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Research Article
Multiple evidence reveals two new species and new distributions of Calocybe species (Lyophyllaceae) from northeastern China
expand article infoAo Ma‡, Jia-Jun Hu§|, Yue-Qu Chen, Xin Wang§, Yong-Lan Tuo§, Lei Yue§, Xue-Fei Li§, Dan Dai#, Yun-Hui Wei#, Bo Zhang§, Yu Li§
‡ Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
§ Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China
¶ Forestry Resources Protection Institute, Jilin Provincial Academy of Forestry Sciences, Changchun, China
# Institute of Agricultural Applied Microbiology, Jiangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanchang, China

Corresponding author: Bo Zhang ( zhangbufungi@126.com )

Corresponding author: Yu Li ( fungi966@126.com )

Academic editor: Zai-Wei Ge
© 2024 Ao Ma, Jia-Jun Hu, Yue-Qu Chen, Xin Wang, Yong-Lan Tuo, Lei Yue, Xue-Fei Li, Dan Dai, Yun-Hui Wei, Bo Zhang, Yu Li.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation: Ma A, Hu J-J, Chen Y-Q, Wang X, Tuo Y-L, Yue L, Li X-F, Dai D, Wei Y-H, Zhang B, Li Y (2024) Multiple evidence reveals two new species and new distributions of Calocybe species (Lyophyllaceae) from northeastern China. MycoKeys 103: 37-55. https://doi.org/10.3897/mycokeys.103.116605
Open Access

Abstract

The Calocybe species possess notable economic and medicinal value, demonstrating substantial potential for resource utilization. The taxonomic studies of Calocybe are lacking in quality and depth. Based on the specimens collected from northeast China, this study provides a detailed description of two newly discovered species, namely Calocybe betulicola and Calocybe cystidiosa, as well as two commonly found species, Calocybe decolorata and Calocybe ionides. Additionally, a previously unrecorded species, C. decolorata, has recently been discovered in Jilin Province, China. The two newly discovered species can be accurately distinguished from other species within the genus Calocybe based on their distinct morphological characteristics. The primary distinguishing features of C. betulicola include its grayish-purple pileus, grayish-brown to dark purple stipe, smaller basidiomata, absence of cellular pileipellis, and its habitat on leaf litter within birch forests. Calocybe cystidiosa is distinguished by its growth on the leaf litter of coniferous forests, a flesh-pink pileus, a fibrous stipe with a white tomentose covering at the base, non-cellular pileipellis, larger basidiospores, and the presence of cheilocystidia. The reconstruction of phylogenetic trees using combined ITS, nLSU, and tef1-α sequences, employing maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses, showed that C. betulicola formed a cluster with C. decurrens, while C. cystidiosa clustered with C. vinacea. However, these two clusters formed separate branches themselves, which also supported the results obtained from our morphological studies. A key to the Calocybe species reported from northeast China is provided to facilitate future studies of the genus.

Key words

Colorful basidiomata, economic values, habitat, new taxa

Introduction

The genus Calocybe Kühner ex Donk is widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere and has significant economic value. It belongs to the family Lyophyllaceae. However, the genus Calocybe is always neglected by researchers. The genus Calocybe was officially published in 1962 and is typified by Calocybe gambosa (Fr.) Donk (Donk 1962). At first, it was treated as a section of Lyophyllum P. Karst. (Kühner and Romagnesi 1953). Then, Singer (1962) elevated it to genus rank based on the obvious colorful pileus, separated it from Lyophyllum, and belongs to the family Lyophyllaceae. Moreover, Singer divided Calocybe into five sections, namely Sect. Calocybe Singer, Sect. Echinosporae Singer, Sect.Heterosporae Singer, Sect. Pseudoflammulae Singer, and Sect. Carneoviolaceae Sing, by the combination of three characterizes, viz. the color of pileus, spores, and types of pileipellis (Singer 1962). Later, Singer (1986) assigned Sect. Heterosporae to the genus Lyophyllum, and, thus, the genus Calocybe was divided into four sections (Singer 1986).

By applying molecular methods to research Calocybe, it was reconfirmed that Calocybe is separate from the genus Lyophyllum and belongs to the Lyophyllaceae family (Hofstetter et al. 2002; Moncalvo et al. 2002; Matheny et al. 2006; Garnica et al. 2007). However, the taxonomic systems of Calocybe were full of arguments. Hofstetter et al. (2002) and Matheny et al. (2006) revealed that Calocybe formed a monophyletic group when the combined ITS, nLSU, or mitSSU fragments were used in phylogenetic analysis. Nevertheless, Bellanger concluded from a multi-gene phylogenetic analysis that Calocybe forms a monophyletic clade with Rugosomyces Raithelh (Bellanger et al. 2015). Vizzini et al. (2015), Li et al. (2017), and Xu et al. (2021a) also conducted a familiar conclusion with Bellanger. Recent research suggests that the genus Calocybe could be divided into five main clades. Based on continuous studies, 62 species of Calocybe are listed in the Index Fungorum (www.indexfungorum.org, accessed 20 March 2023).

There have been few studies focusing on the taxonomic and molecular studies of the genus Calocybe in China until now. Tai (1979) first reported Calocybe species from China, however, under the name Lyophyllum leucophaeatum (P. Karst.) P. Karst., later, confirmed to be Calocybe gangraenosa (Fr.) V. Hofst., Moncalvo, Redhead & Vilgalys. Seven species were recorded from China (Mao 2000; Bau et al. 2003; Fan and Bau 2006). Furthermore, a preliminary taxonomic study on Calocybe was performed in recent years (Zhou 2022). And recently, more than ten new species have been described in northeast China (Li et al. 2017; Xu et al. 2021a, 2021b; Qi et al. 2022; Mu and Bau 2023), and proposed their perspective on the taxonomic systematic on Calocybe. As a result, a total of 19 species of Calocybe have been reported, including Calocybe aurantiaca X.D. Yu & Jia J. Li, Calocybe badiofloccosa J.Z. Xu & Yu Li, and Calocybe carnea (Bull.) Donk, etc.

This study aims to describe and illustrate two new species, one new record from Jilin Province, and one common species based on both morphological and molecular data. Additionally, a key to the reported Calocybe species from northeast China is provided.

Materials and methods

Sampling and morphological studies

The studied specimens were photographed in situ. The size of the basidiomata was measured when fresh. After examination and description of the fresh macroscopic characters, the specimens were dried in an electric drier at 40–45 °C (Hu et al. 2022a, 2022b).

Descriptions of the macroscopic characteristics were based on field notes and photographs, with the colors corresponding to the Flora of British fungi: colour identification chart (Royal Botanic Garden 1969). The dried specimens were rehydrated in 94% ethanol for microscopic examination, and then mounted in 3% potassium hydroxide (KOH), 1% Congo red (0.1 g Congo red dissolved in 10 mL distilled water), and Melzer’s reagent (1.5 g potassium iodide, 0.5 g crystalline iodine, and 22 g chloral hydrate dissolved in 20 mL distilled water) (César et al. 2018); they were then examined with a Zeiss Axio lab. A1 microscope at magnifications up to 1000 ×. All measurements were taken from the sections mounted in the 1% Congo red. For each specimen, a minimum of 40 basidiospores, 20 basidia, 20 cheilocystidia, and 20 widths of pileipellis were measured from two different basidiomata. When reporting the variation in the size of the basidiospores, basidia, cheilocystidia, and width of the pileipellis, 5% of the measurements were excluded from each end of the range, and are given in parentheses. The basidiospores measurements are given as length × width (L × W). Q denotes the variation in the ratio of L to W among the studied specimens, Qm denotes the average Q value of all the basidiospores ± standard deviation. The specimens examined have been deposited in the Herbarium of Mycology of Jilin Agricultural University (HMJAU).

DNA extraction, PCR amplification and sequencing

The total DNA was extracted from dried specimens using the NuClean Plant Genomic DNA Kit (Kangwei Century Biotechnology Company Limited, Beijing, China), according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), nuclear large ribosomal subunits (nLSU), and translation elongation factor (tef-1α) were used for phylogenetic analysis. The ITS sequence was amplified using the primer pair ITS4 and ITS5 (Gardes and Burns 1993), and the nLSU sequence was amplified using the primer pair LROR and LR5 (Vilgalys and Hester 1990; Cubeta et al. 1991), and tef1-α regions were using tef1-F and tef1-R (Rehner and Samuels 1994). PCR reactions (25 μL) contained dd H2O 9.5 μL, 2 × Taq PCR MasterMix 12.5 μL, upstream primer 0.5 μL, downstream primer 0.5 μL, DNA sample 2 μL. Cycle parameters were as follows 2 min at 94 °C; 35 s at 95 °C, 35 s at 48 °C, 1 min at 72 °C for 30 cycles; 10 min at 72 °C; storage at 4 °C (Xu et al. 2021a, 2021b). The PCR products were visualized via UV light after electrophoresis on 1.2% agarose gels stained with ethidium bromide and purified using the Genview High-Efficiency Agarose Gels DNA Purification Kit (Gen-View Scientific Inc., Galveston, TX, USA). The purified PCR products were then sent to Sangon Biotech Limited Company (Shanghai, China) for sequencing using the Sanger method. The new sequences were deposited in GenBank (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genbank; Table 1).

Table 1.
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Voucher/specimen numbers, country, and GenBank accession numbers of the specimens included in this study. Sequences produced in this study are in bold.

Taxa Gen Bank accession numbers Voucher/specimen number Country References
ITS nLSU tef1-α
Calocybe aurantiaca KU528828 KU528833 SYAU-FUNGI-005 China Li et al. 2017
Calocybe badiofloccosa NR_173865 MN172334 HMJU:00098 China Xu et al. 2021a
Calocybe buxea KP885633 KP885625 EB 20140228 Italy Xu et al. 2021b
Calocybe betulicola OR771918 OR771923 OR757443 HMJAU48265 China This study
Calocybe betulicola OR771919 OR771924 OR757444 HMJAU48266 China This study
Calocybe betulicola OR771920 OR771925 OR757445 HMJAU48267 China This study
Calocybe carnea AF357028 AF223178 DQ367425 CBS552.50 Unknown Xu et al. 2021a
Calocybe carnea OM905971 OM906008 CC01 Netherlands Van et al. 2022
Calocybe carnea OQ321901 MQ22-KEG090-HRL3511 Canada Unpublished
Calocybe carnea MZ159709 K(M):250529 United Kingdom Unpublished
Calocybe chrysenteron KP885640 KP885629 L05-87 Germany Xu et al. 2021b
Calocybe coacta OK649907 OL687156 HMJU269 China Xu et al. 2021a
Calocybe convexa NR_156303 NG_058936 SYAU-FUNGI-008 China Li et al. 2017
Calocybe cyanella MF686498 HMA16 USA Unpublished
Calocybe cyanea OM905975 K(M):56506 Puerto Rico Unpublished
Calocybe cystidiosa OR771915 OR757440 HMJAU48268 China This study
Calocybe cystidiosa OR771916 OR757441 HMJAU48269(1) China This study
Calocybe cystidiosa OR771917 OR757442 HMJAU48269(2) China This study
Calocybe decolorata NR_156302 NG_058938 SYAU-FUNGI-004 China Li et al. 2017
Calocybe decolorata OR771922 OR771927 HMJAU48262 China This study
Calocybe decurrens MT080028 MW444857 HMJU00382 China Xu et al. 2021a
Calocybe erminea NR_173864 NG_153875 HMJU00100 China Xu et al. 2019
Calocybe favrei AF357034 AF223183 HAe234.97 Unknown Xu et al. 2021b
Calocybe fulvipes OK649910 OK649880 HMJU03027 China Xu et al. 2021b
Calocybe gambosa AF357027 AF223177 HC78/64 Unknown Xu et al. 2019
Calocybe gangraenosa AF357032 AF223202 DQ367427 Hae251.97 Unknown Xu et al. 2021a
Calocybe graveolens KP192590 FR2014044 France Unpublished
Calocybe hebelomoides MW672342 HUP-10254 Unknown Li et al. 2017
Calocybe indica OQ326668 OQ326667 APK2 Unknown Xu et al. 2021a
Calocybe ionides AF357029 AF223179 EF421057 HC77/133 Unknown Xu et al. 2021a
Calocybe ionides OR771926 OR757446 HMJAU48264 China This study
Calocybe lilacea OM203538 OM341407 SYAU-FUNGI-066 China Qi et al. 2022
Calocybe longisterigma OM203543 OM341406 SYAU-FUNGI-069 China Qi et al. 2022
Calocybe naucoria KP192543 FR2013213 France Xu et al. 2019
Calocybe naucoria KP885642 KP885630 AMB17094 Italy Xu et al. 2019
Calocybe obscurissima KP192650 BBF-GC01100203 France Xu et al. 2021a
Calocybe obscurissima KP192652 BBF-GC97111127 France Bellanger et al. 2015
Calocybe obscurissima MW862295 HBAU15474 China Unpublished
Calocybe obscurissima OQ133619 HFRG-LG211104-1 United Kingdom Unpublished
Calocybe obscurissima AF357031 AF223181 EF421058 HC79/181 Unknown Xu et al. 2021b
Calocybe ochracea AF357033 AF223185 BSI94.cp1 Unknown Bellanger et al. 2015
Calocybe onychina KP192651 FR2014102 France Bellanger et al. 2015
Calocybe onychina KP192622 FR2014064 France Bellanger et al. 2015
Calocybe onychina MW084664 MW084704 CAON-RH19-563 USA Xu et al. 2021b
Calocybe persicolor AF357026 AF223176 EF421059 HC80/99 Unknown Xu et al. 2019
Calocybe pilosella KJ883237 TR gmb 00697 Italy Floriani and Vizzini 2016
Calocybe pseudoflammula MW862362 HBAU15678 Unknown Unpublished
Calocybe pseudoflammula KP192649 FR2014100 France Bellanger et al. 2015
Calocybe vinacea OK649908 OK649876 HMJU5135 China Xu et al. 2021b
Lyophyllum atratum KJ461896 KJ461895 PDD87010 New Zealand Xu et al. 2021a
Lyophyllum caerulescens AF357052 AF223209 HC80.140 Unknown Xu et al. 2019
Lyophyllum decastes AF357059 AF042583 JM87/16(T1) Unknown Xu et al. 2021b
Lyophyllum deliberatum MK278318 G0631 Austria Xu et al. 2019
Lyophyllum oldea OM905959 OM906001 OM974134 BR5020029402116 Unknown Unpublished
Lyophyllum semitale AF357049 AF042581 HC85/13 Unknown Xu et al. 2021b
Asterophora lycoperdoides OM905969 OM906006 AL01 Netherlands Unpublished
Asterophora mirabilis NR_173484 MEL228691 Unknown Unpublished
Asterophora parasitica OM905970 OM906007 AP01 Netherlands Unpublished
Hypsizygus tessulatus KP192623 FR2014065 France Bellanger et al. 2015
Hypsizygus ulmarius EF421105 AF042584 DUKE-JM/HW Unknown Unpublished
Tricholomella constricta DQ825429 AF223188 HC84/75 Unknown Xu et al. 2021a
Tricholomella constricta JN790692 EC8205 Italy Unpublished
Tephrocybe ambusta AF357058 AF223214 CBS450.87 Unknown Unpublished
Tephrocybe rancida OM905966 OM906004 CORT012400 Unknown Unpublished
Tephrocybe rancida OM905965 OM906003 OM974135 CORT012399 Unknown Unpublished
Tephrocybe rancida OM905967 OM906005 OM974137 TR2017 Unknown Unpublished
Tricholoma terreum JN389319 JN389374 F130649 Sweden Unpublished

Data analysis

Based on the results of BLAST and morphological similarities, the sequences obtained and related to these samples were collected and are listed in Table 1. The dataset of ITS, nLSU, and tef1-α resign comprised sequences from this study, with 67 representative sequences showing the highest similarity to Calocybe spp. This dataset included all Calocybe species with sequences deposited in GenBank to further explore the relationships of the newly sequenced Chinese specimens within the genus. Moreover, representative species within family Lyophyllaceae were also included to explore the relations within it. The sequences of Tricholoma terreum (Schaeff.) P. Kumm. were selected as the outgroup taxon.

Of the dataset, each gene region was aligned using Clustal X (Thonpson et al. 1997), MACSE 2.03 (Ranwez et al. 2018), or MAFFT 7.490 (Katoh and Standley 2013), and then manually adjusted in BioEdit 7.0.5.3 (Hall 1999). The datasets first were aligned, and then the ITS, nLSU, and tef1-α sequences were combined with Phylosuite 1.2.2 (Zhang et al. 2020). The best-fit evolutionary model was estimated using Modelfinder (Kalyaanamoorthy et al. 2017). Following the models, Bayesian inference (BI) algorithms were used to perform the phylogenetic analysis. Specifically, BI was calculated with MrBayes 3.2.6 with a general time-reversible DNA substitution model and a gamma distribution for rate variation across the sites (Ronquist and Huelsenbeck 2003). Four Markov chains were run for two runs from random starting trees for two million generations until the split deviation frequency value was < 0.01; the trees were sampled every 100 generations. The first 25% of the sampled trees were discarded as burn-in, while all the remaining trees were used to construct a 50% majority consensus tree and for calculating the Bayesian posterior probabilities (BPPS). RaxmlGUI 2.0.6 (Edler et al. 2021) was used for maximum likelihood (ML) analysis along with 1,000 bootstraps (BS) replicates using the GTRGAMMA algorithm to perform a tree inference and search for the optimal topology. Then the FigTree 1.3.1 was used to visualize the resulting trees.

Results

Phylogenetic analysis

The concatenated matrix contained 106 sequences (40 for nLSU, 58 for ITS, and eight for tef1-α) representing 61 samples were used to build a phylogenetic analysis (the concatenated matrix was deposited at treebase under the acc. no. S31166). Modelfinder selected the best-fit model for the combined dataset, and the best fit model for BI is GTR+F+I+G4. The results of the Bayesian analysis (Fig. 1) and the maximum likelihood analysis (Fig. 2) are generally in agreement.

Figure 1. 

Bayesian analysis phylogenetic tree generated from the ITS, nLSU and tef1-α dataset. Bayesian posterior probabilities ≥ 0.95 from BI analysis are shown on the branches. Newly sequenced collections are indicated in bold, and the type specimens are denoted by (T).

Figure 2. 

Maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree generated from the ITS, nLSU and tef1-α dataset. Bootstrap values ≥ 75% from ML analysis are shown on the branches. Newly sequenced collections are indicated in bold, and the type specimens are denoted by (T).

After trimming, the combined ITS, nLSU, and tef1-α dataset represented 46 taxa and 3120 characters. The Bayesian analysis was run for two million generations and resulted in an average standard deviation of split frequencies of 0.009440. The same dataset and alignment were analyzed using the ML method. Six clades were revealed within Lyophyllaceae, representing Calocybe, Tricholomella Zerova ex Kalamees, Tephrocybe Donk, Asterophora Ditmar, Lyophyllum, and Hypsizygus Singer (Figs 1 and 2). Moreover, from our results, the genus Calocybe was split into six independent clades, representing five sections and one newly recognized clade. Five sampled specimens formed two independent clades, representing two new species, C. betulicola and C. cystidiosa.

Taxonomy

Calocybe betulicola J.J. Hu, A. Ma, B. Zhang & Y. Li

Fungal Names: FN 571739
Figs 3, 4D

Etymology

“betulicola” refers to this species that grows on the leaf litter of Betula forests.

Figure 3. 

Microcharacteristics of Calocybe betulicola A basidiospores B basidia C pileipellis. Scale bars: (A) 5 μm; (B, C) 10 μm.

Diagnosis

This species differs from other species by its grayish-purple pileus, grayish-brown to dark purple stipe, non-cellular pileipellis, and grows on the leaves’ litter of Betula forest.

Figure 4. 

Habitat of Calocybe species in this study A Calocybe ionides B Calocybe decolorata C Calocybe cystidiosa D Calocybe betulicola. Scale bars: 1 cm (A–E).

Type

China. Jilin Province, Changchun City, Jilin Agricultural University, 20 September 2021, Jia-Jun Hu and Gui-Ping Zhao, HMJAU48265 (Collection No.: Hu J.J. 1089).

Description

Basidiomata gregarious, small. Pileus convex with an umbo, 2.0–3.5 cm diameter, smooth, violet (18F6) entirely; margin entire, wavy, involute, or reflex occasionally. Lamellae subdecurrent, beige (4B5) to light yellow (30A4), entire, crowded, with 1–3 lamellulae. Stipe cylindrical or tapering downwards, 1.5–3.0 cm long and 0.5–0.8 cm wide, central, with longitudinal stripe, solid, smooth, grayish-brown (18F6) to dark purple (20F7). Context thin, concolor or paler with pileus, odorless.

Basidiospores (2.0)3.0–6.0 × (2.0)3.0–4.0 μm, Q = (1.25)1.33–2.35(2.50), Qm = 1.90, hyaline, oval, smooth, inamyloid, thin-walled. Basidia 10.0–19.0 × 4.0–6.0 μm, clavate, 2- or 4-spored, hyaline, thin-walled. Hymenophoral trama regular and hyphae arranged parallel, not pigmented, hyaline, thin-walled. Pileipellis hyphae 4.0–7.5 μm wide, smooth, hyaline, thin-walled. Stipitipellis hyphae 3.8–9.0 μm wide, hyaline, thin-walled, not pigmented. Clamp connections present.

Habitat

Growing on the leaf litters in birch forests.

Additional specimens examined

China. Jilin Province, Changchun City, Jilin Agricultural University, 18 September 2022, Jia-Jun Hu and Lei Yue, HMJAU48266; Jilin Province, Changchun City, Jilin Agricultural University, 27 September 2023, Lei Yue, HMJAU48267.

Comments

Calocybe betulicola is characterized by its grayish-purple pileus, grayish-brown to dark purple stipe, smaller basidiomata, non-cellular pileipellis, and its growth on the leaf litter in birch forests. According to these characteristics, C. betulicola is a member of Sect. Carneoviolaceae. Sect. Carneoviolaceae mainly includes four other species, viz. Calocybe decurrens J.Z. Xu & Yu Li, Calocybe fulvipes J.Z. Xu & Yu Li, Calocybe ionides (Bull.) Donk, and Calocybe coacta J.Z. Xu & Yu Li.

This species is macroscopically similar to C. ionides due to the purple basidiomata. However, C. betulicola differs from C. ionides in terms of its unique habitat, subdecurrent lamellae, and wider basidiospores. Calocybe decurrens has an intimate affinity in phylogenetic analysis. However, it differed from C. betulicola by the gradual fading from pinkish purple to brownish red to grayish brown stipe, carneous pileus, and larger basidiospores ((5.8) 6.0–8.5 (9.3) × (2.1) 2.7–3.8 (4.3) μm) (Xu et al. 2021b). Calocybe fulvipes differs by its tone brown to dark violet stipe, and the changes it undergoes when injured, bigger Qm, and slightly longer sterigmata (Xu et al. 2021a). Calocybe coacta can be distinguished from C. betulicola by its cream-gray pileus, the presence of hymenial cystidia, and larger basidiospores (Xu et al. 2021a).

Calocybe cystidiosa A. Ma, J.J. Hu, B. Zhang & Y. Li

Fungal Names: FN 571740
Figs 4C, 5

Etymology

“cystidiosa” refers to the presence of cheilocystidia.

Diagnosis

This species is differentiated from other species by its fresh-pink basidiomata, uncurved margin of the pileus, whitish pink stipe covered with tomentose at the base, lager basidiospores, and the presence of cheilocystidia.

Figure 5. 

Microcharacteristics of Calocybe cystidiosa A cheiocystidia B basidiospores C basidia D pileipellis. Scale bars: 5 μm (A, B); 10 μm (C, D).

Type

China. Liaoning Province, Fushun City, Xinbin Manchu Autonomous County, Gangshan Provincial Forest Park, Fushun City, August 28, 2018, Ao Ma, HMJAU48268.

Description

Basidiomata solitary to gregarious, small to medium. Pileus 1.8–3.7 cm diameter, convex when young, plane and umbonatus when mature, smooth, dull, flesh-pink (7B4), entire; margin entire, inrolled to incurved. Lamellae white (7A1) to cream (30A2), subdecurrent, adnate, crowded, with a serious lamellulae. Stipe 2.8–4.5 cm long and 0.3–0.6 cm wide, central, paler pink (7B3) to pink (7B44), white (7A1) at apex, solid when younger, then becoming hollow, cylindrical, smooth, fibrous, slightly enlarged towards the base, with white tomentose at base. Context white (7A1), thin, odorless, tastes mild and not distinctive.

Basidiospores (4.0)5.0–6.5(6.9) × (2.0)2.1–2.5 μm, Q = (2.00)2.27–3.00(3.10), Qm = 2.58, hyaline, oval, smooth, inamyloid, thin-walled. Basidia 22.0–28.0 × 5.0–7.0 μm, clavate to cylindrical, 2- or 4-spored, hyaline, thin-walled. Hymenophoral trama regular and hyphae arranged parallel, not pigmented. Cheilocystidia 13.0–20.0 × 3.0–6.0 μm, clavate with an umbo occasionally, or bifurcated, hyaline, thin-walled. Pileipellis hyphae wide 5.0–12.0 μm diameter, smooth, hyaline, thin-walled. Stipitipellis hyphae 3.8–9.0 μm diameter, hyaline, thin-walled. Clamp connections present.

Additional specimens examined

China. Liaoning Province, Fushun City, Xinbin Manchu Autonomous County, Gangshan Provincial Forest Park, Fushun City, 23 June 2018, Ao Ma, HMJAU48269.

Habitat

Grows on the leaf litter in coniferous forests.

Comments

This species is characterized by its growth on the leaf litter in coniferous forests, flesh-pink pileus, fibrous stipe covered with white tomentose at the base, non-cellular pileipellis, larger basidiospores, and the presence of cheilocystidia. These characteristics suggest that C. cystidiosa belongs to Sect. Carneoviolaceae according to Singer’s opinion (Singer 1986).

This species is closely related to C. carnea due to its pinkish pileus. However, this species can be distinguished from C. carnea by its unique habitat, deep color of basidiomata, light yellow lamellae, and larger basidiospores. In the Sect. Carneoviolaceae, C. vinacea J.Z. Xu & Yu Li is another species recorded from China with pinkish basidiomata. However, C. vinacea differs from this species by the curved margin of pileus, white stipe, smaller basidiospores, and the absence of cystidia (Xu et al. 2021b).

Calocybe decolorata X.D. Yu & Jia J. Li

Figs 4B, 6

Description

Basidiomata scattered or gregarious, small to medium. Pileus 1.3–5.0 cm diameter, convex to applanate, involute then becoming reflex, orange-brown (7C8) at center, paler outwards, smooth, hygrophanous; margin petaloid, wavy, orange (6B8). Lamellae subdecurrent, close, white (6A1) at first, black (6E2) at the base to the three-quarter towards the margin when mature, with 1–5 lamellulae, edge denticulate. Stipe 2.3–4.2 cm long and 0.3–0.9 cm wide, central, cylindrical, or enlarged at apex, light orange-brown (6A6), with green tone at center, covered with white tomentose at base, hollow when mature. Context fleshy, thin, odorless.

Figure 6. 

Microcharacteristics of Calocybe decolorata A basidiospores B basidia C pileipellis. Scale bars: 5 μm (A); 10 μm (B, C).

Basidiospores (2.0)2.9–5.0 × (1.5)2.0–3.2 μm, Q = (1.15)1.17–1.50(1.60), Qm = 1.34, subglobose, hyaline, inamyloid, smooth, thin-walled. Basidia 11.1–21.5 × 3.7–6.0 μm, clavate, 2-spored, occasionally 4-spored, hyaline, thin-walled. Hymenophoral trama regular and hyphae arranged parallel, not pigmented, 2–3 μm wide. Pileipellis an epicutis composed of dense, radially parallel, hyphae 2.5–11.3 μm in width, smooth, hyaline, terminal cells a bulbous shape. Stipitipellis hyphae smooth, pigmented, 2.5–8.8 μm diameter.

Specimen examined

China. Jilin Province, Changchun City, Jilin Agricultural University, 21 Aug 2019, Jia-Jun Hu and Gui-Ping Zhao, HMJAU48262 (Collection no.: Hu J.J. 591).

Habitat

Grows on the leaves’ litter in broad-leaved forests.

Comments

This species was originally described from Liaoning Province, China by Li et al. (2017) and is mainly characterized by a brighter orange or yellow color pileus, light orange-brown stipe, and smaller basidiospores. The species was classified as a species of Sect. Carneoviolaceae based on its main morphological characteristics.

However, there are some differences between our specimen and the type specimen. The specimens observed in this study have bulbous-like terminal hyphae in the pileipellis, which were not described in the type species.

Calocybe ionides (Bull.) Donk

Figs 4A, 7

Description

Basidiomata gregarious, small. Pileus 1.3–2.8 cm diameter, convex to oblate semispherical, with an umbo at center, hygrophanous, smooth, entire, involute, violet (16E8) to purple-black (17E8), occasionally deeper at center. Lamellae white (16A1), crowded, adnate, with 1–3 lamellulae. Stipe 1.5–3.0 cm long and 0.1–1.2 cm wide, center, paler violet (16E8), cylindrical, hollow, smooth, fibrous, covered with white tomentose at base. Context thin, white, fleshy, odorless.

Figure 7. 

Microcharacteristics of Calocybe ionides A basidiospores B basidia C pileipellis D stipitipellis. Scale bars: 5 μm (A); 10 μm (B–D).

Basidiospores (3.0)4.0–6.0 × (2.0)2.2–3.0 μm, Q = (1.50)1.67–2.40(2.50), Qm = 2.11, oblong, smooth, hyaline, inamyloid. Basidia 12.0–19.0 × 3.0–6.0 μm, clavate, 2- or 4- spored, hyaline, thin-walled. Pileipellis hyphae 3.0–6.0 μm wide, smooth, hyaline. Stipitipellis hyphae smooth, 3.0–7.5 μm wide, annulated, with a litter thick-walled.

Specimen examined

China. Jilin Province, Changchun City, Jingyuetan National Forest Park, 27 Aug 2019, Jia-Jun Hu and Gui-Ping Zhao, HMJAU48264; Liaoning Province, Fushun City, Xinbin Manchu Autonomous County, Gangshan Provincial Forest Park, 13 September 2018, Ao Ma, HMJAU 49165; Heilongjiang Province, Da Hinggan Ling Prefecture, Shuanghe National Nature Reserve, 18 July 2019, Di-Zhe Guo, HMJAU 48270.

Habitat

Grows on the leaf litter in coniferous or broad-leaved forests.

Comments

The main characteristics of this species are small basidiomata, a purple-blue color of the pileus, white lamellae, and a stipe that is either of the same color or lighter than the pileus. According to its main morphological characteristics, this species can be assigned to Sect. Carneoviolaceae.

Key to the reported species of Calocybe from northeast China

1 Pileus with orange to gray-brown tones, usually grows on coniferous forest, or mix 3
– Pileus without orange-yellow to gray-brown tones, usually grows on broad-leaved forest 2
2 Pileus with pink to red tones 7
– Pileus without pink to red tones 11
3 Lamellae blue when bruised, cystidia present C. decolorata
– Lamellae color unchanged when bruised, cystidia usually absent 4
4 Lamellae yellow, covered with dense white fibrils at base C. aurantiaca
– Lamellae not yellow, not covered with dense white fibrils at base 5
5 Pileipellis cellular, basidiospores subglobose C. erminea
– Pileipellis noncellular, basidiospores not subglobose 6
6 Pileus felty, sterigmata shorter than 5 µm C. coacta
– Pileus not felty, sterigmata longer than 5 µm C. longisterigma
7 Pileus dull-red, color of stipe not similar with pileus C. vinacea
– Pileus not dull-red, color of stipe similar or paler than pileus 8
8 Habitat is white birch forest, basidiomata grows on leaf litter of Betula C. betulicola
– Habitat not white birch forest, basidiomata does not grow on leaf litter of Betula 9
9 Lamellae grayish-orange when bruised, stipe usually smooth C. fulvipes
– Lamellae unchanged, greyish-orange when bruised, stipe not smooth 10
10 Stipe turn purple when mature, cystidia not present C. decurrens
– Stipe does not turn purple when mature, cystidia present C. cystidiosa
11 Pileus with purple tones, pileipellis a trichoderm C. ionides
– Pileus without purple tones, pileipellis not trichoderm 12
12 Stipe with white pubescence at base, basidiospores biger than 5 µm C. badiofloccosa
– Stipe without white pubescence at base, basidiospores shorter than 5 µm C. convexa

Discussion

The genus Calocybe exhibits a wide distribution in China, but the full extent of its species diversity remains uncertain. This study provides a detailed description of two new species, namely C. betulicola and C. cystidiosa, as well as one previously unrecorded species, C. decolorata, found in Jilin Province. Additionally, a common species, C. ionides, was also identified in northeastern China. Moreover, the phylogenetic analysis confirmed all of the species that were previously reported.

The phylogenetic analysis, based on the combined ITS, nLSU, and tef1-α dataset, revealed that Lyophyllaceae forms a monophyletic clade. Moreover, the Lyophyllaceae clade was divided into six subclades, representing six independent genera, viz. Calocybe, Lyophyllum, and Tricholomella, etc. In addition, the genus Calocybe forms a monophyletic clade with “Rugosomyces”, consisting of Bellanger et al. (2015), Li et al. (2017), and Xu et al. (2021a). Thus, the demarcation between the genus Calocybe and other genera within the Lyophyllaceae family is more distinct.

However, our phylogenetic analysis reveals certain discrepancies when compared to the findings of Li et al. (2017) and Xu et al. (2021a). In the present study, we identified six distinct sectional clades within the genus Calocybe, supported by robust evidence. These clades have been designated as clade I to clade VI. Notably, a new sectional clade, referred to as clade VI, has been identified for the first time in this study. This clade (clade VI) is featured by the presence of a pinkish to reddish pileus and primarily consists of two newly discovered species, namely C. carnea, and C. persicolor, etc.

In addition, Clade I consists of Calocybe onychina (Fr.) Donk, Calocybe naucoria (Murrill) Singer, and Calocybe erminea J.Z. Xu & Yu Li, etc., distinguished by a pileus that ranges in color from white to yellow. The Clade II comprises primarily of Calocybe obscurissima (A. Pearson) M.M. Moser, Calocybe lilacea X.D. Yu, Ye Zhou & W.Q. Qin, Calocybe graveolens (Pers.) Singer, etc., characterized by pileus color ranging from white, yellow to violet shades. The Clade III consistent with Calocybe chrysenteron (Bull.) Singer, C. aurantiaca, and Calocybe pseudoflammula (J.E. Lange) M. Lange ex Singer, and is characterized by a yellow pileus. The main distinguishing characteristics of Clade IV, which includes C. gangraenosa and C. coacta, are the white-colored to grayish-yellow pileus. The Clade V is distinguished by the presence of a gilded pileus and includes two species, Calocybe ochracea (R. Haller Aar.) Bon and Calocybe favrei (R. Haller Aar. & R. Haller Suhr) Bon.

Based on the findings of the present study, we increased the species diversity of the genus Calocybe in China. The taxonomic system of this genus remains a subject of debate due to insufficient species sampling and the inadequate genetic variation in the DNA loci. Therefore, additional evidence is needed to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the genus. Furthermore, despite the recent identification of new species of Calocybe from northeast China, the true extent of its species diversity remains uncertain and calls for a comprehensive systematic analysis.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express our great appreciation to Mr. Di-Zhe Guo from Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology for his kind help in specimen collections.

Additional information

Conflict of interest

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Ethical statement

No ethical statement was reported.

Funding

This study is funded by the Research on the Creation of Excellent Edible Mushroom Resources and High Quality & Efficient Ecological Cultivation Technology in Jiangxi Province (20212BBF61002), the Diversity and conservation of characteristic macrofungi resources in different vegetation zones in Changbai Mountain of China (20230202119NC), Youth Doctoral Program of Zhejiang Normal University - Study on species diversity of macrofungi in Baishanzu National Park (2023QB043), Zhejiang Normal University Doctoral Initiation Fund (YS304024921), the Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 31970020), Investigation of macrofungal Resources in Tongjiang County, China, Investigation of macrofungal resources in Anhui Province, China (jwg202307), and Construction of edible mushroom resource bank and Fungal Resource Conservation System.

Author contributions

Conceptualization: BZ. Data curation: AM. Investigation: YHW, XFL, LY, AM, YQC, YLT, XW, JJH. Project administration: YL, BZ. Software: JJH, DD. Supervision: YL, BZ. Writing - review and editing: BZ.

Author ORCIDs

Ao Ma https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8635-9767

Jia-Jun Hu https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7562-7612

Yong-Lan Tuo https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6019-1038

Xue-Fei Li https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2556-6494

Dan Dai https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9642-2480

Bo Zhang https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9508-8188

Yu Li https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4719-7210

Data availability

All of the data that support the findings of this study are available in the main text.

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