In this contribution to the genus Craterellus in northern China, two new species are introduced: Craterellusconnatus and C.striatus. These species and C.atrobrunneolus, initially described in south-western China, are highly similar and closely related. The species delimitation is molecularly supported by multigene phylogenetic analysis of the nr LSU and tef-1α region. Craterellusconnatus is characterised by its medium-sized basidiomata, greyish-brown and smooth pileus with an off-white margin, the hymenophore with a strongly anastomosing vein, turning khaki upon drying, connate stipe, broad ellipsoid to ellipsoid basidiospores (6.1-7.8 × 4.8-5.9 μm), slender basidia with (2)4-6 sterigmata and the absence of clamp connection. Craterellusstriatus is characterised by its small-sized basidiomata, fibrillose, greyish-brown to yellowish-brown, fully perforated pileus with a brown fringe, the hymenophore with a forking vein, the stipe inflated at the base, broad ellipsoid to ellipsoid basidiospores (6.8-8.0 × 5.1-6.0 μm), 2-6 spored basidia, encrusted hyphae and the absence of clamp connection. Detailed macroscopic and microscopic descriptions, accompanied by illustrations and a taxonomic discussion, are presented. A key to the Chinese Craterellus species is also provided.
Keywords: Chinese species; molecular phylogeny; morphology.
Gui-Ping Zhao, Jia-Jun Hu, Yong-Lan Tuo, Yu Li, Bo Zhang.