Five new species of Pseudosperma (Inocybaceae, Agaricales) from Benin and Turkey based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic evidence

Abstract

Species of Pseudosperma (Inocybaceae) are widely distributed from temperate to tropical regions. In this study, we describe and illustrate five new species of Pseudosperma: P. beninense, P. cremeo-ochraceum, P. squarrosofulvum, P. stramineum, and P. tiliae, based on comprehensive analyses of morphological and molecular data derived from specimens collected in Benin (West Africa) and Turkey (Western Eurasia). These new species have been found in forests with Isoberlinia spp. and other ectomycorrhizal tree species in Benin and in association with Tilia platyphyllos in Turkey. The phylogenetic relationships of the new species were inferred through analyses of nuclear rDNA sequences, encompassing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), 28S rDNA, and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2) region. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that P. beninense, P. cremeo-ochraceum, P. squarrosofulvum, and P. stramineum from Benin cluster with species from Australia, China, and India within a clade formed exclusively by species known from the palaeotropics and Australia, whereas P. tiliae from Turkey clustered with P. mediterraneum from Italy. Detailed descriptions are provided, supplemented by illustrations and line drawings of key micromorphological features. In addition, a comparative analysis with morphologically similar and phylogenetically closely related species is presented and discussed in detail.