First records of Phellodon castaneoleucus in the chestnut forest of Monte Rocca Romana

We report the finding of the recent species Phellodon castaneoleucus growing in late autumn in two sites in the forest of Monte Rocca Romana, inside the Bracciano-Martignano Regional Natural Park in the province of Viterbo, Latium, Italy. Molecular analyses have been performed to obtain reliable taxonomic information. DNA-checked data is necessary to refine the distribution and ecology of the Phellodon genus which are usually only known from the few localities where they were originally collected. We have already reported interesting mycological findings (Hydnum ibericum, Hydnum ovoidesporum, Entoloma dislocatum, Ramariopsis pulchella) from this area, characterised by a forest composed in prevalence of Castanea sativa mixed with some Fagus sylvatica trees, indicating a large interesting fungal biodiversity. The annual presence of these stipitate hydnoid fungi is an indicator of the good quality of this forest habitat.