New Crepidotus (Agaricales, Crepidotaceae) findings in China: Crepidotus cinereofuscus sp. nov. and record of C. stenocystis

In this paper, we report on several specimens of <i>Crepidotus</i> collected from the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, an arid area of China characterised by a continental climate. Morphological and phylogenetic analyses revealed two taxa: the first record for China of <i>Crepidotusstenocystis</i> Pouzar and a new species <i>Crepidotuscinereofuscus</i> sp. nov. <i>C.stenocystis</i> is a wood-inhabiting saprotrophic fungus, belonging to C.subg.Dochmiopussect.Sphaeruli Hesler & Smith because of the presence of clamp connections and subglobose verrucose basidiospores. Phylogenetically, the Chinese sequence of <i>C.stenocystis</i> formed a strongly-supported clade with other reliable sequences. <i>C.cinereofuscus</i> is a soil-saprotrophic fungus, classified in C.subg.Dochmiopussect.Autochthoni Consiglio & Setti because of its smooth basidiospores and clamp connections. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed that <i>C.cinereofuscus</i> is closely related to <i>Crepidotusclavocystidiatus</i> M.H. Han, Q. Na & Y.P. Ge, but it is clearly separated and formed a distinct clade. <i>C.cinereofuscus</i> is also different from <i>C.clavocystidiatus</i> in morphological characteristics. Detailed species descriptions, photographs and line drawings of these taxa are provided. This study enhances our understanding of <i>Crepidotus</i> diversity in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, raising the total number of <i>Crepidotus</i> species reported from this region to seven.