia</i> of the Hymenochaetaceae is characterized by resupinate to pileate basidiocarps, a dimitic hyphal system with fine crystal aggregates and encrusted generative hyphae in dissepiment edge and tube trama, the presence of hymenial setae, and hyaline, thin-walled, smooth basidiospores. Members of the <i>F. contigua</i> group are easy to distinguish from other species of <i>Fuscoporia</i> because of the moderately large pores, presence of mycelial setae, and large hymenial setae. Here, we explore phylogenetic relationships among 20 species of <i>Fuscoporia</i> based on examination of some 90 collections sampled worldwide. Seven new species are recognized in the <i>F. contigua</i> group-<i>F. americana, F. centroamericana, F. costaricana, F. latispora, F. monticola, F. septiseta</i>, and <i>F. sinica</i>-described from China, Costa Rica, Mexico, and the United States. Phylogenetic analyses inferred from DNA sequences of the nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 = ITS), D1-D2 domains of nuc 28S rDNA (28S), and translation elongation factor EF-1 alpha (<i>tef1</i>) support the <i>F. contigua</i> group as one of two major clades within <i>Fuscoporia</i> comprising nine species worldwide.