<Calvatia craniiformis> (Schwein.) Fr. ex De Toni (Agaricomycetes: Lycoperdaceae): a new puffball mushroom record from eastern India

The present study reports the occurrence of Calvatia craniiformis, collected during early monsoon, from the forest floor of Ajodhya Hills, near Teliabhasa village in the Baghmundi Block of Purulia District, West Bengal. The identity of the taxon was revealed through macro- and micro-morphological characterization, followed by nrITS based phylogenetic analyses, representing a first report from eastern India. A detailed description, scanning electron microscopy micrographs and molecular phylogeny are provided.