Morphology and phylogeny reveal a new ramarioid species of Phaeoclavulina (Gomphaceae, Basidiomycota) from Yunnan Province, China

During a survey of coral mushrooms in Yunnan Province, China, yellow, cylindrical, and coral-shaped basidiomata were collected and preliminarily identified as a Phaeoclavulina species. Phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS1– 5.8S –ITS2 and LSU sequences support our collections positioning within Phaeoclavulina sister lineage to P. carovinacea strains with 58% BS and 0.95 PP statistical support. Our Phaeoclavulina collection is characterized by verrucose, truncate (volcanic) spines in spores, and clamp connections that differ from closely related species.

Phylogenetic analysis results and morphological comparisons support our collection as a distinct new species of Phaeoclavulina (P. yunnanensis). The new species is described and illustrated, and the results of the phylogenetic analysis are provided.