Clitopilus chichawatniensis sp. nov. (Entolomataceae, Agaricales) from Pakistan

Abstract

A novel mushroom species occurring on loamy soil under Bombax cieba was collected from Chichawatni forest, Punjab, Pakistan. Phylogenetic analyses of the nrDNA ITS and nuLSU regions revealed that it clusters within the genus Clitopilus. Further morpho-anatomical analyses confirmed its uniqueness, which is referred as a new species under the name Clitopilus chichawatniensis. The distinguishing characteristics of this novel taxon are large whitish to light pale, eccentric pleurotoid pileus 50–65 mm wide with lobed and involuted margins, large ovoid to ellipsoid basidiospores 6.2–8.4 × 4.8–6.4 µm with 3–5 longitudinal ridges, absence of cheilocystidia and pleurocystidia. A detailed description of this taxon and a key to all existing species of the genus Clitopilus in Pakistan is provided.