Phylogenetic Assessment of Understudied Families in Hymenochaetales (Basidiomycota, Fungi)—Reporting Uncovered Species and Reflecting the Recent Taxonomic Updates in the Republic of Korea

Abstract

AbstractHymenochaetales Oberw. is an order classified in Basidiomycota of Fungi, and species in this order display notable diversity. They exhibit various fruiting body shapes, including clavarioid, effused-reflexed, and resupinate basidiomes. Few mycorrhizal species have been reported in Hymenochaetales, but wood-decaying species dominate the order. Hymenochaetaceae Imazeki & Toki and Schizoporaceae Jülich are the most species-rich families within Hymenochaetales, and most species in the Republic of Korea belong to these two families. As such, current taxonomic classification and nomenclature are not reflected upon species in the remaining Hymenochaetales families. For this study, a multifaceted morphological and multigenetic marker-based phylogenetic investigation was conducted to, firstly, comprehensively identify understudied Hymenochaetales specimens in Korea and, secondly, reflect the updates on the species classification. Five genetic markers were assessed for the phylogenetic analysis: nuclear small subunit ribosomal DNA (nSSU), internal transcribed spacer (ITS), nuclear large subunit ribosomal DNA (nLSU), RNA polymerase II subunit 2 gene (RPB2), and translation elongation factor 1 gene (TEF1). The results from phylogenetic analysis supported 18 species classified under eight families (excluding Hymenochaetaceae and Schizoporaceae) in Korea. Species formerly placed in Rickenellaceae and Trichaptum sensu lato have been systematically revised based on recent taxonomic reconstructions. In addition, our findings revealed one new species, Rickenella umbelliformis, and identified five formerly nationally unreported species classified under five understudied families. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of Hymenochaetales diversity and highlight the need for continued research.