Scanning Electron Microscopy and Molecular Phylogenetic Analyses Revealed a Poisonous Mushroom, <i>Cantharocybe virosa</i> (<i>Hygrophoraceae</i>, <i>Agaricales</i>), From Pakistan

Consumption of Cantharocybe virosa, misidentified as an edible species, has caused gastrointestinal illness in India and Thailand, highlighting the need for its proper taxonomic documentation worldwide. During an extensive fungal survey in Punjab, Pakistan, a remarkable Cantharocybe species was collected from Lahore district. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with the phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) and large ribosomal subunit (nLSU) sequences identified the species as C. virosa . This study marks the first phytogeographical record of C. virosa from Pakistan, contributing to the broader understanding of its distribution range. A detailed morphological characterization, micrographs, phylogenetic and comparative analyses with other species of Cantharocybe is presented in this article. This research work significantly expands the known biogeographical range of C. virosa.