Biotrophic and saprophytic fungi from the Rhodocybe-Clitopilus clade (Entolomataceae): two new species and one new record in subtropical China

This study proposes two new species and a new record in the <i>Rhodocybe-Clitopilus</i> clade, based on comprehensive morphological and molecular analyses. The nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer region ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS), the large subunit ribosomal RNA gene (LSU), the RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (<i>RPB2</i>) and the translation elongation factor 1-alpha gene (<i>TEF1</i>), were employed to elucidate the relationships of <i>Clitopilus</i> and <i>Rhodocybe</i>. The first species, <i>Clitopilusparasiticus</i>, is capable of infecting the leaves of host plants in the genera <i>Dryopteris</i> and <i>Oplismenus</i>, exhibiting typical biotrophic behaviour while also demonstrating saprophytic growth on soil. Intraspecific comparisons were conducted, examining environmental factors as well as macro- and microscopic characteristics amongst individuals found on different plant hosts. Furthermore, this study reports the new saprophytic species, <i>Rhodocybezijinshanensis</i> and provides a detailed description of <i>Clitopilusbaronii</i>, a newly-recorded species in China.