Fungi A NEW SPECIES OF Clitopilus Shanglayensis (ENTOLOMATACESAE, AGARICALES) REPORTED FROM KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, PAKISTAN

Abstract In current study a new species Clitopilus shanglayensis (Entolomatacesae, Agaricales) was reported based on morphological and molecular confirmation from northern region of Pakistan. Morphological parameters which differ the species from other species include white yellowish pileus (05-06 cm wide), light brown stipe and pale yellowish lamella. The fungal molecular markers nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and larger subunits (LSU) were sequenced and used for phylogenetic analysis. The phylogenetic analysis based on ITS and LSU sequences by using Maximum Likelihood method (ML) revealed that the novel species reported from current study had distinct characteristics features than other species. A complete detail description, color photographs and evolutionary relatedness of novel species Clitopilus shanglayensis were mentioned.  Keywords: Agaricales, Clitopilus, Entolomatacesae, Molecular, Phylogenetic analysis,