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Research Article
The Northeast Chinese species of Psathyrella (Agaricales, Psathyrellaceae)
expand article infoJun-Qing Yan, Tolgor Bau
‡ Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
Open Access

Abstract

Twenty seven species of Psathyrella have been found in Northeast China. Amongst them, P. conica, P. jilinensis, P. mycenoides and P. subsingeri are described as new species, based on studying morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses. Detailed morphological descriptions, line drawings and photographs of the new species are presented. Phylogenetic analysis of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and an identification key to the 27 Psathyrella species occuring in Northeast China are provided.

Keywords

Basidiomycete, new taxon, phylogenetic analysis, taxonomy

Introduction

Psathyrella (Fr.) Quél. is one of the large genera of Agaricales Underw. which consists of 1,030 records in Index Fungorum (http://www.indexfungorum.org), comprising approximately 500 species (Smith 1972; Kits van Waveren 1985; Örstadius and Kundsen 2012;). It is characteristic of fragile basidiomata, hygrophanous pileus, brown to black brown spore print, always present cheilocystidia and basidiospores smooth or rarely granulose or with myxosporium, fading to greyish in concentrated sulphuric acid (H2SO4).

The studies of this genus mainly focused on Europe and North America in recent years (Romagnesi 1952; Smith 1972; Kits van Waveren 1985; Nagy et al. 2011; Örstadius and Kundsen 2012; Örstadius et al. 2015). In China, 51 names (Psathyrella s.l.) were reported, including four new species (Chiu 1973; Bi et al. 1985; Bi et al. 1987; Bi 1991; Wang and Bau 2014). Amongst them, 21 species can be found in Northeast China which includes Helongjiang Province, Jinlin Province, Liaoning Province and the northeast of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (Wang 2014).

Due to the morphological plasticity of the Psathyrella, some species cannot be distinguished clearly and many names have been combined (Örstadius and Kundsen 2012). Therefore, the aim of this study is to clarify the diversity of Psathyrella in Northeast China by traditional taxonomy and molecular phylogenetic analysis. The examined specimens (from 1997 to 2017) are deposited in the Herbarium of Mycology, Jilin Agricultural University (HMJAU). As a result of morphological and molecular observations, 27 species of Psathyrella were identified, and of which P. conica, P. jilinensis, P. mycenoides and P. subsingeri were reported as new species. Molecular phylogenetic affinities of the 27 species based on the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and an identification key to them are provided.

Materials and methods

Morphological studies

Specimens are deposited in the Herbarium of Mycology, Jilin Agricultural University (HMJAU). Macroscopic characteristics were recorded from fresh specimens. Colour codes are from Kornerup and Wanscher (1978). Samples for microscopic examination were mounted in water and 5% aqueous KOH. Amyloid reactions were diagnosed in Melzer’s reagent. Thirty basidiospores, cystidia and basidia were measured for each collection. The basidiospores quotient (Q=L/B) was calculated from measurements of basidiospores.

DNA extraction and sequencing

The NuClean Plant Genomic DNA kit (CWBIO) was employed for DNA extraction and PCR amplification from dried specimens. PCR was performed using a touchdown programme (Yan and Bau 2017) and the ITS region was amplified with the primer pair ITS1 and ITS4 (White et al. 1990). The details of sequenced specimens are given in Table 1. The DNA sequencing was done by Comate Bioscience Co., Ltd., Changcun City, China.

Table 1.

Sequenced specimens used in phylogenetic analysis.

Taxa Voucher Locality GenBank accession no. (ITS)
P. amaura (Berk. & Broome) Pegler HMJAU 37810 Jilin: Qiupi Village, Tonghua City MG734724
P. bipellis (Quél.) A.H. Sm. HMJAU 25349 Jilin: Jilin Agricultural University MG734722
P. borealis HMJAU 37924 Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region: Mangui Town MG734743
P. borealis A.H. Sm. HMJAU 37911 Jilin: Changbai Mountain National Nature Reserve MG734746
P. boreifasciculata Kytöv. & Liimat. HMJAU 27556 Heilongjiang: Nanwenghe National Nature Reserve KX901850
P. candolleana HMJAU 37994 Jilin: Dayangcha, Erdaobaihe Town MG734719
P. candolleana (Fr.) Maire HMJAU 37994 Liaoning: Wulong Mountain MG734720
P. conica HMJAU 22096 Jilin: Lushuihe Town, Baishan City MG734713
P. conica HMJAU 37846 Type Jilin: Changbai Mountain National Nature Reserve MG734739
P. conica HMJAU 37905 Jilin: Changbai Mountain National Nature Reserve MG734745
P. effibulata Örstadius & E. Ludw. HMJAU 37832 Jilin: Jingyuetan National Scenic Area MG734727
P. fennoscandica Örstadius & E. Larss. HMJAU 37918 Heilongjiang: Shuanghe National Nature Reserve MG734723
P. gordonii HMJAU 35984 Jilin: Jilin Agricultural University KX901852
P. gordonii (Berk. & Broome) A. Pearson & Dennis HMJAU 35983 Jilin: Jilin Agricultural University KY120974
P. jilinensis HMJAU 37822 Type Jilin: Changbai Mountain National Nature Reserve MG734717
P. jilinensis HMJAU 37824 Jilin: Changbai Mountain National Nature Reserve MG734721
P. lutensis (Romagn.) M.M. Moser HMJAU 37840 Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region: Huihe National Nature Reserve MG734748
P. luteopallida A.H. Sm. HMJAU 5148 Jilin: Zuojia Town, Jilin City MG734736
P. mammifera HMJAU 21908 Jilin: Mahutou Mountain, Changchun City MG734734
P. mammifera (Romagn.) Courtec. HMJAU 37882 Jilin: Changbai Mountain National Nature Reserve MG734740
P. mycenoides HMJAU 37888 Type Jilin: Jilin Agricultural University MG734730
P. mycenoides HMJAU 37993 Jilin: Jilin Agricultural University MG734731
P. obtusata HMJAU 37307 Jilin: Changbai Mountain National Nature Reserve KY224080
P. obtusata (Pers.) A.H. Sm. HMJAU 37310 Jilin: Changbai Mountain National Nature Reserve KY224081
P. panaeoloides (Maire) Arnolds HMJAU 23696 Jilin: Lushuihe Town, Baishan City MG734733
P. pertinax (Fr.) Örstadius HMJAU 6830 Jilin: Changbai Mountain National Nature Reserve MG734735
P. phegophila HMJAU 37848 Jilin: Songjiang Town MG734738
P. phegophila HMJAU 37804 Heilongjiang: Shengshan National Nature Reserve MG734726
P. phegophila Romagn. HMJAU 28267 Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region: Baiyin’aobao National Nature Reserve MG734728
P. piluliformis (Bull.) P.D. Orton HMJAU 37922 Heilongjiang: Shuanghe National Nature Reserve MG734716
P. pygmaea (Bull.) Singer HMJAU 37850 Jilin: Changbai Mountain National Nature Reserve MG734744
P. senex (Peck) A.H. Sm. HMJAU 4450 Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region: Hulunbeier City MG734732
P. singeri A.H. Sm. HMJUA 37867 Jilin: Changbai Mountain National Nature Reserve MG734718
P. spintrigeroides HMJAU 37820 Jilin: Changbai Mountain National Nature Reserve MG367203
P. spintrigeroides P.D. Orton HMJAU 37901 Jilin: Changbai Mountain National Nature Reserve MG734737
P. squamosa HMJAU 37816 Heilongjiang: Nanwenghe National Nature Reserve MG367206
P. squamosa (P. Karst.) A.H. Sm. HMJAU 35923 Jilin: Lushuihe Town, Baishan City MG734729
P. subsingeri HMJAU 37814 Yunnan: Yeya Lake MG734714
P. subsingeri HMJAU 37811 Jilin: Jilin Agricultural University MG734715
P. subsingeri HMJAU 37913 Type Jilin: ingyuetan National Scenic Area MG734725
P. subsingeri HMJAU 37915 Henan: Boerdeng National Forest Park MG734742
P. subspadiceogrisea HMJAU 35992 Type Jilin: Changbai Mountain National Nature Reserve KY678465
P. subspadiceogrisea T. Bau & J.Q. Yan HMJAU 35996 Jilin: Changbai Mountain National Nature Reserve KY678466
P. subterrestris A.H. Sm. HMJAU 37885 Jilin: Changbai Mountain National Nature Reserve MG734747
P. subterrestris HMJAU 37887 Jilin: Songjiang Town MG734741

Data analyses

ITS1+5.8S+ITS2 sequences of 27 species were tested with BLAST in GenBank. Fifty five sequences were downloaded from GenBank, including 21 type species of Psathyrella, based on BLAST results and referred to the recent studies (Nagy et al. 2013; von Bonsdorff et al. 2014; Örstadius et al. 2015; Yan and Bau 2017). A total of 103 ITS sequences were aligned using MAFFT 7.205 (Katoh and Standley 2013). The aligned ITS dataset consisted of 643 nucleotide sites (including gaps). The best model (GTR+I+G) was selected by AIC in MRMODELTEST 2.3 (Nylander 2004). Bayesian Inference (BI) was performed with MRBAYES 3.2.6 and four Markov Chains (MCMC) were run for three million generations, sampling every 300th generation. The first 25% trees were discarded (Ronquist and Huelsenbeck 2003). Maximum likelihood analysis was performed with IQTREE 1.5.6 (Nguyen et al. 2014).

Results

The phylogenetic tree (Figure 1) shows that all studied materials fall into Psathyrella, with a high statistical support value (BPP=1). It is divided into 14 clades. Most of them have a high statistical support value (BPP≥0.95, Bootstrap≥75), except /fibrillosa I and /fibrillosa II.

Figure 1. 

Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood tree inferred from partial ITS sequence data (BPP≥0.95, Bootstrap≥75 are indicated). The tree is rooted with Coprinellus sclerocystidiosus (M. Lange & A.H. Sm.) Vilgalys, Hopple & Jacq. Johnson. Newly generated sequences appear in bold. ● indicates newly described species.

Four new species are separated into individual lineages (BPP=1, Bootstrap=100) and are independent from the close taxa. Psathyrella conica forms a distinct lineage in /fibrillosa II; P. jilinensis belongs to /fibrillosa II and groups together with P. borealis; P. mycenoides belongs to /prona and is closely related to P. lilliputana Örstadius & E. Larss.; and P. subsingeri forms a distinct lineage in /candolleana.

The positions of some species are firstly supplemented: P. amaura belongs to /pygmaea and is very close to P. olympiana A.H. Sm.; P. borealis belongs to /fibrillosa II. P. mammifera belongs to /spadiceogrisea; P. singeri A.H. Sm. belongs to /candolleana; and P. subterrestris belongs to /noli-tangere.

Taxonomy

Psathyrella conica T. Bau & J.Q. Yan, sp. nov.

MycoBank No: 823858
Figs 2a–b, 3

Diagnosis

Pileus campanulate to conical, with a subacute to obtuse umbo in early stage. Lamellae 3.0–5.0 mm broad, close. Basidiospores 7.8–8.8 × 4.0–4.5(–5.0) μm, germ pore indistinct or absent. Pleurocystidia numerous, narrowly utriform, with obtuse to broad obtuse or slightly subcapitate at apex. Cheilocystidia scattered.

Holotype

CHINA. Jilin Province, Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, Antu County, Changbai Mountain, 30 Jun 2017, HMJAU 37846.

Etymology

Name refers to the conical pileus.

Figure 2. 

Basidiomata of Psathyrella species. a–b Psathyrella conica c–e Psathyrella jilinensis f Psathyrella mycenoides g–i Psathyrella subsingeri; Bars: 10 mm (a, c, d, f–h). Photographs a–e, g–i by Jun-Qing Yan; Photograph f by Tolgor Bau.

Description

Pileus 12–45 mm, campanulate to conical, with a subacute to obtuse umbo in early stage, hygrophanous, chestnut (7D4–7D6), becoming dirty white with slightly yellowish-brown (6C5–6C6) as drying, striate indistinctly. Veil with a thin coating of white to dirty white (6A1–6B1) fibrils, evanescent. Context dirty white with slightly pink (6B4–6B5), about 3.0 mm thick at stipe centre. Lamellae 3.0–5.0 mm broad, close, adnate to slightly adnexed, coffee-cream (6C4–6C6); edges white (6A1), saw-toothed under 20× magnifier. Stipe 34–85 × 2.0–7.0 mm, cylindrical, slightly expanded or not at base, white, with slightly brown at base, hollow, equal, surface covered with white (6A1) fibrils in early stage, evanescent. Odour and taste indistinctive.

Basidiospores 7.8–8.8 × 4.0–4.5(–5.0) μm, Q=1.8–2.1(–2.3), oblong-ellipsoid to oblong, in profile slightly flattened on one side, pale yellowish-brown in water, yellowish-brown to brown in 5% potassium hydroxide (KOH), inamyloid, smooth, with 1–2 guttulate, germ pore indistinct or absent. Basidia 20–25 × 7.3–9.8 μm, clavate, hyaline, 4- or 2-spored. Pleurocystidia 43–61 × (8.5–)9.8–12 μm, numerous, narrowly utriform, thin-walled, hyaline, with obtuse to broad obtuse or slightly subcapitate, sometimes adhering subhyaline deposits. Cheilocystidia scattered, similar to pleurocystidia, 24–39 × 8.5–12 μm; spheropedunculate or clavate cells abundant, 20–29 × 12–18 μm. Trama of gills irregular, up to 20 μm broad. Pileipellis consisting of 2–3 cells deep layer of subglobose cell, 25–37 μm broad. Clamps present.

Habit and habitat

Solitary to scattered on rotten wood or humus in mixed forests.

Other specimens examined

Jilin Province, Baishan City, Fusong County, Lushuihe town, 7 Jul 2004, HMJAU 4969; 29 Jun 2005, HMJAU 4923; 25 Jun 2009, HMJAU 22096; Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, Antu County, Changbai Mountain, 23 Jun 2012, HMJAU 25342; 4 Jul 2015, HMJAU 37826; 29 Jun 2017, HMJAU 37847, HMJAU 37904; 6 Aug 2017, HMJAU 37905.

Figure 3. 

Microscopic features of Psathyrella conica (HMJAU 37846). a Basidiomata b Basidiospores c Basidia d Pileipellis e Pleurocystidia f Cheilocystidia. Bars: 10 mm (a); 10 μm (b–f). Drawing by Jun-Qing Yan.

Psathyrella jilinensis T. Bau & J.Q. Yan, sp. nov.

MycoBank No: 823856
Figs 2c–e, 4

Diagnosis

Pileus paraboloid to convex, margin at first appendiculate with adhering patches of white evanescent inner veil. Lamellae 2.0–5.0 mm broad, moderately close. Basidiospores (5.8–)6.3–7.3(–7.8) × (2.9–)3.4–4.4 μm, germ pore absent or indistinct. Pleurocystidia fusiform to narrowly fusiform. Cheilocystidia similar to pleurocystidia. Cheilocystidia and pleurocystidia covered by hyaline, hemispherical amorphous incrustation at apex.

Holotype

CHINA. Jilin Province: Changbai Mountain, Antu County, Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, 42°23'51"N, 126°05'47"E, 760 m alt., 7 Jul 2015, HMJAU 37822.

Etymology

Name refers to the type locality where the new species was collected.

Description

Pileus 17–45 mm, paraboloid to convex, hygrophanous, reddish-brown (8E5–8E6) at centre, pale yellowish-brown (7C6–7D7) at margin in early stage, yellowish-brown (6B5–6C5), striate up to 1/2 from margin at maturity, becoming slightly brown (7C5–7D6) as pileus dries. Veil white (6A1), thin, fibrillose, at first as appendiculate inner veil or adhering patches at pileus margin, evanescent. Context white (6A1), thin, very fragile, about 2.0 mm thick at centre. Lamellae 2.0–5.0 mm broad, moderately close, adnate, greyish to greyish-brown (7C1–7C3); edges saw-toothed under 20× magnification. Stipe 40–50 × 3.0–7.0 mm, white (6A1), cylindrical, hollow, surface covered with slight white (6A1) evanescent fibrils. Odour and taste indistinctive.

Basidiospores (5.8–)6.3–7.3(–7.8) × (2.9–)3.4–4.4 μm, Q= (1.4–)1.8–2.0(–2.3), oblong-ellipsoid, in profile flattened on one side, pale brown in water, brown in 5% KOH, gradually becoming greyish-brown, inamyloid, smooth, germ pore absent or indistinct, about 0.9 μm wide (if it can be observed). Basidia 15–17 × 6.0–7.0 μm, clavate, hyaline, 4 or 2-spored. Pleurocystidia fusiform, narrowly fusiform, rarely narrowly utriform, thin-walled or slightly thick-walled, apex obtuse to subacute, hyaline, covered by hyaline, hemispherical amorphous incrustation, which can dissolve in 5% KOH. Cheilocystidia 37–51 × 8.5–12 μm, similar to pleurocystidia, hyaline, covered with amorphous incrustation at apex. Trama of gills parallel to hyphae, up to 15 μm broad. Pileipellis consisting of 2–3 cells deep layer of subglobose cell, 20–30 μm broad. Veil composed of cylindrical hyphae, 8.5–10 μm broad. Clamps present.

Figure 4. 

Microscopic features of Psathyrella jilinensis (HMJAU 37822). a Basidiomata b Basidiospores c Basidia d Pileipellis e Pleurocystidia f Cheilocystidia. Bars: 10mm (a); 10μm (b–f). Drawing by Jun-Qing Yan.

Habit and habitat

Solitary to scattered on rotten wood or humus in mixed forests.

Other specimens examined

Jilin Province, Baishan City, Fusong County, Lushuihe town, 27 Jun 2009, HMJAU 22099; 9 Jul 2015, HMJAU 37823; Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, Antu County, Changbai Mountain, 23 Jun 2012, HMJAU 25351; 31 Aug 2012, HMJAU 25351; Dayangcha, 6 Jul 2015, HMJAU 37824.

Psathyrella mycenoides T. Bau, sp. nov.

MycoBank No: 823857
Figs 2f, 5

Diagnosis

Pileus 4.0–5.0 mm, hemispherical to convex. Stipe slender. Basidiospores 8.8–9.2(–9.7) × 4.9–5.4 μm, germ pore distinct, but small. Pleurocystidia scattered, fusiform to lageniform with an obtuse apex. Cheilocystidia lageniform, with an obtuse apex or clavate to spheropedunculate with a long or short mucronate apex.

Holotype

CHINA. Jilin Province, Changchun City, Jilin Agricultural University, 43°48'36"N, 125°24'25"E, 220 m alt., 10 Sep 2016, HMJAU 37888.

Etymology

Name refers to its macroscopic characteristics similar to Mycena.

Description

Pileus 4.0–5.0 mm, hemispherical to convex, dirty white with pinkish (7A4–7B5), hygrophanous, striate up to centre from margin. Veil not observed. Context very thin and very fragile, about 0.5 mm thick at stipe centre. Lamellae 1.5–2.0 mm broad, adnate to slightly adnexed, pale brown (7C3–7C4), edges saw-toothed under 20× magnification. Stipe slender, 25–30 × 0.5–1.0 mm, hygrophanous, subhyaline, cylindrical, hollow, equal, fragile, evanescently pruinose at apex.

Basidiospores 8.8–9.2(–9.7) × 4.9–5.4 μm, Q=1.6–2.0, ellipsoid to oblong- ellipsoid, in profile flattened on one side, pale yellowish-brown in water, becoming dark grey to dark brown in 5% KOH, germ pore distinct, but small, about 0.9 μm broad. Basidia 15–17 × 8.8–10 μm, clavate, hyaline, 4- or 2-spored. Pleurocystidia 37–56 × 12–17 μm, scattered, fusiform to lageniform with an obtuse apex, thin-walled and hyaline. Cheilocystidia numerous, 29–44 × 9.8–17 μm, hyaline, lageniform with an obtuse apex or clavate to spheropedunculate, with long or short mucronate apex, rarely spheropedunculate. Trama of gills irregular, hyphae up to 10 μm broad. Pileipellis hymeniderm, cells 20–30 μm broad. Clamps present.

Figure 5. 

Microscopic features of Psathyrella mycenoides (HMJAU 37888). a Basidiomata b Basidiospores c Basidia d Pileipellis e Pleurocystidia f Cheilocystidia. Bars: 10mm (a); 10μm (d–f). Drawing by Jun-Qing Yan.

Habit and habitat

Solitary to scattered on humus in mixed forests.

Other specimens examined

CHINA. Jilin Province, Changchun City, Jilin Agricultural University, 12 Sep 2016, HMJAU 37993.

Psathyrella subsingeri T. Bau & J.Q. Yan, sp. nov.

MycoBank: MB823855 Figs 2g–i, 6

Diagnosis

Pileus 15–40 mm, paraboloid to conical. Lamellae 2.0–4.0 mm broad, close. Basidiospores 5.8–7.8(–8.8) × 3.9–4.4(–5.0) μm, very pale, nearly hyaline or slightly yellow in water and 5% KOH. Germ pore absent. Pleurocystidia absent. Cheilocystidia utriform to predominantly spheropedunculate.

Holotype

CHINA. Jilin Province, Changchun City, Jingyuetan National Scenic Area, 43°47'38"N, 125°26'55"E, 200 m alt., 25 Jun 2017, HMJAU 37913.

Etymology

Name refers to its microscopic characteristics similar to P. singeri.

Description

Pileus 15–40 mm, paraboloid to conical, obtuse or slightly umbonate at disc, hygrophanous, dark reddish-brown (8E7–8F8) or faint yellowish-brown (5C5–5C4), becoming yellowish-brown (6D5–6D6) as pileus dries, striate indistinct. Veil present in early stage, thin, white (6A1), fibrillose, evanescent. Context white (6A1), thin and very fragile, about 2.5 mm thick at stipe centre. Lamellae 2.0–4.0 mm broad, close, adnate, pale brown (6C4–6C5), edges white (6A1), saw-toothed under 20× magnifier. Stipe 35–50 × 3.0–4.5 mm, cylindrical, hollow, equal, fragile, covered with slight white (6A1) fibrils, which fall off easily. Spore print chocolate (7E7–7E8). Odour and taste indistinctive.

Basidiospores 5.8–7.8(–8.8) × 3.9–4.4(–5.0) μm, Q=1.4–2.0, ellipsoid to oblong-ellipsoid, in profile flattened on one side, very pale, nearly hyaline or slightly yellow in water and 5% KOH, inamyloid, smooth. Germ pore absent. Basidia 15–22 × 7.3–9.8 μm, 4- or 2-spored, clavate, hyaline. Pleurocystidia absent. Cheilocystidia utriform to spheropedunculate, rarely clavate to fusiform with an obtuse to broadly obtuse apex, thin-walled, hyaline. Caulocystidia 26–37 × 9.8–15 μm, rarely, various, clavate, utriform, thin-walled, hyaline. Trama of gills irregular, up to 15 μm broad. Pileipellis consisting of 1–2 cells, deep layer of subglobose cell, 20–32 μm broad. Clamps present.

Figure 6. 

Microscopic features of Psathyrella subsingeri (HMJAU 37913). a Basidiomata b Basidiospores c Basidia d Pileipellis e Cheilocystidia f Caulocystidia. Bar: 10 mm (a); 10 μm (b–f). Drawing by Jun-Qing Yana.

Habit and habitat

Solitary to scattered on terrestrial or humus in mixed forests.

Other specimens examined

Henan Province, Xinyang City, Boerdeng National Forest Park, 16 Jul 2017, HMJAU 37915; Xian Mountain, 15 Jul 2017, HMJAU 37931; Jilin Province, Changchun City, Jilin Agricultural University, 21 Jun 2016. HMJAU 37811; Jingyuetan National Scenic Area, 25 Jun 2017, HMJAU 37914; 7 Jul 2017, HMJAU 37849; Tonghua City, Qiupi Village, 6 Aug 2015, HMJAU 37812, HMJAU 37813; Yunnan Province, Yeya Lake, 7 Aug 2016, HMJAU 37814; 6 Aug 2017, HMJAU 37852; 23 Aug 2017, HMJAU 37962.

Discussion

These phylogenetic results are very much in congruence with the study of Larsson and Örstadius (2008) and Örstadius et al. (2015), except /fibrillosa, which separates to two lineages (/fibrillosa I and /fibrillosa II). As only ITS sequences were analysed in this study, this accounts for the difference and the very low support value (BPP<0.3). Four new species are separated into individual lineages (BPP=1) and distinct from other closely related taxa.

Psathyrella conica is a distinct lineage in fibrillosa II, which is independent from any other related taxa. Morphologically, it can be classified in subsection Spadiceogriseae (Kits van Waveren 1985). Only P. clivensis (Berk. & Broome) P. D. Orton does not have a germ pore in this subsection, but basidiospores of P. clivensis are obviously broader, 8–10 × 5.5–6.5 μm and ellipsoid to ovoid (Kits van Waveren 1985). It can also be classified in section Fatuae (Smith 1972), some species having sturdy stipe and utriform cystidia, but they can be clearly distinguished from P. conica by other micromorphology. Psathyrella acadiensis A.H. Sm. has smaller basidiospores, which are only up to 6.0 μm long; P. albocinerascens A.H. Sm. has an obvious germ pore and white pileus in the early stage; P. amarella A.H. Sm. and P. spadiceogrisea (Schaeff.) Maire have an obvious germ pore; P. vesiculocystis A.H. Sm. has pedicellate-pleurocystidia (Smith 1972). Furthermore, P. terrestris Natarajan has aspects of P. conica, whose pileus is umbonate, but it has broadly utriform pleurocystidia and its basidiospores are dark brown, subglobose and up to 8.5 μm broad (Natarajan 1978).

Psathyrella jilinensis grouped together with P. borealis in /fibrillosa II. However, P. borealis has an obvious germ pore. Morphologically, it can be classified in section Hydrophilae by basidiospores rarely exceeding 7.5 μm and the presence of pleurocystidia. There are hardly any other species in the section that match the characteristics of P. jilinensis. The pleurocystidia of P. atomatoides (Peck) A.H. Sm. do not have amorphous incrustation. Basidiospores of P. cortinarioides P.D. Orton and P. pertinax have a clearly truncated base. Cystidia of P. umbrina Kits van Wav. have subacute apex and their basidiospores are broader, up to 4.5–5.5 μm (Kits van Waveren 1985; Örstadius and Kundsen 2012). Furthermore, P. cokeri (Murrill) A.H. Sm., P. pennata and P. subsimilissima A.H. Sm. have some similar aspects of P. jilinensis, but P. cokeri (Murrill) A.H. Sm. and P. subsimilissima A.H. Sm. do not have amorphous incrustation (Smith 1972) and P. pennata grows on burnt soil, its basidiospores being larger and narrowly amygdaloid (Örstadius and Kundsen 2012).

Psathyrella mycenoides belongs to /prona and is placed close to P. lilliputana. However P. lilliputana has larger (9.5–11 × 5.0–6.0 μm) and snout-like basidiospores (Örstadius et al. 2015). Morphologically, more than 10 species of Psathyrella have very small basidiomata, whose pileus rarely exceeds 10 mm, but they can be separated by obvious characteristics as follows: P. byssina (Murrill) A.H. Sm. and P. scheppingensis Arnolds have smaller basidiospores, which rarely exceed 7.5 μm (Smith 1972; Arnolds 2003); P. coprinoides A. Delannoy, Chiaffi, Courtec. & Eyssart. and P. tenuicula (P. Karst.) Örstadius & Huhtinen have pileocystidia and slender basidiospores (Örstadius and Huhtinen 1996; Delannoy et al. 2002); the coprophilous fungi of P. granulose Arnolds have utriform cystidia (Arnolds 2003); basidiospores of P. liciosae Contu & Pacioni are partly phaseoliform in side view and ochraceous-brown in 5% KOH (Contu and Pacioni 1998); P. minima Peck has very distant lamellae (Peck 1878); and basidiospores of P. psilocyboides A.H. Sm. are truncated at the base (Smith 1972).

Psathyrella subsingeri belongs to /candollena. Only P. luteopallida and P. singeri have nearly hyaline basidiospores pores in this clade. However, the basidiospores of P. luteopallida are longer than 8.0 μm. The basidiospores of P. singeri are broader, up to 5.5 μm (Smith 1972). Morphologically, P. subsingeri belongs to section Spintrigerae with basidiospores less than 9.0 μm and absent pleurocystidia (Kits van Waveren 1985). Its cheilocystidium is similar to P. submicrospora Heykoop & G. Moreno [= Coprinopsis submicrospora (Heykoop & G. Moreno) Örstadius & E. Larss.], but basidiospores of P. submicrospora are predominantly amygdaliform (Heykoop and Moreno 2002). It also can be classified in series Atricastaneae (Smith 1972). There are only three species in the series that match the characteristic of subhyaline to hyaline basidiospores in water or 5% KOH. However, they can be separated as follows: the basidiospores of P. atricastanea (Murrill) A.H. Sm are truncate; P. albipes A.H. Sm. and P. subhyalinispora (Murrill) A.H. Sm. differ in having an obvious germ pore (Smith 1972). Furthermore, P. aequatoriae Singer has subhyaline to hyaline basidiospores, but differs by smaller and sometimes papillate pileus. Psathyrella olympiana and P. bipellis [= P. odorata (Peck) Sacc.] have aspects of P. subsingeri in macroscopic characteristics, whose pileus are reddish-brown, but have pleurocystidia (Örstadius and Kundsen 2012).

Key to species of Psathyrella in Northeast China

1 Pleurocystidia absent 2
Pleurocystidia present 5
2 Basidiospores brown in 5% KOH P. candolleana
Basidiospores very pale, subhyaline in 5% KOH 3
3 Basidiospores predominantly longer than 8.0 μm P. luteopallida
Basidiospores shorter 4
4 Basidiospores up to 5.5 μm broad P. singeri
Basidiospores up to 4.5 μm broad P. subsingeri
5 Basidiospores longer than 10 μm, pleurocystidia utriform to clavate, sometimes with yellowish-brown inclusions P. bipellis
Not as above 6
6 Germ pore always or predominantly distinctly visible 7
Germ pore absent or predominantly indistinctly visible 19
7 Pleurocystidia rarely, lageniform, shorter than 40 μm, clamps absent P. effibulata
Not as above 8
8 Basidiospores up to 7.0 μm long 9
Basidiospores longer 10
9 Pleurocystidia up to 35 μm long, mostly with distinct crystals P. pygmaea
Pleurocystidia up to 65 μm long, without crystals P. piluliformis
10 Basidiomata densely caespitose, cheilocystidia fusiform or mucronat, basidiospores 8.5–9.8 × 4.6–5.1 μm P. boreifasciculata
Not as above 11
11 Pleurocystidia mostly fusiform or lageniform 12
Pleurocystidia mostly utriform, narrowly utriform or clavate 14
12 Basidiomata vary small, pileus up to 5.0 mm, cheilocystidia with long or short mucronate P. mycenoides
Not as above 13
13 Grown on sphagnum, basidiospores 8.8–9.2 × 4.4–5.0 μm P. borealis
Terrestrial or basidiomata attached to bits of woody debris, basidiospores 7.3–8.8 × 4.1–4.4 μm P. subterrestris
14 Basidiospores distinctly triangular P. panaeoloides
Not as above 15
15 Pleurocystidia often with in ammonia greenish deposits, basidiospores 8.8–9.7 × 4.4–4.9 μm P. lutensis
Not as above 16
16 Cheilocystidia clavate to spheropedunculate, pleurocystidioid cheilocystidia scattered P. phegophi la
Pleurocystidioid cheilocystidia numerous 17
17 Basidiospores up to 6.0 μm broad P. fennoscandica
Basidiospores up to 5.0 μm broad 18
18 Veil strongly developed and flocculose, pleurocystidia utriform or clavate P. gordonii
eil with a thin coating of fibrils, pleurocystidia narrowly utriform P. senex
19 Pleurocystidia distinctly thick-walled or slightly thick-walled, covered with distinct crystals, basidiospores up to 9 μm long 20
Not as above 21
20 Pleurocystidia utriform, distinctly thick-walled P. amaura
Pleurocystidia fusiform, slightly thick-walled or thin-walled P. jilinensis
21 Pleurocystidia fusiform, lageniform, with obtuse or subacute apex 22
Pleurocystidia utriform, narrowly utriform, with obtuse to broad obtuse apex 25
22 Cheilocystidia mucronate, basidiospores ellipsoid, pale brown in 5% KOH P. obtusata
Not as above 23
23 Basidiospores (6.8–)7.3–7.8(–8.8) × 3.4–4.9 μm, base often broadly truncate, in profile often phaseoliform P. pertinax
Not as above 24
24 Basidiospores oblong to oblong-ellipsoid, pleurocystidia thin-walled P. squamosa
Basidiospores ellipsoid, pleurocystidia slightly thick-walled P. spintrigeroides
25 Basidiospores reddish-brown in water P. mammifera
Basidiospores yellowish-brown or pale yellowish-brown in water 26
26 Pileus often with subacute or obtuse umbo, basidiospores 7.8–8.8 × 4.0–4.5(–5.0) μm, oblong to oblong-ellipsoid P. conica
Pileus without umbo, basidiospores 6.8–7.8 × 3.9–4.9 μm, ellipsoid, rarely oval P. subspadiceogrisea

Acknowledgments

This work is supported by the 111 Project (grant numbers D17014) and the Ministry of Education Innovation Team (grant numbers IRT1134 and IRT-15R25). We sincerely thank Mr. Bai Wang (Changbai Mountain Academy of Sciences, Jilin, China) for his kind help during field work.

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